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Searching for information on Peter Whalen (Whelan)

He was born in Ireland approximately 1846 and died in NYC in 1891 at the age of 45
Based on his death certificate he arrived in US in 1866 - could be 1865 or 1867. His parents are listed as Peter and Mary Whalen on his death certificate.  It is possible that he has siblings named: Edward, Mary and Ellen.  These were names of godparents to his children.

He married Ellen (Hellen) Burke approximately 1868 or 1869 in the US I believe as their first child was born/baptized in 1870. Ellen was born in Ireland approximately 1849 based on death certificate and arrived in the US in 1868/1869.  Her parents are listed as Peter and Bridget Burke.  

Family stories say that they came from Waterford/Wexford but I am really not all the confident that is correct information.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!!!

Susan McNamee

Sunday 12th Jul 2015, 12:46PM

Message Board Replies

  • SMC1225:

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    I did a search on Roots Ireland from 1840-1850 for Peter Whelan/Whelan baptismal records with a father Peter and a mother Mary. The only record that came up was a February 16th 1845 baptismal record for a Peter Whelan in the Clonmore RC parish which covers southwest Co. Wicklow and northeast Co. Carlow. The family lived in Cronelea townland which is in Mullinacuff civil parish in Co. Wicklow on the border with Co. Carlow. The National Library of Ireland just placed all RC parish registers online for free searching. Here is the link to Clonmore's register.  http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0701  You can look up the actual record. I would also look for th siblings which would help to confirm if this Peter is your ancestor. 

    One word of caution. Not all RC churches have records back to 1845. Also Roots does not have many of the Wexford churches in their data base. So, if Peter was actually from Wexford or a parish where records are no longer available back to 1845 then the record above is for a different Peter.

    Let me know if you have questions.

    Roger mcDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 12th Jul 2015, 02:39PM
  • Thanks so much for the quick response!  This is great - I will start off looking here in the RC parish registers.

     

    Thanks,

    Susan McNamee

    Susan McNamee

    Sunday 12th Jul 2015, 08:32PM
  • Whalen/Whelan/Phelan

    I want to further the search that my cousin, Susan McNamee, began and posted a message in July 2015.  From Ancestry.com, Ireland Catholic Parish registeres records, it appears that Peter John Whalen (my great grandfather) was born Feb. 9, 1845 in Carlow, Ireland. He was baptized on Feb. 19, 1445 in Wicklow, Ireland.  His parents are Peter Whelan (note the different spelling) and Mary Wall.

    Peter John Whalen arrived in New York on June 20, 1866.  He married Ellen Burke on Nov. 29, 1868 in Manhattan New York.

    I live in the state of Delaware in the U.S. and  plan to travel to Ireland in May 2019 and would like to connect with any descendants.  

    My great great great grandfather, Peter Whelan was born Nov. 11, 1799 in Rathvilly, Carlow, Ireland and baptized on Nov. 21 in Rathvilly, Carlow Ireland.  He had two sisters  Mary Whelan (born 1802), Ann Whelan (born 1804).  He married Mary Wall, ( born in 1799) on May 27, 1824 in Wicklow, Ireland (registered as Phelan on the marriage record )- Parish: Carnew, County Wicklow.

    Peter Whelan and Mary Wall had several children:  Mary (b. 1826), Elizabeth (b 1829), Edward (born 1831), Patrick (b. 1833),Ann (b 1836), John (b1838), William (b1840), Catherine (b1843) and Peter John (b 1845)  (my great great grandfather).

     I hope this additional information is helpful and will help in my search to meet any descendants.

    Christine Whalen Dennis

    Christine Whalen Dennis

    Monday 15th Oct 2018, 09:03PM
  • Dear Christine:

    Many thanks for your message and for details of your upcoming trip.

    There is a parish office in the Rathvilly/Kiltegan parish area (both parishes are connected) and you might want to contact them ahead of time to see what arrangements you can make to view records if you wish. 

    http://office@rathvillykilteganparish.ie

    In addition, I have contacted one of the local historical societies and I will forward details to you once I have heard from them.  These details will be posted on this thread. 

    If there is anything further that we can do for you, please let us know.

    Kind regards,

    Jane.

    Jane Halloran Ryan

    Thursday 25th Oct 2018, 11:44AM

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