Conley (USA) Connally (Ireland) - Counties Meath or Donegal circa 1650

Hi Rob,

Thank you very much for you query to Ireland Reaching Out. You have done a fine job researching your family line back that far. well done!

It is very interesting to see how the Conley name changed through the generations. The usual spelling for that name in Ireland is Connolly or maybe Connelly. There are many variations. If I new a little more detail about where exactly the furthest generation came from , I might be able to direct you to some sources you could check. When you mention Virginia, I take you mean in the US rather than in County Cavan. Have you searched for any death records for Thomas or James Connally? You might find out a little more information.

Best of luck in your research!

Kind regards,

Sinead Cooney

Hi Sinead,

Sorry for not replying earlier. Yes it is Lancaster, Virginia, USA . I have asked my brother to have another look at any certificates or records in the ancestor.com family tree to see if there is any mention of any parish or townland in Ireland mentioned. I think the answer will be no but he will look. Iwill get back to you later with a reply on that request.

Regards,

Rob Genest 

Hi Rob,

I have been tracing my family tree. My maiden name is Conley. I've made it all the way back to Thomas (b. 1673, Ireland)

Our name was changed from Connally to Conley sometime in the mid 1800's. There was John Oldham Connally (b. c. 1783 in North Carolina). His son Preston found his way to Texas between 1845-1855 where he married and changed the name to Conley.

Starting with my Grandfather, John Cochran Conley

His father was Robert Preston b.1895

John Cochran b. 1852 in Texas

Preston b. circa 1818 in Alabama (changed name to Conley)

John Oldham Connally b. circa 1873 in North Carolina

John b, circa 1783 in North Carolina

George (who I assume is the brother of the Thomas you listed as born in 1738) b. 1731 in Virginia

John b. 1705

Thomas b. 1673

I am having a hard time fully verifying my information, so if you notice any discrepancies, please let me know.

-Andrea

Andrea, my great grandfather's name was John Cochran Conley.  His parents were Preston and Absolena Moore Conley.  They lived in Trinity County, Texas.  Preston deserted his family some time around 1853, and we haven't been able to find out what happened to him.  Could this be the same Preston that you show was born in 1818 in Alabama?  Your John Cochran was born in 1852, the same year as my great grandfather John.  John and his wife Nancy are buried at Ellis Springs Cemetery.

Judy

Yes Judy, that would be the same John Cochran! My grandfather was named after him!  I'm not entirely believing the story that Preston abandoned his family. There wasn't any story of that happening passed down on my end anyway.  I found Preston. He ended up in North East Texas (can't remember the town name off hand) working as a horse trainer. As far as I know he never made it back to Houston. It is possible that he went North to work and after not hearing from him (mail wasn't exactly reliable) Absolena assumed him dead and moved on with her life.  Do you know if maybe there was a divorce there?

Yes Judy, that would be the same John Cochran! My grandfather was named after him!  I'm not entirely believing the story that Preston abandoned his family. There wasn't any story of that happening passed down on my end anyway.  I found Preston. He ended up in North East Texas (can't remember the town name off hand) working as a horse trainer. As far as I know he never made it back to Houston. It is possible that he went North to work and after not hearing from him (mail wasn't exactly reliable) Absolena assumed him dead and moved on with her life.  Do you know if maybe there was a divorce there?

We found out Preston deserted his family through property records that are recorded in Trinity County, Texas.  John Cochran was selling some land, and it states on there that Preston deserted his wife Absolena.

We found out Preston deserted his family through property records that are recorded in Trinity County, Texas.  John Cochran was selling some land, and it states on there that Preston deserted his wife Absolena.

We found out Preston deserted his family through property records that are recorded in Trinity County, Texas.  John Cochran was selling some land, and it states on there that Preston deserted his wife Absolena.

We found out Preston deserted his family through property records that are recorded in Trinity County, Texas.  John Cochran was selling some land, and it states on there that Preston deserted his wife Absolena.