John Bernard 1787-1885 farmer

Irma:

The 1852 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing shows a John Bernard in Gortshanvally townland in Ballymacelligott civil parish. Is that your ancestor? Can you share the death record you mentioned for Thomas Benner?

The 1911 census only showed 12 Bernards in all of Co. Kerry including 6 in this one family in Tooreenastonoka townland in Ballymacelligott civil parish. This family was Church of Ireland http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Kerry/Nohaval/Tooreenn…;  Is this your family?

Roger McDonnell

Yes this is my family. Thomas Benner Bernard emigrated to Canada in 1858. He died in Morris Twp. Huron County, Ontario, Canada.  He died Feb. 13, 1916. 

Thank you for any info you have. Sincerely  Irma Bernard Pryce

Hello cousin Irma, John Bernard and Eliza Sparling were my gggGrandparents. I believe that Johns fathers name was Robert (dont have any dates for Robert) and Johns grandfather was another JOHN (1705-1756). I am a descendant of RICHARD BERNARD, who you have already mentioned. I think that Johns (1787-1885) mothers name was Alice/Alicia Jeffcott but I am not sure of this fact. I knew my grandmothers first cousin Eileen Bernard, as far as I know her 2 bachelor brothers managed the family farm but once they died, I am not sure what happened to the farm,it was farmed by the Bernard family for over 200 years. The address of the family farm was Tooreennastooka, Nohoval, Kerry, Ireland. I hope this helps. Catriona x

Hello again Irma, here is the census page for the Bernard family in 1901, Jane was my great grandmother, http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Kerry/Nohoval/Tooreenn…

Hi Irma (and Catriona!)

I’ve only just found this page but I am the daughter of Eileen Bernard and can tell you that the farm is still owned by the extended family. If anyone is ever in the area of Tooreen (as it’s shortened to) the Glanageenty loop walk runs through it, or google the walk and you’ll find some pictures. One loop is actually called the Bernard brothers loop in memory of Richard and John (the bachelor brothers, yes those names still appeared regularly in the family!).

You might also be interested in a book called, ‘The Bernard’s of Kerry’ which gives some history from the 18th and 19th century, perhaps a little earlier if memory serves me right. I’m fairly sure it mentions a John Bernard married to an Elizabeth Sparling,

Kind regards,

Elaine x