Kilkenny Origins?

Question

Are any of your Cullens from County Kilkenny, Ireland?

Fred Jaeger

Answer 1

Hi, Frederick, Welcome

You might try this link to the Cullens on WikiTree

https://www.wikitree.com/genealogy/Cullen

Do you have ancestors who immigrated from Ireland? If so, it might help to know the years they might have immigrated.

Please keep asking questions here in G2G, someone will come along with a better answer than mine.

Answer 2

Hi Fred

My name is Tom Cullen and my great grandfather was from Kilkenny...actually born a little outside Kilkenny town apparently. I couldn't tell you much more than that except that his name was James and he served in the British army for a time in India. He left Ireland prior to the American Civil War and settled in Brooklyn, NY. As I learn more about him I'll be happy to let you know anything I find. Slainte.

Comments

Hello Tom,

FYI, My oldest know Cullen Ancestors were John Cullen Born about 1790 in County Kilkenny died in Ballyroe, Crannagh, Fresford, Kilkenny. Hos wife Catherine Fitzpatrick was born on the 26th of Apr 1793 in Ballydanioel, Kilkenny. They were married on the 20th of January, 1821.

Their children were:

Honora 19 Dec 1821 in Kinaree, Kilkenny

Michael 26 Oct 1824 also Kilnaree

Bridget 2 Jul 1826 in Ballyroe, Kilkenny

Thomas 15 Oct 1828, Ballyroe, KIlkenny

John 19 Aug 1830 Ballyroe, Kilkenny

James 28 Feb 1834 Ballyroe, Kilkenny, died 29 Jul 1909 in Kilrush, Balleen, Urlingford, Kilkenny. My 2 times Great Grandfather

Mary 15 Aug 1836 in Freshford, Kilkenny

James had a son also named James born 1 Feb1875. in Courtstown Tullaron. Kilkennny died 5 Aug 1945 in Kingsmeadow, Waterford, Waterford in a fire at his Mill

His son James was born on the 12 Jun 1897 in Kilkenny, Kilkenny Died Jan 1978 in Bronxville, Westchester County, New York, USA

So none of my James' are link to your James but  it is a family name and there are three other brothers still to be researched

Fred

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Hi Fred

Thanks for the reply and the treasure trove on your Cullens. I've had a conversation with my brother and cousin who have been recently searching through U.S. census records and have found a little more on James through various links to ship's passenger lists. He was born around 1843 in Thomastown, Kilkenny and his father's name was Michael Cullen also of Thomastown. James emigrated to the U.S. in 1860 at the age of 17 or so and may have fought in the Civil War. It seems he had at least one relative already in New York, a sister living in Brooklyn. Still working on that end of things.

There is only a footnote I would add and that is my wife's maiden name is also Cullen whose maternal grandfather, John Kennedy, grew up in Bennet's Bridge, Kilkenny and who claims there was a family of Cullens who lived nearby. My wife's paternal relatives, all Cullens, are from Tipperary where the family name is also common. I believe there is a town in that county named Cullentown but I haven't checked that yet.

After looking through St. John's Church cemetery records near Kilkenny town, btw, I came across the names of Thomas Cullen, his wife Mary and four children- Bridget, Margaret, Martin, and Michael- all born in the 1870's and all passed in the 1890's. The father, Thomas, also died around that same time. Mary, the mother was born in 1845 and died 1925. In Thomastown graveyard a headstone for a David Bolger was erected by one Daniel Cullen. No specific dates unfortunately, but apparently early 19th century. And finally a John Cullen is buried in that same cemetery, died January 26, 1851, age 65. His wife was Mary (no maiden name) of Thomastown, born 1786.

Thanks again for your excellent response and stay in touch.

Tom