Geelan family in Kankakee/Will Counties, IL
I've recently found that there are Geelan's in my family tree through marriage into the KING and MCGINNIS families in Kankakee and Will counties in Illinois. I have absolutely no information on this line and would appreciate some help. The area I am investigating was predominantly an Irish community. Thanks in advance for your help. Deanna Peters
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I am Michael Geelan i have a sister Elizabeth and my mother Jean father Vincent. we live in Bolton Greater Manchester England. my grandfathers name was william Geelan, who was born in roosky Irland near the banks of thr river shannon. if you beleive your origins are Irish please leave a message as most of the village on the shannon had the name Geelan.
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Hello,Michael, The Geelans I am researching are indeed Irish. I found them in the Kankakee County Census of 1870. Here are the family members listed: Michael Geelan, 28, farmer, born Ireland Clara Geelan, 27, housekeeper, born Ireland James, 5, born Illinois Anna, 3, born Illinois William, 2, born Illinois Mary, 4, born Illinois, and Michael 1, born Illinois.
What county were the Geelans from? The area where they lived in Illinois was heavily populated with Irish immigrants. In some sources this area is known as the "Irish Colony West".
Deanna Peters
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Dear Deanna Granpappy Geelan was born in a village called Bornacoola, in Leitrim in 1900. The place name Mohill applies somewhere too, but not sure whether that’s the parish or locality. I’ve looked up the 1901 census for Bornacoola but not found owt yet, but the database isn’t yet finished. There’s some close relationship twixt Leitrim and Rosscommon. hope this goes someway to helping my research still continues. yours aye gilly
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Deanna, Hi. My nephew Mike, from Portsmouth, UK, wondered if I could help with your research in the Geelan name. I've not done much poking about so far but I have turned up the following web site which contains most of the census returns for the part if Ireland my father (born 1900) came from, for 1901. Good luck with your journeys... http://www.leitrim-roscommon.com/Bern
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Re: Geelan family in Kankakee/Will Counties, IL
I am the son of Francis Michael Geelan. My grandparents were Michael and Katie ( Toomey ) Geelan from Ireland. My father and his sibs where born in the Bonfield/Custer Park area in Illinois, The only other Geelans that I was ever aware of live in Iowa. My fathers brother and sisters names are; Raymond, Mary Geelan, Genavive (Geelan) Legris and Bernadine
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Re: Geelan family in Kankakee/Will Counties, IL
Hello, Steven, I received a copy of a will for Hannah Geelan that was administered in Palo Alto County, Iowa in 1967. That will left a portion of her estate to the heirs of my great-grandmother, Mary McGinnis King. I recieved this from a fellow McGinnis family researcher. I am trying to get a handle on how the families were connected. Let me know if you have ever seen this will. It does list your father and his siblings as the heirs of Anna Geelan through Michael Geelan. Deanna Peters
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Re: Geelan family in Kankakee/Will Counties, IL
Deanna,
I remember aunt Hanna from my childhood. Also Mary king was a cousin of my fathers. She lived in Reddick IL. I am not sure how they are connected though. I will ask some of my aunts and see if they can recall. Some other names in the area that are related are Cleary and Scanlon. Where are you from, and could you tell me a little aboutt your family? How are you connecter to the Geelans ?
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Re: Geelan family in Kankakee/Will Counties, IL
Hi, Steve,
Mary King is also related to my mom, Gladys King-I think she is either a first or second cousin. My mom grew up in Kankakee County on a farm just south of Essex(the original King homestead) and went to Reddick high school. My uncle, Richard King, also remembers an Aunt Hannah but doesn't remember the exact connection to the Geelans which is where I'm stumped as well. My grandfather, Richard King, was a beneficiary of her will. I currently live in Iroquois county, just south of Kankakee.
Deanna
Deanna
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Dear Michael (or any otherGeelans who may be able to help)
In researching my family tree I have discovered that my great, great, grandather, Thomas Cosgrove, married Isabella Geelan (1820 to 20.5.1890) on 19.5.44 in Mohill. She and Thomas established their family home in Granard Co Longford whihc is where she is buried.
Does anyone know of this person and her family. Information would be much appreciated.
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