Keavney family in Edinburgh

[NatashaD]

Hi, i am researching my mothers family. Her maiden name was Keavney. Her dad was called John William Keavney and he married Catherine Clarke. They lived in Edinburgh. I don't know anything else about the Keavneys or the Clarkes and would love to hear from anyone who does.

Please help!

Natasha

[AndrewP]

Hi Natasha,

Welcome to TalkingScot.

Your mother is a bit more recent than we normally deal with here on TalkingScot. On seeing what I take to be her death certificate on the ScotlandsPeople index, that gives a middle name to go on. It looks like that belonged to an earlier generation surname, as was regular practice. On that basis, I would expect the following marriage to be of interest to you.

1882; CLARKE, WILLIAM; BYFIELD, CATHERINE; CANONGATE, EDINBURGH; CITY/MIDLOTHIAN 685/03 0296

Looking at the date of this marriage, and comparing to the birth year for your mother, the marriage above could be her paternal grandparents.

A digital image of the above marriage certificate can be downloaded from www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk on a pay per view basis.

All the best,

AndrewP

[AndrewP]

Following the Byfield name with a Clarke connection leads to the birth of Sarah Byfield Clarke (or Lawton) in 1904. Also, the 1928 death of Catherine Clark (ms. Byfield) [note spelling of surname as Clark] leads to her daughter Sarah's 1926 marriage to James Crookston. I am assuming that Sarah was your mother's aunt.

William Clarke's 1922 death certificate gives the name of another of their daughters as informant to the registrar.

The 1882 marriage certificate in the post above gives you the full set of parents' names to hopefully talke you back another generation.

Here's hoping the above set of assumptions is the right family for you.

All the best,

AndrewP

[NatashaD]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for the reply but dont think it my family. I have some more info:

My Mum is still alive, she was born in 1941. Her mum was called Catherine Clarke and think she was born around1920 ish? but not sure! - she was buried I think at Clermiston. My mum seems to think they have a family plot there, as my mums gran - Annie Clarke was buried there.

Catherine Clarke married John William Keavney (he got called Will) in Edinburgh and they had 3 kids: my mum, Catherine, her sister Marie and brother John.

Catherine clarkes mum Annie Clarke had 5 kids: Catherine, Jimmy (James), John, Jessie and William. We know that William died in WW2 he went overboard in the Navy. Jessie married John Soso and John married Mary? We think Jesse died around 1978.

John William Keavney (my mums dad) was in the Navy then worked on the railway. He had3 sisters called Elizabeth (Lizzie) who married James Quinn, Rosie, Bridget and a brother called Michael.

My mum seems to remember living in Bonnington Road until she was about 12yrs old, then moving to 126 Leith Street and then onto 187a Fountainbridge.

Hope you can help some more.

Thanks
Natasha

[Mick Keavney]

Hi Natasha

I stumbled upon this site by fluke, I was having a conversation with my son, about WW2, and I mentioned about John Keavney was on HMS Hood in the war.
Anyhow I just googled his name and this site popped up.
My grandad was Michael Keavney, and I believe he lived in Canongate, my Father was also Michael Keavney, he moved to Birmingham in the 1950's /60s, where he met my mother Eileen.
I have spoken to my Mother and she vaguely remember meeting your mom once.
I have 3 Brothers Andrew, Robert & Neil.
My Father died in 1974, my mother is still alive doing well for 76.
We were all close to Betty Mooney , she sadly passed away a few years ago, but we used to go and see her in London, on occassions
We are all married and have children of our own , so the keavney name will live on for a good while yet.
There are lots of different ways that our name is spelt , but there is not many spelt KEAVNEY.
My mother said that the name supposedly originates from Carrick on Feargus in Ireland, but according to my wifes uncle, he reckons there are lots of Keavneys in
Roscommon.
I have quite a few old photograph's which Betty gave me, but I am unsure who all the people are.
Hope this helps.

Regards

Mick Keavney

[Russell]

Hi Mick and welcome to

Isn't Google great I think they call it serendipity

Since some of your information is recent and some folk may be/are still alive perhaps you could contact Natasha on a private connection. You can get in touch using the PM button on the right hand side of one of her posts. That way you can exchange e-mail addresses privately and swap info to your hearts content.
We stick to the guidelines of not discussing on-line details about people who may still be alive. That way we don't reveal too much or possibly offend.

Keep Googling. you never know what else you might find to share.

Russell

P.S. We would love to hear about some of your earlier generations and, of course, we are delighted to help when you come up against a BRICK WALL (or two; or three)