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Knowing the history of the family and the history of Ireland and unmarried mothers at that time, it is possible, unfortunately. If I could find out the details of that marriage cert, I would know by the sponsors names, I think. I am thinking she was sent to family, like the next child born to another sister (when she was 13). We have traced all of that and found the present family, so this may just be the same. It's worth a try anyway, to rule her in or out. How will I go about getting a copy or more details on that marriage cert? Thanks for all the help here. It is amazing. :-)

Well Mary Josephine was definitely born March 1912 but I doubt that the mother could be the Mary who is only 10 on the 1911 census.

Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912
about Mary Josephine Keena Name: Mary Josephine Keena
Birth Date: 4 Mar 1912
Baptism Date: 7 Mar 1912
Baptism Place: Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland
Mother: Mary Anne Keena

No! Don't post a seperate post about the marriage, add it to this thread.

I am looking for anyone who might have ancestor Mary Josephine Keena born on March 4th 1912 in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland. Her mum was also Mary Keena, as I am too!! Her mum went to USA in 1917, without the child.

Not sure who adopted her, whether it was family, in which case she kept her own name or if adopted she had a name change i would assume.

I am wondering if that marriage in 1927 is the child? If she stayed in Ireland and kept her real name, it could be her. How do I research further into that marriage, to find out more? Sorry I haven't been on this site for years, so am finding my way again. Will i post a separate post about the marriage? Thank you

yes that's them I have the 1901 and 1911 census. thanks. her sister had a baby when she was 13, so nothing would surprise me but the info we have is 16 years of age, which makes sense to us, knowing some of the family history and would tie in with her departure.

ok I am digesting this, thank you. The trip to USA is correct and the name is John James. She stayed and married there and i have the follow up after that. I think she was sent over to USA straight away so that birth possibly isnt correct, but I will check out her middle name if I can find her family in USA!! Thank you so much for this so far anyway.

She would have been too young to have a baby in 1912

This is the family in 1911

Residents of a house 86 in Killashandra Town (Killashandra, Cavan)
Show all information
Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Keena James 30 Male Head of Family Roman Catholic
Keena Christina 30 Female Wife Roman Catholic
Keena Patrick 13 Male Son Roman Catholic
Keena Joseph 12 Male Son Roman Catholic
Keena Mary 10 Female Daughter Roman Catholic
Keena Sarah 8 Female Daughter Roman Catholic
Keena James 6 Male Son Roman Catholic
Keena Henry 4 Male Son Roman Catholic
Keena Christina 3 Female Daughter Roman Catholic
Keena Andrew 2 Male Son Roman Catholic
Keena John Male Son Roman Catholic
Report any error in transcription

Could she have returned to Ireland and married there in 1927?

Ireland, Civil Registration Marriages Index, 1845-1958
about Mary Keena Name: Mary Keena
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1927
Registration district: Mullingar
Volume: 3
Page Number: 144
FHL Film Number: 101576
Records on Page: Name
Catherine McCormack
Edward Dunne
Patrick Keefe
John Keena
Mary Keena
Elizabeth Moran
Sarah Hayden
Christy Devany

Her arrival in USA?

New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
about Mary Keena Name: Mary Keena
Arrival Date: 10 Nov 1917
Birth Date: abt 1900
Birth Location: Ireland
Birth Location Other: mullingar
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Ethnicity/ Nationality: Irish
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Ship Name: St Louis
Search Ship Database: Search the St Louis in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database


She doesn't have a baby with her. Father is James Keena, Dominick Place, Mullingar, Ireland. She's going to Philadelphia to join aunt Mrs. John Jamon? (Not sure about that surname), 3522 Longshore St., Tacony?, Philadelphia. Passage was paid by her aunt.

There is this one with no father named but it is earlier than you state so maybe not?

Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912 about Mary Josephine Keena
Name: Mary Josephine Keena
Birth Date: 4 Mar 1912
Baptism Date: 7 Mar 1912
Baptism Place: Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland
Mother: Mary Anne Keena

Hi, this is a long shot. The only info that I have is my grand aunt, Mary Keena had a baby in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland in 1916/17. It was more than likely 1917 as there is an application online for visa to USA in Sept 17. Her father was James Keena and mother Christina Donlon.

Anyway, baby was born possibly in one of those Mothers and Babies homes and could have been adopted, or given to a family member. Family members could have been Keena or Donlon.

I am thinking that I am going to have to physical go searching for the birth, as there doesn;t seem to be any resources online yet. Thanks in advance, as I say, possibly a long shot. Baby could have ended up in Ireland, UK or USA more than likely.