The Moore and Sullivan Families of County Kerry

According to Edward Moore’s death certificate, his parents were Henry Moore and Nora Sullivan, both born in Ireland.[1] While this death certificate states that he was born on 29 March 1840, his pension application states that he was born on 29 March 1836 near Tuosist, County Kerry, Ireland.[2]

A search of church records in the parish of Tuosist yielded two baptismal records recording the parents as Henry Moore and Honora Sullivan. The family’s address was Coornaguillagh. I have no idea how to pronounce that name yet!

Ann Moore, date of baptism 15 May 1849, Roman Catholic

Parents - Henry Moore and Honora Sullivan

Sponsor - Mary Connell[3]

Henry Moore, date of baptism 9 May 1845, Roman Catholic

Parents - Henry Moore and Honora Sullivan

Sponsors - Timothy Sullivan and Catherine Sullivan[4]

While baptismal records are available for Tuosist from 1761to1891, no record of Edward Moore born about 1836-1840 was found. Marriage records for Tuosist begin in 1850 so no record of a marriage between Henry Moore and Honora Sullivan was found.

Although it is not clear whether Henry and Honora Moore immigrated, a record has been located that is a possible match for the family. On 7 April 1851, Henry (37) and Norry (37) Moore along with children, Mary (9), Nancy (1) and Ned (13) arrived in New York City aboard the ship, Prince Albert.[5] This date is consistent with the date Edward Moore provided as his date of immigration. Daughter Ann may have been called Nancy, a common nickname, and her date of birth fits. Daughter Mary has not yet been identified and son Henry is missing from this family group. The Moore family arrived in New York during the Irish Famine and may have suffered the loss of one or more children prior to leaving Ireland.

The following year, in 1852, land records show that the 213 acres of Coornagillagh were occupied by Nicholas Moore, Bartholomew Sullivan and Margaret Shea, Denis Sullivan, Garrett Sullivan, Jeremy Sullivan and Ellen Sullivan. This revelation narrows the focus of my Moore and Sullivan families in Ireland, for now.

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[1] New Jersey, Certificate and Record of Death, 1915, Edward Moore, date of death 6 June 1915; photocopy in family file, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Trenton.

[2] Edward Moore (Pvt., Co. I, 16^th Reg’t PA Infantry, Civil War), pension no. SC 569,600, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington D.C.

[3] Church Records, Baptisms, County Kerry, Tuosist, baptism of Ann Moore, date of baptism 15 May 1849, book 2, p. 70, no. 5; database online, (http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/58e96f0497425 : 21 Mar 2015).

[4] Church Records, Baptisms, County Kerry, Tuosist, baptism of Henry Moore, date of baptism 9 May 1845, book 2, p. 19, no. 8; database online (http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/0daf150496592 : 21 Mar 2015).

[5] Records for Passengers Who Arrived at the Port of New York During the Irish Famine, 12 January 1846 – 31 December 1851, ship: Prince Albert, date of arrival 7 April 1851, Moore family; database online, Famine Irish Passenger Record Data File (FIPAS) 1977 – 1989, (http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/#links : 27 March 2015).