The Mystery of Margaret 1; A mystery picture, a marriage record, and a burial record

 

                                                

This picture was among my mother's things, along with the pictures of her grandparents, Ellen Kinsella and John Quinn. On the back of the picture was written "Grace." Apparently, through the years, the first name of the lady on the picture had been lost.

Aunt Helen and Margie Allen's notebook, however, is clear- Margaret Grace was the wife of John Kinsella and the mother of Ellen Kinsella.

Her cemetery marker is unknown, at least on Findagrave, although perhaps some dedicated sleuth can find it in person, along with that of her husband, John Kinsella, at the cemetery at St. Francis Xavier in Jerseyville. But we know that she is buried there; we have her burial records from St. Francis, from 16 April 1884.

Father Hardy penned her entry "Margareta Kensale (Grace is barely readable above Kensale) the wife of John Kensale, born in Co. Kilkenny Ireland and died at Jerseyville Ill on 16th April- died at the advanced age of 89 years."

If Margaret Grace was truly 89 years old at her death, that would have put her birth year at 1795. This is unlikely, however, as her youngest child, Patrick, was born in 1849, making her 54 years old at his birth! The family genealogy notebook, however, gives another date of birth; 1804. This would be more realistic- she would have been 45 at the birth of her youngest child- old enough!

Our Irish ancestors, mostly unable to read or write down family records of their own, were not entirely accurate on their records. Luckily, the church kept accurate records for them of births, marriages, and deaths and many of these are available.

An important record that we have for Margaret is that of her wedding to John Kinsella on February 13, 1831. Although this record comes from St. Mary's, in Kilkenny City, the couple was not married there- the cathedral was not opened until 1849 -1857. This, however, is the seat of the Diocese of Ossory, and the records for the diocese were gathered there. From this record we find out a very important hint for Margaret.

We also see the witnesses- Edm. Nail and Anty Vereker. An important clue is the word "Rahalickein." The bride's residence is generally noted on marriage records, and this record notes that as "Rahalickin" - Rahillakeen. So where is Rahillakeen?