ARC TBC - Keefes of Oldbury

[Dennis]

I'd appreciate any help you can give me on the Keefe family of Oldbury, originally of course from Ireland. As far as I can see - but I may be wrong - they are descended from a Thomas Keefe b. about 1817 in Ireland who had children Margaret c. 1843 West Br, Ann c. 1845 WBr, Thomas c. 1848 Dudley d. 1889 Kings Norton, John c. 1850 Dudley, Martin c. 1856 Oldbury. John married Phoebe Matthews b. abt. 1849 Dudley in 1869 at St Francis Xavier's RC church, Oldbury and had at least 8 children there, one of whom was - I think - Thomas whose dates I have as 25 Feb 1870 Oldbury to 25 Apr 1951 Oldbury m. Mary Ann Weaver b. abt 1878 Langley at the same church in 1895. My questions concern Thomas b. 1870 and those around him

According to family tradition he was born in County Cork, Ireland, although in both the 1881 and 1901 censuses his place of birth is given as Oldbury, Worcs. He spent time in Brooklyn, New York, sailing there from England in 1887 where he hoped to become a professional sprinter. He married a Bridget Grady from County Kildare in Brooklyn in 1890, and had a son who died aged ten months. Bridget herself died in 1893 aged 21 years. He came (back?) to Oldbury, married Mary Ann Weaver and worked for Accles & Pollock. It's the problem of whether he was born in Cork or Oldbury: if it was Cork, that might suggest I have the wrong parents for him. Any thoughts?

Then there's Thomas b. 1870's brother - I think - James b. 1876 Oldbury. He married Amelia Blakemore in 1896 at St James's, Oldbury and they had a daughter Clara b. about 1902. I think - but I may be wrong - that Clara married a Joseph? or John? (or John Joseph???) Wood b. about 1905 at St Fr. Xavier's. (Although there is no baptismal record for Joseph Wood at St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, he is recorded as "son of William Wood" in the list of marriages there.) John / Joseph / John Joseph was perhaps the son of William Wood. b. 1863 and Hannah Murphy b. 1869 (m. 1891 St Fr. X.), my grandfather Thomas Wood's half brother. Clara and her husband had a son Frank Wood and a daughter Renée. I'm not at all sure about all this and the proverbial "fresh pair of eyes" would be very helpful!

[grangers14]

Doesnt really help but,
1911. 62 Park St Oldbury, Nr Birmingham
KEEFE, Thomas Head Married 16 years M 41 1870 Meter Worker Worcestershire Langley 8 children 6 living
KEEFE, Mary Ann Wife Married F 34 1877 Worcestershire Langley
KEEFE, Annie Daughter Single F 15 1896 Spring Worker Worcestershire Langley
KEEFE, Maraget Daughter Single F 13 1898 Worcestershire Langley
KEEFE, Thomas Son M 12 1899 Worcestershire Langley
KEEFE, John Son M 7 1904 Worcestershire Langley
KEEFE, May Helen Daughter F 0 (3 MONTH) 1911 Worcestershire Langley
KEEFE, Elizabeth Daughter F 1 (15 MONTHS) 1910 Worcestershire Langley


It names the other children and lists them as dead
Phoebe, 10 and Mary Ann 8

[Dennis]

Many thanks. This is what I have, which may contain errors:

Descendants of Thomas Keefe

1. THOMAS3 KEEFE (JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born 25 Feb 1870 in Oldbury, Worcestershire, and died 25 Apr 1951 in Oldbury, Worcestershire. He married (1) BRIDGET GRADY 17 Nov 1890 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She was born 1872 in County Kildare, Ireland, and died 06 Feb 1893 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He married (2) MARY ANN WEAVER 06 Oct 1895 in St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs, daughter of CHARLES WEAVER. She was born 1878 in Park Street, Langley, Oldbury, Worcs, and died 02 Sep 1927 in Bridge Street, Oldbury.

Marriage Notes for THOMAS KEEFE and MARY WEAVER:
Married by Rev Jonathan Thompson, witnesses: Edwin Hipkiss, Mary Ann Keefe.

Child of THOMAS KEEFE and BRIDGET GRADY is:
i. UNKNOWN4 KEEFE, b. Abt. 1890, Brooklyn, New York, USA.


Children of THOMAS KEEFE and MARY WEAVER are:
ii. ANNIE4 KEEFE, b. 11 Nov 1895, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. Sep 1936; m. CHARLES DEBNEY, 03 May 1919, St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs; b. Bef. Mar 1896, Oldbury, Worcs.

Notes for CHARLES DEBNEY:
Known as "Charlie".

Marriage Notes for ANNIE KEEFE and CHARLES DEBNEY:
Married by Rev. Vincent O'Reilly, witnesses: Thomas Keefe, Elizabeth Bastable. "Disp. Mixt. Relig. obtenta" - dispensation for mixed marriage obtained.

2. iii. MARGARET KEEFE, b. 10 Jul 1897, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. Nov 1943.
3. iv. THOMAS KEEFE, b. 1899, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. Nov 1936.
v. PHOEBE KEEFE, b. Dec 1900, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 27 Jul 1901.
vi. MARY ANNE KEEFE, b. 13 Jun 1902, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 28 Oct 1905, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
4. vii. JOHN KEEFE, b. 10 Jul 1904, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 23 Feb 1991, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
viii. MICHAEL KEEFE, b. 1905, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
ix. MARY HELEN KEEFE, b. 28 Jul 1907, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 05 Jan 2002, Dudley, Worcestershire; m. ARTHUR OLIVER, 24 Dec 1927, St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs; b. 14 Jul 1903, 55 Oxford Street, Wolverhampton; d. 26 Aug 1976, Oldbury, Worcestershire.

Notes for MARY HELEN KEEFE:
Known as "Nell".

Marriage Notes for MARY KEEFE and ARTHUR OLIVER:
Married by Rev. Bernard McDonald, witnesses: Joseph Walter Oliver, John Keefe. "Disp. Mixt. Relig. obtenta" - dispensation for mixed marriage obtained.

5. x. ELIZABETH KEEFE, b. 29 Dec 1909, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 16 Apr 2001.
6. xi. MARTIN KEEFE, b. 03 Jun 1913, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
xii. CHARLES KEEFE, b. 1915, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. Aug 1993.
xiii. DOROTHY KEEFE, b. 1917, Oldbury, Worcestershire; m. PAUL JOHN BARRETT, 28 Aug 1937, St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs; b. Birmingham.

Notes for DOROTHY KEEFE:
Known as "Doll".

Marriage Notes for DOROTHY KEEFE and PAUL BARRETT:
Married by Father Bernard McDonald, witnesses: Charles Keefe and William Barrett. "Disp. Mixt. Relig. obtenta" - dispensation for mixed marriage obtained.

[cloudyskies]

Hi,

My Grandmother was Mary Helen Keefe (b. 1907).

I am having the same issues as you, as family members are positive Thomas Keefe (b. 1870) was 'born and bred' in Ireland. However, all records point to him being born in Oldbury (and also his father before him!). I do remember my mum saying that he didn't have an Irish accent though!

Martin Keefe (Mary Helen's brother), wrote out some of the family history. I have a copy of this and it details the family coming from Ireland (but there are no dates, and as the family seemed to use the same first names, it could be any generation). I will have another look and see if there is any more information in there and let you know.

I have not been able to locate the family in the 1841 census or 1851 census. Have you had any luck with this?

[Dennis]

That's very kind of you, cloudyskies. I'll post what I have here asap. My Dad used to talk about Mick or Micky Keefe, who was, I believe, actually Martin! They grew up together in Oldbury.

[grangers14]

?? Looking for the family earlier census?

1851. Stone Street, West Bromwich
Thomas Keef, head, 32, Labourer,
Mary, wife, 34,
Margaret, daur, 11, West Bromwich
Ann, daur, 7, Dudley
Thomas, son, 3, Dudley
John, son, 1, Dudley
Mark Couly, lodger, 28, Labourer,
Mary, lodger, 23,
John, lodger, 8 months,
Jane Ward, lodger, 23, Brickmaker
Margaret Burke, lodger, 22, Brickmaker
All others born Ireland

[grangers14]

Possible Margarets birth if you dont have it?

West Midlands Birth indexes for the years: 1841
KEEFE Margaret West Bromwich North East Sandwell Register Office WBNE/5/164

If that is her she wont be on 1841 and may be they were still in Ireland????
Freebmd has
Births Sep 1841
Keefe Margaret W Bromwich 18 [6_]17
Keefe Margaret W.Bromwich 18 517

[Dennis]

These are the earlier Keefes I have, cloudyskies:

Descendants of Thomas Keefe


Generation No. 1

1. THOMAS1 KEEFE was born Abt. 1819 in Ireland. He married MARY UNKNOWN. She was born Abt. 1817.

Notes for THOMAS KEEFE:
"Chemical laborer" in 1861 census, widower, living in Park Lane, Langley, Oldbury, Worcs.

Children of THOMAS KEEFE and MARY UNKNOWN are:
i. MARGARET2 KEEFE, b. Abt. 1843, West Bromwich, Staffordshire.
ii. ANN KEEFE, b. Abt. 1845, West Bromwich, Staffordshire.
2. iii. THOMAS KEEFE, b. Abt. 1848, Dudley, Worcestershire; d. Abt. Mar 1889, Kings Norton.
3. iv. JOHN KEEFE, b. Abt. 1850, Dudley, Worcestershire; d. 01 Jan 1904.
v. MARTIN KEEFE, b. Abt. 1856, Oldbury, Worcestershire; m. SOPHIA ANNA JONSON, 11 Nov 1874, St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs.

Marriage Notes for MARTIN KEEFE and SOPHIA JONSON:
Married by Rev. John H. Power, witnesses: Thomas Keefe, Anna Rourke.


Generation No. 2

2. THOMAS2 KEEFE (THOMAS1) was born Abt. 1848 in Dudley, Worcestershire, and died Abt. Mar 1889 in Kings Norton. He married SUSANNAH UNKNOWN. She was born Abt. 1851 in Dudley Port, Staffs.

Children of THOMAS KEEFE and SUSANNAH UNKNOWN are:
i. MARY3 KEEFE, b. Abt. 1870, Dudley Port, Staffs.
ii. SUSANNAH KEEFE, b. Abt. 1874, Smethwick, Staffs.
iii. THOMAS KEEFE, b. Abt. 1877, Smethwick, Staffs.
iv. JOHN KEEFE, b. Abt. 1879, Smethwick, Staffs.


3. JOHN2 KEEFE (THOMAS1) was born Abt. 1850 in Dudley, Worcestershire, and died 01 Jan 1904. He married PHOEBE MATTHEWS 27 Dec 1869 in St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs, daughter of WILLIAM MATTHEWS. She was born 1849 in Dudley, Worcestershire.

Notes for JOHN KEEFE:
Or possibly b. 1844 County Cork, Ireland. Plumber in 1881 census, resident at 5 Park Street, Oldbury.

Marriage Notes for JOHN KEEFE and PHOEBE MATTHEWS:
Witnesses: Thomas Keefe, Susannah Keefe.

Children of JOHN KEEFE and PHOEBE MATTHEWS are:
4. i. THOMAS3 KEEFE, b. 25 Feb 1870, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 25 Apr 1951, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
ii. JOHN KEEFE, b. 1872, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 25 May 1901.
5. iii. MARGARET KEEFE, b. Abt. 1874, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. Canada?.
6. iv. JAMES KEEFE, b. 1876, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 26 Nov 1913, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
v. MARY ANN KEEFE, b. 1877, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 25 Mar 1898, Oldbury, Worcestershire.
7. vi. ELIZABETH KEEFE, b. 1879, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 1936.
vii. ELLEN KEEFE, b. 1881, Oldbury, Worcestershire; m. JONATHAN PRICE, 09 Jul 1899, St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs.

Notes for ELLEN KEEFE:
"Helena" in Latin marriage list.

Marriage Notes for ELLEN KEEFE and JONATHAN PRICE:
Married by Rev. Jonathan Thompson, witnesses: John Smith, Elizabeth Bastable.

viii. JOSEPH KEEFE, b. Abt. Jun 1885, Oldbury, Worcestershire; d. 25 Feb 1905, Brandon-on-the-Moor Colliery, County Durham.

Notes for JOSEPH KEEFE:
Killed in pit accident.

More About JOSEPH KEEFE:
Burial: 04 Mar 1905


Generation No. 3

4. THOMAS3 KEEFE (JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born 25 Feb 1870 in Oldbury, Worcestershire, and died 25 Apr 1951 in Oldbury, Worcestershire. He married (1) BRIDGET GRADY 17 Nov 1890 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She was born 1872 in County Kildare, Ireland, and died 06 Feb 1893 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He married (2) MARY ANN WEAVER 06 Oct 1895 in St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, Worcs, daughter of CHARLES WEAVER. She was born 1878 in Park Street, Langley, Oldbury, Worcs, and died 02 Sep 1927 in Bridge Street, Oldbury.

Notes for THOMAS KEEFE:
According to family tradition he was born in County Cork, Ireland, although in both the 1881 and 1901 censuses his place of birth is given as Oldbury, Worcs. He spent time in Brooklyn, New York, sailing there from England in 1887 and hoped to become a professional sprinter there. He married a Bridget Grady in New York, and had a son who died aged ten months. Bridget herself died in 1893 aged 21 years. Back in Oldbury he married Mary Ann Weaver and worked for Accles & Pollock.

[grangers14]

James b. 1876 Oldbury. He married Amelia Blakemore in 1896 at St James's, Oldbury and they had a daughter Clara b. about 1902. I think - but I may be wrong - that Clara married a Joseph? or John? (or John Joseph???) Wood b. about 1905 at St Fr. Xavier's. (Although there is no baptismal record for Joseph Wood at St Francis Xavier R C church, Oldbury, he is recorded as "son of William Wood" in the list of marriages there.) John / Joseph / John Joseph was perhaps the son of William Wood. b. 1863 and Hannah Murphy b. 1869 (m. 1891 St Fr. X.), my grandfather Thomas Wood's half brother. Clara and her husband had a son Frank Wood and a daughter Renée. I'm not at all sure about all this and the proverbial "fresh pair of eyes" would be very helpful!

1911. 1 Bk 8 Park St Oldbury
KEEFE, James Head Married F 35 1876 Brickyard Labourer Oldbury Worcester
KEEFE, Amelia Wife Married 14 years, 5 children all living, F 33 1878 Oldbury Worcester
KEEFE, John Son M 14 1897 Brickyard Labourer Oldbury Worcester
KEEFE, Clara Daughter F 9 1902 Oldbury Worcester
KEEFE, James Son M 6 1905 Oldbury Worcester
KEEFE, William Son M 4 1907 Oldbury Worcester
KEEFE, George Son M 0 (9 MONTH) 1911 Oldbury Worcester

[peterd]

?? Looking for the family earlier census?

1851. Stone Street, West Bromwich
Thomas Keef, head, 32, Labourer,
Mary, wife, 34,
Margaret, daur, 11, West Bromwich
Ann, daur, 7, Dudley
Thomas, son, 3, Dudley
John, son, 1, Dudley
Mark Couly, lodger, 28, Labourer,
Mary, lodger, 23,
John, lodger, 8 months,
Jane Ward, lodger, 23, Brickmaker
Margaret Burke, lodger, 22, Brickmaker
All others born Ireland

marriage ?

KEEFE Thomas DALY Mary 1841 West Bromwich Register Office West Midlands Sandwell Register Office WBRO/1/52


another west brom poss a brother ?

KEEFE John ROWLEY Honor 1841 West Bromwich Register Office West Midlands Sandwell Register Office WBRO/1/60

john remarry ?

KEEFFE John O'BRIEN Mary 1848 West Bromwich Register Office West Midlands Sandwell Register Office WBRO/1/162

[peterd]

3. iv. JOHN KEEFE, b. Abt. 1850, Dudley, Worcestershire; d. 01 Jan 1904.

1881: 5 Park St, Oldbury, Worcester

John KEEFE 31 Dudley Plumber
Phoebe KEEFE 32 Oldbury
Thomas KEEFE 10 Oldbury
John KEEFE 9 Oldbury
Margaret KEEFE 7 Oldbury
James KEEFE 5 Oldbury
Mary A. KEEFE 4 Oldbury
Elizabeth KEEFE 2 Oldbury
Ellen KEEFE 2 m Oldbury


KEEFE John MATTHEWS Phoebe 1869 West Bromwich Register Office West Midlands Sandwell Register Office WBRO/8/146

[peterd]

poss

2. iii. THOMAS KEEFE, b. Abt. 1848, Dudley, Worcestershire; d. Abt. Mar 1889, Kings Norton


1881 High St, Harborne, Stafford

Thomas KEEFE 33 Dudley, Worcester, Plumber
Susannah KEEFE 30 Dudley Port, Stafford,
Mary KEEFE 11 Smethwick, Stafford, Scholar
Susannah KEEFE 7 Smethwick, Stafford, Scholar
Thomas KEEFE 4 Smethwick, Stafford, Scholar
John KEEFE 2 Smethwick, Stafford,
Sarah PARSONS Visitor M 52 Bilston, Stafford, Charwoman


poss
Marriages Dec 1868

Keefe Thomas Joseph King's N. 6c 746
NUGENT Thomas King's N. 6c 746
Turton Maria King's N 6c 746
Wilkes Susannah King's N 6c 746

[peterd]

i. MARGARET2 KEEFE, b. Abt. 1843, West Bromwich, Staffordshire.


poss mar

KEEFE Margaret MCCORMACK Roderick 1865 West Bromwich Register Office West Midlands Sandwell Register Office WBRO/7/4


wonder who this is cousin ?

KEEFE Patrick WELCH Bridget 1870 West Bromwich Register Office West Midlands Sandwell Register Office WBRO/8/153


1881: 7 Camp Street, Wednesbury, Stafford

Ann WELSH Head W Female 60 Mayo, Ireland Charwoman
Patrick WELSH Son U Male 36 Mayo, Ireland Labourer In Iron Works
Bridget WELSH Daur U Female 30 Mayo, Ireland General Servant Unemployed
Thomas MC FARLANE Lodger W Male 50 Mayo, Ireland Laborer In Iron Works
Thomas STONE Lodger U Male 35 Wednesbury, Stafford, England Laborer In Iron Works
Michael MALEY Lodger W Male 40 Galway, Ireland Bricklayer Laborer
James MALEY Lodger U Male 18 Wednesbury, Stafford, England Laborer In Iron Works
John MALEY Lodger U Male 14 Wednesbury, Stafford, England Laborer In Iron Works
Patrick KEEFFE Lodger U Male 45 Galway, Ireland Laborer In Iron Works
James WELSH Lodger W Male 48 Mayo, Ireland Coal Miner

[Dennis]

Interesting, Peter, my great grandfather was an "Oldbury" MacCormack or McCormick. I've not come across a Roderick before. The marriages registered under West Bromwich Register Office are likely to have been Roman Catholic marriages either at St Michael's chapel in West Bromwich or, after 1865, at St Francis Xavier's in Oldbury, Oldbury of course falling under WB's jusrisdiction. If you can find out more about Roderick I'd be interested. I can't see a census record, they may of course have gone to North America!

[cloudyskies]

Thank you for all the information.

I have dug out the information written by Martin Keefe (b. 1913). He says that the Keefe family brought their 5 children over from County Cork (where they had been born), to provide a better life in England (in the Black Country). No parents listed, but the children were Thomas (Martin's father) and his siblings- James, William, Margaret and Elizabeth. Thomas and Margaret (married to J. Smith) later emigrated- Margaret settled in Canada (Toronto) and had a large family. Thomas went to America. (James, William, Elizabeth remained in the Black Country).

He says Thomas had made a name for himself in running before going to America. Martin says that Thomas was not a successful runner in America (the Burlesque shows got the better of him apparently!) He then writes about Thomas' first marriage and sad loss of his child (John Keefe) and wife and believes that Bridget died in childbirth (her second child). It was then that he locked the door leaving all personal belongings in New York (perhaps intending to return, but never did). He came back to the Black Country and married Mary Ann Weaver (b. 1878).

He died on 25th April 1951 and was buried at Rood End Cemetery. The first 8 children of Thomas and Mary Ann were born at Park Street, Churchbridge, Oldbury and the other 3 at 26, Bridge Street, Oldbury (where both Thomas and Mary Ann died).

So now, I am beginning to think we have the wrong family?

(I remember hearing about 'Mick'- think he was Martin, but possibly Michael b. 1905).