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Jim Ward's Genealogy Pages

My Irish Keatings

Ann Keating was born November 1802 in the Townland of Ballinavary, Parish of Davidstown, County Wexford, Ireland, according to her obit. I do not yet know her exact day of birth or her parent's names. The researchers who provided the information below found the marriage date of Ann & Patrick Ward - 11 Feb 1826, in Ireland.  Ann's uncle was probably Dr. James Keating, Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns from about 1819 to 1836. He was likely a brother to Ann's father. I'm using her name here without the e since that is the spelling in her obit.

Text of Ann Keating Ward's obit: Mrs. Patrick Ward - oldest resident of Drummond township, died on Wednesday, 11th Sept, at the age of ninety-eight years and 10 months. Her maiden name was Ann Keating, and she was born in the parish of Ballinavary, county of Wexford, Ireland, in December 1802, coming to Canada in 1826. With her husband, they bought the farm on the first concession of Drummond near town, where they both lived, and died, her husband preceding her to the grave many years. The farm was bought from the late Hon. Roderick Mathesson (?), whose son lived on the adjoining farm until his death. Deceased was a vigorious woman, with a strong constitution, and her death was purely the result of extreme old age. She lived with her two daughters, Ann and Martha, who tenderly cared for their aged parent. She belonged to the Roman Catholic faith, and the funeral took place to St. Johns Cemetery on Friday, 13th (unknown word), Rev. Father Davis - also a county Wexford man - officiating at the service.

Ann's son James Keating Ward's death notice in the Perth Courier (Lanark Co., Ontario, Canada)  Dec. 8,1916, states:
"Died at Castlemaine [Victoria, Australia], Oct. 4  (his birthday), James Keating Ward, an early arrival on Bendigo gold fields. Born at Perth Can. and was gr. nephew of the late Dr. Keating, Bishop of Ferns, Wexford.  Arrived in Victoria in 1852, surveyor. Interment Rheola Cemetery."  

That notice was supplied to me by kind member of the Lanark County Genealogical Society, a group I joined once I determined where my Wards lived in Canada. She found the book in the Perth Branch of the Library at Algonquin College, known to have an excellent local history collection.

The following information from the noted book has been disputed by another researcher.  updated 8/3/07.  Note - 7/22/2010 - I've seen nothing since from the person who disputed the account below and have no reason to believe the following is inaccurate. If you have information to the contrary, please email me with specific information.

The following was emailed to me by a very helpful researcher. His source is "The Secular Clergy of Ferns,"  by Rev. John V. Gahan.

Dr. James Keating was born in 1783 at Coolnahorna, parish of Marshalstown, four miles west of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland. During the insurrection of 1798, when he was aged 15 years, he was fired on by a yeoman and sustained a foot injury. He was educated at the Franciscan Academy in Gibson's Lane, Wexford, and in 1804 he entered Maynooth College to study for the priesthood. Four years later, he was ordained to the priesthood by Dr. James Caulfield, Bishop of Ferns.

He was appointed curate in the mensal parish of Camolin, Diocese of Ferns. He was a powerful preacher and when coadjutor Bishop Ryan became ill Fr Keating accepted and was appointed coadjutor Bishop. Bishop Ryan unexpectedly died and James Keating was consecrated Bishop on 21 March 1819.

His father, Michael Keating, was a Keating of Baldwinstown, south Wexford. This section of the family moved north to Coolnahorna, Enniscorthy, and settled down to farm there. Part of the family moved to Ballinavary, in the parish of Davidstown, some four miles south of Enniscorthy. Some members of the family still reside there.