KERFOOT, NEELAND and SMITH Genealogy
Terry's Direct Line KERFOOT Connected Surnames :
BOORMAN, KERFOOT & JOHNSTON, SMITH & WARREN, NEELAND & BROWNLEE, BRADLEY
KERFOOT Family Tree - Thomas & Mary KERFOOT - 6G Grandparents of Coolcullen, County Kilkenny, Ireland - 7 generations
Also check out our blog for BOORMAN-related stories
and our JOHNSTON page for related information.
Scroll down for more photos.
KERFOOT FAMILY
Alternate spellings for KERFOOT include
KERFUT, KEERFOOT, KERFOOD, KIERFOOT, KIRFOOT ...
One of Terry's paternal great-grandmothers was Deborah Saphronia KERFOOT. She was born in 1855 in Huntley, Carleton County, Ontario, the oldest child of Samuel KERFOOT (1834-1906) and Eliza Jane NEELAND (1834-1918). In 1871 Deborah lived in Smith Falls Ontario with her parents and five younger siblings. According to another researcher, this family then "moved to Emerson, Manitoba in 1879 and two years later to Drayton, North Dakota, U.S.A. where [Samuel] carried on a photographic business. Later they retired to Vancouver to join a daughter Deborah where they remained until their deaths."
It seems that Deborah never moved to the States with her parents, as she married James Irvine JOHNSTON on 27 Jan 1881 in Emerson Manitoba. Together they had six children, the first four in Emerson and the youngest two after they moved to Vancouver BC. Deborah died there as a widow and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver.
Deborah's father Samuel KERFOOT was born in 1834 in Beckwith Township, Lanark, Ontario, the son of George KERFOOT and Deborah SMITH. Samuel married Eliza Jane NEELAND, also born in Ontario in 1834, on 24 Aug 1854 in North Gower Ontario. We believe they had 11 children.
The KERFOOTs have been traced back a few more generations to Coolcullen, County Kilkenny, Ireland. George KERFOOT was born is 1796 in County Kilkenny, the oldest son of William Kerfoot (1776-1862) and Elizabeth BRADLEY - the widow WILSON - (1765-1858) who also emigrated to Ontario, Canada. And according to other researchers, William was the son of another George (1742-1819) and Eleanor KERFOOT. Eleanor died in Ireland before 1819, but George made the journey to Canada with his extended family.
It seems that Deborah never moved to the States with her parents, as she married James Irvine JOHNSTON on 27 Jan 1881 in Emerson Manitoba. Together they had six children, the first four in Emerson and the youngest two after they moved to Vancouver BC. Deborah died there as a widow and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver.
Deborah's father Samuel KERFOOT was born in 1834 in Beckwith Township, Lanark, Ontario, the son of George KERFOOT and Deborah SMITH. Samuel married Eliza Jane NEELAND, also born in Ontario in 1834, on 24 Aug 1854 in North Gower Ontario. We believe they had 11 children.
The KERFOOTs have been traced back a few more generations to Coolcullen, County Kilkenny, Ireland. George KERFOOT was born is 1796 in County Kilkenny, the oldest son of William Kerfoot (1776-1862) and Elizabeth BRADLEY - the widow WILSON - (1765-1858) who also emigrated to Ontario, Canada. And according to other researchers, William was the son of another George (1742-1819) and Eleanor KERFOOT. Eleanor died in Ireland before 1819, but George made the journey to Canada with his extended family.
From the 1953 book: A KERFOOT HISTORY: Canadian Branch by J.M. Morris (1856-1936):
“The Kerfoot Family in Canada was founded by George Kerfoot who came from Coolcullen, County Kilkenny, Ireland, an aged widower with children, grandchildren and two great grandchildren, in 1819....Kerfoot party apparently included George, son William (with wife Elizabeth), grandson George (with wife Deborah and two small children), and three other grandchildren. ...(and others).” ...
Another accomplished researcher suggests that this elder George KERFOOT was the son of Thomas and Mary KERFOOT of Coolculllen, but considering how early this is for Ireland records, it has not been possible to prove this yet with certainty.
This is Terry's descent connecting back to his earliest known Irish KERFOOT ancestors:
- Parents: William Irvine "Bill" BOORMAN (1911 - 1966) married Lillian "Joyce" THOMAS (1918 - 2006) in Victoria BC, Canada
- Grandparents: Harry Eustace BOORMAN (1881 - 1951) married Daisy Louise JOHNSTON (1887 - 1961) in Vancouver BC, Canada
- 1G Grandparents: James Irvine JOHNSTON (1843 - 1900) married Deborah Sophronia KERFOOT (1855-1941) in Emerson MB, Canada
- 2G Grandparents: Samuel KERFOOT (1834 - 1906) married Eliza Jane NEELAND (1834 - 1918) in North Gower ON, Canada
- 3G Grandparents: George KERFOOT ( 1796 - 1853) married Deborah SMITH (1798 - 1870) in Kilkenny, Ireland
- 4G Grandparents: William KERFOOT (1776 - 1862) married Elizabeth BRADLEY (the widow WILSON) in Ireland
- 5G Grandparents: George KERFOOT (ca 1742 - 1819) married Eleanor McMULLENNE in Ireland. George emigrated from Coolcullen Ireland to Ontario Canada in 1819 as an elderly widower with generations of his descendants, and died in Canada within the year.
Scroll down for more Kerfoot photos.
NEELAND / NEELIN FAMILY
Alternate spellings for NEELAND include
NEELIN, NEELANDS, NILAND, NEELEN, NEELAN, NEALAN, NEELON, NAWLAN, NAILON, NAWLAN ...
It may even be transcribed with a K - as Keelin etc.- based on handwriting interpretation.
This is Terry's descent connecting back to his earliest known Irish NEELAND ancestors:
According to Eliza Jane NEELAND's BC Canada death registration, her parents were both born in Ireland:
This John "NEELAN" left a will in 1852 when residing in North Gower, Carleton County, Ontario Canada, in which he lists his wife Catherine and children John Jr, William, James, Eliza Jane, Margret, and Gregg. His 3 executors were James Henderson, James Montgomery and James Brownlee.
His daughter Eliza Jane NEELAND married Samuel KERFOOT on 24 Aug 1854 in North Gower, Carleton, Ontario, Canaa. They were both Canadian born. It is unknown if the NEELAND and KERFOOT families knew each other back in Ireland prior to their emigration. The KERFOOT's hailed for County Kilkenny, Ireland.
According to his obituary published in the Christian Guardian, John Neelin was born in County Cavan, Ireland in 1793. Others claim he lived in and around Swanlinbar in Kinawley Parish. His obit also says he married in 1815 and emigrated in 1832 with his wife and children. As per Ontario land records, he settled first in Goulburn Township, Ontario, Canada, then moved seven years later to North Gower, Carleton County ,Ontario.
I have yet to find this family in the 1851 Canada census, which was delayed until 1852, perhaps until after John's death in Feb 1852. But Catherine should be there somewhere.
John's widow Catherine is listed in the 1861 Canada census living in North Gower, Ontario with her son James and family. She died early in 1866 and is buried in Kars Ontario in the same cemetery as her husband. The gravestones are broken, hard to read, and short on details.
The Ireland census of 1821 was mostly destroyed, but a very few sections still exist, including for some parts of County Cavan. Of interest is one particular family living in 1821 in the Townland of Curnalun, Parish of Kinawley, Barony of Jullyhaw, County Cavan. It lists John Neelon 26 (farmer & weaver on 10 acres), wife Cathrine Neelon 24, daughter Mary Newlan 5 and son John Newlan 1. Perhaps the house servant Mary Kalegher 18 is part of this family too.
These names and ages in this census roughly match what we know of our John Neeland and family from Canadian records:
> John born 1793 as per his obit, compared to age 26 in 1821 (born 1795)
> Wife Catherine was 71 in 1861 (born 1790), compared to age 24 in 1821 (born 1797)
> Their oldest child was Margaret (not Mary) who was 41 in 1861 (born 1820), compared to age 5 in 1821 (born 1816)
> Their next child John was 35 in 1859 (born 1824) when he married Elizabeth Smith, compared to age 1 in 1821 (born 1820)
Ages in census and other records are notoriously inaccurate, so I would really like to believe this is our Neeland family. But so far, this conjecture is not proven to my liking.
In addition to the above uncertainties about John and Catherine Neelan, there is further conjecture about the identity of John's parents. Some claim John was the son of William Edward Neelin (1740-1822) and Jane Magee (1745-1824) who also immigrated to Carleton County, Ontario. But if the ages are correct and mother Jane was born in 1745 and son John in 1793, Jane would have been 48 when he was born. Really? There are doubts here too.
- Parents: William Irvine "Bill" BOORMAN (1911 - 1966) married Lillian "Joyce" THOMAS (1918 - 2006) in Victoria BC, Canada
- Grandparents: Harry Eustace BOORMAN (1881 - 1951) married Daisy Louise JOHNSTON (1887 - 1961) in Vancouver BC, Canada
- 1G Grandparents: James Irvine JOHNSTON (1843 - 1900) married Deborah Sophronia KERFOOT (1855-1941) in Emerson MB, Canada
- 2G Grandparents: Samuel KERFOOT (1834 - 1906) married Eliza Jane NEELAND (1834 - 1918) in North Gower ON, Canada
According to Eliza Jane NEELAND's BC Canada death registration, her parents were both born in Ireland:
- 3G Grandparents: John NEELAND ( - 1852) married Catherine BROWNLEE ( - 1866) in Ireland
This John "NEELAN" left a will in 1852 when residing in North Gower, Carleton County, Ontario Canada, in which he lists his wife Catherine and children John Jr, William, James, Eliza Jane, Margret, and Gregg. His 3 executors were James Henderson, James Montgomery and James Brownlee.
His daughter Eliza Jane NEELAND married Samuel KERFOOT on 24 Aug 1854 in North Gower, Carleton, Ontario, Canaa. They were both Canadian born. It is unknown if the NEELAND and KERFOOT families knew each other back in Ireland prior to their emigration. The KERFOOT's hailed for County Kilkenny, Ireland.
According to his obituary published in the Christian Guardian, John Neelin was born in County Cavan, Ireland in 1793. Others claim he lived in and around Swanlinbar in Kinawley Parish. His obit also says he married in 1815 and emigrated in 1832 with his wife and children. As per Ontario land records, he settled first in Goulburn Township, Ontario, Canada, then moved seven years later to North Gower, Carleton County ,Ontario.
I have yet to find this family in the 1851 Canada census, which was delayed until 1852, perhaps until after John's death in Feb 1852. But Catherine should be there somewhere.
John's widow Catherine is listed in the 1861 Canada census living in North Gower, Ontario with her son James and family. She died early in 1866 and is buried in Kars Ontario in the same cemetery as her husband. The gravestones are broken, hard to read, and short on details.
The Ireland census of 1821 was mostly destroyed, but a very few sections still exist, including for some parts of County Cavan. Of interest is one particular family living in 1821 in the Townland of Curnalun, Parish of Kinawley, Barony of Jullyhaw, County Cavan. It lists John Neelon 26 (farmer & weaver on 10 acres), wife Cathrine Neelon 24, daughter Mary Newlan 5 and son John Newlan 1. Perhaps the house servant Mary Kalegher 18 is part of this family too.
These names and ages in this census roughly match what we know of our John Neeland and family from Canadian records:
> John born 1793 as per his obit, compared to age 26 in 1821 (born 1795)
> Wife Catherine was 71 in 1861 (born 1790), compared to age 24 in 1821 (born 1797)
> Their oldest child was Margaret (not Mary) who was 41 in 1861 (born 1820), compared to age 5 in 1821 (born 1816)
> Their next child John was 35 in 1859 (born 1824) when he married Elizabeth Smith, compared to age 1 in 1821 (born 1820)
Ages in census and other records are notoriously inaccurate, so I would really like to believe this is our Neeland family. But so far, this conjecture is not proven to my liking.
In addition to the above uncertainties about John and Catherine Neelan, there is further conjecture about the identity of John's parents. Some claim John was the son of William Edward Neelin (1740-1822) and Jane Magee (1745-1824) who also immigrated to Carleton County, Ontario. But if the ages are correct and mother Jane was born in 1745 and son John in 1793, Jane would have been 48 when he was born. Really? There are doubts here too.
SMITH FAMILY
This is Terry's descent connecting back to his earliest known Irish SMITH ancestors:
Deborah SMITH (SMYTH), who was born in 1798 in Coolcullen, Kilkenny, Ireland, is believed to be the daughter of:
Suggested by other researchers but not verified:
Nothing is known about earlier SMITH and WARREN ancestors.
- Parents: William Irvine "Bill" BOORMAN (1911 - 1966) married Lillian "Joyce" THOMAS (1918 - 2006) in Victoria BC, Canada
- Grandparents: Harry Eustace BOORMAN (1881 - 1951) married Daisy Louise JOHNSTON (1887 - 1961) in Vancouver BC, Canada
- 1G Grandparents: James Irvine JOHNSTON (1843 - 1900) married Deborah Sophronia KERFOOT (1855-1941) in Emerson MB, Canada
- 2G Grandparents: Samuel KERFOOT (1834 - 1906) married Eliza Jane NEELAND (1834 - 1918) in North Gower ON, Canada
- 3G Grandparents: George KERFOOT ( 1796 - 1853) married Deborah SMITH (1798 - 1870) in Kilkenny, Ireland
Deborah SMITH (SMYTH), who was born in 1798 in Coolcullen, Kilkenny, Ireland, is believed to be the daughter of:
- 4G Grandparents: John S SMITH (ca 1774 - 1846) and Mary "Molly" WARREN (ca 1763 - 1847) who emigrated from Ireland to Ontario, Canada with at least 3 children.
Suggested by other researchers but not verified:
- 5G Grandparents: James SMITH (1750-1828 ) and Mary GUINZINAN (1752- ).
Nothing is known about earlier SMITH and WARREN ancestors.
KERFOOT Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version, then use the arrows to scroll back and forth through the photos.
From the 1953 book: A KERFOOT HISTORY: Canadian Branch by J.M. Morris (1856-1936):