Bridget Hamill Kirley: The Sister Who Stayed in Beagh

The Donaghmoyne Network

Jan 8

Written By Mary Morales

The James Hamill & Anne Gartlan Line • Episode 5

Bridget Hamill Kirley

The Sister Who Stayed in Beagh

1872 – after 1936 | Drumaconvern → Beagh, Donaghmoyne, County Monaghan | DNA Validated

While brothers Patrick and James crossed the Atlantic to build new lives in Missouri and Montana, and sister Anna remained in Dian as a widow, Bridget Hamill married a farmer from neighboring Beagh townland. Her children would eventually scatter—one son emigrating to Toronto—but Bridget herself never left Donaghmoyne parish. DNA connects her descendants to family in Montana more than a century later.

Part I: Birth in Drumaconvern

February 1872, Near Dian

Bridget Hamill was born on February 8, 1872, in the townland of Drumaconvern, Donaghmoyne parish, County Monaghan. This townland sits adjacent to Dian, where her parents James Hamill and Anne Gartlan had established their farm. The birth registration—entry number 225—records her father as "James Hamill, Drumaconvern" and her mother as "Anne Hamill formerly Gartlan."

Notably, the informant was Anne Hamill herself, who made her mark (×) on the registration—indicating she could not write. This detail matches what we know of the family: her husband James was literate (he signed documents), but Anne left only her mark on official records.

The location of Drumaconvern rather than Dian is significant. The Hamill family may have held land in both townlands, or the birth may have occurred at a relative's home. Regardless, Bridget was raised in the same Donaghmoyne community as her siblings.

Civil Birth Registration — February 8, 1872

Entry: #225

Child: Bridget, Female

Father: James Hamill, Drumaconvern

Mother: Anne Hamill formerly Gartlan

Informant: "Anne Hamill, Mark [×], Mother, Drumaconvern"

Registered: March Eighteen 1872

District: Donaghmoyne, Union of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan

Born in 1872, Bridget fits into the family chronology between her older sister Anna (1864) and younger brother James (1873). Her brother Patrick was likely born around 1862, making Bridget one of the middle children in the family.

Part II: Marriage to Owen Kirley

February 15, 1901, Donaghmoyne Chapel

On February 15, 1901, Bridget Hamill married Owen Kirley at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Chapel in Donaghmoyne. The marriage register provides detailed genealogical information: Bridget was "full age" (over 21), a spinster from "Dyan" (Dian), daughter of James Hamill, Farmer. Owen Kirley was also full age, a bachelor and farmer from Beagh townland, son of John Kirley, Farmer.

The witnesses to the marriage were Hugh Sharkey and "Maggie Hamill"—likely Margaret, a sister of Bridget. This witness signature provides evidence of yet another sibling in the James Hamill and Anne Gartlan family.

By this time, Bridget was 29 years old—a relatively late marriage for rural Ireland in this era. Her father James Hamill Sr. had died sometime between 1885 and 1890 (noted as deceased in sister Anna's 1890 marriage record), so Bridget may have remained at home helping her widowed mother before her own marriage.

Marriage Record — February 15, 1901

Entry: #79

Groom: Owen Kirley, full age, Bachelor, Farmer, residence Beagh

Groom's Father: John Kirley, Farmer

Bride: Bridget Hamill, full age, Spinster, residence Dyan (Dian)

Bride's Father: James Hamill, Farmer

Married at: Roman Catholic Chapel of St. Michael's, Donaghmoyne

Officiant: James Conlan P.P.

Witnesses: Hugh Sharkey, Maggie Hamill

A Witness Named Maggie Hamill

The marriage witness "Maggie Hamill" likely represents another sibling—Margaret Hamill. This adds to the growing list of children born to James Hamill and Anne Gartlan: Patrick (c. 1862), Anna (1864), Bridget (1872), James (1873), John (c. 1875), and now possibly Margaret. The large family reflects the pattern of rural Irish Catholic families in this era.

Part III: Life in Beagh

The Irish Censuses of 1901 and 1911

Just six weeks after her wedding, Bridget appears in the 1901 Census of Ireland as "Bridget Kirley," wife of Owen, living in Beagh townland. The census, taken on March 31, 1901, shows the newly married couple establishing their household. Owen, at 37, was nine years older than Bridget (listed as 28). Both spoke Irish and English—a detail that connects them to the older Gaelic-speaking generation of County Monaghan.

Also in the household was Patrick Kirley, Owen's 30-year-old brother, listed as a farmer and not married. A 16-year-old farm servant, Patrick Callaghan, completed the household. The census shows Bridget could read and write, while Owen could not read.

1901 Census of Ireland — March 31, 1901

Location: Beagh townland, Farney Barony, Donaghmoyne Parish

Owen Kirley: Head of Family, age 37, Farmer, Married, Catholic, cannot read, born Co. Monaghan, speaks Irish & English

Bridget Kirley: Wife, age 28, Married, Catholic, can read & write, born Co. Monaghan, speaks Irish & English

Patrick Kirley: Brother [of Owen], age 30, Farmer, Not Married

Patrick Callaghan: Servant, age 16, Farm Servant

Signed by: Owen Kirley, Head of Family

Ten years later, the 1911 Census reveals a thriving family. Owen and Bridget now had four children at home: John (9), Julia (7), Mary (6), and James (3). The census also records crucial information about Bridget's childbearing: she had been married 10 years, with 5 children born and 4 still living—meaning one child had died young.

Owen, now 62, was still farming. Bridget, listed as 42, could read and write. The household had grown from the newly married couple of 1901 into a bustling family farm with school-age children.

1911 Census of Ireland — April 2, 1911

Location: Beagh townland, Farney Barony, Donaghmoyne Parish

Owen Kirley: Head of Family, age 62, Farmer, Married, Catholic, can read only

Bridget Kirley: Wife, age 42, Married 10 years, 5 children born, 4 living, Catholic, can read & write

John Kirley: Son, age 9, Scholar, can read only

Julia Kirley: Daughter, age 7, Scholar, cannot read

Mary Kirley: Daughter, age 6, Scholar, cannot read

James Kirley: Son, age 3, cannot read

Signed by: Owen Kirley, Head of Family

Five Children Born, Four Living

The 1911 census notation "5 children born, 4 living" reveals that Bridget and Owen lost one child. Combined with the known children (John 1901, Julia 1904, Mary 1905, James 1907, and Brigid Anne 1911), the family likely lost an infant sometime between 1901 and 1911. A fifth child, Brigid Anne, was born in 1911—possibly after the April census date.

Part IV: The Next Generation

From Beagh to Toronto

Owen Kirley died in 1936, and Bridget's death date remains unknown but was likely after 1936. Their children's lives took different paths—some staying in Ireland, one crossing the Atlantic to Canada.

Son John Kirley (1901–1986) emigrated to Canada in 1929, sailing on the S.S. Regina from Belfast to Quebec. His immigration record lists his father as "Owen Kirley of Beagh, Carrickmacross"—confirming the family connection. John settled in Toronto, where he married Agnes Lenagan on January 25, 1930. Remarkably, his marriage certificate lists his mother as "Bridget Hamill"—providing independent confirmation of his parentage decades later and thousands of miles away.

1930 Marriage Record — Toronto, Canada

Groom: John Kerley, age 28, Laborer, Bachelor

Residence: Trafalgar 24, Toronto

Birthplace: Donaghmoyne, Ireland

Father: Owen Kerley

Mother: Bridget Hamill ← Key confirmation

Bride: Agnes Lenagan, age 39, Spinster, Nurse

Date: January 25, 1930, County of York, Toronto

Part V: DNA Validation

Connecting Beagh to Montana

The documentary evidence establishes Bridget Hamill as the daughter of James Hamill and Anne Gartlan—the same parents named in records for her siblings Patrick (Missouri), Anna (Ireland), and James (Montana). DNA testing confirms these relationships across the generations.

Descendants of Bridget's daughter Julia Kirley Duffy (1904–1984) share DNA matches with descendants of James Hamill (1873–1951) of Montana. These genetic connections prove what the documents suggest: Bridget was indeed the sister of the man who crossed the Atlantic to work in Montana's copper country.

"Other cousins reside in Missouri and Ireland."

— Obituary of James Hamill, Anaconda, Montana, 1951

When James Hamill died in Montana in 1951, his obituary mentioned cousins in Missouri and Ireland. Bridget's family in Beagh—and Anna's family nearby—were among those Irish connections that James and his family maintained awareness of, even across an ocean and several decades.

Bridget's Immediate Family

Husband: Owen Kirley

1855 – 1936

Farmer of Beagh townland, son of John Kirley. Married Bridget February 15, 1901. Spoke Irish and English. Head of household through 1911 census.

Son: John Kirley

1901 – 1986

Born December 18, 1901, Beagh. Emigrated to Canada 1929. Married Agnes Lenagan in Toronto, 1930. His marriage record confirms mother as "Bridget Hamill."

Daughter: Julia Kirley Duffy

1904 – 1984

Married surname Duffy. Descendants have DNA matches to James Hamill of Montana, confirming the sibling relationship.

DNA Match

Daughter: Mary Kirley

1905 – ?

Listed in 1911 census as age 6, scholar. Later life unknown.

Son: James Joseph Kirley

1907 – ?

Listed in 1911 census as age 3. Named for his maternal grandfather James Hamill.

Daughter: Brigid Anne Kirley

1911 – ?

Born 1911, possibly after the April census. Named for her mother Bridget.

Part VI: Document Verification

The Evidence Chain

Summary of Evidence

Identity confirmed by:

• 1872 Civil Birth Registration: Father James Hamill, Mother Anne Hamill formerly Gartlan, Drumaconvern

• 1901 Marriage Record: Bridget Hamill, daughter of James Hamill, Farmer, of Dian

• 1901 Census: Bridget Kirley, Wife, age 28, Beagh townland

• 1911 Census: Bridget Kirley, Wife, age 42, married 10 years, 5 children born, 4 living

• 1901 Birth Registration (son John): Mother Bridget Kirley formerly Hamill

• 1930 Marriage (son John, Toronto): Mother listed as "Bridget Hamill"

• DNA matches between descendants of Julia Kirley Duffy and James Hamill of Montana

This comprehensive evidence chain confirms Bridget Hamill Kirley as the daughter of James Hamill and Anne Gartlan of Dian/Drumaconvern—and sister of Patrick J. Hamill (Missouri), Anna Hamill Keenan (Ireland), James Hamill (Montana), and John Hamill (Ireland).

Timeline

A Life in Donaghmoyne — The Sister Who Stayed in Beagh

1872

February 8: Born at Drumaconvern, Donaghmoyne, County Monaghan. Daughter of James Hamill and Anne Gartlan.

c. 1885–1890

Father James Hamill dies (noted as deceased in sister Anna's 1890 marriage record).

1901

February 15: Marries Owen Kirley at St. Michael's, Donaghmoyne. Witnesses: Hugh Sharkey, Maggie Hamill. Moves to Beagh townland.

1901

March 31: Census of Ireland: Bridget Kirley (28), Wife, living in Beagh with husband Owen (37) and his brother Patrick.

1901

December 18: Son John born at Beagh. First child.

1904

Daughter Julia born.

1905

Daughter Mary born.

1907

Son James Joseph born, named for maternal grandfather James Hamill.

1911

April 2: Census of Ireland: Bridget Kirley (42), Wife, Farmer's wife, with Owen (62) and four children: John (9), Julia (7), Mary (6), James (3). Married 10 years, 5 children born, 4 living.

1911

Daughter Brigid Anne born (possibly after census date).

1929

Son John emigrates to Canada on S.S. Regina. Lists father Owen Kirley of Beagh, Carrickmacross.

1930

January 25: Son John marries Agnes Lenagan in Toronto. Marriage certificate lists mother as "Bridget Hamill."

1936

Husband Owen Kirley dies. Bridget's death date unknown, likely after 1936.

Document Gallery

PRIMARY SOURCES: The documents below represent the original records used to reconstruct the life of Bridget Hamill Kirley — from her 1872 birth in Drumaconvern through her children's lives into the 20th century. Click any image to enlarge.