Hi folks! I am trying to find where my Kennedy clan came from. I know there were lots of Kennedy’s in the Carbonear area and also in Holyrood and the Southern Shore, but I have been unable to find direct links to any of these places. My paternal grandfather believed his family came from Trepassey originally, but was also unable to confirm this when he was doing research in the 1990s.

The farthest back I have been able to confirm a birth place for is with my great-grandfather: James Kennedy who was born in St. John’s in 1895. And I have found the names George and Mary Kennedy (nee Merry or Murray) for his parents, but do not know where they were born.

So, I am hoping someone here might be able to help me! Below is some of the identifying information I have gathered.

George Kennedy (1858-1908) married Mary Merry/Murray (1859-1926). They had at least four children that lived to adulthood: Mary, James, Theresa and Daniel (a twin sister of James, named Ellen seems to have passed away in childhood, but I could not find a death record for her). It is also amongst the family lore that some children may have been sent to an orphanage.
I could not find much on George at all, but I believe Mary had at least one sister (who also married a Kennedy) and at least three brothers who all emigrated to the United States.

Anyway, that is a lot of information, but if anyone has any insights or ideas as to where to look for more information that would be great! I would love to finally unlock this mystery as to where my branch of Kennedy’s came from.

Cheers!
Caroline