McNelis Genealogy Home PageThis page is dedicated to the bearers of the name McNelis. It is sometimes written McNellis and occasionally McNealus or McNeilis or McNeelis. In records, it may also be written McNail, McNaylis, McNealie, McNeilly, McNealis, McNeil, McNeilis, McNelus, McNeillage, and McNelos. Almost everyone named McNelis has ancestry in southwest Donegal. In fact, most can trace their ancestry to one of a few communities. These are Ardara, Kilcar, Glencolumbkille, and Glenties. Presumably others are from neighboring towns, such as Killybegs or Carrick. In his "Guide to Irish Surnames," which is regarded by many as the authoritative work on Irish surnames, under Mac Nelis/Mac Niallghuis, Edward Mac Lysaght states "with the Mac this name is peculiar to Tirconnell (i.e. Donegal), without the prefix it is found in adjacent areas." The book does not specify southwestern Donegal. In the original Irish, surnames with Mac or O were written with a space preceding the second part, e.g. O Donnell (never an apostrophe) or Mac Nelis. It is the understanding of Frank McNellis of Las Vegas that his family came from Newtown-Saville, County Tyrone and had been there since 1746. Whether they went to Tyrone from Donegal or there is a distinct branch of Tyrone McNelises, I don't know. The International Genealogical Index includes a few years of civil birth registrations and there are several in Tyrone.

The name McNelis in some of its forms has been found in Scotland for centuries. According to The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and Historyby George Black, the name is nevertheless of Irish origin, with much of the immigration occurring after 1820. There are several extracted birth records for McNelis in the International Genealogical Index in Scotland, most in the Glasgow area, and most quite clearly of recent Irish background. Black also includes an excerpt from a book written in 1877 that suggests that many McNelis families in Scotland modified the spellings to McNeil to conceal their origin. Given the general bias against the Irish at that time, this is not surprising.

Nellis and Grealish are variations on the name, although anyone with those names probably has no one named McNelis in their lineage. The name Nelis is also a related name, but there are at least four origins of Nelis. There are Nelis families in the United States of Belgium, Spanish, east European, and Irish origins. I corresponded with a Nelis was descended from immigrants from Fintona, County Tyrone. Whether the Nelis family was once McNelis and dropped the "Mc" isn't known. If so it was a long way back. From my reading of MacLysaght, the names

Nelis, Grealish, and Nellis probably evolved separately, but from the same root. This does not mean that all bearers of the different names descended at some time from one person. This may be the case for McNelis however.

News reports from Northern Ireland often contain quotes from Mary Nelis, a prominent nationalist activist. I believe she is from Derry.

The book states that (Mac) Grealish is a Connaught form of Mac Nelis, and gives as the Irish spelling Mag Riallghuis. Note that "Mag" is not a typo, many Connaught surnames had a "g" instead of a "c". The name in Irish is pronounced with an English long e sound (Mc Neil-is), not Mc Nell-is, although in the United States, and particularly in Philadelphia the McNellis pronunciation is more common.

Some of the related names have information about them elsewhere. For example, at http://members.tripod.com/~Bonestwo/index.html information and an e-mail list for McNeilly is found.

The main goal of this page is to provide a central location for McNelis family information so that people can figure out more about their McNelis heritage and perhaps find others studying the same families. I have usually listed only people born before 1900. This is a little sketchy, as is all of the McNelis information from his period. Much of it predates the records and is based on oral tradition. It may be that generations are confused. This confusion is further compounded by the large number of women that died in childbirth and the number of second marriages, often to much younger women by the widower. Another level of confusion is introduced by the large number of people with the same name in this area. Irish names are regional and just as the McNelis family all comes from a small part of Donegal, so also do a few others. The result is that Carr, O'Donnell, McHugh, Meehan, and about 15 other names appear constantly. Since people didn't move much in Ireland, you soon were related to a sizable portion of the town. The number of non-relatives available to marry is few and often several members of one family will marry several members of another family. It can be difficult to sort them all out.

This page is a work in progress. Over time I will get more information onto it. If your don't see your family here, write me. I may have other information, or at the least I can add what you know. I have more recent information in some instances, if you can't find your ancestors because your information doesn't go back far enough.

This page has the following structure:

The History of the Name McNelis

Some Patterns in McNelis Names

McNelis Families from Ardara

McNelis Families from Bruxless

McNelis Families from Kilcar

McNelis Families from Glencolumbkille

McNelis Families from Glenties/ Kilraine

McNelis Families from Carrick.

McNelis families from Killybegs

McNelis Families from Burtonport

McNelis Families from County Tyrone

McNelis Families in Scotland

McNelis Families in America

McNelis Families in Pennsylvania

McNelis Families in Michigan

McNelis Families in New York

McNelis Families in Tennessee

McNelis Families in Virginia

McNelis Families in Minnesota

McNelis Families in Missouri

McNelis Families in Maine

McNelis Families in Illinois

McNelis Families in Ohio

McNelis Families in Oklahoma

McNelis Families in Montana

McNelis Families in Texas

McNelis Families in California

McNelis Families in Australia

McNelis Families in South Africa

McNelises in War

McNelis Priests

The History of the Name McNelis

The name McNelis is derived from the Irish MacNiallghuis and means "son of Niallus" which in turn means "champion choice." Woulfe in his book on Irish surnames lists Niallghuis as one of the oldest class of people's names in Ireland, where the first name was a combination of two words. From this base, at some time people found permanent surnames to be useful and often they chose an ancestor for their surname. The Mac or O at the front of these names made the ancestor's name into a surname. The name McNelis is peculiar to Donegal, and in fact only common in the area around Kilcar, with the exception of the group in Tyrone mentioned earlier. The name is sometimes translated McNellis or Manelis. In "Glencolumbkille: 300 B.C. - 1885 A.D.," Aidan Manning discusses the origin of the family and the McNelis families in the area and their role.

"The McNelis family was there (Glencolumbkille) in 1530, when Donn, the coarb of Colmcille, died. A number of traditions exist as to their origin: the sept is descended from nine brothers, natives of Northern Spain, who were shipwrecked while fishing in these waters and remained in the parish; members of the clan were originally bailiffs for the friars in Teelin and eventually claimed the fishing rights for themselves; Donn McNelis was a son of Menelaus McCormac, bishop of Raphoe (1484-1515), and was appointed coarb, in keeping with the then-current practice of powerful ecclesiastical figures showing much favour to their own kin." (p. 91)

Regardless of which of these theories, if any, is true, the family played an important role in church affairs in the area in the 1530-1750. Manning has an interesting discussion of the McNelis role as bailiffs o the "friars of Teelin" (which is a little fishing village across Teelin bay from Kilcar). Donn McNelis, mentioned above, "would have been entitled, according to the poems in the Laud M.S.S., to the dues from the fishing of Teelin. Neali McNelis made the same claim at the Inquisition of 1609. We know nothing else about Donn that would answer the question: how did the family of the former bailiffs acquire the title to the rights of the former owners? A number of possibilities exist, one being that the McNelises

had been bailiffs for some centuries and, at the demise of the Augustinians (friars), they pretended that the title of successor of Colmcille, with its attendant rights, had been conveyed to the head of their family. This claim would seem to suggest that an initial claim may have been made in the mid-to-late 1300s, at a time when there was not only disarray within the Derry Augustinians, but the Church itself had two (and at one stage four) claimants to the papacy. The McNelises may have been firmly entrenched as successors of Colmcille in Glencolumbkille when the schism within the Church was (at least officially) healed at the Council of Constance in 1417. The monastery of Derry was obliterated in 1423, leaving the McNelises, perhaps, in uncontested possession of the former estate (and maybe the church of Teelin) of the canons of St. Augustine of Derry." (P. 15)

In 1538 a papal directive stated that "Edmund Magelasa (McNelis) holds the rectorship without adequate title." As Manning says, "The rectorship, at that time, usually denoted a position of leisure, and could be held by a layman. Only fully ordained priests could be vicars. We do not know how this dispute between the McNelises and the diocesan authorities was settled." (p. 16) "Bryan McNelis, who spoke Irish, Latin, and English and who was a talented manuscript illuminator is listed as curate of Glencolumbkille both in 1606 and in 1621.... After the Plantation of Ulster, beginning in 1610, few native clergy, such as Brian McNelis in Glencolumbkille and Kilcar (the towns are near one another) were employed as curates, since they would be viewed as adherents of the Roman Church and not be trusted." (p. 17)

Additional information along these lines, provided by Bob Greer is: In 1608 Brianus MacNiallghus copied manuscripts for Rois Og Ni Dhombnail. (Rose O'Donnell's prayer book calling upon the Almighty Lord and Blessed Colm to watch over the Irish people who had just suffered the loss of their leaders in the "flight of the Earls",(1607). From 1632 to 1636 the compilation of Annala Rioghachta Eireann ( The Annals of the Four Masters) occurred. In 1647 Bernardus and Brianus MacNiallghus and others complete the "manuscript illumination" of the Annals of the Four Masters. In 1838 the old church at Glencolumbkille was demolished. During the demolition 2 ancient manuscripts were found hidden in the walls. (What were these manuscripts? Where are they now?) Both the Annals and Rose's prayer book are considered to be national treasures. The Annals are housed today in the Abbey of the Four Masters in Donegal. I believe that Rose O'Donnell's prayer book is in the hands of one of the Donegal families.

In 1603 Cormack Og McNelis of "Clancolamekilly" was a juror. (p. 21) In 1609 Neal McNelis of Glencolumbkille was a juror. The case involved describing the ownership of land in each parish. At the time Kilcar was part of the Glencolumbkille parish. The description included "William Oge McEnelis is both corbe and herenagh of one moiety and Neile McEnelis is corbe of the other. " These titles are church officials of some type. Further Neil McEneillus is said to

own half the royalties of the fishing of Teelin (the fishing cove for Kilcar). Claims such as Neil McNelis's fishing royalties were ignored. (p. 21-22) The Hearth Rolls of 1665 list Brian Og McNelis, Edmund McNelis, and Michael McNelis in the head of household census for Glencolumbkille and Kilcar. This was used for tax purposes. This list was probably compiled by Brian Og McNelis, churchwarden on Glencolumbkille and Kilcar in 1661. Manning says that Brian may have lived in Derrylahan (a townland of Kilcar), since there are repeated instances of Brian McNelises living there subsequently.

Black, in his Surnames of Scotland lists several appearances of the name. "Cristin M'Nelos witnessed a Lamont charter in 1465. - McNellus was one of the "wrychtis engaged by Sir George Calbrathe in 1494, and in 1500 a trial was held for the slaughter of Gillaspy McNelus or M'Neluse. Archibald McNellus witnessed sasine at Larichlyssagnicht, 1515, and Milmore Mc nelos was charter witness at Ferlings, 1525. Archibald McNelus was miller at Campsaill in 1598, Donald M'Nialladge in Kilfinan parish is in record in 1695, Gilbert M'Neilladge was burgess of Rothesay in 1663, and Daniel M'Nilage is recorded in Paisley, 1749. Other mentions include M'Neilas 1663, McNeillas 1678, and Macneilledge 1816."

Some Patterns in McNelis Names

All Irish families in the 1800s named their children after their relatives. The result was that certain names characterize certain branches of the families. While every branch has a few people named Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret, Michael, and John, some have a disproportionate number of less common names. The most striking of these is Anthony. My own McNelis branch is headed by an Anthony McNelis. Each of his sons who had children named at least one son Anthony. Other McNelis branches also have a lot of men named Anthony. The name Anthony McNelis is vastly more common than is the name Anthony in other Irish families. The Soundex for the U.S. Census for Pennsylvania for 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 offer striking evidence of this. When you look up Anthony in all the names whose first consonants and m, c, n, and l, you think McNelis is a common name. When you look up John or Michael you reach a far different conclusion. The McNeills, McNallys, etc. vastly outnumber McNelis in that latter instances, but not during the former.

William, Rose, Patrick, Neil, Andrew, Theresa, Agnes, and Ellen are a few other names that can help identify what family you are part of. Get a complete list of your McNelis grandparent's siblings. It will help.

McNelis Families from Ardara

1. The most prominent McNelis descendent of all comes from Ardara. This is Cardinal Patrick O'Donnell, who was primate of Ireland in the 1920s. His

paternal grandmother was Bridget McNelis, supposedly the daughter of Brian McNelis of Ardara. Bridget's known siblings were James (d. 1870, St. Augustine, PA), Anthony (lived in Cashel, Co. Donegal), Bernard (d. 1864, Altoona, PA), George, Ann (may have married a William O'Donnell and come to America) , Ellen (may have married Patrick O'Donnell, d. Altoona, PA), and Mary (may have married a William Walker or Daniel McHugh and gone to Philadelphia). This information is from Suzanne Ohl and Jim McNelis.  If your McNelis family ever lived near Altoona, PA, this may be your crew. James (d. 1870) had children Patrick, William, Margaret (married name Boyle), Isabella (married McIntyre), Catherine (Gaffney), and Anthony (b.3/20/1834; d.6/1/1911). Anthony of Cashel had at least eight children: Charles, James, Margaret (Murphy), Dennis, Patrick, John, Francis, and William. William stayed in Ireland. Most of the rest went to the Altoona area. Bernard (d. 1864) had children Anna, William, and Hannah. Anthony Mc Nelis (b.3/20/1834; d.6/1/1911); m.3/30/1856 Catherine Gaffney (b.1834; d.1891). They had 11 children : -- (1) James P. (b.2/01/1857;d.9/13/18); m.9/30/1885 Isabella Matilda Mc Kenzie (b.1858; d.1934) (2) John E. (b.9/23/1858; d.2/9/08) (3) Anthony (b.5/22/1860; d. infancy) (4) William S. (b.7/5/1862; d.8/9/14) (5) Mary Isabella (b. 2/22/64; d. 3/19/41) (6) Anna M. (b. 10/22/1866; d. 5/18/17) (7) Bernard (b. 5/12/68; d. 9/30/41) (8) Joseph T. (b. 9/21/1870; d. 4/3/36) (9) Francis D. (7/21/71; d. 6/13/33) (10) Peter Leo (b.1874; d. 1933) (11) Catharine A. (b. 1878; d. 7/16/68). John Gaffney m. 10/28/1851 Catherine Mc Nelis (sister of Anthony).  Audrey C Maddas  is part of this family. Her ggg grandparents are

William McNelis b. Ireland m Mary Nagle b Ireland  m. abt 1856 Their children are  

1. John J McNelis  b 1-15-1861 Tyrone, Blair Co Pa d. 12-8-1918 m. Clemme A. Kirtley 4-24-1888 in Wilmore, Cambria Co., Pa 

2. Francis B McNelis b 12-4-1857

 Children of John J & Clemme

    1. William Francis b. 3-6-1889 d. 2-5-1971 m. Viola Christine Yowler 

   2. Agnes b. abt 1893 married Mr. Crider

  3. Rebecca b. 7-23-1897 d. 9-1972 in Brownsville m. Robert Chew

  4. John C b.1-201901 d 7-23-1941 in Brownsville

 

2. Patrick Mc Nelis/Manelis, born c. 1800, was from Kilraine, he moved to Ardara after his marriage to Brigid Burke. Their son John McNelis (b. approx. 1840) and his wife Mary O'Donnell had sons Patrick (b. 1877), Andrew (b. 1886, d. 1975, Old Solders Home, Washington DC), and John, and daughters Mary (b. 1874, married Patrick Craig, 1909), Ellen, and Rose. John McNelis (the son, b. March 9, 1879, d. January, 1973) came to America around 1917. He mined in Scotland, Montana, and Wyoming. (Mostly gold). He then came to Vallejo, and worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard until he retired. He went semi deaf from an ear infection he got in a Scotland mine. Somehow Patrick Breslin is related, probably a cousin. Also, the family farm is in Lower Brackey, in Ardara. John married Ellen Heekin from Glencolumbkille in Vallejo around 1918. They had four children, John (Died in infancy) Andrew Joseph (1925 - 1965), William (b.1926) and Frank(b.1928). William McNelis is the father of Ellen McNelis MacFarlane. Andrew had a daughter, Mary Ellen of Virginia. Mary Ellen is the mother of Jim Trent . Patrick had three children, Gerard (cousin Gerry in Ardara), Andrew (living in Derry at present), and Mary Theresa (living in Rhode Island). This family is related to that of James and Patrick McNelis (see 5), with John McNelis (the father) being the brother of Patrick McNelis, the first known member of family 5. Gerry McNelis of Lower Brackey Road, Ardara, is called Gerry Cart because this side of the McNelis clan used to drive horse carts with goods back and forth from Derry. He also says that originally this group of McNelises came from Kilraine, a townland nearer Glenties.

3. Owen McNelis and his wife Mary Boyle(?) had Catherine, Rose, Patrick, Teresa, Bridget, and James. Rose (b. 1874) m. Cornelius Moore in 1897 in Philadelphia. This is the family of Michael Moore

4. The following family is from Bracky, a townland of Ardara a little south of the town. James McNelis m. Anne Gallagher. They had children Michael (b. 1846,d. 1925 in Oregon), James (1860-1920, d. in Oregon), Billy, Charley, Teague (stayed in Ireland), and Bridget. Michael (1846-1925 and his wife Mary Adams had children Mary, Maggie, Grace, Annie, Teresa, James, Agnes, and Ellen. Teresa married Leroy Hartman and had 4 children: Mildred, Kate, Leroy Jr. and Gene. This is the family of Kim Scott. Shelley Alsdorf of Canby, OR is part of this family as well  ( as is Teresa McGill Wilus ) Michael's daughter Grace married George Julian Rice from east Tenn. and they had children: Kenneth, Gordon, Louise, Kathleen & Willie Lee. Jean True  is the daughter of Willie Lee. 

5. This McNelis family is related to Peter McNelis, operator of the Central Bar in Ardara, and a lot of other McNelises in Ireland and in America. Patrick Mc Nelis/Manelis, born c. 1800, was from Kilraine, he moved to Ardara after his marriage to Brigid Burke. They had sons Patrick McNelis (b. 1824, d. 1897) and John (first member of family (2) above. Patrick and his wife Brigid Maguire (b. 1827, d. 1907) lived in Common, Ardara. They had

children Patrick (1855-1910), John (1859-, 1933), James (1860-1932), Andrew (1865-?), Mary (1865-?), Annie (1868-?), Brigid (1871-1894), and Roger (1874-1918). The children had families as follows: Patrick m. Anne (Nancy) Gaffagan and had Patrick (1887), Mary (1889), Daniel (1891), John (1894), and Neil (1897). It is believed that this entire family stayed in Ireland. John was a teacher and never married. James, also a teacher, m. Mary Brigid McConnell (1865-1963) . They had children Mary (1887-1978, m. Patrick McGill), Patrick John (1888-1952, m. Anne Alice Keeney), James (1889-1983, m. Brigid Harkin), Annie (1890-1986, m. Bernard Kennedy), John (1892-1986, m. Katherine Gallagher), Brigid (1894-1989, m. James Dorrian), Andrew (1895-1977), Rose (1897-1995), Joseph (1898-1951, m. Helen Rodgers), Peter (1899-1983, m. Mary Carr), Catherine (1901, m. Thomas McDonnell), Ellen (1903-1965), Francis (1905), Margaret (1907-1907), and Bernard (1909). Many of this family came to Philadelphia. Andrew m. Agnes Gallagher and had children Cecil (1896), Andrew (1897), Mary (1899), Anne (1901). Mary m. Dennis Gallagher (1860-?) and had children James (1889), John (1891), Patrick (1893), Mary Anne (1894), Denis (1896), and Brigid (1898). Annie m. Patrick Breslin (1865-?) And had children Patrick (1900), Mary (1901), Brigid (1904), Anna (1905), and Catherine (1909). Patrick John (1929), son of Patrick John (1888) and Anne Alice Keeney, came to the Long Island area of New York and married Ellen Jane Carolan. They have three children: Patrick John (1963) m. Donna Marie Clancy, Celine Marie (1965) m. Patrick Kline, and Michael Joseph (1972).

6. Michael (A.?) McNelis born on March 28, 1850 in Ireland. His parents were Owen McNelis and Bridget Moore McNelis. Michael had a brother, John (b. 12-25-1844) and a sister, Kate (b. in 1857, d. ?). Michael immigrated to the U.S. arriving on June 22, 1870. John and Kate both followed him to America and they all settled in the small, southern Indiana town, of Huntingburg. Michael died on June 11, 1920 and is buried in Huntingburg. John died a couple of years earlier and he also is buried in Huntingburg. Kate, after taking care of her brother Michael for many years, she returned to Ardara after his death in the early 1920's. She died and is buried there, perhaps near or in a family plot where Owen and Bridget may also be interred. In Michael's last will and testament, he left a considerable amount of money to his "nephew" a Barnard "Barney" McNelis who residence at the time was located at 8008 Marquette Ave. S. Chicago, Ill. in 1920.

7. Patrick McNelis came from County Donegal, Ireland. The family tradition is that he came from Ardara, and that members of the family were weavers. That's strictly oral tradition. The earliest record I have of Patrick is from the 1850 census where he is living as a boarder in the household of John McCole in Mauch Chunk Township, Carbon County, PA. He married Susan Carbon (which may have been Carabin in Ireland) in 1852 at St. Joseph's Church in Summit Hill, Schuylkill County, PA. He was a miner. Patrick

died in 1896/1897 and is buried at St. Joseph's Church Cemetery. Susan died in about 1912 and is buried there also. According to other census records, Patrick was born in about 1825, and Susan was born about 1835. Their children were as follows: James b. 1854; Francis b. 1855; Ann b. 1857; Catherine b. 1860; Patrick (Tally) b. 1870; Edward b. 1865; Susan b. 1867; John b. 1874; Mary Ellen (Mayme) b. 1875.

8. Neil McNelis (b. 1803, d. 1850) and wife Ann Boyle lived in Sandfield, Ardara, and had children: 2. i Neil McNelis b. 1844; 3. ii Edward McNelis b. 1841; 4. iii James McNelis b. 1845; and 5. iv Paddy McNelis b. 1840. Neil is from a Glencolumbkille family, probably the first cousin of Donnchadh (Dennis) MacNiallais (McNelis). The second generation has 2. Neil McNelis b. 1844, Sandfield, Ardara, Co. Donegal, m. Ann Sweeney, b. 1851, d. 1921. Neil died 1895. They lived in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel, Ardara. Neil and Ann had children: i Mary Anne McNelis b. 1876, d. 1960; ii Patrick John McNelis b. 1875. Patrick was married and had no children; iii James McNelis b. 1876; 6. iv Kate McNelis b. 1878; 7. v Michael McNelis b. 1878; vi Neal McNelis b. 1880; vii Joseph McNelis b. 1882. not married; 8. viii Daniel McNelis b. 1885; ix Francis McNelis b. 1886, d. 1840. not married; and 9. x Raymond McNelis b. 1893. 3. Edward McNelis b. 1841, Sandfield, Ardara, Co. Donegal, m. Bridget O'Donnell, b. 1843. They lived in Doohill, Ardara, Co. Donegal, and had children: i Neil McNelis b. 1871, Doohill, Ardara, Co. Donegal; ii Ellen McNelis b. 1879, Doohill, Ardara, Co. Donegal; iii Kate McNelis b. 1876, Doohill, Ardara, Co. Donegal; iv Sarah McNelis b. 1878, Doohill, Ardara, Co. Donegal; and v Mary McNelis b. Doohill, Ardara, Co. Donegal. 4. James McNelis b. 1845, Sandfield, Ardara, Co. Donegal, m. Margaret O'Donnell, (b. 1851) and they lived in Ardara. They had children: i Neil McNelis b. 1874, Ardara, Co. Donegal; ii Conal McNelis b. 1878, Ardara, Co. Donegal; iii Mary Ann McNelis b. 1880, Ardara, Co. Donegal; iv Margaret McNelis b. 1882, Ardara; v Patrick McNelis b. 1885, Ardara; vi John McNelis b. 1889, Ardara; and vii James McNelis b. 1891, Ardara. 5. Paddy McNelis b. 1840, m. Bridget McCafferty, b. 1856 and they lived on the old family farm. Their children are: i John McNelis; and ii Mary McNelis b. 1878, Sandfield, Ardara, Co. Donegal. The third generation includes the family of 6. Kate McNelis b. 1878, m. Joseph Campbell had a son John Joe Campbell. 7. Michael McNelis (b. 1878, d.1967) m. Mary McDevitt and had children: i Nan McNelis; ii Rosemary McNelis( died in infancy); iii Theresa McNelis (not married); iv Kathleen McNelis; v Cecelia McNelis (not married); vi Neil McNelis (went to Australia); vii Bernard McNelis m. Mrs. Mary McNelis; and viii Michael McNelis (not married). 8. Daniel McNelis (b. 1885, d. 1930) m. Mrs. Agnes McNelis and had son i Niall McNelis. 9. Raymond McNelis (b. 1893, d. 1962) m. Nellie Schuit, (b. 1893, d. 1963) and had children: i Ann (?) McNelis; ii Mary Kathleen Patricia McNelis; iii Raymond McNelis; iv Joseph McNelis; and v Mary McNelis. Also part of

this Sandfield family, although in a way that is still undetermined is Con McNelis, married to Rose Gallagher, who had sons Jimmy, Conal, and John (John died two years ago Oct 31), who were weavers featured on the television show "Hands," and also Neil and William, and daughters Sarah [Gibbs] and Theresa [Gallagher]. William is the father of Maureen (McNelis) Reidenauer

9. William Mc Nelis, owner of the Ardara Woolen Shop, also known as Willie Ban, is married to Nancy and has 7 children, Bridget, John, Conal, Aileen, Liam, Mary and Gerard. Willie married Nan Waters from Tullycleave. Conal Mc Nelis married Margaret Spillane, and has 3 Children, Carol, Helen and Conal Jr.. Carol Mc Nelis is the contact for this family. This family is distantly related to family 5 above, although how is not known.

10.Neil McNelis was born in Ardara,  in a house where the family still lives.  He immigrated to the US and settled in Jackson Miss where his son Neil McNelis, Jr. (b. 1907, d. 1999).  Neil Jr. had three sons of which Neil McNelis, III is the oldest, (b. Brookhaven, Ms).  The others ar Donald Patrick, (b. Shreveport,La), and Michael Patrick, (b. Shreveport, LA).  Neil McNelis, III 

McNelis Families from Bruxless

Bridget McNeelis  was born approx 1828 in Bruxless. According to the 1871 census in Glasgow, she  had been a widow for some ten years. She and her husband Edward McGinnes had children Isabella McGinnes (born approx 1851), Edward (1853), Mary (1855), James (1859) Michael (baptised 14th Nov 1858) Catherine ( baptised 10th January 1861), and Bridget (1863).  Michael McGinnes on the poor law listed his place of birth as Carna-muchal, Co. Donegal.  This is the family of Mary Boyle 

McNelis Families from Kilcar

The extracted baptisms from St. Cartha's Catholic Church of Kilcar where one or more of the parents are named McNelis is found at baptisms. For more information on Kilcar genealogy check out my Kilcar genealogy home page.

My own McNelis ancestors begin with Edward McNelis and Sally Porter. They had sons Hugh and Anthony and perhaps Stephen. Hugh married Mary Meehan and had children Jane, Edward, Bridget, Mary, Michael, Ann, and William. Anthony married Catherine Meehan and had Michael, James, John, Thomas, Edward, and Anthony. The latter three were born in the United States. Anthony and Catherine and the boys, other than James, came to the U.S., eventually coming to Centralia, Pennsylvania in the late 1860s. James stayed in Ireland, marrying Madge Byrne. They had children James, Margaret, John, Mary, Catherine, and Patrick. Madge died in 1891 and the family emigrated to Greeley, Nebraska in

1893. Michael married Anne Fogarty and had children John and Catherine. They lived in Mahanoy City, PA before moving to Philadelphia in 1904. John married Mary Hagerty and had children Catherine, Anthony, James, John, and Mary. They lived in Centralia, PA. Edward married Ellen McNelis and had daughters Mary, Catherine, Susan, and Eleanor. They lived in Shenandoah, PA. Thomas married Mary Daley and had Anthony, Sarah, Ray, Catherine, and John. They lived in Philadelphia and later York, PA. Anthony, son of Anthony and Catherine Meehan, married Margaret Moran and had a daughter Catherine McNelis. For more on this group, contact me at jwd6@psu.edu or check out the page at mcnelis1.htm.

This McNelis family is of Kilcar and Maryville, MO. This family is related to the Cannon cousins of Jim Dunn. Patrick McNelis m. Sally McFadden, (daughter of Ancestor 1 McFadden and unknown _____). May be named James. Members of this family provided business contacts for Michael McFadden, a peddler who worked throughout the Midwest. Children:

Patrick McNellis b. 25-Sep-1843. Bridget McNelis m. Patrick McFadden. Mary McNelis. Sally McNelis b. Tawney, Kilcar Parish, Co Donegal, Ireland. James McNelis b. ABT 1840.

The Second Generation has

Patrick McNellis b. 25-Sep-1843, Kilcar, County Donegal, Ireland, m. 21-Apr-1874, in Maryville, MO, Mary Dougan, b. 31-Oct-1850, Shalway, Kilcar, Co. Donegal, IRE, (daughter of Brian (Bernard) Doogan and Ellen (Nellie) Cannon) d. 11-Apr-1930, Maryville, MO. Patrick died 6-Feb-1920, Maryville, MO. Children:

James McNellis b. 4-Feb-1875, Maryville, MO, d. 8-Nov-1920. Mary (Daisy) McNellis b. 23-Jun-1876, Maryville, MO, d. 30-Sep-1949. Bernard McNellis b. 18-Jun-1878, Maryville, MO, d. 18-Jul-1879,

Maryville, MO. Sarah McNellis b. 23-Nov-1879, Maryville, MO, d. 8-Nov-1918. Anna McNellis b. 21-Oct-1881, Maryville, MO, d. 7-Jul-1941. Patrick Henry McNellis b. 24-Dec-1883, Maryville, MO, d. 13-Jun-1893. Helen McNellis b. 12-May-1884, Maryville, MO, d. 10-Jun-1959. Katherine McNellis b. 23-Sep-1887.

James McNelis b. ABT 1840, Tawney, Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland, m. in Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland, Rose McHugh, b. ABT 1870, Co Donegal, Ireland. James died BEF 1895, Kilcar Parish, Co Donegal. It is not clear to whom James was married. There is a James m. to Catherine McHugh, dtr. Catherine at Tawney for 1856. in Kilcar parish record. Rose's identity is based upon letter from Patrick Raughter. Amongst their children was Catherine McNelis b. ABT 1880.

The Third Generation

Katherine McNellis b. 23-Sep-1887, Maryville, MO, m. 29-Mar-1910, in Chillicothe, MO, James Olan Whan, b. 1-Dec-1886, d. 7-Aug-1977. Katherine died 20-Jan-1974. They had children: James Wheldon Whan, John Francis Whan, Mary Patricia Whan, and Margaret Helen Whan.

Catherine McNelis b. ABT 1880, Carrick, Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland, m. in Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland, Thomas Raughter, b. ABT 1880, St. John's Point, Dunkineely, Co Donegal, Ir. Their children are:

Daniel Raughter b. Kilcar, Co Donegal, d. Chicago, Illinois. John Raughter b. Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland, d. Derrylahan, Kilcar, Co

Donegal, buried: Kilcar Cemetery, Kilcar, Co. Donegal, Ireland. James Raughter b. Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland. Thomas Raughter b. Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland. Michael Raughter b. Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland, d.England. Patrick C. Raughter b. 13 Mar 1917, Tawney, Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland,

d. 23 Jun 1993, Derrylahan, Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland Francis Raughter b. Kilcar, Co Donegal, Ireland.

 

Tom McNulty has two McNelis women in his McNulty family. The first is Peggy McNelis, married to James McNulty. Peggy and James had a daughter Bridget, bapt. 1848. And sons Patrick, Conti, and Charles McNulty. Patrick had James McNulty (1870 - 1929) (m. Mary Ryan) and Una McNulty (m. Thomas Fawcett). James and Mary McNulty had Mary McNulty (b.1888, m. Michael Gillespie), Patrick McNulty (1890 - 1982, m. Anne Doherty), James McNulty (m. Catherine Boyle), Hannah McNulty (b.1893), and Bridgett McNulty (1893). After Mary's death, James married Bridget Dorian (1875 - 1944), who had children John McNulty (m. Margaret McNelis), Cornelius McNulty (1904 - 1992, m. Bridget McIntyre, Charles Hugh McNulty (1902 - 1982, m. Mary McBraerity, Anne McNulty (1903 - 1978, m. John McGinley), Donal McNulty, Bridgett McNulty, Joseph McNulty (1908 - 1980, m. Bridgit Sweeney), Cassie McNulty (b. 1913, m. Joseph J. McGuiness), Margaret McNulty (1911 - 1992, m. James Doogan), and Francis McNulty (b. 1909, m. Mary Gavigan). John McNulty and Margaret McNelis had son James Thomas McNulty (1929 - 1992), who married Maire Campbell.

Bob Greer is descended from a different James McNelis of Towny than the one mentioned above. James and Belle Carre of Carrick had many children, one of whom was Bob's great grandmother ISABELLA MANELIS, born 20 August 1867, in Tawny. Isabella came to America in 1887, with her brother Philip and possibly other siblings. They joined a large family of cousins in Philadelphia. (Philip

brought grapevines and moved on to California to plant them.) Isabella was an accomplished musician (harpist), who performed at many social events. She was well educated. She spoke Gaelic at home and English, socially. She married Patrick John Wylie in 1890, in Philadelphia. They lived in Chestnut Hill, northwest Philadelphia. They had 11 children, Mary, Elizabeth, Francis, John, Margaret, Joseph, Rose 1, Rose 2, Agnes 1, Agnes 2, and Rachel. All persons above are deceased with the exception of Margaret Wylie Kelly who will be 100 years old on 25 February 1999. There are many grandchildren and great grandchildren but none have the name McNelis. When Isabella was alive she kept in close contact with her family particularly the Dominick McNelis family of Mauch Chuck, Pa. She was also very close to her sister Janey, Jenny, who married Edward Giles. Another thing that Bob remembers was that the family's family doctor was Doctor McNelis (Philadelphia 1895-1915), (perhaps Anthony McNelis) who was related somehow.

Kate McNeal  is the great granddaughter of Mary Carr from Kilcar, Donegal, Ireland. Mary's first husband was a McNellis or (McNelis). There were several children from this union, Joseph McNellis (b. March 14, 1895 and Margaret McNellis (b. August 30, 1890) and possibly a Bridget. Mary Carr's second husband was Charles Halket, son of William Halket. Mary and Charles had 2 children, Charles and Marie (Kate's grandmother). Kate thinks that Mary Carr and Charles met in Chicago. The William Halket family resided in Chicago, IL and he was in the livery business for 20 years. Charles Halket and Mary Carr resided in Glenview, Ill.

Patrick McNelis and Grace Byrne of Churchtown, Kilcar had children Mary (10/26/1849) James (8/3/1852), Susan ( 3/17/1855),and Michael McNelis (11/26/1857). Almost certainly John McNelis, who with wife Susan Royan, was having children about the same time as Susan McNelis and her husband Charles Murray, is the brother of Susan, Michael, James, and Mary and was either born before the records began or didn't get recorded. I believe that Patrick has siblings Susan McNelis (wife of Connell Cunnea), Mary McNelis (wife of John McSweeney or Sweeney), and James McNelis (husband of Margaret Cunnea). Susan McNelis and Charles Murray had children Ann (02/08/1900) , Brigid (03/18/1888), Charles (08/19/1886), Dennis (03/26/1885), Ellen (09/04/1893), Joseph (09/09/1895), Mary (01/27/1881), Patrick (09/29/1891), Peter (10/15/1895), and Susan (03/27/1890). Dennis, Charles (Charlie) and Peter went to Kansas City and later joined the gold rush in Alaska. Then Dennis came to Seattle, Charles (Charlie) returned to Kansas City, and Peter returned to Ireland. Dennis died about 1967 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA. Some of the other Murray family seems to have gone to Kansas City. Michael McNellis married Elizabeth Campbell of Kilcar and they lived in Glasgow. They had two children: Patrick and Isabella, both born in Glasgow. Elizabeth Campbell McNellis died while the children were young, and Michael McNellis took the children back to Donegal and left them in the care of Susan Murray, Churchtown. Michael McNellis then emigrated Kansas City where he remarried. Michael's son, Patrick McNellis,

married Mary Jane Dunion of Mountcharles, Donegal, a few miles east of Killybegs. She was the daughter of Hugh Dunion and Rose Gallagher. Patrick and Mary moved to Glasgow and had six children: Patrick Hugh, John, Rose, Mary, Michael (died young), and Isabel. When in her teens, Isabel moved to Kansas City and married Mr. Mittenfelder. Patrick Hugh McNellis (1909, 1995) and his wife and children came to the USA in the early 1950's, settling in Seattle and then Santa Barbara. Patrick is the father of Eileen Cush McNellis

Peter Francis O'Donnell (son of Timothy O'Donnell  and Giles Dever who were born about 1802) and Ellen McNelis ( born abt. 1835 in Ireland, and died 10 Aug 1917 in Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania). All of their nine children were born in Pennsylvania, beginning with Condie (Cornelius), 1858.  They also had sons Peter (a Board Member of the United Mine Workers of America) and Monsignor John J. O'Donnell of St. Mary's in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Monsignor O'Donnell, born in Sugar Notch, near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on January 13, 1872 (Monsignor O'Donnell died on March 7, 1945, in Wilkes-Barre. They appear in the 1860 census living in Buck Mountain, a mining town in Carbon County, PA, east of Hazleton and west of Rockport in Lausanne Township, Carbon County.  At her death, Ellen was survived by one brother John McNelis of Carbon County and one sister, Mrs. C. Ward of Philadelphia. Father Edward McNelis, (born in Ireland in 1845)ordained October 18, 1872, by Bishop Wood, St. Charles Borremeo, Overbrook, Pa., died November 19, 1889. is Ellen's brother. Peter Francis O'Donnell (the son)  married Bridget Conahan, who had a son Peter Francis O'Donnell, who helped lead the formation of the United Auto Workers union at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. This Peter was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.  In turn this Peter had a son Peter Gerald O'Donnell. This fourth Peter is the father-in-law of  Jeff McQueen .

 

McNelis Families from Glencolumbkille 

1. Patrick McNelis (b. Abt. 1810) and Mary Hegarty of Malinmore had children James McNellis (b. 1840, d. 1913), Condy McNellis, Maurice McNellis, and Annie McNellis. Patrick came to Mauch Chunk, PA (now Jim Thorpe) in the 1800s but returned to Ireland. James married Mary Carr (1848-1891) of Muckross, Kilcar in 1869. They had children: (1) Patrick McNellis (b. 1870) (2) Mary McNellis (b. July 4, 1872) m. John Dougherty and had children Mary Ellen, John, Ann, Margaret, Katherine, and James. They lived in Kansas City, MO. (3) Frank McNellis (b. 1874) (4) Anne McNellis (b. 1876) (5) Bridget McNellis (b. 2 Feb 1878) m. Matthew McCormick in 1910 in Kansas City. Bridget and her brother Maurice had come in 1898. The McCormicks had a daughter Margaret Mary. (6) Sarah McNellis (b. Sep. 1879) m. Patrick Ryan in 1912 in Kansas City. They had a daughter Kathleen. (7) Maurice McNellis (b. Oct 23, 1880) m. Louise

Humphreys Maltby. They had children Maurice, Louise, and David. They lived in Kansas City. (8) James McNellis (b. 1882) m. Ethel Meagher in 1917 in Kansas City. They had children James, Joseph, Mary, Francis, Patrick, Maurice, and Leo. (9) John McNellis (b. 6 Jun 1885) m. Katherine Powers and had four children, including Katherine. (10) Margaret McNellis (b. 1888) (11) Katherine McNellis (b. 26 May 1890) (12) Agnes McNellis (b. 26 Nov 1891) m. John Ryan in Kansas City. They lived later in Chicago. The other children of Patrick and Mary had the following families. Condy lived in Charlotteville, NC, m. Ellen Brady, and had a daughter Helen, who m. Leo Phelan of Beaumont, TX. Maurice lived in Aliceville, AL, m. Annie Gray, and had children Mayme, Maurice, Robert, Agnes Loretta, and Helen. Agnes m. Edmund J. Ward. Annie m. Frank Meenan. She was b. and d. in Ireland. Unfortunately, Maurice McNellis  the source of this information is deceased.

2. Eoin MacNiallais lived in Lios-an-Chaigh, Bollard, Glencolumbkille, and had children: 2. i John McNelis b. 1802; 3. ii Donnchadh MacNiallais b. 1805; iii Anna McNelis b. 1812, d. 7 Dec 1890; 4. iv Maolsheachlainn McNelis b. 1811; 5. v Bridget McNelis b. 1820; and 6. vi Ellen McNelis b. 1833. The second generation had 2. John McNelis (b. 1802, d. 1 Nov 1898) m. Mary Curran and lived in Braade, Glencolumbkille and had children: i Mary McNelis; ii Andrew McNelis; iii John McNelis; iv Bridget McNelis; and v Ann McNelis. 3. Donnchadh MacNiallais (b. 1805, d. 27 May 1885, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal) m. (1) Mary McNelis, m. (2) Cicilly Higgins, and had children: i John McNelis; ii Jimmy McNelis; iii Donal McNelis; iv Mary McNelis; v Ann McNelis; vi Brigid McNelis; and 7. vii Eamonn (Neidi Ban) MacNiallais b. 1840. 4. Maolsheachlainn McNelis (b. 1811, d. 3 Apr 1883, Drim, Glencolumbkille) m. Hannah McGinley and had children: i John McNelis; ii Bridget McNelis; iii Winifred McNelis; iv Ann McNelis; v Patrick McNelis; vi Hannah McNelis; vii Andrew McNelis; viii Nellie McNelis; ix Mary McNelis; and x Catherine McNelis. 5. Bridget McNelis (b. 1820, d. 8 Mar 1892, Bollard, Glencolumbkille) m. Hugh Boyle and had children: i John Boyle; ii James Boyle; and iii William Boyle. 6. Ellen McNelis (b. 1833, d. 19 Dec 1913, Braade, Co. Donegal) m. James Curran and they had at least one son James Curran. The third generation begins with 7. Eamonn (Neidi Ban) MacNiallais (b. 1840, d. 1 Mar 1893, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille) m. Ann Jones (b. 1843, d. 5 Nov 1920) and had children: 8. i Mary McNelis b. 1859; ii Ann McNelis ( died in infancy); iii Brigid McNelis (b. 1863, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal, d. 2 Feb 1897. Entered Providence Convent, St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana March 25, 1891. Professed Aug 15, 1894. Died of pneumonia. Buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Walden, MA. Religious name was Sister Mary Brigid.); iv Ann McNelis ( b. 1865, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal, d. 6 Jul 1892, St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana. Entered Providence Convent Dec. 6, 1888. Professed in 1891. Religious name is Sister Columba); v John McNelis (b.

1867, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal, m. Rose Ann Bowen. John died 1947, Drumrafern, Co. Tyrone. principal teacher in Castlecaulifield No. 2 school for 41 years.); 9. vi Margaret McNelis b. 1870; vii Edward McNelis (b. Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal. Emigrated to U.S. when 16 years old. Presumed lost in snow drift in Canada during Yukon gold rush.); 10. viii Kate McNelis b. 1876; 11. ix Rose McNelis b. 1878; x Ellen McNelis (b. 1879, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal, m. Thomas Kelly. Ellen died 1948, Drumcondra, Dublin.); xi Peter McNelis (b. 1881, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal, d. 12 Feb 1955, buried: St. John's Cemetery, Drumcree, Portdown. Ordained priest for archdiocese of Armagh, June 17, 1906 in Maynooth. Served at Kilmore, Beragh, Donaghmore, Kildress, Drumcree.) xii Lucy McNelis (b. 1883, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal, d. 1960. Lucy taught in Desertegrey, Co. Donegal. After early retirement, she went to live with her sister Ellen.); and 12. xiii Donnchadh (Denis) MacNiallais b. 16 Dec 1887. The fourth generation includes 8. Mary McNelis (b. 1859, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, d. 1951, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille) m. Pat McIntyre and had children: i Annie McIntyre m. Sgt. Carroll; ii Mary McIntyre m. Johnny Lyons; iii Eamon McIntyre b. 1901, d. 1902; iv Patrick McIntyre m. Cassie McGinley; and v Hugh McIntyre b. 1899, d. 1902. 9. Margaret McNelis (b. 1870, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, d. 1932, Cavan) m. Patrick McDwyer and had children: i Patrick John McDwyer m. Sally McGee; ii Mary McDwyer; iii Edward McDwyer m. Cecelia Boylan; iv Nan McDwyer m. Arthur Wright; v Peter McDwyer m. Ena Houston; vi Michael McDwyer; vii Thomas McDwyer; and viii Alphonsos McDwyer. 10. Kate McNelis (b. 1876, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, d. 1952) m. Daniel Gillespie. The family emigrated to Australia.  After Daniel's death, Kate's health broke down. She returned to Glencolumbkille with her daughter i Mary Kate Gillespie m. John Cunnea.  Mary Kate and John had 10 children.  11. Rose McNelis (b. 1878, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, d. 1910, Derry) m. Michael Dolan and had children: i Mary Dolan m. Syl Roche; ii Evelyn Dolan; and iii Josephine Dolan m. Wilf Conway; 12. Donnchadh (Denis) MacNiallais (b. 16 Dec 1887, Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, d. 15 Dec 1954) m. 20 Jan 1926, in Derry Cathedral, Margaret (Peig) Meehan, b. 29 Aug 1893, d. 16 Aug 1990. Lived at Rosses Point, Co. Sligo. Had an electrical contracting business in Sligo. They had children: i Sean MacNiallais; ii Maire MacNiallais; iii Donnchadh MacNiallais; iv Peader MacNiallais; v Attracta MacNiallais; and vi Osnat MacNiallais. This family is related to Sean MacNiallais, Derrybeg, Letterkenny, Ireland. It is also related to the McNelises of Australia and the descendants of Neil McNelis of Ardara.

3. An unknown McNelis in Braade had sons Michael and Jack. Jack had a son Patrick McNellis (b. <1805 and d. 31 Mar 1862), who married Catherine CHESTNUT (b.1908 and d. 1875) and they had children George, James,

Moses, Arthur, Richard, John, William, and Andrew (Andrew came to the states ended up changing his name legally to McNielus so he could collect his Civil War Pension. His name had been spelled that way by who ever entered it in the Army Rolls. Many of his descendants still reside in the Dodge Center area of Minnesota.) Moses McNelis (b. abt 1838 and d. abt 1889) married Hannah (Nora) OSBORNE (was born in Braide, Glencolumbkille, the daughter of John OSBORNE (abt 1808 - 1879) and Elizabeth (Bess) MAXWELL (abt 1815 - 1878)) in May 1869 and lived in Braide, Glencolumbkille. Hannah and Moses had the following children: (1) Catherine (Cassie) McNelis (abt 1870/1871 - 1952). Cassie m. Thomas DUNLEAVY - he was b. abt 1871 at Ardara, Donegal and d. 1910; buried at Ardara. They had: (i) Thomas (Tommy) DUNLEAVY who lived at Kenaughty nr Ardara (ii) Ellen Jane DUNLEAVY b. <1900 Ardara, Donegal (iii) John James DUNLEAVY b. 26 Nov 1902 Ardara, Donegal, Bapt. 8 Jan 1921, USA, buried: abt May 1922, USA. John James went to the USA and lived with 'Uncle Maurice' in NY. Then John James went to Waterloo, Iowa, where he lived with 'Uncle John'; (2) William McNelis, (abt 1872 - 1935) married Cassie RHODE (abt 1892 - 1967). Both died in Braide, Glencolumbkille. They had: (i) John McNelis who married Eileen IRWIN from Fermanagh and lived in Braide, Glencolumbkille in the house in which his parents, Moses and Hannah, had lived. (ii) Catherine (Cassie) McNelis who married Ronald JONES and lived in Wales. (iii) Annie McNelis who was unmarried (iv) Evelyn McNelis who became Evelyn IRWIN - Evelyn and her brother John McNelis married a brother and sister (v) James McNelis, (vi)Hannah McNelis who married Archibald GREENLAW of Braide and later went to live in Coventry near to Annie McNelis and Evelyn Irwin.; and (vii) Moses McNelis( Moses went to live in Manchester, England marrying Ann and having four sons and a daughter. The daughter is Tracey Jeffries (nee McNelis) ; (3) Jane McNellis (1875 - 1979). Jane emigrated to the US before 1900. Jane married John Francis TITUS in Iowa. They moved to Minnesota and raised their family and died there. They had: (i) Durward Harvey TITUS (1903 - 1971) who married Ellen Estelle JACKSON (1906 - 1993) (ii) Fielden George Elsworth TITUS (1904 - 1966) who died in Montana (iii) Leander Bennett TITUS (iv) Clara Elvie TITUS (1909 - 1979). She married Frank Fayette THOMPSON and they have descendants in Minnesota. (4) John McNelis (1877 - 1955), who went to Scotland before 1900 and then, from Scotland, went to the US. He married Anna McCRACKEN. He died in Waterloo, Iowa.; (5) Moses McNelis (1880 - 1925). Moses (also known as Maurice?) went to Scotland with his older brother John before 1900. He returned home to Glencolumbkille in 1902 and married Susan WALKER (1871 - 1972). Susan was the youngest child of John WALKER and Fannie McKEE. Susan WALKER's older sister Rebecca WALKER was married to Moses's Uncle Andrew McNelis. Moses and Susan emigrated to the US and lived in New

York; subsequently Susan and their daughter moved to Massachusetts.; (6) James McNelis, b. 15 May 1882 at Braide, Glencolumbkille, d. 12 Mar, 1968 at Braide, Glencolumbkille; (7) Elizabeth Anne (known as Lillie) McNelis (b. 1885) She stayed in Glencolumbkille and married Robert MAXWELL; (8) David McNelis (1887 - 1948) who emigrated to the US and lived in Spokane, Washington. He married Goldie Priscilla IRISH (1897 - 1974); and (9) Hannah McNelis, b. 4 Jan 1891 at Braide, Glencolumbkille, who probably died as an infant. This family is related to Judy Philip  and Cal Thompson 

4. Michael McNelis (see 3 above), almost certainly a brother of Moses McNelis' grandfather, Jack, came to the townland of Straleel North from Braade in the early 1830s. His wife's name is unknown. They had at least two sons, Denis (2a) and John (2b). Denis (2a) settled in Lergadaghtan, Teelin and had a son, Michael, who had a son, Denis, who was 21 years of age at the time of the 1911 Census. John (2b)(c.1810-1885) married Mary Hegarty of Bogagh, Kilcar, c.1835 and both helped Michael (1) build the present McNelis house in Straleel North. In 1848, Michael held that property from the Conolly estate, while his son John (2b) was tenant of the adjoining farm in the townland of Meenaneary. By 1857, John was the tenant for the Straleel holding and had surrendered the Meenaneary farm.John (2b) and Mary Hegarty had the following known children (the order may be incorrect): (3a) Bridget, who married Connell Boyle of Straleel townland, parish of Kilcar. Prionnsias Boyle of that address is her g-grandson. (3b) Michael (1836-?), whose descendants live in Straleel South, and are represented today by his grandson, John. (3c) Denis, who went to America c.1860, and according to family tradition, was killed fighting for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Details of his service have not yet come to light. (3d) John, who went to America at the same time as Denis, and according to family tradition, fought for the Confederate side and survived. Details of his service have yet to come to light. His descendants live in the Philadelphia area. (3e) Francis (1846-1912), (see below) who lived on the family farm and married Mary Doherty (1851-1914)of Straleel townland, parish of Kilcar in 1871. Mary was a daughter of Patrick Doherty and granddaughter of Phil Doherty. (Barbara Byrne Varanese  is related to this Doherty family) (3f) Paddy (1849-1885) who taught in Lougherahirk school but fled to America c.1882 to avoid arrest for his membership in the Irish Republican Brotherhood. (3g) Mary, who married a McGill man from Killybegs. Their descendants live in Edinburgh. Francis (3e) above and Mary Doherty had the following children: (4a) John (1872-1942)(see below) who married, 1901, Mary O'Donnell (1879-1956) of Straleel South, daughter of Michael O'Donnell (1836-1932) and Mary McNelis (1847-?). (4b) Paddy (1873-?), whose granddaughter is Frances Hamill of Bishopbriggs, Scotland. (4c) Michael, who lived for a time in the United States and died in Straleel in the 1920s. (4d) Bridget (1881-1910) who

married Denis Kennedy of Meenaneary, where their descendants live. (4e) Mary Anne, who went to the United States and married James,son of Charles "Ban" McGinley of Meenacross, Glencolumbkille. Their descendants live in various parts of the United States. (4f) Margaret (1888-?), who married Patrick O'Donnell of Meenaneary and whose descendants include Jane Boyle of Meenaneary and Brigid Gillespie of Doonalt. (4g) Catherine (1886-1978). (4h) Joseph (1898-?) whose widow Sheila lives in Magheraclogher, Gweedore and whose daughter is Mary Gallagher of Cotteen, Gweedore. John (4a) above and Mary O'Donnell had the following descendants: (5a) Mary Agnes (1902-1995) who married Bernard Haughey of Rinnakill, Teelin. (5b) Francis (1903-1982) who married Elizabeth, daughter of John Boyle of Loughros. Monica McNelis of Brussels is their daughter. (5c) Michael (1905-1976) who married Sarah Cunningham of Meenacharvey, p. of Glencolumbkille and settled in Worcester, England.  (5d) John (1906-86) of London and Straleel (5e) Bridget (1908-1996) who married Michael Manning (1899-1949) of Kilvicadownig, Co. Kerry and settled in Carrigart, Co. Donegal. 5f) Patrick (1910-92) who emigrated to Philadelphia in 1928 and served in the US Navy in the Pacific during WW2. He married Bridget Denning from Killygordon. They had one son, Patrick John, who died in 1970. 5g) Catherine (1912-1999) who married Emile Hughes of Lurgan, Co. Armagh. 5h) Phil and Mary Kate, twins, (1913-1918), died in the 1918 flu epidemic. 5i) Danny (1915-February 2000) of Philadelphia who married Mary Doogan of Leitir, Kilcar. 5j) James (1917-1996) of Straleel 5k) Josephine who married Edward Magennis of Lurgan, Co. Armagh.  This is the McNelis family of Aidan Manning  author of the wonderful book on Glencolumbkille that is the source of much of the History of the Name McNelis

5. Michael McNelis and wife Mary (nee McNelis) had a son Thomas who went to Scotland in the 1940s.  They also had sons Joseph and John.  Mary Lambie is the daughter of Thomas. The late Paddy McNelis, who owned a tea room in Glencolumnbkille was a cousin.

 

McNelis Families from Glenties/Kilraine

1. William McNelis and his wife Mary O'Donnell of Meenamalraugh, Glenties had at least 2 children, Mary and Patrick. Patrick went to McAdoo , PA, where he was a miner and later a grocer. With his wife Cecilia Dougherty they had children William, Michael, Mary (b 1886, d.1926), James, Anna, Margaret, Joseph, Hugh, Patrick, and Theresa. Mary (b 1830, d.1923) married Connell ( Condy) Boyle [b.1828 Strenaglough, Donegal d. 1903] on March 3,1851 in

Tamaqua, PA. They had children Phillip b.1852, Mary Ann b.1853 d.1916, William F. b.1855 d.1916, James b.1858, Hugh b.1859 d.1929, Charles b 1861 d.1923, Cecily b.1864 d.1908, Michael b. 1866, Catherine b. 1868 Helen b.1870 d.1918, Con J. b 1873 d. 1963, and Grace b.1875 d.1914. This is the family of Charlie Boyle. Charlie's father, also Charlie Boyle, remembers visiting the home of Francis McNelis, a relative in Summit Hill, PA.

2. James Mc Nelis who was born in Kilraine around 1820 - 1884.  James and his first wife had at least two sons James & Hugh, born around 1845-1855.  James & Hugh emigrated to America, settled in the Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and reportedly worked in the mines. James first wife died about 1860 and he then married Anne Geran, also known as Nancy Sharpe, James and Nancy had at least five children; Anne (Annie) (born circa 1862), Ellen (see Ellen Sweeney below), born 01/13/1866, John (Johnny), born circa 1868; Andre (Andy) born in the 1870's; and Mary who died at age 5 or 6. James Mc Nelis was married a third time and there were no children from the third marriage.

 

Ellen left Ireland about 1890's, to live with a distant relative, the Watters ( also known as Whorisky), in Newark, New Jersey. She reportedly had no interest in being near the mines in Wilkes Barre and it is thought that she never saw James or Hugh in America. Ellen married Charles Joseph Sweeney, a native of Navany, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal in Newark in 1901. They had a daughter Helen (born in Newark in 1906, d. 1996)   Ellen died in 1946. Helen married William Slattery.

 

Annie reportedly left Ireland in around 1880 to live with her half brother(s) James and/or Hugh in Wilkes Barre?  She married Joseph Harley, a native of Inver/Mountcharles, Co. Donegal, who was purchasing agent for the Lehign Valley Railway. The Harley's had at least five children; Father James Harley of the Propagation of the Faith in New York ; Dr. Edward Harley, a dentist in Hollis, Queens New  York; Anne Harley Everette, a school teacher in Wilkes Barre ; Daniel Harley; and a son whose name  is unknown.  Annie died  in 1943.

 

Johnny stayed in Kilraine and married Bridget Dorrian from Croagh, Dunkineely, Co. Donegal (both died about 1918) and they had seven children; James (died about 1980), Rosie( 1988), Joseph (Joe, died 1972), Mae, Bridget(1985),Andrew (Andy, died 1972)) and Cornelius (known as Sonny, 1988).  Mae emigrated to Pittsburgh, became a nurse and died at an early age. Rosie, Bridget and Sonny never married and lived in the until their death in the family home in Kilraine.  Joe lived for many years in England and returned on his retirement to the home place in Kilraine and lived with his brother and sisters until his death. Jim was married in Glenconwell, Ardara and had one daughter Eileen (died 1986).

 

Andrew(Andy) Mc Nelis  lived in Glenties until his death in 1972, married Mary Kennedy from Kilcrine, Doochary, Co. Donegal and had two children, one of whom, Sean, provided much of this information. 

McNelis Families from Carrick

3. John McNellis of Carrick came to the United States in 1910. He worked for a short time at the Baldwin Locomotive works in Pittsburgh. He married Susan Byrne in Ireland and brought her to Butte Montana, where he worked in the mines. Their grandson is Robert McNellis, 1039 Toucan, Helena, MT 59602. Randi L. McNellis is also from this family.

4. Lawrence & Mary (nee Gallagher) McNelis had 13 children, while living in High Straleel. (Carrick) The children were Francis (b. 1888), Margaret (m. O'Donnell), Hannah, Bridget (stayed in Ireland, became Sister Mary Gabriel of the Sisters of Charity and died in Lurgan in the mid 1970s), Susan (m. James McAuley), Philip (died World War I), Lawrence, Patrick, Agnes (m.Thomas Dunne), Mary, Katherine, Ann and Lucy (m. James Quail). Most of these children ended up in Chicago. Mary (Gallagher) McNelis died in 1929, which allowed her daughter Hannah (Nora) McNelis (b. Straleel, Carrick, Co. Donegal, in 1910., m. James L. Ahern in 1941 ) Lawrence McNellis (the son) married Helen Hanlon, lived in the Chicago area, and had seven children: Irene, Larry (deceased WWII), Jim (deceased WWII), Ann, Mary Ellen (deceased), Maggie and Donny. Larry and Jim fought in the 2nd World War for the American Air Force. Memorials published in the McNellis Post are as follows: Lt James P McNellis - Capt. of Austin High School Basketball Team, Halfback with Troyon Football Team, Austin. Killed in action on 17th June 1944. His brother SSgt

Lawrence F. McNellis was killed in action on the 10th December 1944. He was also involved in the above football and basketball teams. Mary Slattery  is the granddaughter of Francis.  Terry Flanagan  is the granddaughter of Lawrence (the son). Topanga Bird is Hannah (Nora's descendent)

5. Lawrence McNelis and . (probably the same family as (2)) Lawrence and Mary McNelis has 13 children, while living in High Straleel.  Mary (Gallagher) McNelis died in 1929, which allowed her daughter Hannah (Nora) McNelis (b. Straleel, Carrick, Co. Donegal, in 1910., m. Mr. Ahern) to emigrate to Chicago. Other family members who emigrated to the USA, mostly to Chicago, were Margaret (who became an O'Donnell), Susan (who became a McAuley), Agnes (who became a Dunne), Lucy (who became a Quail), , Lawrence and another son who was killed in WWII. 

6. Sean McNelis  is the son of Anthony McNelis from Teelin, Carrick Co. Donegal. His McNelis family has resided in Teelin since at least the late 1800's.  Anthony's grandfather was Denis McNelis of Teelin.  Rev. Denis Mc Nelis  from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland is the son of Detective Sgt. Hugh Mc Nelis from Teelin in Donegal, another son of Denis. The name Denis or Donnchadh (Donn) in Irish is common in this family. As mentioned earlier Donn Mc Nelis, son of Menelaus McCormac, appointed coarb of Glencolmcille in 1515. He died in 1530. A Neal Mc Nelis shortly afterwards also acted as coarb in the parish of Glencolmcille and as one of the perks of the job, he claimed for himself all the fishing rights of Teelin.  This branch is at a minimum the carriers of this tradition, still living in Teelin and continuing the name Donn (Denis).

McNelis Families from Killybegs

1. Jane McNelis m. James Cunningham. They had children Ellen, Bridget, James, John, William, Con, Anne, Jean, and Mary. Bridget m. Louis Brash and from this couple descends Glenn Brash . Jane is probably the daughter of Hugh McNelis and Mary Meehan of Kilcar.

2. An unknown McNelis came from Killybegs to Scotland sometime in the mid 19th century. He changed the name to the more Scottish McNeilly. He had a son Charles McNeilly born about 1880. Charles fought in the Boer War and World War I, married Elizabeth Yule, and had 14 children. They include

Charles James, who moved to Canada Sarah, who married Peter Reavy, from whose son Brian

Reavy  I learned of this line

May (McCartney) who lives in Belfast Elizabeth (Brannan) who lives in Glasgow Isobel (Curry) who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa,

and several who died as children.

3. Based on an oral history from his grandfather, John Cornelius O'Donnell, James T. O'Donnell is searching for Con O'Donnell (of Carn near Ardara), who married Kathleen Wall from Killybegs. According to him her mother's maiden name was McNelis. Con came to the US through Philadelphia and on to the coal mines of NE PA. Con and Kathleen had nine children. One of them was his g-grandfather: Hugh Bernard O'Donnell b:1875 in Buck Mountain, PA. There is a Buck Mountain very near Mahanoy City, PA.

 

McNelis Families from Burtonport

Cormack McNelis (b. abt. 1834, d. Aug 25, 1894, Leckenagh) and Mary Bonner McNelis (b. abt. 1837, d. Mar. 5, 1891) lived on a farm in Leckenagh (which is a townland in the area). They had 14 or 15 children, including John, Bridget, Minnie, Alice, Grace, Andrew, James, Mary, Annie, Cecelia, and Hannah Norah. John, the oldest, stayed in Ireland. Minnie (b. abt. 1860) m. Charles Dougherty and lived as an adult in Philadelphia. She brought most of the rest to America. Alice m. Mr. Lindsey and had at least three daughters Mary McGee, Anne McGinley, and Loretta Moran. Grace m. Frank Eliff and lived in Norristown, PA, where they had children Mary, Grace and Cornelius. Andrew (b. Oct 31, 1862, d. Sept. 5, 1924) was a machinist and lived in Philadelphia. James (b. 1873, d, Jan. 19, 1916) was a boilermaker in Philadelphia. Both he and Andrew were married, but had no children. Mary (b. Apr. 6, 1879, d. Nov. 11, 1951 in Philadelphia) never married. Cecelia (b. 1880, d. May 20, 1902, Philadelphia) was also single. Hannah Norah (b. May 14, 1875, d. Nov. 27, 1956) m. Patrick Donahue in 1901. They had six children, Anna, Cecelia (Betty), Mary Alice (Marie), Noretta (Loretta), James, and Charles. Marie is the grandmother of Tim Gass

According to Tim, Mary McNelis had a farm in Leckenagh in 1828. She is presumably a relative of Cormack. Similarly Patrick McNelis (b. 1879) farmed in Leckangh in 1911, so he is probably related as well, perhaps another of the many children or Cormack and Mary.

McNelis Families from County Tyrone

4. Francis Albert McNellis (d. 1910) came to Philadelphia from County Tyrone. He was a blacksmith in Philadelphia. Joseph, Francis, and Edward McNellis were born in Philadelphia. Joseph is the father of Joseph, Roselyn, and Frank. Roselyn knows most about the family.

5. John David McNellis and Samuel McNellis. The two brothers married two sisters. Annabella McNellis was the grandmother of Bea (floormas@gte.net ). Bea has been to Ireland, and met all the cousins etc, but they were quite young when Sam and Annabella died. They lived in County Tyrone in the Omagh -Dromore- Fintona area. John David married Margaret Foster, also from County Tyrone. Margaret was a sister of Bea's grandmother, Annabella. John & Margaret met and married in Ontario, Canada where they raised 6 children. There are several grandchildren and great grandchildren living in Ontario and Michigan. Lorraine Eagle is a granddaughter.  

McNelis Families in Scotland

Mary McNeillis, was born between 1825 and 1830 according ages given on the the Scottish censii and her death certificate in 1892. On two different censii she gave her birthplace as Ireland and Kilbirnie, Ayrshire where she resided. She was married to Neil Bon(n)ar who was born in Donegal, Ireland (1816) according to the 1881 census in Kilbarchan, Ayrshire, Scotland. They were married in Kilbirnie in 1850 according to the birth certificate of their son George. Mary appears to have two brothers James and George. Mary's death cert says her parents were William McNeillis and Mary____ (no known surname). This George who I think is her brother had parents named William McNeillis and Mary O'Donnell. James McNeillis is found at the home of George in one census and with Mary at another, so the presumption of them being sibs. Neil Bonner and Mary McNeillis had the usual many children for their age and her surname one each certificate is spelled differently, McNealus, McNeillis, Manelis, Manilaws, McNeil to name a few.  This family is related to Ron Dempsey   Ron has sent me some Scottish Census McNelis families   as well.  The Commonwealth Graves Commission, for soldiers of the British Commonwealth that died in action. www.cwgc.org.has some McNelis information.

 

McNelis Families in America

McNelis Families in Pennsylvania

In addition to the family information below, a variety of information from Census records, Social Security Death Records, and other places may be found inPennsylvania Records. Joe McNellis compiled a summary of the McNelis families found in the 1880 Pennsylvania Census. It may have a few omissions. Bob Greer has provided a list of McNelis marriages that he has copied from the marriage registration books for Philadelphia. They cover mainly the period 1887-1916, although some later entries are there as well. Bob has also contributed information on McNelises in Allegheny County.

Dominick McNelis (b. Ireland) and his wife Mary were parents of William (b. 1870 Eckley, PA), Andrew, and Mary. William and his wife Margaret Ferry were the parents of Paul (b. Freeland, PA, 1906). This is the family of Paul McNelisWilliam Francis McNelis (b. 1890 in PA) worked in the coal mines of western PA until moving to Arthurdale, WV in the 1930s. The family has some ties in the Johnstown area. This is the family of Ralph McNelisDennis McNellis (b. 1828 in Donegal) came to Pennsylvania. Dennis McNellis and Catherine Carr were married on 4 December 1849 at the parish of St. Vincent de Paul, Minersville, Schuylkill County, PA. Catherine Carr died 14 May 1899 in Portage Township (East Houghton), Houghton County, MI. According to the death records, her parents were Condy Carr and Rosa Curran (more Donegal surnames). She was taken to De Pere, WI, for burial. Dennis McNellis died between 1896 and 1899. They had children Mary (1854-1926), Rose (1855-1913), Ellen (1857-1943), Katherine (1859-1932), and Daniel (1863-1875). In the mid 1860s they moved to DePere, Wisconsin and then to Foster City, Michigan between 1875 and 1887. This is the family of John DuLong, 959 Oxford, Berkley, MI 48072. John has a web page with a biographical sketch of John F. Stanton, the son of Rose (McNellis) Stanton-Weddel, and the grandson of Dennis McNellis and Catherine Carr and the McNellises and his career with the Duluth, South Shore, and Atlantic Railway.Bernard McNellis came to the US from Ireland. He married Margaret McLoughlan and settled in Girardville, PA. They later lived in Pottsville. Together, they had 10 children: Catherine (b. 1877), Mary (b. 1878, m. Christopher Lawlor), Lauretta (b. 1880), William (b. 1881), Thomas (b. 1883), Bessie (b. 1885, m. William Chisolm), Joseph (b. Jan 7, 1885, m. Lillian Baker), Lucy (b. 1889, m. Mr. Crary), John (b. 1890), and Margrete (b. 1893). Sometime between 1890 and 1893, the family came to Waterbury CT with Joseph, William, Loretta and one of the other girls. Loretta died while in Waterbury at the age of 22 and is buried there. The mother (Margaret) later went to California with the other girl and settled near Oakland.

Joseph and William stayed in Waterbury and started an electrical contracting business. William McNellis married a Jenny Doherty and they had 4 children, Bernard, Ann Margaret, William and Jim. Ann Margaret married a man named VanGurp and settled in Bridgeport CT. Bernard married Rosemary (last name unknown), settled outside of Fort Wayne IN, and had children Betty and Paul. Joseph married Lillian Baker, stayed in Waterbury, and had 7 children, John, Joseph, Arthur, Ann, Lillian, Mary and Robert. Joseph McNellis has a very good history of most all of this family, but lacks early history on his ancestry.John McNelis had a son Richard Patrick McNelis, who was born about 1925. Although they lived in Pennsylvania, Mary McNelis is not certain about where.Ellen Garcia has McNelis ancestry, probably in Luzerne County. John McNelis m. an O'Donnell in the 1860s. Another O'Donnell relative also married a McNelis about 1920.There is a large family of McNelises that came to Altoona from Ardara that are discussed at Altoona. John Cosgriff  provided the following information from parish records in Tyrone, PA. William McNelis m. 01-23-1855 Ann Henry (dau of Joseph Henry & Alice McNeill) in Loretto, Cambria, PA . They had children: (1) Isabella b. 01-23-1856, (2) James b. 08-12-1857, (3) Patrick b. 08-16-1859, and (4) Alice b. 09-01-1860. Daniel McIntire m. 07-??-1852 Sabina McNelis in Newry. Michael McMonis (McNelis?) m. 08-14-1866 Ann O'Brien. Edward McNelis m. 06-02-1860 Ann McCole (McCoole) (possibly Mary Ann McCole). They had children (1) Ann b. 11-20-1861, (2) Edward b. 04-20-1863, (3) Sara b. 02-25-1865, (4) William John b. 08-21-1866, and (5) Mary b. 03-11-1866 . Bernard McNelis m. 03-30-1856 Mary Mooney or Murphey. They had children: (1) Ann Maria b. 07-10-1855? , (2) William b. 10-12-1857, (3) Margaret Helen b. 6-30-1860, and (4) Joannam Bridditan b. 12-10-1862. William McNelis and Mary Nagle had children (1) Francis b. 12-04-1857, and (2) John James b. 01-15-1861. John Murphy (son of Hugh Murphy & Ann McConnell) m. 09-15-1859 Altoona Margaret McNelis (dau of Anthony McNelis & Cecelia Gallagher). They had a son John Charles b. 01-16-1863. James McNelis (may be James b.1832 d. 1865 Altoona) and wife Catherine had children Cecilia Catherine b. 01-10-1863 and Maurice Charles b. 09-20-1865. William Thomas? McNelis m. 02-17-1863 Susan Hagan (Hogan?). They had children (1) Anthony b. 11-27-1863, (2) Margaret Ann b. 04-29-1865, (3) Hugh b. 04-10-1867, and (4) William Thomas b. 12-17-1868. Dennis McNelis m. 07-09-1868 Mary Burns (Byrne). Anthony McNelis m. 03-30-1856 Catherine Gaffney. They had children James b. 02-01-1857, (2) John b. 09-23-1858, (3) Anthony b.

05-22-1860, (4) William b. 07-05-1862, (5) Mary Isabella b. 02-26-1864, (5) Margaret Ann b. 10-22-1865, (6) Bernard b. 05-12-1868, and (7) Joseph b. 09-21-1869. John Gaffney m. 10-28-1851 Catherine McNelis. They had a son Patrick b. 12-19-1852. Patrick McNelis and Rose McNelis had children (1) Bridget b. 01-24-1856, (2) James b. 02-05-1858, (3) Edward b. 07-16-1860, (4) Charles b. 06-11-1862, (5) George b. 09-07-1864, (6) Rose b. 01-19-1867, and (7) Hannah Bell b.12-30-1868. Edward d. 09-01-1861 and Charles d. 1864, presumably the infant children of Patrick and Rose.Patrick Aloysius McNelis and he was born in 1883. I think he was born in Hazelton, PA, although it could be he just lived there much of his life. He eventually moved to the Philadelphia area (lived in Camden) and worked at Abbotts Dairies for a long period of time. He was married to Margaret O'Donnell (probably her surname) and had 12 children: Gerald, Donald, Helen, Frances, Margaret (Margie), Mickie, Jeanne, William, Robert, Bernard, Marie and a baby that died named Rose. Bernard was the father Bernie McNelisPatrick McNelis (b. 10/31/1868 in Ireland) was the son of Walter McNelis and Margaret O'Keefe. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1880. He married Sarah Golespy (Gillespie?) (b. 8/13/1874, Ireland, immigrated 1883) and they in Wilkes Barre, PA in 1895 when their son Patrick was born. They also had Walter, Catherine, Delia, Margaret, Edward, Mary, and Sarah. They lived Haverstraw, NY and also Stony Point, NY. Their son Patrick lived in Jersey City, NJ, married Catherine (Beatrice) Lane and they had sons, William (b. 5/10/1922), Donald (10/31/1923), and Robert McNellis (b. 4/11/1927), all of whom are now deceased. Patrick died in Jersey City from complication of a wound from WW1. William m. Agnes Kurzeja and they had three children James McNellis , Denise (denariel@aol.com), and William II(d. Sept. 2008) . Donald m. Elizabeth Surdovel and they had children Donald, Michele, Robert, Thomas, and Beth. Also interested in this family is Drew D'AgostinoFrancis Albert McNellis (d. 1910) came to Philadelphia from County Tyrone. He was a blacksmith in Philadelphia. Joseph, Francis, and Edward McNellis were born in Philadelphia. Joseph is the father of Joseph, Roselyn, and Frank. Roselyn knows most about the family.Helen McNelis was born in Mahanoy City. Her married name was Noonan and she died in 1954 in Dedham, MA.William McNelis left home at 16, having had a falling out with his father who owned a bar in either Pennsylvania or Michigan. William's son Bernard was born in McAdoo, PA.Hugh McNelis, outside mine foreman at #1 Highland Colliery, P.O. Freeland, was born in Ireland, April 1, 1849. When he was 3 years of age, his parents returned to the United States, having been here

before, and located at Rockport, Carbon County. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age of 8 years began picking slate in the breaker during summers, attending school in the wintertime. He entered the employ of the G.B. Markle Coal Company in 1862 and remained with them. In 1880, he was appointed outside foreman at the #2 Highland Colliery, where he remained 1 year, until he was transferred to #1. He was married November 24, 1871, to Miss Bridget Logan of Freeland. They had, at least 3 children, John McNelis, James McNelis, and Joseph McNelis. Hugh McNelis was tax collector of Foster Township and a member of the school board. He was a Democrat and active in local political circles. ............ from the History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, H.C. Bradley, editor, S.B.Nelson Co. 1893. Submitted by Bob Greer.William Francis Joseph McNelis was born about 1892 in Ireland. He married Catherine Boyle in Ireland. He immigrated through Galveston about 1920 and spent time in Bisby, AZ and Boulder, CO before moving to Pittsburgh in 1923. He died in Pittsburgh in 1949. This is the family of Kevin McNelis .John MCNELIS b: Abt. 1830 Ireland, had children (1) James F. MCNELIS, (2) Mary MCNELIS RYAN, (3) Ann MCNELIS FRAZEE, (4) John MCNELIS, (5) Kate MCNELIS (b: 1884 , m. Edwin KIELTY), and (6) Rose MCNELIS (b: 7 Sep 1890 De Graff, Swift Co, MN, m. Michael John REYNOLDS b: 10 Mar 1878 Kildare Twp., Swift Co, MN). This family went to Minnesota.JOHN RICHARD MCNELIS was born 1865. He married MARY LOUISE GALLEGHER 1888 in Wilkes Barre, Pa., daughter of GALLEGHER and WALSH FOX. Their children are: i. RICHARD MCNELIS, ii. ANTHONY MCNELIS, iii. CATHERINE ALOYSIA MCNELIS, m. ERNEST REMLEY, iv. DOROTHY MCNELIS, m. JOSEPH FLYNN, v. JOHN PATRICK MCNELIS, m. ELIZABETH O'NEILL, vi. MARIE MCNELIS, m. JAMES FEATHERSTONE, vii. ROBERT MCNELIS, m. DOROTHY MILLKUS, and viii. FRANCIS JOSEPH MCNELIS (b. Oct. 22, 1904, Scranton, Pa., d. Feb. 07, 1947, Monclair, N.J), m. MARGARET MARIE HARKINS. This is the family of Frank HuntWilliam Joseph McNelis of Pittsburgh had six children.  They were Andrew and  Grace by his first marriage, and William, Alice, Joseph (1918-1973), and Elizabeth Jane. The latter 4 children were from his second marriage to Elizabeth Foster, also of  Pittsburgh.  This is the family of Patricia Elizabeth McNelis Schader .John Breslin (1828-1900) born in Donegal married Mary Maglincy in Donegal and had 2 children: Mary Ann Breslin Campbell, (1854-1932); and Hugh Breslin (1858-1887).  Mary died and John married Cecelia McNelis (1837-1907) and their children together are:

Anthony J. Breslin (1861-1919), Bridget Breslin (1862-1895), Cornelius Breslin (1865-1926), Ellen Breslin Roney (1866-1898), Annie C. Breslin Hoy (1868-1937), Isabelle Breslin Farrell (1869-1949), Rose Breslin McGill (1871-1930), Margaret Breslin Brennan (1873-?), John A. Breslin (1874-1919), and Peter Breslin (1878-1951). They are probably from Ardara.  John & Cecelia came to Mt. Carmel, Pa. between 9/1862 and 9/1863.  This is the family of Kathy SimmonsThomas F. McNelis who was born in 1889 and he married a woman named Anna (not sure of the her maiden name) and she was born in 1895.  Thomas was a World War I veteran and was in the 42nd Rainbow Division.  They had two children Thomas and Robert.  This is the family of Jennifer McNelisHugh McNelis Sr. was a pharmacist from Scranton, member of a huge family of pharmacists. Hugh Sr.'s brother was a Patrick McNelis. Nell McNelis (b approx 1890) was their sister and an accountant- she was also a social worker for Catholic Charities for many years and lived to a ripe old age of almost 100 and was the last of that generation. Hugh Sr. had many bros. and sisters whose name are not known The family are from Ardara  Nell's recollections before she passed about 15 yrs. ago.  This family is related to Maureen  McNelis

McNelis Families in Michigan

Daniel McNellis was born in Donegal in 1850. He emigrated about 1873, first to Michigan, and then to Freeborn County, Minnesota. He married Catherine Farrell in 1881 in Minnesota and they had two children, Michael (1881-1976) and Mary Angeline (1885-1970). Michael married Catherine Carew and they had children Mary Catherine, Francis James, and Thomas Joseph. This is the family of Mary Catherine McNellis, 3675 Highland Ave. Apt D-31, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

McNelis Families in New York

Michael (Black Michael) McNelis (b. Donegal) is the father of John. John came to Kingston, NY about 1900. John worked in a brickyard. This is the family of Mike McNelisJames McNelis had a son, Frank Aloysius McNelis who m. Margaret McKenna on 5/14/1919 at St. Martin of Tours church in the Bronx. They had one son Francis Charles McNelis (b. 8-22-1925, d. 1/8/1994). Frank and his wife Lura Weaver had children Frank McNelis, Jr., Barbara Jean McNelis, and Jonathan McNelis . Also interested is Jonathon's son Benjamin McNelis..After a divorce, Frank

Sr. remarried to Betty Merget and they had children Christopher McNelis and Elizabeth McNelis. They lived in the Bronx.Joseph McNelis, who came over from Ireland and was a hat maker, married a Moore (she was Native American) and had three sons Joseph, Francis and George, all of whom were born on the Pound Ridge Reservation (now called Ward Pound Ridge state park) in Cross River, New York. Joseph Jr. had children Robert, Joseph, Jim, David and Darren, and  Deborah .  

McNelis Families in Tennessee

James Anthony McNeelis born in Donegal, Ireland around 1860. He immigrated in 1880 and was naturalized in 1887. He was married to Lilly Alice (Burney (?)) and had following children James Dewitt McNeelis (b 1912), Lilly Eunice McNeelis (b 1913), Lowrey Joseph Burney (b 1905 stepson). The Census lists James P. McNeelis (b 1860) and Patrick McNeelis(b 1868) in Memphis. Their father is listed as Patrick and mother as Mary. Family tradition says James Anthony had brothers Dominick and Patrick. James Dewitt McNeelis, Sr, (b. 1912) in turn had a son James Dewitt McNeelis, Jr. and daughters Rosa, Sarah, Lilly, Lois, & Mary. This family lived in Tennessee.

McNelis Families in Virginia

John McNealus (b. 1835, VA?, d. 29 Sept 1869, Fredericksburg, VA) m. Mary Jane Wharton abt. 1856 in Virginia and they had son William Linwood McNealus (b. 1858, VA, d. 7 Oct 1887 Baltimore, MD). William m. Mary Agnes Magee in Fredericksburg, VA 13 Nov 1879 and had son William Chandler McNealus (b. 23 Apr 1887, Baltimore, MD, d. 16 Oct 1957 New York NY). William Chandler McNealus m. Edna May Flynn in 1915 in New York, NY and had children Arthur McNealus, Charles McNealus, and Lorraine McNealus. These families and many of their descendants lived in New York.

McNelis Families in Minnesota

William McNellis and his wife Mary Munday lived in Ireland. They had a son James (b. 5 Oct 1840, d. 6 May 1927), who went to Coaldale, PA. James married Margaret Melley (or Malley or Mallory) (b. 23 Aug 1851, d. 12 Dec 1939, daughter of John Melley and Margaret Callahan) and they had children: Mary (b. 18 Oct 1874, Schuylkill County, PA, d.19 Feb 1904); Catherine Beatrice (b. 5 Oct 1876, Schuylkill County, PA, d 1961); Anna M. (b. 2 Jul 1878, Glencoe, MN, d.6 Nov 1956); Patrick Chester (b. 17 Mar 1881, Glencoe, MN, d. 1961); John Joseph (b. 19 Jul 1883, Glencoe, MN,

d. 27 Sep 1947); Rose M. (b. 14 Jun 1885 Glencoe, MN, d. 26 Jun 1978); William Clement (b. 18 Sep 1887, Glencoe, MN, d. 1 Oct 1957); Margaret C. (b. 13 Apr 1891, Glencoe, MN, d. 22 Apr 1929); James R. (b. 16 Feb 1893, Glencoe, MN, d. 28 Feb 1958); Daniel (b. abt. 1895, d. abt. 1938); and Joseph (d. in infancy). William Clement McNellis is the grandfather of Laura Cheney . Other relatives buried in the Glencoe cemetery include Phillip McNellis (b. 19 Dec 1823, d. 9 Jul 1912), Rose McNellis (d. 27 Aug 1895), Mary McNellis (1883-1959), Edward F. McNellis (1875-1949), James C. McNellis (b. 11 Jul 1866, d. 5 Sep 1921), and Anna McNellis (1872-1953).Bob Greer found the following information on Minnesota McNelises: 1860 CENSUS:.... DAKOTA COUNTY, TOWNSHIP OF ROSEMONT, PAGE 057, ANTHONY McNelas, 30, b. 1829, Ire, ESTHER McNelas, 30, b. 1829, Ire. MARY McNelas, 3, 1857, Minn, SUSAN McNelas, 2,1868, Minn, JULIA McNelas, 4m, 1860, Minn. 1860 CENSUS:....RAMSEY COUNTY, 2nd Ward, St.Paul, page 146, ....EDWARD McNillas, 34, 1825, Ire, Catherine McNillas, 24, 1835, Ire, JAMES McNillas 3, 1856, Minn, EDWARD McNillas, 2, 1858, Minn. The 1870 census may contain the above McNellises. Similar names appear on the Index. The Index shows the following: 1870 Census:.... Helen Town, McLeod County, page 011, ............DANIEL D. McNelis, JAMES McNelis, MARY McNelis, PHILIP McNelis, ROSA McNelis, THOMAS McNelis, WILLIAM McNelis. 1870 Census:....Dakota County, Inver Gr, page 268-269, . ELLEN McNellis, EUGENE McNellis, GEORGE McNellis, GEORGE McNellis, MARY McNellis, SARAH McNellis, SUSAN McNellis. 1880 Census:....JAMES MANELAUS, 45, b.1834, Maine, Elizabeth MANELAUS, 39, 1840, Maine, Frank Manelaus, 20, 1859, Minn, Laura M. Manelaus, 18, 1861, Minn, Albert Manelaus, 13, 1866, Minn, Nancy Manelaus, 6, 1873, Pearl Manelaus, 11m, b. June 1879,.... this family lived in Hutchinson Town, McLeod County.John MCNELIS b: Abt. 1830 Ireland, had children (1) James F. MCNELIS, (2) Mary MCNELIS RYAN, (3) Ann MCNELIS FRAZEE, (4) John MCNELIS, (5) Kate MCNELIS (b: 1884 , m. Edwin KIELTY), and (6) Rose MCNELIS (b: 7 Sep 1890 De Graff, Swift Co, MN, m. Michael John REYNOLDS b: 10 Mar 1878 Kildare Twp., Swift Co, MN).  Most of these people came to Minnesota with Bishop Ireland's colony of 1873? from NY, PA. area. Lori believes the McNelis family came from Schuylkill County, PA. She also has Edward PORTER (likely b Ireland) married Margaret McNelis: dau. Ellen PORTER b 20 May 1858 (likely St. Clair, but Bap. in Pottsville)

Teresa Feider  is a descendant of the George McNellis (1804-1880) family in Inver Grove, MN. He and his wife Susan came to MN in 1853 with their children George, Anthony, James and Bridget who had married John McGrorty. Anthony married a Esther Egan and had seven children: Mary,1856, Susan,1858, Julie,1860, George,1861, Kate,1864 and Anthony,1867. Family oral tradition maintains that the family were weavers in Donegal. The name Inver Grove was chosen by Bridget McGroraty's husband to reflect the area where many of the original settlers came. Many of the families in the area seem to have come through New Brunswick, Maine, Vermont, or Ohio before settling in Minnesota.

McNelis Families in Missouri

Rose Ann McNelis, b. 19 July 1876, d. 20 Aug 1974. She had one brother, John L. McNelis (AKA Bud) and sister, Alice C. McNelis, who became Sister Pancratius. She also had a half-brother, William P. Miskell and two half-sisters, Anna Miskell, m. Mr. Bailes, and Mary E. Miskell, who became Sister Germaine. Rose Ann McNelis father's name was Philip McNelis, b. 15 Mar 1832, in Donegal, Ire. d. 05 Dec. 1911, buried St. Stephen's Cem., Indian Creek, MO, m. Katherine Flannigan. According to Philip's Death certificate his father's name was Lawrence McNelis, b. Ire. mother's name Cecelia Brady, b. Ire. The Probate of Estate for John McNelis dated 14 Sep 1916 states he left town in 1898 and was never heard of again. They declared him dead 7 Feb 1916. His brothers were listed as Lawrence C. McNelis, William P. McNelis (deceased) and two sisters Mary C. Madden, Margaret O'Donnell. The will of Lawrence C. McNelis written 3 Oct 1917 grants his wife Maggie A. McNelis, Executrix. Then April 19, 1926 he changed and made William O'Donnell Executor. Lawrence died 16 July 1926 stating that the deceased left no lineal descendants. The guardianship papers for minor children of William P. McNelis showing Maggie M. McNelis was appointed Curator of minor children dated 8 Nov 1915. Children listed was Cecelia, age 16, John H, age 14, Helen, age 12, Oleta, age 10, Lawrence, age 7, Marjorie, age 5, Lucile F. & Annie, age 2.Butler William McNelis (b Dec 25, 1828 Ardara, County Donegal, Ireland, d. Mt Vernon, Lawrence County, Missouri) m. March 30, 1860 Nancy Ellen Haggerty (b Feb 18, 1834 Nashville, Davidson County, TN, d. May 20, 1903 Mt Vernon, Lawrence County, MO) and had children: Butler William McNelis, Jr. (b. Aug 8, 1861 Stiles City, MO, d. Dec 6, 1941, bur Mt Vernon, MO), James LaFayette McNelis (b. Sept 9, 1865 Dade County, MO, d. Dec 31, 1941) m. Mattie Jane Moore, Anna Alice McNelis (b. Feb 8, 1870 Dade County, MO, d. May 31, 1934) m. John McGhee. Nancy had a son by

her first marriage to Ian Anderson. Ian was killed in a train wreck 1854. This son was Thomas Monroe Anderson (b. Apr 4, 1852) m. Ann Ophelia Hampton. James LaFayette McNelis is discussed further under McNelis Families in Oklahoma.

McNelis Families in Maine

Bill Parks  has his great grandfather's first cousin XXX Parks married a Thomas McNellis from County Donegal (she was from Donegal as well). They lived in Portland, Maine.

McNelis Families in Illinois

Census Data

1860

o John McNelis, resident of the 10th Ward of Chicagoo Mary McNelis , resident of the 8th Ward of Chicago 1870o Barnard McNellis, age 40, born in Ireland, 19th Ward of Chicago,

M593, roll 211, page 286o John McNellis, age 35, born in Scotland, 7th Ward of Chicago,

M593, roll 202, page 1o Michael McNellis, age 28, born in Ireland, 8th Ward of Chicago,

M593, roll 203, page 409

McNelis Families in Ohio

John McNellis lived 1821-1901, having emigrated in the late 1840's to Canada, married Ellen Brady( also from Ireland). Their first son, Charles, was born in Canada in 1851, and then the family moved  (probably in 1852, to Greene County, Ohio. John McNellis was naturalized there in 1859, and was counted in the 1860 census there. Charles McNellis lived 1851-1914, most of the time in Chicago. Charles married Harriet Simmons in Chicago in 1879 and they had 13 children. Their oldest son was Frank McNellis(1880-1950 ), and his son was Frank McNellis Jr.( 1905-1971). This is the family of Donald McNellis

McNelis Families in Oklahoma

James L. McNelis, b. 8 Sep 1865, Mt Vernon, MO., m. Mattie Jane Moore, b. 27 Jan 1870, Mt. Vernon, MO. They had 11 children. James father, Butler McNelis (discussed further in McNelis Families in Missouri) said to be a stowaway on a ship from Ireland. The children of James and Mattie are: (1)

J. Emory (b Aug 6, 1890 Kinnison, Indian Territory, d. 1919, Welch, OK), never married; (2)Zada Zenobia (Feb 2, 1892 Kinnison, IT, Jan 17, ????, Welch, OK), m. Mack Bert Jones; (3) Bessie Lola (b.Oct 31, 1893 Kinnison, IT, d. April 1982, Welch, OK), never married; (4) Lela Ellen (b. Dec 16, 1895 Kinnison, IT, d. Mar 7, 1985. Welch, OK), m. James Abbott Corn; (5) Ira Elbert (Pat) (b. Aug 19, 1897 Kinnison, IT, d. Nov 1980, Welch, OK), m. Opal Rogers; (6) Leslie William (b.Dec 29, 1899 Kinnison, IT, d. Mar 24, 1995 , Welch, OK), m. Rena Maude Loshbaugh; (7) Cecil Rex (b. Nov 25, 1901 Kinnison, IT, d. May 30, 1997, Tulsa, OK), m. Edna Fox; (8) Annie Jewel (b. Jan 6, 1904, Kinnison, IT, d. 1919, Welch, OK), never married; (9) Clinton Thomas  (b. Feb 12, 1906 Kinnison, IT, d. Jan 30, 1993, d. Colorado), m. Opal Miller; (10) Ina Minnie (b. Jan 8, 1909, Welch, OK, d. Mar 9, 1988, Wichita, KS), m. Harry Immich; (11) an Infant Girl (b. & d.1911, Welch, OK); and (12) Wilma Gladys (Billie) (b. Jul 17, 1914, Welch, OK, d.1919, Welch, OK). Cecil R. McNelis had a son Donald Lee McNelis, born 1931 in Oklahoma (Maybe Miami?), who has a daughter Kathleen Anne McNelis .Also listed in Craig County is Jemie McNelis, 29, b. 1891, Oklahoma, (daughter of David M. Bacon), and Jennie McNelis, 29, b. 1891,(who may be the same as Jemie above?). Karen Back  is a descendant of Ira Elmer McNelis. Also interested in this family is Rachelle McCord , who is descended from Lela Ellen McNelis.

McNelis Families in Montana

Quite a few McNelis families passed through Montana, especially Butte. John McNellis remained. He is discussed under McNelis Families from Carrick.

McNelis Families in Texas

James McNellis (b. Jan. 3, 1873, Indiana, d. Nov 8, 1927, Vernon, TX) was the child of a McNellis born in Ireland and his wife (nee Dodson). He married Florence and had children Vernon, Jewell, Owen, and Zela. This is the family of Catherine McNellis Bucher.

McNelis Families in California

Philip McNelis (born 1873) was the son of Andrew McNelis and Margaret McGinley, both born in Ireland. Philip was married to Sarah McFadden, both immigrated from Ireland (exactly when not known). They lived in San Francisco, California starting around 1903. Philip died in 1926 in San Francisco. They had at least five children, the youngest Anthony (d. San Francisco, 1958) is Aaron Manwill's grandfather. There was a Francis and Andrew McNelis that were living with Philip and Sarah in 1917. They may have been siblings, cousins or even children of Philip and Sarah.

McNelis Families in New Jersey

John McNellis (b. 1850 - 55? d. Jul 1887?) from Donegal married Margaret Kelly (b. 1850 - 55? d. Nov. 1883?) from Rosecommon about 1870?.  They had several children James? (b 1870?), John (b 1873? D. 7 Aug 1903), Thomas (b. 21 Jan 1878) and my fraternal grandmother Mary (b 20 Aug 1880, d 1930?).  The latter three children were born in Orange, Essex County, NJ, verified through St John's baptisms records.  All, I believe are buried in St John's cemetery or somewhere in Essex County.  A Hugo McNellis, possible, brother of John Sr, and Josephine McHugh were Mary's godparents.  Also found in the 1900 Census was a Maggie McNellis (b. Jul 1874) in New Jersey and a Bridget McNellis (b. May 1880) in Ireland and immigrated to New Jersey in 1896, possible cousins of Mary?  This is the family of Edward F. Baker

McNelis Families in Australia

Neil McNelis (b. 1918, d. 1981) emigrated from Ardara in 1947. Most, if not all, of the McNelis families in Australia are of this line. They are discussed further under Glencolumbkille. The contact for this family is Denise McNelis, 23 Rolling Hills Rd., Churnside Park, VIC 3116, Australia.

McNelis Families in South Africa

An unknown McNelis was born in Kilrain, Ireland.  His grandson is Cuan Patrick Mc Nelis m.Dawn Swanepoel. Their son is Craig Victor Hugh Mc Nelis

 

McNelis War Participants or Fatalities

The following records of participation in the armed forces in the United States is provided by Bob Greer. The records for World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and any other conflict will be included if I get them. Their omission at this point is certainly not a reflection of the contribution those people made to their country. The lists may be incomplete and for Vietnam includes only those who perished. Additions, corrections, or identification of the persons on this list would be appreciated. Please send the information to Jim Dunn at jwd6@psu.edu

The following men died in the Vietnam War while in service to their country.

Last name: MC NELLIS, First name: ANTHONY FRANCIS

Home of Record (official): ALTOONA, State(official): PADate of Birth: Tuesday, April 28, 1931, Sex: MaleRace: Caucasian, Marital Status: Married,--- Military ---Branch: Air Force, Rank: MSGTSerial Number: 13382522, Component: RegularPosthumous promotion as indicated, Pay grade: E6MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code):Unknown/Not reported,--- Action --- Start of Tour: Saturday, December2, 1967Date of Casualty: Thursday, July 18, 1968Age at time of loss: 37Casualty type: (C2) Non-hostile, died ofillness/injuryReason: Illness, disease (Ground casualty)Country: South Viet Nam, Province: Khanh HoaThe Wall: Panel 51W - Row 007Anthony is part of the McNelis family of Altoona,PA.

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Last name: MC NELIS, First name: PATRICK ROBERTHome of Record (official): MC KEESPORT, State(official): PADate of Birth: Monday, March 17, 1947, Sex: MaleRace: Caucasian, Marital Status: Single,--- Military ---Branch: Navy, Rank: HM2Serial Number: B406910, Component: Regular, Paygrade: E5MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): HM2,--- Action ---,Start of Tour: Wednesday, April 23,1969Date of Casualty: Friday, May 16, 1969Age at time of loss: 22Casualty type: (A2) Hostile, died of woundsReason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)Country: South Viet Nam, Province: Quang Nam,The Wall: Panel 24W - Row 025

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Last name: MC NELIS, First name: FRANK CHARLES JRHome of Record (official): PASADENA, State(official): TXDate of Birth: Monday, July 23, 1945, Sex: MaleRace: Caucasian, Marital Status: Married,--- Military ---Branch: Navy, Rank: AO2, Paygrade: E5,Serial Number: 5989067, Component: RegularMOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): AO2,--- Action ---Start of Tour: Unknown/Not reportedDate of Casualty: Saturday, July 29, 1967Age at time of loss: 22Frank McNelis, Jr. died on the fire on the carrierForrestal off the coast of Vietnam.Country: North Viet Nam, Province: Unknown/NotReported

The Wall: Panel 24E - Row 036

Other submissions or additional information about these men is invited.

Two men who died in World War II are: Lt James P McNellis - Capt. of Austin High School Basketball Team, Halfback with Trojan Football Team, Austin. Killed in action on 17th June 1944. His brother SSgt Lawrence F. McNellis was killed in action on the 10th December 1944. He was also involved in the above football and basketball teams. They are related to the McNelis families of Carrick.

The following is a partial list of McNelises who served in the U.S. Military during the Spanish American War. (Please add to this list when information becomes available)

o Charles McNellis, Private, M. Company, 2nd New Jersey Infantry, (also known as John B. McNellis)

o Daniel McNellis, Private, E. Company, 34th Michigan Infantry..o Edson (F?-E?-C?) McNel__(y?-nt?), Sergeant/Lieutenant, D.

Company, 1st Tennessee Infantryo Edward McNelis, Private/Corporal, F. Co, 1st West Virginia

Infantry...o Frank McNellis, Private, L. Company, 5th U.S. Volunteer Infantry...o Frank McNale, Private, E and K, Company, 9th Illinois Infantry...o John A. McNelis, Private, D. Company, 9th Pennsylvania Infantry...o Patrick McNealis, Private, G and E, Company, 2nd Tennessee

Infantry...o Wilham McNellis, Private, E. Company, 7th Illinois Infantry.o William M. McNellis, K. Company, 2nd West Virginia Infantry.

The following is a partial list of McNelises who served in the U.S. Military during the American Civil War. (Please add to this list when information becomes available)

******************* UNION ARMED FORCES *********************

o Andrew McNelis, Private, A. Company, 147th Illinois Infantry, died: 2 March 1896, buried at Bristow Cemetery, Bristow, Iowa...

o Barney McNelis, Private, K. Company, 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry, (deserted-date unknown, Unit record, Volume VII, page 486)..

o Edward McNealous, Sergeant, D. Company, 16th Pennsylvania Infantry. ..

o Hugh Manely, (Unit record, volume XVIII, page 506)..o John McNellis, Gunboat Hastings, No.15, U.S. Navy, died: 19

February 1891, Catholic Cemetery, Morris, Grundy County, Illinois..o John McNealis, (Unit record, Volume IV, pg.337 & vol.Xiii, pg.55)..o John McNealis, (Unit record, volume XXV, page 364, & XXXii,

page 457) ..o Patrick McNellis, Private, I. Company, 12th Maine Infantry, died: 22

December 1882, Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Maine...o Philip McNelius, 56th Pennsylvania Infantry, (Unit record, vol. III,

page 227) (sick - not present for muster out March 30, 1864) ..

*************** Confederate Armed Forces **************************

o Frank McNellis, Corporal, G. Company, 14th Louisiana Infantry,..o George R. McNelse, 2nd Lieutenant, G. Company, 15th Missouri

Cavalry, ..o Hugh McNelis, 1st Sergeant, F. Company, 33rd Tennessee Infantry,..o James McNelis, D. Company, D. Company, Virginia Horse Artillery,

(Shank's Company)..o J. McNealsus, Company A, 6th Alabama Cavalry,..o John McNallis, Company B, 18th Mississippi Infantry,..o John McNeelus, 64th Georgia Infantry,..o John McNelis, Company F, 63rd Georgia Infantry,..o John McNellis, Company E, 30th North Carolina Infantry,..o John McNellis, Company F, 4th Tennessee Infantry,..o M. McNelis, Company C, 63rd Georgia Infantry, ..o Philip McNellis, Company I, 21st Mississippi Infantry...

McNelis Priests

THE FOLLOWING IS A PARTIAL LIST OF PRIESTS CONNECTED IN SOME WAY TO THE MCNELIS FAMILY, EITHER BY BLOOD, BY NAME OR BY MENTION IN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST WHEN INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

o Crimthain, ordained a priest abt. 540 AD, by Bishop Etchen, in the Celtic Christian Rite. Known as Colmcille, "dove of the church", he was the son of Feidlimid and Ethna, Ui Neill prince of Tyrone and Tyrconnell. Died June 6, 597 AD.

o Bauheen, ordained a priest abt 540 AD, by Bishop Etchen. He was a friend, classmate, companion and Clan relative of Colm. They were ordained together.

o Menelaus McCormac, Bishop of Raphoe 1484-1515.o Donn McNelis, son of Menelaus McCormac, appointed coarb of

Glencolmcille. 1515o Edmund Magelasa, in 1538 held the rectorship of Glencolmcille. ( A

papal directive stated that he held this office without adequate title. )o Nellanus O'Boyle, Catholic bishop of Glencolumbkille 1591-1611o Brian McNelis, curate of Glencolmcille in 1621, the last Protestant

clergyman of identifiable Celtic origin. (Brian was permitted to carry on his work as the Catholic curate.)

o Charles McNeely, born 1816 at Mount Charles, educated at Navan, entered Maynooth in 1835, curate of Taughboyne in 1841, Ardara 1843, Kilygarvin, 1845, Glencolumbkille, 1854. He became a parish priest in 1859. He built church in Carrick by 1862, with voluntary labor. Died in 1870.

o Andrew McNelis, of Brackey, ordained 1868, curate of Lower Templecrone, curate of Ballyshannon, 1874, curate of Glencolumbkille, 1876-79, curate of Gweedore, 1879-92, parish priest of Termon 1892, parish priest of Kilcar, 1900, built the new church there. Died February 1906. A large Celtic cross was placed in front of his church in Kilcar as a memorial to his life and his work. (Inscribed on the base of the cross in Gaelic: " 3 cuimne ... An Atar Mcniall3uis, Sa3art Pafarte Cille Cartai3, A fuaht bar 27 Feabra 1906, AOH - tri ficeab bliabain, Tabair ruaimneat fiorraioe ooa Ti3earna 7 ter3 bo riof rolof rortriu3. ajf ") >>> Could someone please provide the correct Gaelic spelling and English translation of this inscription.

o Edward McNelis, ordained October 18, 1872, by Bishop Wood, St. Charles Borremeo, Overbrook, Pa., died November 19, 1889. He is the uncle of

o Monsignor John J. O'Donnell of St. Mary's in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, whose mother was Ellen McNelis O'Donnell

o Peter McNelis, born 1881 in Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Armagh on June 17, 1906, in Maynooth. Served at Kilmore, Beragh, Donaghmore, Kildress, and Drumcree. Died 12 February 1955, buried at St. John's Cemetery, Drumcree, Portadown.

o Cardinal Patrick O'Donnell, primate of Ireland 1920's. Grandson of Bridget McNelis, daughter of Brian McNelis of Ardara. Grandson of Anthony O'Donnell of Straleel South. ( 1856-1927 )

o Francis P. McNelis, attended Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmetsburg, Maryland, 1926-1932, ordained May 21, 1932, by Cardinal Dougherty, at the Cathedral in Philadelphia, for the Diocese of Emmetsburg, Maryland, 1937-43, 1945-54, served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy during World War II, 1943-45, A photograph of Fr. McNelis is available. The photo was taken when Father was residing at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish, in Southampton, Pa.,

o _________ Carr was ordained a Marist priest at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. in the early 1960's. Fr.Carr is the son of Ethel Giles Carr, the daughter of Janey Manelis Giles of Tawny and Edward Giles of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

o Monsignor Francis McNelis of Altoona, PA (b. 22 Feb. 1902, d. 25 Nov, 1966) was superintendent of schools for the Altoona-Johnstown diocese and has McNelis Junior High named after him.

o Msgr. Thomas K. Mabon b. 7/14/1926; ordained 5/25/57; 1969 supt. of schools Altoona-Johnstown diocese; 1995 pastor of Our Lady of the Sea parish Westmont (Johnstown) PA . (Great- grandson of John Gaffney and Catherine Mc Nelis) (Cousin of Msgr. Francis Mc Nelis)

o Rev. Paul McNelis, S.J., teaches at Georgetown University.o Father McNelis was the pastor of the parish in Girardville, PA in the

1970s.o Rev. Neal McNelis was pastor in Indiana, PA in 1909.o Rev. P.H. McNelis died in San Diego in 1911o Rev. Denis Mc Nelis from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland - son of

Detective Sgt. Hugh Mc Nelis from Teelin in Donegal. Studied at the Gregorian University in Rome. Ordained 14th August 1988 for the Diocese of Meath. Appointed curate in Clara, Co. Offaly and Diocesan Advisor for Religious Education. In 1994 appointed curate in Mountbolus, Co. Offaly and in 1998 appointed Diocesan Secretary for Education.

o “The History of Ireland” written by Abbe McGeoghegan, was published in 1844. On page 538 there is this item from 1603.

“A vessel was sent in the mean time by the court of Spain to Kilmkillock near Ardea, to discover if the castle of Dunboy still held out for the Catholic majority. There were some passengers on board; among whom was a friar named James Nelanus, and Owen MacEggan, who was appointed by the pope, bishop of Ross, and and apostolic vicar of Ireland. This friar bought with him twelve thousand pounds sterling, to be distributed among the chiefs of the confederacy, and some warl like stores. He was sent my the Spanish court to assure the Catholics, the reinforcements intended for Ireland would be speedily forwarded, and that two thousand troops had already been assembled to Corunna for that purpose.” It goes on to say that MacEggan wrote a letter to Richard MacGeoghegan – who was I believe the father of the book’s author. Besides that name the location of Ardea is where the Nelis family lived in the 19th Century.  (reference found by Paul Manley)

The contents of this page are at the courtesy of the those submitting the information. Some, such as Bob Greer, have contributed information about McNelis families who are not their relatives. Thank you to all of you, and especially Bob. Unfortunately spammers have been using this page for illicit purposes.  In addition, I no longer have time to maintain the page.  Therefore, it will remain on line to provide such insights as you may get from it, but I am unlikely to make further revisions.

Jim Dunn

jwd6@psu.edu

or

212 E. Irvin Ave.State College, PA 16801