JACKIE KENNEDY'S CLARE ANCESTORS..... CLARE ROOTS SOCIETY LECTURE 21 NOV 2013

Simon O'Callaghan inspecting his Ancestors Grave in a New York Cemetery

Jackie Kennedy's Clare Ancestors

Clare Roots Society's November Lecture

Genealogist Jim O'Callaghan, 

while researching his own Curry/Corry West Clare family roots in a New York cemetery, 

relates how he discovered by accident, 

the grave of Jackie Kennedy's Co. Clare born great grandparents. 

The families were 

the Curry's from the Shandrum, Mullagh district and the Merritts from the Kilnamona area.

Previously, even the JFK First Ladies Library in Boston stated that 

Jackie Kennedy's four maternal great grandparents hailed from Co.Cork.

Jim also discovered that a baby called Thomas Merritt, who died aged one , and was a great uncle of Jackie Kennedy's,

 is buried in the family grave of Jim's Curry ancestors in New York, thus confirming a link between his Curry's and Jackie Kennedy.

 Jim O'Callaghan worked for many years in the education department of the National Gallery. 

He completed an M.Litt.in U.C.D. in 2006 on the famous watercolour artist Flora Mitchell.

 Since then, a three year diploma in genealogy led him to his research here and in the United States 

on the Irish roots of Jacqueline Kennedy, a subject of personal interest.

 For the past year, he has worked as a volunteer in the National Library in the genealogy room.

The presentation will be held in the Civic Rooms, Ennis Town Council, Drumbiggle,Ennis 

at 8 pm on Thursday, 21st November 2013. 

All are welcome. There will be a cover charge of €5 for non-members.