Genealogy

Who am I? Who are we?

I'm Jim Conway, born in Dorchester MA (St. Peter's, St. Christopher's, St. Margaret's Parishes)(Meeting House Hill, Columbia Point, Savin Hill); one of six children of the John Joseph and Nora Marie O'Leary Conway family. Married, my wife is Joanne Duffy, one of two children of the Joseph and Mary Evelyn Johnson Duffy family. Our children are Chris, Kerry, and Peter. We live in Woburn MA enjoying children, their spouses, friends, and grandchildren.

Below are resources to probe the genealogy further of both families. We've also probed the "genealogy " of our current home.

Aislinn finding her place on the Duffy Tree

Conway & O'Leary

My maternal and fraternal families have extensive roots in Co. Clare, Ireland through today. While they, their families, and their friends came to the states in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, roots to Clare were kept strong through family and Boston Irish Clubs--most notably the Knights and Ladies of St. Senan County Clare Men's and Women's Association. We know much about them and know the current generation. But, there are far more dead ends, mysteries, and brick walls than we would like. [Don't forget to look at the CONWAY PHOTO GALLERY.]

Jim's pedigree chart is enclosed.

Fraternal:
Conway was and is a popular name in County Clare. According to church records, in 1900 within the 46 Clare parishes, there were 330 Conway families. My father's family CONWAY has been based around Ballyea, Maurices Mills, Inagh Parish, Co. Clare, since the early 19th century. (See fascinating article on Conways of Galway, Clare, Ballyea, and beyond). In addition to the name CONWAY, others in this family include BARRY, SHEEDY, O'LEARY, LINNANE, BELLETT, NEYLON, REIDY [Ready, Rady].

Maternal:
My mother's family O'LEARY has been around Miltown Malbay since at least 1830. The real pull in the family though is to Liscannor area [famous for the Cliffs and Bridget's Well]. The family names are FINN, REIDY, CONSIDINE, O'BRIEN, and DEGNAN.

One member of this family on the Finn side was a famous band leader of the 1940-1970 era, Art Mooney. As a colleague of Guy Lombardo, he had a very active following, packing them in at dance halls and making many records. His most famous songs were I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover, Nuttin' For Christmas, and Baby Face.

Conway Family Reunion

In 1995 and again in 2015, the descendents of Patrick Conway (1870-1942) and Mary Barry (1881-1971) held a family reunion in County Clare at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon. From around the world, approximately 35 attended in 1995 and double, 70, in 2015. At each one, pictures were taken and there was a grand dinner and party. An update of the family tree was distributed, historical photos were shared, and new ones were taken. Family visiting, including at the family ancestral home in Ballyea, was paramount.
Check out the pictures as part of the family photo journal and in the 2015 Reunion Slide Show.

Additional family tree information is available on Ancestry.com

Clare County Flag

Duffy & Johnson

This is the family of my wife, Joanne Duffy Conway. The family's European roots are in Armagh, NIR and the coal mines of Scotland. When they emigrated to the United States, they settled in Woburn, Massachusetts in a number of homes where they became key figures in the City's history.

Don Duffy's 2016 book, From Ireland to Woburn MA My Family and Others is a wonderful resource. Also, the story of this family, and Mayor Duffy, is summarized in the linked history. A Trip to Old Woburn Photo-Postcards will show many historical pictures of Woburn, including some from the time of Mayor Duffy. Much more about Woburn can be found on the Ye Olde Woburn website, the Woburn Historical Society, and of course, the Woburn Public Library.

The family has a tremendous interest in family both those living and the ancestors. There are family reunions every few years [the last one in August of 2014], a well researched family history, and lots of interest in genealogy. The family has had great photographers; check out the Duffy Family Photo Page. An active search is on for a picture of Edward [Eddie] O'Donnell taken as he left for the Civil War. The picture is known to exist; please let us know if you have a copy!

Fraternal:
Most genealogy work has focused on the Duffy Family and the O'Donnell line [Mary Alice O'Donnell was the wife of Mayor Thomas H. Duffy and her family was from County Donegal].

Maternal:
I have started work on my wife's mother's family SLATTERY [many variations--check it out to see what can happen with spelling] and JOHNSON.

Duffy Family Reunion

Almost every two years since 1994 the Woburn Duffy's have a family reunion. At each one an update of the family tree of the family of Thomas Henry Duffy (1879-1969) and Mary Alice O'Donnell (1883-1974) is distributed; this family grows and grows. With sometimes over 100 attendees joined by food, family, clowns, horse rides and more, a great time is had by all. Check out the 2014 pictures

Different years there are different historical displays. Check out the special pictures of Duffy Youth (or as young as we could get them) that was assembled for 2004. In 2014 we began recording the location of the 8 Woburn homes of married Thomas H and Mary A Duffy along with the many homes of their descendants. Lots clustered around Main St. and St. Charles. Check out the Woburn Homes TH Duffy and descendants.