Re: im a Keays from PEI
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In reply to:
im a Keays from PEI
Amy Keays 1/16/06
Hello Amy,
I'm an Australian Keays and can't comment on any North American family connections, but I think I can comment generally on where the family name might have come from.
Most of the Keays families around the world were founded by emigrants coming from Ireland. Mine came from Limerick, via Cork, in southern Ireland. We don't know any certain facts about where they came from before they were in Limerick, but wecan make some educated guesses. I can remember my grandfather saying that his ancestors were involved with Oliver Cromwell when he invaded Ireland in 1648. Combine this information with the fact that Keays appears to be a name originating in Scotland, and that when Cromwell invaded Ireland he started in the north, from Scotland. He would have recruited troops locally before crossing the Irish Sea to begin the invasion so it is possible that some of our ancestors went with him.
Cromwell fought his way south through Ireland. When he reached Limerick he had run out of funds to pay his troops, and offered them the choice of returning to England to wait for payment, or to take land in Ireland in payment. So I think that is why the Keays' stayed in Ireland.
This probably is not the answer you were looking for, but I hope it gives you something to think about.
Greg Keays