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Shirley Families
of Laois (Queens) Ireland

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Note: This Shirley family clearly originates in Old Leighlin County Carlow (burials) and several Carlow Shirley families migrated to County Laois (Queens) e.g Caleb Shirley, Annesley Shirley etc - but the precise family connection for the family below has not been identified.

This Lineage Last Updated January 2026
James Shirley of Tennisrath townlands (aka Tinnasragh), County Laois; born say about 1820 based on birthdates of children; He was named as the father in the 1879 marriage record of son William Shirley; He appeared as a defendant in Petty Courty session minutes on 24 September 1864;

Is this the same family? 1873 April 15 - Civil Registration District of Carlow - Death of James Shirley of Tunnisrath, married age 77 years, farmer; Informant: William Shirley occupier; Tennisrath

married _________ (the name of James Shirley's spouse identified on the 1940 death certificate of daughter Sarah Shirley Porter was Elizabeth Neale)

1897 Sept 11 Cork Weekly News - [Deaths] Shirley - September 1st 1897 at Maidenhead Queen's County, the residence of her son-in-law, Elizabeth, relict of the late James Shirley of Tennis Rath, Queen's County and last surviving child of the late james Neale of Tinoran Lodge, Baltinglass co Wicklow and dearly loved and loving mother of William Shirley of Upton, co Cork in her 85th year.

Note: a William Shirley, caretaker at Glannasock, appeared as a complainant in a Cork session 27 August 1898, He was also a defendant for having an unlicened dog in May 1898. Presumably the same William Shirley of Ballynabooly Cork was again a defendant on a minor charge 9 Mar 1907

Births of children are late for a James Shirley born 1798

children

1(i). William Shirley of Tennisrath County Laois born say 1845 at County Carlow (1901 census); He and wife Isabella were enumerated at Magheragall County Antrim in Northern Ireland in 1901 census, child and wife born co Queens; He was working as a Land Steward, Religion Church of Ireland, born Carlow, age 56 (b 1845); He is age 64 living in Ballyshannon, co Kildare in 1911 census "married" but no other family members in household (they are in Carlow town, Carlow)

1883 - Land Registry - Porter to Works Commissioner - Between Joseph Porter of Ballylinan in the Queens County Tenant Farmer therein after called the said Tenant of the one part and the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland....witnessed by the Reverend Richard Meredith of Killaben in the County of Carlow Clerk and William Shirley of Tennisrath in the Queens County Farmer

1887 Mar 5 - The Nationalist and Leinster Times - ....William Shirley, living near Ballickmoyler, applied for L60 to compensate him for a dwelling house burnt. Shirley deposed that in consequence of having taken land in 1880 from which a man named Bambrick had been evicted for nonpayment of rent, he was boycotted. [claims that Shirley set fire to the house himself] Jury awarded to Shirley.

1888 - Land Registry 3 Sept 1888 Between William Shirley of Tennisragh in the Queens County Farmer of the one part and the Guardians of the poor of the Carlow Union thereinafter called the Guardians of the other part whereby after Reciting as therein It was witnessed that for the considerations therein he the said William Sherley as Beneficial Owner did thereby grant and convey unto the said Guardians Sept 1888 their successors and assigns & all that and those the piece or parcel of Land and premises situate in the Townland of Tennistagh Parish of Killaban Barony of Sheremongue and Queens County containing Two roods statute measure

1889 December 21 - Leinster Leader (Naas, Kildare) - The Rents of the Marquis of Drogheda's tenants was lately evicted, has been grabbed by the professional land-grabber, William Shirley of Ballickmoyler in the Queen's Couty....

married Isabella Wills on 11 March 1879 at Temahoc Parish, Queens Co Ireland; She was daughter of Robert Wills; She was enumerated separate from her husband William Shirley in 1911 census, living in the city of Carlow, co Carlow

1879 Mar 11 - Abbeyleix Registration District - Marriage at Temahoc Parish, Queens Co - William Shirley full age bachelor farmer of Tennisrath son of James Shirley farmer and Isabella Wills full age spinster of Garryglass daughter of Robert Wills farmer; Wit William Kavanagh, Robert Wills

Why isn't James Shirley listed as "deceased" in the record?

This is a Church of Ireland family

children:

2i). Robert Albert Shirley born 18 January 1880 son of William Shirley and Isabella Wills Shirley

1880 Jan 18 - Abbeyleix Registration District - Birth of Robert Albert Shirley son of William Shirley of Tennerath farmer and wife Isabella Shirley formerly Wills. Informant: Matilda Wills of Garryglass

2(ii). Deborah Jane Shirley born 1 March 1882 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills; She resided in Brooklyn NY USA by 1906

1882 March 1 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of Deborah Jane Shirley daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills

2(iii). Elizabeth Shirley born 15 February 1885 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills, likely died young

1885 February 15 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of Elizabeth Shirley daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills

2(iv). James Shirley born 7 November 1886 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills; He died 9 March 1887, age 4 months, died young

1886 November 7 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of James Shirley son of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills

9 Mar 1887 James Tunstead Shirley of Tennisrath Ballickgher, age 4 mos, buried Old Leighlin Parish

2(v). Elizabeth Shirley born 7 July 1888 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills; She died 4 October 1888, age 3 months, died young

1888 July 7 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of Elizabeth Shirley daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills

4 Oct 1888 Elizabeth Shirley of Tennisrath Ballickgher, age 3 mos, buried Old Leighlin Parish

2(vi). Elsie A Shirley born about 1890 at Queens County, age 11 in parent's 1901 census household

2(vii). Mary E. Shirley born about 1894 at Kildare County, age 7 in parent's 1901 census household, enumerated with mother in co Carlow in 1911 census, age 17 (as Mary Alicia Shirley)

1(ii). Jane Shirley born about ______, daughter of James Shirley of Tennisrath (marriage record); She married Bartholomew Gould at Castletown County Laois Ireland

1(iii). Sarah Shirley born about 1863, identified as daughter of James Shirley and wife Elizabeth Neale of Tennisrath co. Queens/Laois in her 1880 marriage record to Joseph Porter. She died 1 January 1940, age 76/77 and was buried at Port Perry, Durham, Ontario Canad at the Ontario Pinegrove Cemetery

20 Oct 1880 Carlow Registration District - Marriage at Parish Church of Castletown COI, Queens County (now Laois), by license, between Joseph Porter full age, bachelor farmer residence: Timahoe, son of Rowland Porter, farmer to Sarah Shirley full age, spinster, residence: Tennesrath, Parish Killabin, daughter of James Shirley, farmer. Wit: William Shirley, Thomas S Wills (Killabbin parish and Tennisrath/Tinnasragh are both in Laois, not Carlow)

Email from Deni January 2026 - Sarah Emily Porter nee Shirley died in 1940 in Port Perry Ontario Canada and is buried in the Port Perry Cemetery. Sarah Emily Shirley was born in 1863 in Carlow Ireland. Her parents as stated on her death certificate were James Shirley and Elizabeth Neale (Ed. her surname not on death cert). I have some old photographs that have been noted on as Croan Tennisroth. I think I have the correct births for James 1798 and Elizabeth Neale 1811. Elizabeth was the daughter of James Neale of Tinoran Lodge, Baltinglass, Wicklow, Ireland. I would dearly like to be able to connect James Shirley to the correct parents main clue I have to go on is the reference to Croan and Tennisroth on the very old photocopied photos I have.

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		Shirley Families of Laois (Queens) Ireland
		< Back to Main Ireland Lineages Index Page
		Note: This Shirley family clearly originates in Old Leighlin County Carlow (burials) and several Carlow Shirley families migrated to County Laois (Queens) e.g Caleb Shirley, Annesley Shirley etc - but the precise family connection for the family below has not been identified. This Lineage Last Updated January 2026 James Shirley of Tennisrath townlands (aka Tinnasragh), County Laois; born say about 1820 based on birthdates of children; He was named as the father in the 1879 marriage record of son William Shirley; He appeared as a defendant in Petty Courty session minutes on 24 September 1864; Is this the same family? 1873 April 15 - Civil Registration District of Carlow - Death of James Shirley of Tunnisrath, married age 77 years, farmer; Informant: William Shirley occupier; Tennisrath married _________ (the name of James Shirley's spouse identified on the 1940 death certificate of daughter Sarah Shirley Porter was Elizabeth Neale) 1897 Sept 11 Cork Weekly News - [Deaths] Shirley - September 1st 1897 at Maidenhead Queen's County, the residence of her son-in-law, Elizabeth, relict of the late James Shirley of Tennis Rath, Queen's County and last surviving child of the late james Neale of Tinoran Lodge, Baltinglass co Wicklow and dearly loved and loving mother of William Shirley of Upton, co Cork in her 85th year. Note: a William Shirley, caretaker at Glannasock, appeared as a complainant in a Cork session 27 August 1898, He was also a defendant for having an unlicened dog in May 1898. Presumably the same William Shirley of Ballynabooly Cork was again a defendant on a minor charge 9 Mar 1907 Births of children are late for a James Shirley born 1798 children 1(i). William Shirley of Tennisrath County Laois born say 1845 at County Carlow (1901 census); He and wife Isabella were enumerated at Magheragall County Antrim in Northern Ireland in 1901 census, child and wife born co Queens; He was working as a Land Steward, Religion Church of Ireland, born Carlow, age 56 (b 1845); He is age 64 living in Ballyshannon, co Kildare in 1911 census "married" but no other family members in household (they are in Carlow town, Carlow) 1883 - Land Registry - Porter to Works Commissioner - Between Joseph Porter of Ballylinan in the Queens County Tenant Farmer therein after called the said Tenant of the one part and the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland....witnessed by the Reverend Richard Meredith of Killaben in the County of Carlow Clerk and William Shirley of Tennisrath in the Queens County Farmer 1887 Mar 5 - The Nationalist and Leinster Times - ....William Shirley, living near Ballickmoyler, applied for L60 to compensate him for a dwelling house burnt. Shirley deposed that in consequence of having taken land in 1880 from which a man named Bambrick had been evicted for nonpayment of rent, he was boycotted. [claims that Shirley set fire to the house himself] Jury awarded to Shirley. 1888 - Land Registry 3 Sept 1888 Between William Shirley of Tennisragh in the Queens County Farmer of the one part and the Guardians of the poor of the Carlow Union thereinafter called the Guardians of the other part whereby after Reciting as therein It was witnessed that for the considerations therein he the said William Sherley as Beneficial Owner did thereby grant and convey unto the said Guardians Sept 1888 their successors and assigns & all that and those the piece or parcel of Land and premises situate in the Townland of Tennistagh Parish of Killaban Barony of Sheremongue and Queens County containing Two roods statute measure 1889 December 21 - Leinster Leader (Naas, Kildare) - The Rents of the Marquis of Drogheda's tenants was lately evicted, has been grabbed by the professional land-grabber, William Shirley of Ballickmoyler in the Queen's Couty.... married Isabella Wills on 11 March 1879 at Temahoc Parish, Queens Co Ireland; She was daughter of Robert Wills; She was enumerated separate from her husband William Shirley in 1911 census, living in the city of Carlow, co Carlow 1879 Mar 11 - Abbeyleix Registration District - Marriage at Temahoc Parish, Queens Co - William Shirley full age bachelor farmer of Tennisrath son of James Shirley farmer and Isabella Wills full age spinster of Garryglass daughter of Robert Wills farmer; Wit William Kavanagh, Robert Wills Why isn't James Shirley listed as "deceased" in the record? This is a Church of Ireland family children: 2i). Robert Albert Shirley born 18 January 1880 son of William Shirley and Isabella Wills Shirley 1880 Jan 18 - Abbeyleix Registration District - Birth of Robert Albert Shirley son of William Shirley of Tennerath farmer and wife Isabella Shirley formerly Wills. Informant: Matilda Wills of Garryglass 2(ii). Deborah Jane Shirley born 1 March 1882 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills; She resided in Brooklyn NY USA by 1906 1882 March 1 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of Deborah Jane Shirley daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills 2(iii). Elizabeth Shirley born 15 February 1885 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills, likely died young 1885 February 15 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of Elizabeth Shirley daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills 2(iv). James Shirley born 7 November 1886 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills; He died 9 March 1887, age 4 months, died young 1886 November 7 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of James Shirley son of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills 9 Mar 1887 James Tunstead Shirley of Tennisrath Ballickgher, age 4 mos, buried Old Leighlin Parish 2(v). Elizabeth Shirley born 7 July 1888 at Ballickmoyler Queens daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath and Isabella Wills; She died 4 October 1888, age 3 months, died young 1888 July 7 Registration District of Ballickmoyler County Queens [Now Co Laois]- Birth of Elizabeth Shirley daughter of William Shirley of Tennisrath, farmer and Isabella Shirley formerly Wills 4 Oct 1888 Elizabeth Shirley of Tennisrath Ballickgher, age 3 mos, buried Old Leighlin Parish 2(vi). Elsie A Shirley born about 1890 at Queens County, age 11 in parent's 1901 census household 2(vii). Mary E. Shirley born about 1894 at Kildare County, age 7 in parent's 1901 census household, enumerated with mother in co Carlow in 1911 census, age 17 (as Mary Alicia Shirley) 1(ii). Jane Shirley born about ______, daughter of James Shirley of Tennisrath (marriage record); She married Bartholomew Gould at Castletown County Laois Ireland 1(iii). Sarah Shirley born about 1863, identified as daughter of James Shirley and wife Elizabeth Neale of Tennisrath co. Queens/Laois in her 1880 marriage record to Joseph Porter. She died 1 January 1940, age 76/77 and was buried at Port Perry, Durham, Ontario Canad at the Ontario Pinegrove Cemetery 20 Oct 1880 Carlow Registration District - Marriage at Parish Church of Castletown COI, Queens County (now Laois), by license, between Joseph Porter full age, bachelor farmer residence: Timahoe, son of Rowland Porter, farmer to Sarah Shirley full age, spinster, residence: Tennesrath, Parish Killabin, daughter of James Shirley, farmer. Wit: William Shirley, Thomas S Wills (Killabbin parish and Tennisrath/Tinnasragh are both in Laois, not Carlow) Email from Deni January 2026 - Sarah Emily Porter nee Shirley died in 1940 in Port Perry Ontario Canada and is buried in the Port Perry Cemetery. Sarah Emily Shirley was born in 1863 in Carlow Ireland. Her parents as stated on her death certificate were James Shirley and Elizabeth Neale (Ed. her surname not on death cert). I have some old photographs that have been noted on as Croan Tennisroth. I think I have the correct births for James 1798 and Elizabeth Neale 1811. Elizabeth was the daughter of James Neale of Tinoran Lodge, Baltinglass, Wicklow, Ireland. I would dearly like to be able to connect James Shirley to the correct parents main clue I have to go on is the reference to Croan and Tennisroth on the very old photocopied photos I have.
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