KELLY FAMILY HISTORY
Last Updated : 4 May 2021

Our Kelly ancestors start with Sarah Randle Kelly who married William Henry Halsall. She was one of at least five children of Manx parents William Kelly and Margaret Kelly.    Photos of Sarah Randle Kelly and William Kelly are included in the Kelly Portraits (see the menu on the home page).

William and Margaret Kelly married on 9 December 1865 at Kirk Braddan Parish Church in Isle of Man.

William was the son of John Kelly (Weaver) and was living at Mount Rule. At the time of his marriage William was a labourer.

Margaret was the daughter of Robert Kelly and was living at Tromode at the time of her marriage.

The name "Randle" in Sarah Randle Kelly's name was also passed on to her daughter and grand daughter, also both named Sarah as well as later descendents. The origin of this name is uncertain and could be from Isle of Man or possibly from Ireland. One family explanation is a connection with a Lord though this has never been proven. If true, one possible source could be the MacDonnel (Earl of Antrim) family who commonly use the christian name Randal. There is an ancient song about a Lord Randal. Another possible origin could be Sir Randal Stanley, son of Sir Thomas Stanley. He was captain of Isle of Man and died on the island on the 17th June 1595. With his wife Margaret, he also had a son named Randal.

Sarah Randle Kelly returned from Liverpool to Isle of Man for a period with her sister Mary Ann. Sarah R is thought to not have got on with her stepmother (Ellen) after her widowed father remarried. Both Sarah R and her sister worked at Cronkbourne House. Sarah R is also undertood to have returned to the island regularly during the holiday season and was also a "dresser" for the entertainer Florrie Forde when she was on the island.