A: William (Big Bill) Casey, all that is known of William Casey are the traditions about him that were passed down through the generations – I have never found documentary evidence that he existed. The main tradition about him was that he was a big man, hence the nickname ‘Big Bill’. The main story about him was that he was placed in a enclosure with a bull and bested the animal. (There are a number of versions of that story.)
I have reconstructed his family based on the degrees of kinship that  were accepted within the family.
He had 2 children:

B.1: Dominic Casey, born circa 1811, died in Big Marsh, Aughadown the 23 September 1881, married Mary Regan, the 20 February 1844 (born circa 1815, died the 20 August 1900 in Big Marsh. Daughter of Catherine Regan?).
He had 6 children :

C.1: Catherine Casey born 1844, died the 18 March 1883, married Andrew Shanahan, the 28 January 1871 (born 1845, died in 1887, son of Jeremiah Shanahan and Ellen Duggan). They lived in Big Marsh near Cahalane’s place. She and her husband died young. After their deaths the family was evicted from their farm. The family tradition is that the eviction happened just before Christmas. Their uncle, William Casey, looked after the children until they emigrated.
She had 7 children :

D.1: Jeremiah Shanahan, born in 1871, married Mary O’Donovan (daughter of Denis O’Donovan and Mary Kelly). Baptised 09 November 1871 sponsors Andrew Shanahan and Margaret Casey. Jerry worked with his Casey uncles on their boat the Water Hen.  He emigrated to Bayonne, NJ. Arrived in Ellis Island 20 June 1894 on board the Teutonic. Jerry became a foreman in the Standard Oil Company; he was also a City Alderman at one time. He gave a big party for Margaret and Dominic Casey (his first cousins) before they returned to Ireland. He married Mary O’Donovan from Counkilla, Drimoleague. Her mother was a first cousin of Anne McCarthy; his Uncle William’s wife. The 1920 census gives their address as 14 West 18th Street, Bayonne, NJ. He died on 14 August 1956.
He had 9 children:

E.1: Jeremiah Shanahan, born the 5 April 1897, died in childhood.

E.2: William Shanahan, born the 5 April 1898, died 25 May 1925.

E.3: Catherine Shanahan, born the 28 February 1900, died 28 February 1965, married Martin O’Flaherty.

E.4: Andrew Shanahan, born 13 September 1901, died June 1986, married Isabella McMahon.

E.5: Ellen Shanahan, born 1903 (possibly died in childhood).

E.6: Jeremiah Shanahan, born 1904 (possibly died in childhood).

E.7: Mary Shanahan, born 1906 (possibly died in childhood).

E.8: James Shanahan, born 19 August 1907, died 4 February 1960, married Sarah Catherine Gloyd.

E.9: Denis Shanahan, born 1908 (possibly died in childhood).

D.2: Ellie Shanahan, born in 1873, married Samuel Berry. Baptised 25 February 1873 sponsors Daniel Casey and Mary Shanahan. Emigrated to Bayonne, NJ. Ellie married Samuel Berry, who was possibly from Ballydehob, in Bayonne. She was his second wife – he had at least five children by his first wife Margaret Sheehan. In 1920 they lived at 452 Boulevard, Bayonne.
She had 7 children:

E.1: Catherine Berry, born the 18 July 1897.

E.2: James Berry, born the 15 October 1898, died as a an infant.

E.3: Mary Berry, born the 28 December 1899.

E.4: Julia Berry, born 1902, married Roth.

E.5: Josephine Berry, born 1904.

E.6: Thomas Berry, born 1909, married Mary Mackin, died 1959.

E.7: Anna Berry, married Fitzpatrick.

D.3: William Shanahan, born in 1875. Baptised 04 February 1875 sponsors Michael Collins and Margaret Casey.

D.4: Andrew Shanahan, born in 1876, married Catherine Murphy. Baptised 29 October 1876 sponsors William Casey and Mary Shanahan. Emigrated to Bayonne, NJ. Arrived in Ellis Island 10 October 1898 on board the Majestic. He initially stayed with his brother Jerry at 16 West 18th Street, Bayonne. In 1920 they lived at 35 West 19 Street, Bayonne, NJ.
He had 2 children:

E.1: Francis Shanahan, born 1903, married Agnes Kilgallin in 1938.

E.2: Catherine Shanahan, born 1913, married McGann, died 1989.

D.5: Daniel Shanahan, born in 1878. Baptised 16 December 1878 sponsors Timothy O Driscoll and Margaret Duggan.

D.6: Mary Shanahan, born in 1880. Baptised 09 October 1880 sponsors Daniel Casey and Margaret Casey. Emigrated to Bayonne, NJ. Arrived in Ellis Island 9 June 1899 on board the Teutonic. She initially stayed with her sister Ellie at 20 West 19th Street, Bayonne.

D.7: Michael Shanahan, born in 1883 (baptised 24 January 1883). Michael died as an infant.

C.2: William Casey, born in 1847, died the 29 September 1919, (baptised 01 July 1847 sponsors Richard Casey and Margaret Hegarty.) married Anne McCarthy, the 5 March 1878 in Caheragh (born in 1858 in Coolbue, Caheragh and died the 9 October 1908, daughter of Charles McCarthy and Catherine Kelly). William was a member of the Fenians and was imprisoned in the spring of 1866 for drilling with pikes. Imprisoned with him were ten others, seven of whom were also from Aughadown parish. Family tradition states William was imprisoned a second time due to his Fenian activities however to date we have found no record to prove this true.
The Caseys owned a boat and in the 1880s this boat was used to draw stone from Cape Clear Island to Skibbereen to refurbish the Cathedral. William later owned a fishing boat named the Water Hen. She was a two masted 50 footer and had a crew of five. The crew included William’s brothers Dan and Mike, his nephew Jerry Shanahan, Andrew Hegarty of Lahertanvally and a Hegarty man who was later killed in a brawl with some men from Caheragh. When the bottom fell out of the fishing market she was moored beside Aughadown graveyard. The hillside beside the graveyard caught fire and her mooring ropes burnt. She ran aground in the mud beside the graveyard. No attempt was made to salvage her and the remains of her keel can still be seen in the mud. William purchased his land in Big Marsh in 1914.
He had 8 children :

D.1: Michael Casey, born in 1879, died the 21 June 1951, (baptised 11 February 1879 sponsors Michael Casey and Ellen Casey.) married Kate-Anne McCarthy, the 12 February 1914 in Kilcoe (born in 1888 in Polnacollie and died the 13 September 1966, daughter of Denis McCarthy and Elizabeth Whooley). Michael owned the boat the Morning Light. She was broken up in the 1930s when he bought the St Anthony for his son Dominic. Michael won the Government contract in the 1920’s to build Marsh Quay near Aughadown graveyard. The contract was for £70 but he lost money on the venture. The stone to build the quay were drawn from George Bird’s hill.
He had 6 children :

E.1: Willie Casey, born the 1 January 1915, died the 3 May 1965, (Baptised 02 January 1915 sponsors Dominic Casey and Mary-Anne McCarthy.) married Nan Dorney, the 1 June 1944.

E.2: Dominic Casey, born the 17 October 1916, died the 20 November 1998, (baptised 18 October 1916 sponsors William Casey and Elizabeth McCarthy.) married Eileen O’Brien, in 1948. Dominic continued the Casey family tradition of making a living from the sea. The boat the St Anthony was bought by his father for him, later he bought the larger St Mary.

E.3: Annie Casey, born the 13 February 1919, died the 13 February 1998. (baptised 15 February 1919 sponsors Michael Minihane and Bessy McCarthy.)

E.4: Michael Óg Casey, born in Big Marsh on the 10 December 1920, (baptised 11 December 1920 sponsors Jeremiah Casey and Margaret Casey), died 18 November 2005, married Eleanor Finn.

E.5: Elizabeth Casey, born in 1922, (baptised 21 October 1922 sponsors  William Keating and Ellen McCarthy.), died 6 February 2017, married Danny Kelly, the 12 June 1948 (born in 1912 and died the 13 March 1989).

E.6: Kathleen Casey, born the 11 September 1927 (baptised 11 September 1927 sponsors Michael Collins and Kathleen McCarthy), died 15 July 2018.

D.2: Catherine (Cissy) Casey, born the 21 January 1881, (baptised 16 March 1881 sponsors John McCarthy and Mary Casey) married Michael Minihane of the Dock, Sherkin Island on the 18 February 1907, died 1918. Cissy was Michael’s second wife. The Minihanes were boat builders on Sherkin. A well known story  associated with them related to their cottage at the Dock. At some stage the Minihanes built a new larger cottage near their existing house. However, they became the new house was haunted so they abandoned it and returned to their original home. The ruins of both cottages still stand at the Dock in Sherkin. It is believed that Cissy and Michael were distant cousins, however this is unproven.
She had 1 child :

E.1: Eileen Minihane, born March 1918, died the 2 March 1985.

D.3: Maria Casey, born the 21 June 1883, (baptised 24 June 1883 sponsors Thomas Kelly and Mary Keating) married Alexander (Sandy) McCarthy of Gurrane, Caheragh, the 26 February 1910 in Kilcoe.
She had 6 children :

E.1: Alexander (Sonny) McCarthy, married Ellen McCarthy.

E.2: Anna McCarthy, married Thomas O’Brien in Washington D.C.

E.3: May McCarthy, died 1982.

E.4: Nora McCarthy, married Timothy O’Donovan.

E.5: Jane McCarthy, born 1916, died of Spanish Flu on 11 November 1918.

E.6: Joe McCarthy, married Kitty O’Doherty. Joe got a Land Commission farm near Buttervant in north Cork.

D.4: Annie Casey, born the 5 June 1886, died the 10 October 1958, (Baptised 06 June 1886 sponsors Tony? Casey and Hanora Kelly) married Florence O’Driscoll, the 10 April 1913. They lived on Sherkin Island. Annie went to the USA on two occasions. The first time she arrived at Ellis Island 22 September 1904 on board the Teutonic and stayed with her sister Maria at 96 West 8th Street, Bayonne, NJ. The second time she arrived 20 October 1912 on board the Mauretania and stayed with a cousin Mrs. N O’Donoghue, 276 Westervelt Ave, Staten Island.

D.5: Margaret Casey, born the 13 May 1888, died the 31 January 1982, married James O’Mahony the 29 June 1992. They lived in Ballyorban near Cork City. She went to the USA in her youth arriving 27 September 1907 on board the Baltic.
She had 4 children :

E.1: Annie O’Mahony (Sr. Rosario), born in 1924, died the 28 December 1998.

E.2: Kathleen O’Mahony (Sr. Angela).

E.3: Margaret O’Mahony.(Sr.deLourdes)

E.4: John O’Mahony, married Nora Deasy.

D.6: Nora Casey, born the 11 September 1890, died the 4 January 1968.

D.7: Dominic Casey, born the 18 October 1892, died the 16 June 1986, (Baptised 23 October 1892 sponsors Dan Casey and Margaret Collins) married Ellen Barry, the 29 June 1922 (born in 1892 and died the 20 November 1968). They lived in Rochestown near Cork City. Dominic went to the USA during World War 1 to avoid conscription. He arrived at Ellis Island on 21 June 1915 on board the SS New York and stayed with his sister Margaret at 89 North State Street, Concord, NH.
He had 4 children :

E.1: Eddie Casey, born in 1926, died 19 June 2013, married Marie O’Callaghan.

E.2: Nancy Casey.

E.3: Mary Casey.

E.4: William Casey, born in 1924, died the 22 January 1982, married Mary McCool.

D.8: Barbara Casey, born the 19 October 1895, died in New York the 22 May 1961, (baptised 01 November 1895) married Cornelis van-der-Vloed, in 1931 in New York. Barbara emigrated to New York in 1928.
She had 6 children:

E.1: Gertrude van-der-Vloed.

E.2: Wilhelmina van-der-Vloed.

E.3: Leenbert van-der-Vloed.

E.4: Barbara van-der-Vloed.

E.5: Juliana van-der-Vloed.

E.6: Cornelius van-der-Vloed.

C.3: Mike Casey, born in 1850 (baptised 01 October 1850 sponsors John Casey and Catherine Donovan)

C.4: Margaret Casey, born in 1853, (baptised 20 February 1853 sponsors John Regan and Biddy ??) married Mike Collins, the 28 January 1873 (born in 1852, son of James Collins). Mike Collins was a shoemaker in Townshend Street, Skibbereen. He also acted as a wholesale supplier of leather to other shoe and harness maker in the locality. His was known as “Black Mike” and “Collins Craheen”. Lawrence Casey said he was related to Michael Collins (The Big Fellow).
She had 5 children :

D.1: Mary Ellen Collins, born in 1873, died in 1956, married Marcus Valentine Bourne (born in 1880 and died in 1940, son of John Ellis Bourne and Hannah Coppinger). Marcus Valentine’s stepmother was Mary Ellen’s aunt Mary Anne Casey Bourne. (See below for more details.) Mary Ellen and Marcus lived in Concord, NH where Marcus worked for the Post Office.
She had 3 children :

E.1: John Ellis Bourne, born the 24 August 1907, died in Scranton, PA the 19 September 1992, married (1°) Patricia Callanan, (2°) Helen Nichols vonStorch.

E.2: Hannah Euphemia (Effie) Bourne, born 1903, died 1998, married Joseph F. Donahue.
She had 3 children :

F.1: John Bourne Donahue.

F.2: Robert Mark Donahue, married Julie Halloran.

F.3: Mary Ellen Donahue.

E.3: Mary Florence Bourne, born 1914, died 1987.

D.2: Catherine Collins, born 12 April 1875, died 8 May 1960, married Thomas J. Degnan, on 2 June 1902 (born 1874, son of Thomas Degnan and Julia Collins). Catherine immigrated to the USA in 1894. She went to her sister Mary Ellen in Concord, NH and spent the rest for her life in Concord.
She had 10 children :

E.1: Julia Degnan, born 11 August 1903, died 3 September 1988, married Joseph Brown on  15 August 1934 (son of Joseph Brown and Annie Doyle)

E.2: Mary Degnan, born 1904, died 1978.

E.3: Mabel Degnan, born 1906, died 1988.

E.4: Thomas Degnan, born 1907, died 1986. married Roseanne Murphy.

E.5: Kathleen Degnan, born 1908, died 1987.

E.6: Joseph Degnan, born 1911 died shortly after birth.

E.7: John Degnan, born 1912, died 2003, married (1°) Beverly Boyd (2°)Thelma ??. John served as a lieutenant commander in the US Navy during World War II and operated the first mobile dental office for the Navy. Later he worked as a doctor in Florida.

E.8: Margaret Degnan, born 1914, died 1918.

E.9: Edward Degnan, born 1916 died shortly after birth.

E.10: William Degnan, born 1917, died 1987. married Dolores Murphy.

D.3: James Collins, born 1880, died 1972, married Julia Sullivan (Timothy’s sister), born 1880. Two or more of Timothy and Julia Sullivan’s sisters went to Australia. James Collins joined them there for a time but returned to Ireland; later he went to the USA (Concord, NH) bringing his family with him.
He had 9 children :

E.1: Margaret Collins, born 1904, married Daniel J. Sullivan in 1937, died the 4 July 1976. Margaret and her sister Sadie had a double wedding on the 12 October 1937.

E.2: Timothy Collins, born 1905, died 1972 in Australia.

E.3: Sarah (Sadie) Collins, born 1907,  married David Whelan in 1937, died 1987.

E.4: John Collins, born 1910, married Marie Drapeau, died 2002.

E.5: Julie Collins, born 1912, died 2001. Julia worked at the Rumford Press for 47 years.

E.6: Nora Collins, born 1913.

E.7: Bridget (Bridie) Collins, born 1918, married Clarence Cunningham.

E.8: Cornelius Collins, born 1920, died 1995, married Reina Mayo. Neil was a WW2 army veteran, he served in China, Burma and India.

E.9: Teresa Collins, born 1922, died 2004. Teresa was a teacher and principal in Lanconia, N.H.

D.4: Margaret Collins, born 1881, married Laurence Casey (son of James Casey and Annie Donovan, Lettergorman, Dunmanway. No relation).  Margaret and Laurence lived in Townshend Street, Skibbereen. They were childless.

D.5: Nora Collins, born 1885, married Timothy Sullivan. They lived in Concord, NH
She had 8 children :

E.1: Margaret Sullivan, born 1910, died 1997, married Charles Shurtleff.

E.2: Herbert Sullivan, born 1914, died 1999, married Hughina McDade (daughter of Hugh McDade and Eileen Lynch). Herbert served as a staff sergeant in the US army in WW2. He took part in five major battles during the war including Omaha Beach and the battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

E.3: Michael James Sullivan, born 1915, married Louise Crosby.

E.4: John Sullivan, born 1916, died 1999. John was a secular priest in New Hampshire and Arizona.

E.5: Paul Sullivan, born 1918, died 1995, married Catherine Vitagliano. Paul was US army veteran of WW2. He served in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

E.6: Clara Sullivan, born 1920, died 2006.

E.7: Mary Sullivan, born 1922, married Dr Raymond Griffin.

E.8: Edward Sullivan, born 1924, died 1990.

C.5: Mary Anne Casey, born in 1855, (baptised 28 January 1855 sponsors Robin Hegarty and Bridget Brickley), died 1938 in Concord, NH,  married John Ellis Bourne, the 5 March 1885 in Kilcoe (born in 1855 and died in 1909, son of John Bourne and Euphemia Ellis). She was John’s second wife. Marcus Valentine Bourne mentioned above was John Bourne child by his first marriage. Eventually Mary Anne, John and all their children, bar Robert, emigrated to the USA. For more details on the Bournes see the Bourne Family tree.
She had 4 children :

D.1: William Bourne, married Mary Hayes. Emigrated to USA
He had 1 child :

E.1: Mary Bourne.

D.2: Richard Bourne, married Mary Joyce. Emigrated to Concord, NH
He had 4 children :

E.1: Rose Bourne, born 1915.

E.2: John Bourne, born 1917.

E.3: Mary Bourne, born 1918.

E.4 : Richard Bourne, born 14 April 1920, died when he was just 18 days old.

D.3: Robert Bourne, married Mollie Murphy. Lived in High Street, Skibbereen.

D.4: Alexander Bourne,
born 1891, died 1915 in Concord, NH.

C.6: Dan Casey, born in 1857, died 1893 (baptised 12 November 1857 sponsors John Casey and Catherine Hegarty). Dan worked with his brothers William and Michael on their boat the Water Hen. He died young. Family tradition states he died after been charged by a ram which knocked him over, causing him a head injury. His death cert states the cause of his death was diabetes.

B.2: Richard Casey, born circa 1812, died the 30 March 1899, married Mary Mahony. Richard lived in Knocknaraha, Church Cross. The original house was close to where the Herlihy family  (Richard’s descendants) still live to this day.
He had 1 child:

C.1: Catherine Casey, born in 1845, (baptised 03 October 1845) married John Herlihy, on 27 July 1875.
She had 7 children:

D.1: Michael Herlihy, born in 1876.

D.2: Kate Herlihy, born in 1878.

D.3: Richard Herlihy, born in 1880.

D.4: James Herlihy, born in 1882, married Margaret O’Donovan in 1921, died 1964.
He had 2 children:

E.1: Richard Herlihy.

E.2: Michael Herlihy.

D.5: Mary Jane Herlihy, born in 1884, married Michael Walsh of Goleen Marsh in 1912.
She had 3 children:

E.1: Gerald Walsh.

E.2: Michael Walsh.

E.3: Timothy Walsh.

D.6: Ellen Herlihy, born in 1887, married Michael Collins in 1916.

D.7: Hanna Herlihy, born in 1889, died 1937

 

The Caseys of Grenane, Aughadown.

A: Thomas Casey was a nephew of William (Big Bill) Casey, born circa 1799, married Margaret Hegarty, died 1 November 1875.  This family lived in part of Aughadown townland known as Grenane, hence they were know as the ‘Caseys of Grenane’. The ruins of their house still stands.
He had 4 children:

B.1: Catherine Casey, born 1829. No information apart from her baptism record.

B.2: John Casey, born 1832, married Ellen McCarthy of Morahin, Kilcoe in 1866, died 1917.
He had 7 children :

C.1: Patrick Casey, born 1867 (baptised 05 March 1867).

C.2: Jeremiah Thomas Casey, born 1868, (baptised 26 September 1868) married Margaret O’Regan of Cappaghglass, Ballydehob in 1909, died 1923. His wife Margaret died in 1924, leaving their teenage son, John, at home in Grenane with his uncle John.
He had 1 child :

D.1: John Casey, born 1910 (baptised 28 May 1910). It is believed he emigrated to New York.

C.3: Thomas Casey, born 1870 (baptised 15 March 1870), died 1926, married Hanora Minihane. They lived in Dromig near Skibbereen.
He had 6 children:

D.1: Frances Casey married Thomas Hennigan

D.2: John Casey

D.3: Kathleen Casey married Denis Coughlan

D.4: Huberta Casey

D.5: Raymond Casey

D.6: Mary Casey

C.4: Michael Casey, born 1873 (baptised 02 September 1873), died the 5
July 1929, married Helena Walsh of Barnabah, Lough Hyne.

C.5: Margaret Casey, born 1875 (baptised 03 September 1875).

C.6: Ellen Casey, born 1877 (baptised 11 February 1877).

C.7: John Casey, born 1882 (baptised 23 April 1882). John was the last Casey to live in Grenane. He never married and when he died the farm was sold.

B.3: Anne Casey, born 1838. No information apart from her baptism record.

B.4: Margaret Casey, born circa 1844, died 1924, married Daniel Burke on 28 February 1865. Circa 1890 Margaret and Daniel emigrated from Ireland and settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
She had 11 children :

C.1: Mary Burke (1866 – 1956), married (1) Ward Elliott, (2) James Dean.

C.2: Susan Burke (1868 – 1939), never married died in Sioux Falls.

C.3: Thomas Burke (1870 – 1870), died as an infant.

C.4: Margaret Burke (1871 – 1936), married Charles S. Hamlin.

C.5: Patrick Burke (1873 – 1959), married Marcella O’Connor.

C.6: John Burke (1875 – 1875),  died as an infant.

C.7: Daniel Burke (1876 – 1945), married Bertha Johnson.

C.8: Ellen Burke (1877 – 1924), married Charles Dean.

C.9: Anna Burke (1880 – 1927), married Charles Morris.

C.10: Catherine Burke (1882 – 1952), married Wesley Dunham.

C.11: Johanna Burke (1886 – ????), possibly died as an infant.