After many DNA samples, and a new analysis of the results, it seems to me that DNA testing has proved the Letitia Blennerhassett of Tarbert theory is false. This is very surprising. It leaves a lot of paper evidence that demands explanation. And we need to construct an alternative theory for how we might connect to Blennerhassett.

• DNA testing of Cashel with Letitia Blennerhassett

Letitia Blennerhassett of Tarbert has exotic native Irish ancestry through Fitzgerald and O'Brien.

• Fitzgerald (Geraldines)
  • Contents
  • Sir Edmund Fitzgerald, of Cloyne and Ballymaloe (died 1612)

• Irish royalty (High Kings of Ireland, Kings of Munster, Kings of Thomond)
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  • Dermod O'Brien, 5th Baron of Inchiquin (died 1624)

In August 2019, DNA analysis finally, after over 30 years, proved my relationship (through George Cashel's wife Mary Kickham) to the Fenian Charles Joseph Kickham. See the proof. The link was what Pat Lavelle said it was: Mary is 1st cousin of the Fenian.

• This brings me my first known proven Protestant ancestor, Charles Kickham (born 1752).
• This also brings me an unnamed Cromwellian settler ancestor.

• Kickham
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Grave of Charles Kickham (born 1752).
My first proven Protestant ancestor.
Discovered when I was over age 50.

Robert Kirkam of London listed among the Cromwellian adventurers for land in Ireland in 1642 to 1646. He is possibly the unnamed Cromwellian settler who is ancestor of the Kickhams of Co.Tipperary and my ancestor.

The fifth and sixth interim prizes of €100 are awarded to Elizabeth Humphrys and Nicole Scannell-O'Leary for suggesting DNA to solve the problem.

My thinking on DNA has evolved over time, but I really needed to start doing DNA experiments in order to see what the issues are. They are not what I thought they were.

In 2019 I started a systematic project to DNA test relatives of Letitia Blennerhassett of Tarbert and George Cashel, in order to see if the link could be proved.

• Paper evidence that suggests Letitia Blennerhassett is the link

• DNA testing for the Blennerhassett problem
• DNA testing of Cashel with Letitia Blennerhassett

The fourth €100 prize for an interim solution has been awarded to Emma Pinnell, for providing proof in the Goddard letter of 1806 of the Goddard link to England.

• Goddard
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• Beale
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• Smith
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Goddard letter proves the link to England.

• Mullins of Burnham House, Co.Kerry

• Fitzgerald of Dunmaniheen, Co.Kerry.
• Leader

• Cross
• Eveleigh
• Caldwell
• Boyle

• Conway of Castle Conway, Killorglin, Co.Kerry
• Ryeves
• Spring of Co.Kerry
• Tuchet

• Denny of Tralee Castle, Co.Kerry
• Roper, Viscount Baltinglass
• Harrington

• Stoughton
• Nugent, Baron Delvin

• Kickham
  • Edward Kickham
  • William Kickham

  • Ullmer - The only known descendants of any siblings of George Cashel or his wife.

William Kickham grave in Washington D.C.
Known grave for George Cashel: 0.
Known grave for his siblings: 0.
Known grave for his wife: 0.
Known grave for his wife's siblings: 1 (this one).

The third €100 prize for an interim solution has been awarded to Teresa Stokes for her ongoing research on the descendants of Rev. John Blennerhassett.

Rev. John Blennerhassett (born 1732-1733).
Father of Letitia Blennerhassett.

Elizabeth Blennerhassett (bapt 1772).
Sister of Letitia Blennerhassett.
Wife of Capt. Edward Fuller.

North Tidworth, Wiltshire.
This is where Capt. Thomas Goddard grew up.
His father Rev. Thomas Goddard was Rector of this church 1708 to 1731.
Capt. Thomas Goddard left England for Ireland in 1736.

Letitia Blennerhassett, daughter of Rev. John Blennerhassett.
She married 1stly to Richard Ponsonby and 2ndly to William Lindsay.

The White House, Tarbert, Co.Kerry.
This is where Letitia Blennerhassett, the daughter of Rev. John, lived in 1875.
She probably died there in 1876.
It is now an Asian restaurant.

Tomb of Arthur Blennerhassett of Blennerville (died 1839), Blennerville, Co.Kerry.
If Letitia the daughter of Rev. John is the one, then this Arthur (the son of Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet) is the likely candidate for "A.Blennerhassett J.P." who recommended George Cashel for the police in 1828.

The second €100 prize for an interim solution has been awarded to Jackie Lindsay for getting me started (in late 2009) on the family of Letitia Blennerhassett, daughter of Rev. John.

The first €100 prize for an interim solution has been awarded to Eily Moylan for fleshing out the family of George Cashel and his connection with Kickham.

Disciplinary action against George Cashel, 1829.

"Slievenamon" by Charles Joseph Kickham.
Sung by Maureen Hegarty.

1. Item in Irish Roots magazine, 3rd qr, 2008.

2. Item on 18 June 2008 in Irish Family History blog (now gone).

3. Item in Ancestors magazine, July 2008 issue.

4. Item in newsletter of Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, summer 2008.

5. Item supposed to appear in Oct 2008 issue (issue 83) of newsletter of Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society.

In 2008, I got serious about solving the Blennerhassett problem. I launched a competition with a prize of €1,000 for anyone who could solve it. The prize later rose to €2,000. Then €1,000 again.

I also offered interim prizes of €100 for help towards a solution.

• Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE, London, 3 May 2008.

• Cashel
  • George Cashel

• Blennerhassett
  • John Blennerhassett, "Black Jack"
  • Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet

The 1st Baronet on my website in 2007.

Letitia of Tarbert on my website in 2007.

• Cashel
  • George Cashel

• Blennerhassett
  • John Blennerhassett, "Black Jack"
  • Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet

The 1st Baronet on my website in 1999.

Letitia of Tarbert on my website in 1999.

I made out computerised offline family trees in 1990-92.

Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet, in my offline family tree, 1992.
See full image.

Letitia Blennerhassett of Tarbert in my offline family tree, 1992.

When I read the following entry in [Burkes Irish, 1976] as a teenager in 1985, I realised that Blennerhassett could be my gateway to the World family tree. It took 35 years to prove it.

From the BLENNERHASSETT entry in [Burkes Irish, 1976].
Showing the Royal descent.

Letitia Blennerhassett of Tarbert in [Burkes Irish, 1976].
Lists two husbands. Neither is Cashel.

The 1st Baronet in [Burkes Peerage, 1959].
Lists five sons. No daughter.
A daughter was listed for him in earlier editions, but this was an error, and was removed in later editions.

Blennerhassett Cashel.
My gateway to the Western family tree.
This was the first photo I saw of him. The original was later lost.