Hello Catherine, I am the contributor of the biography of Josiah Keys born Donemana, Donagheady parish and died New Zealand (my name and email address are on the banner of the file). To my knowledge there has been no research undertaken of this family in NZ, although a trawl of Paperspast could locate helpful information http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz National Library of New Zealand Perhaps you should be aware of the emigration of George Keys of Tirkernaghan and wife Margaret (nee Jeffrey) and eight children to Melbourne, Australia 1840-41. George died near Melbourne aged 81 years in 1873; parents Thomas Keys and Ellen Monteith. Margaret died near Melbourne 1865 aged 70 years; parents Robert Jeffrey and Mary Brooks. Their children were: William; Mary Jane; Robert; Isaac; Elizabeth; Margaret; Thomas; John. Brother-in-law Samuel and Eliza Jane Jeffrey of Tirkernaghan and family also emigrated to Melbourne in 1840. Samuel’s parents were Robert Jeffrey and Mary Brooks and Eliza Jane’s are recorded as Mal [Malcolm?] Smith and Ann Hason. I am unable to locate evidence to connect the Keys family of remote Tirkernaghan to John Keys of Strabane. You will be aware that there were influential Keys families just across the Foyle about Lifford, Clonleigh parish, Co. Donegal. Trust you find this interesting and useful to your research. Regards, Len Swindley, Melbourne, Australia > Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 17:48:24 +0100 > To: cotyroneireland@rootsweb.com > Subject: [CoTyIre] Josiah Keys Biography on Co Tyrone site. > From: cotyroneireland@rootsweb.com > > Has anyone, particularly in NZ, researched the Keys' family of the Parish of Donaheady? According to the above Biography Josiah Keys had a son William who may have had a family in NZ. I would like to confirm one way of the other whether his father, Joseph, was related to William of Tykernaghan. Joseph is likely to be related to John Keys, 1775 dissenter. Joseph was the Founder and later Elder of the Presbyterian Church at Donamana. Josiah's claim that one of his ancestors fought in the Siege of Derry is interesting. I believe this is likely to be Thomas Keys. > > Any information on the Keys of Donaheady would be welcome. > > Catherine Bird > >