We were all disappointed when the Irish Census 1926 did not come online this year for the Centenary of the 1916 Rising. However, there is another door open to us which is the Irish Military Census 1922, freely available on the Military Archives website. Since this is a Military Census, the next of kin is listed AND their place of residence. This provides a real treasure trove for a genealogy researcher.
There are 2 Brennan men listed for Kerry.
One of them is John Brennan of Gortakissane, Listowel, Co. Kerry who was single at the time of the Census and born c. 1903. John had the rank of Private. A search of the 1911 Census gives no return for Gortakissane but does give a return for Gortacrussane, DED Ennismore. It lists a John Brennan as the son of Catherine and the grandson of Patrick Brennan. The Civil Records Index (BMD) give 2 returns for the birth of John Brennan of Listowel in this time period. One lists the mother as Fitzberald, birth of John Nov. 15, 1903 and the other mother as Brennan, birth of John, Dec. 1, 1900.
The other soldier was Jeremiah Brennan, born c. 1903. rank Private of Caherdaniel, Cahersiveen. Baptism records show a Jeremiah Brennan born in Behehane, Caherdaniel and baptised Jan 13, 1903 (mother Mary Leary) and another Jeremiah Brennan of Ballydarrig baptised in Cahersiveen Jan. 7, 1902 (mother Mary Griffin)
The 1911 Census lists a Jerry Brennan age 8 of Behaghane (note the spelling has changed again!) with father Patrick, mother Mary and 7 siblings.
The spelling of Ballydarrig remains the same in the 1911 Census and there we find Feremiah age 9 with mother Mary, a widow, and 5 siblings.
Further research would be neccessary to identify the exact families of John Brennan and Jeremiah Brennan. If you have a photograph of either of these men or know more about their lives, we would love to hear it!
Sources
census.militaryarchives.ie/
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Kerry/
churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/
civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/
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