Question about Kennedy Family: 9 brothers?

[Kire]

Does anybody know if the Kennedy's descended from one of 9 brothers that came over from Ireland or not? This is kind of important to me, as there is a guy I know who claims to be descended from one of the other brothers, "who didn't sell as many horses". He came across convincing, and he didn't say it in a way like he was trying to score points. I'd just like a second opinion because, well, he's the first guy to sign my petition for public office (Democratic County Committee) and I am not being taken seriously when I repeat the story. I am unabashedly trying to score points.

:dilemma:

[dflprincess]

1. Both the Kennedys and Fitzgeralds came over during the famine

so anything is possible. In one branch of my family, several family members all immigrated at that time on the same boat.

Ask him where they came from in Ireland. Though anyone who's read a good biography of the Kennedys or even an account of JFK's trip to Ireland would know that answer. But, if he doesn't know, I'd be skeptical.

[whalerider55]

2. off the top of my head...

nine sounds like a stretch (statistically, anyway)

as a MA resident, i've never heard about any of Joe K's brothers or sisters, and after a little googling it appears he may have been the only son Patrick Kennedy (jr), who was also born in Boston. By the time Joe Kennedy Sr. was born, his father had significantly improved the financial and political status of the kennedy's who had emigrated from ireland with Patrick Sr- 1850's (?)

your friend may be some relation to the Patrick Kennedy who was Joe Sr.s grandfather, but it doesn't appear that he can claim in to the really rich part of the clan. and since joe sr. was very nepotic, you'd think he would've given a poor relative a job...

whalerider

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Someone who teaches genealogy classes told me

that stories about "nine brothers who came over together" (or six brothers, etc.) are usually just family legends, i.e., bullshit.

People who claim to be related to famous people are often misled by family legends or just plain bullshit artists.

Based on those two observations, I'd be very suspicious of this guy's claim.

[Kire]

4. thanks

he's a nice guy, disabled with an acoustic neuroma, and very generous and kind, I like to think he's been misled

in fact, i feel pangs of guilt whenever I say anything about him to anybody. his condition makes him a shut in,

but at the same time, I just can't keep him a secret, that's weird, too

my dad had a very similar condition with his voice, so it is really rewarding and emotional when I stick with him and no matter how many times he repeats something (often more than a dozen times) it feels good when he realizes I understood him. He says I'm "better than most" of the people who try to communicate with him.

I'd love to get an "oral history" from him, but I'm afraid the drool makes me want to puke every time I go over there.