This project was set up to facilitate comparison of the autosomal DNA of the descendants of Edward O'Dea, who lived in Newtown townland in Kilkeedy civil parish in county Limerick in Ireland. Edward died on 19 Dec 1830 aged 74 and is buried in Kilkeedy Cemetery with his apparently unmarried son Patrick (d.7 Aug 1827). Another son, Michael (d.1838), erected the tombstones. DNA evidence suggests that Edward was also father of Maria, who married John Keas (d.8 Aug 1845) of Conigar and Ballyveloge, and of Bridget, who married John Ryan of Ballyculleen on 21 Feb 1821. Furthermore, each of these name a son Edward, apparently after their common grandfather. The four founding members of the project were three proven descendants of Edward O'Dea's probable daughter Maria and one proven descendant of his probable daughter Bridget. So far, no living descendant of Michael O'Dea has been traced. We are trying to trace what became of Michael's greatgrandson Robert William F. Carroll who married Bridget McKenna in Dublin in 1930. Edward O'Dea may have had other children that we are not aware of. If you have an ancestor named O'Dea, Keas/Keays/Keayes/Keyes or Ryan from this part of county Limerick, please consider ordering a Family Finder test and joining this project.