Welcome to the Riley Family Association's online Queries section, where you can post a message in search of a "lost" ancestor or a missing living relative. You may be able to find other relatives who might already have the very information you are looking for.
See Part 1 for info and tips on how to prepare your query and how to send it in for posting.
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I am looking for info on MARGARET RILEY (abt 1724 in Va.). I think she was the first wife of THOMAS (Tom) KIRK (abt1728 -- maybe Lancaster Co.. Va.). There is some evidence that Thomas and Margaret had at least one child, MARGARET ("Peggy") KIRK (born 3 Oct., 1767. She died 30 Aug. in Mercer, Co. IL.). Some records say that Peggy's father was John Kirk instead of Thomas.
Cheryl Greene
301 Snidow St.
Pembroke, VA 24136
I'm looking for some history on ADALAIDE CONYNGHAM RILEY d. 1903 in Centralia, PA, dau of HENRY PATRICK RILEY and KATE CRAWFORD; mar WILMER TOWERS BECK, brother of Theodore. Where did the name Conyngham come from? An earlier name I have (but no other info) is HANNAH ALSOP RILEY
Dan Moran
182 Avenue A #7
NYC 10009
I am looking for any info about my wife's great grandparents, JOHN T. RILEY and SARAH J. (Jane?). They evidently were living in or near Martinsburg, Berkley Co., WV in 1872. Ch: HARRY LEE RILEY (my wife's grandfather) (June 1872) and BOWIN RILEY(Bowen) (b 1874-1880) . John died between 1874 -- 1880. The 1880 census indicated Sarah Riley was a widow. Can anyone help?
Jack L. Butcher
PO Box 354
Rustburg, VA 24588
I am searching for info on JOHN KIRKPATRICK RILEY (1856 in Augusta, GA -- 1923 Love Grove, South Jacksonville, FL.) parents unknown. In 1888, he mar EDITH MAY RYER of Nichteax Falls, Nova Scotia, Canada. In 1889 they were living in South Jacksonville, Fl, then moved briefly to Nebraska, then back to So. Jacksonville. He is bur at the family cemetery in South Jacksonville. Ch include: WILLETT MILLEDGE RILEY, LOTTIE ESTELLA RILEY, FRANK CHARLES RILEY and JOHN LEROY RILEY.
Willetta Riley Rissell
365 Back Bay Road
Swanton, MD 21561
Looking for info on MARGARET RILEY (1841-1926 Co. Triem, Meath, Ireland) mar 1867 in Louisville, Ky., JOHN BURKE (1845-1898). They moved to Iowa in 1880.
Shari Jungers
2598 Dove St
Dubuque, IA
I am trying to find info on my grandfather, JOHN J. RILEY. I have been able to trace him and his family of eleven children from about 1868 in Albany, NY. However, I have not been able to trace him back to Ireland. Indication is that he came from a small town called Misterin in Co. Wexford. I have not been able to determine when he came to the US. Would appreciate any help. Thank you.
John J. Riley
1131 Iris Drive
Mountainside, NJ 07092-2209
In the listings of Riley marriages (in the Family Club's HISTORY section), my grandmother is listed, REBECCA LOUVINIA RILEY, mar MACK D. BEAVER in Walker Co., Ga. I have been searching for info on her father WILLIAM RILEY, sheriff of Walker Co. (Lafayette), Ga. in the late 1800's and early 1900's. His father was WILLIAM GEORGE RILEY, we think. Every one on my family called him George. I had his wife as KIZZIE ELIZABTH ROBERTS but then a possible relative, said that her name was KISSIAH MOORE, so I am really not sure now. My aunt did a lot of research and her daughter loaned me her info. She now has Alzehemiers, so there is not hope for any more info from her. Let me know when you can, if anyone has any info on William Riley. Sincerely,
Cathy Beaver Jones
Looking for any info on my g grandfather, CHARLES THOMAS RILEY, mar MARIETTA BROUGHTON; lived in Onancock, Accomack, Co., VA. in 1884. My grandmother, ELIZABETH LOUISE RILEY was born there in that year. I have run into a stone wall trying to find them, so any tidbit will be appreciated. Thank you.
Judy Kays
12400 Hwy 101N. #995
Smith River,
California 95567
My grandfather's name is JAMES BENSON RILEY, lived in and around Lawton, OK. son of WALTER CHESTER RILEY. James mar ELIZABETH TENNY. I'm looking for ancestors that predate these. please help me if you can
Jordan Riley
1011 Garfield
Lawton Ok 73501
Seeking info on 2 RILEY sisters, parents unknown:
HARRIET RILEY (ca 1811 NY), mar GLENDOWER M. PRICE (b ca 1807 PA), of Welsh descent, one of the first settlers of Cassville, Grant Co., WI, founded town of Lancaster, Grant Co., WI, named his estate, "Carnavon" most likely after the town of Caernavon, PA. and the Prince of Wales Castle. No children found.
ANNA HARDIN RILEY (b c 1815 PA.), mar BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FORBES (b 13 May 1811 Philadelphia, PA.), a friend of Glendower Price. Anna arrived in Cassville, WI in 1834 by boat from Philadelphia, PA with 2 ch and was met by her sister, Harriet. Anna and Ben moved abt 1845 to Garnavillo, Clayton Co., IA. Ch: HARRIET P., JOSEPHINE C., MELVINA AMANDA, EUGENE A., ANNA CECELIA, CHARLIE M. and BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FORBES II.
Marcia Hardesty
805 Spruce Place
Edmonds, WA 98020
I'm looking for info on my grandmother's grandfather, JAMES BROWN ("J. B.") RILEY (b GA. -- d 1931). I think he was b in Talbot Co., GA. and moved to Surrency, GA around 1917. He mar JULIA FLEMMING BAUGH (17 Sep 1866, Talbot Co.-- 16 Dec 1937). The couple had several children, however I know only names of ALICE IRENE RILEY (mar MARTIN RILEY) of Jacksonville, FL. and BERNICE RILEY. I would love to know James' date of birth, death, who his parents were, and how/when they came to GA.
Shannon Berry
JASPER WILLIAM RILEY (1859, Newport, IN.) was a miller; He mar NANCY AGNES HIGDON (1858, IN.). Jasper's parents were born in Ky. but don't know names or where born. Jasper was my great grandfather. His son (my grandfather) was WILLIAM POLK RILEY (16 Apr 1884, nr Sardinia, Greensburg, In.); mar NELLIE MACKEY (b Jan or July, 1888, Lafayette, In.) They had many children, one of whom was my father, GROSVENOR LEWIS RILEY (28 Dec 1911 in Indianapolis, In.) I am looking for ancestors and would love to hear from anyone remotely related or who has knowledge of my ancestors. Write to me at e-mail
W. Riley
210 San Pasquale NW # D,
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104
I am searching for info on my great grandfather, JAMES ("Jim") RILEY. Abt 1874-78, he mar a widow, MARY ANGELA FOSHEE / Forshee MADISON, dau of JAMES ANDERSON FOSHEE of Jackson Co., AL. Ch of James & Mary: GEORGE WASHINGTON RILEY (my grandfather) (5 Sept. 1879); ANDREW J. RILEY (31 Mar. 1880); PAUL RILEY (5 Jan. 1881), MARTHA ADA RILEY (21 July 1888). James died of typhoid fever (1889-90) before the birth of son, WILLIAM EDDIE RILEY (b 10 June 1890). Mary A. Riley (widow) was listed on the Jackson Co. AL 1900 census as head of household with Paul, Ada, William E. According to census, Mary had given birth to 7 ch - with 4 living. (George had left home by this time.) I would greatly appreciate any info on this family - especially James, and will be glad to share info.
Betty Bollman
Rt. 5, Box 209
Jefferson, TX 75657
Looking for info about ROBERT EMANUEL RILEY (31 Mar 1871, GA.--3 Nov 1935 near Hannah, Jones Co., Tx. His 2nd wife was ELLA MAE STAPLER (1 Jun 1910, Wood Co., Tx.--26 Jan 1975, Hamlin, Jones Co., Tx.). Robert & Ella Mae had three sons, all b in Jones Co.: BOBBY JACK RILEY (22 Aug 1928), BILLY MAC RILEY (16 Jun 1930 -- abt Thanksgiving, 1998 near Quinlan, Tx.) and ROY DELBERT RILEY (16 Apr 1932). Robert E. was close friends with Parks Belle Stapler (11 Jun 1874, Forsyth Co., GA. -- 22 Jan 1954 in Hamlin, Tx.). Parks mar ELLA JANE GORE (16 May 1876 in GA.--24 Jan 1962 in Hamlin). The Stapler and Riley Families moved from GA. to Winsboro, Woods Co., Tx. They built brick streets during the WPA project near Abilene, Tx. They were also involved in the cotton fields around Hannah from 1928 to 1935. I am looking for info concerning Robert E.'s parents, his place of birth, info on his first wife and their children.
Steve Riley
#1 Quail Run
Midland TX 79707
JULIA MELISSA RILEY (feb 1878 in AR.), dau of SETH RILEY Sr. and ELIZABETH; mar WILLIAM BENTON PARKER (b Jan 1877 in Ks.). Seth's other ch: CHARLIE RILEY, ROSE RILEY, MARGARET RILEY, ELLEN RILEY, EMILINE RILEY and SETH RILEY Jr. Ch of JULIA and W. B. PARKER: BEULAH, MABEL, ALFORD, CLIFF, EUNICE and my grandfather, SHERMAN PARKER. Thanks for any help.
Dale Gass
9608 Ozark Road
Omaha, AR 72662
I am looking for the family of my great aunt, CARRIE EDNA RILEY (abt 1885 in either KS. or Buffalo Co., NE.); mar WILLIAM HUSTED ANNABLE in Buffalo Co. and they adopted VIRGINIA IRENE, b 1906. They lived on a farm near Elm Creek, NE. They left in the late 1920s for land in ID. which they cleared for wheat farming and lost on a foreclosed note. They returned to NE and worked at the Hall Ranch south of Alliance, Box Butte Co., NE. At some time probably around 1940 they returned to Elm Creek to a rented farm. William died there about 1944. She is buried in the Elm Creek Cemetery and outlived him by about 20 years.
Audrey Annable Franklin
434 West 4th St.
Loveland CO 80537
My name is EDWARD J. RILEY, son of EDDIE E. RILEY from Flint Hill, VA. This is located in Rappahannock, VA. His parents were JOSEPH and LILLIAN RILEY. I am very interested in our family history and would love to find out more. Please send me some info on how to trace his family, or any info you might find. I am proud of the Riley name and would love to learn more about our history and my ancestors. Sincerely,
Edward J. Riley
Steubenville, Ohio
I am looking for my grandfather's parents and ancestors: HURCLE (Hershel ?) RILEY, mar BILLIE DANIELS. They had 4 ch: DANNY, MYRA (mar BOSWELL), JEFF RILEY and RONNIE RILEY. He died in Overton Co. and is bur there. I am Danny's dau. I do not really know much more. I was never told much. If you find info on this family, please let me know.
Alicia Danielle Riley
150 Williams Rd.
Toney, AL. 35773
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