Identifying Patrick’s maternal grandparents has presented a significant challenge. There are several Connor families in Killucan parish, and it was not possible to link any one directly to Patrick’s mother Ellen based on historical records alone. However, several DNA connections have been found that provide a link via Ellen’s granddaughter Jane (Jenny). Using these links, it can be established with reasonable certainty that Ellen Connor came from the nearby townland of Sarsfieldstown. She was related to a Christopher Connor whose daughter married John Shaw in 1866, and a Thomas Connor whose son Christopher married Julia White in 1877. Both families came from Sarsfieldstown and have living descendants whose DNA shows a connection to Jane.
Further research is required to establish the family relationship between Christopher and Thomas Connor; they may be siblings and one is probably Ellen’s father. In the 1830s the land in Sarsfieldstown. was held by a Philip Connor who may be the father of Christopher and Thomas and grandfather of Ellen, possibilities to be explored further.