I am a descendent of Catherine (nee Kneale) b.1824 d.1912 and Thomas Vondy b.1821 d.1886. They emigrated from the IOM to America in 1870. Thomas was a schoolteacher both in Jurby, IOM and in a number of places in the U.S. Catherine and Thomas had five daughters while living in the IOM; daughters were Catherine Margaret, Ann Jane, Eunice Ann, Elizabeth Emily, and Ada. Ann Jane died at a young age.

I found Thomas and Catherine in the 1861 IOM Census with their daughters Ann Jane and Catherine Margaret in Jurby.

I have a decent amount of info about the Vondy's and their descendants after their arrival in the U.S., but I know very little about either of their IOM ancestors.

Catherine came from the Kneale family who lived in German Parish on Kew Hill for a while. I have a picture of a headstone from Peel Cemetery that is labeled to show John Kneal b.1782 d.1854 as Catherine's father. The same headstone also has John's daughter, Margaret, son-in-law William Kelly, and Elizabeth Kelly.

I have no idea who Thomas Vondy's parents are, or really much of anything about the IOM Vondy's.

Any info is greatly appreciated. I know that my great-grandmother Katherine Ummel was still writing letters to some relatives on the IOM, but that was a long time ago. It would be very nice to get in touch with relatives too!

Best regards,
Nathan Fink
nathan(at)finkfamily.org