Mike: My records show Robina Skilley being the d/o John Skilley and Sarah Roxborough. Robina Skilley was NOT related to me, but connected only through the marriage of her daughter Mary Elizabeth Kennaugh to John Arthur Savage (my 2nd cousin, twice removed).

There is some speculation that Barbara Skilley is in fact "Robena" Skilley. There is a 2 year difference in birth dates (according to census reports); bearing in mind that census reports were not very accurate with regard to ages, it is possibly they are one and the same, however, it is the only mention of Robina having another name (Barbara).

October, 2004: It has not been determined whether or not Robina's maiden name was BREW or SKILLEY/SKILLY. Val Wall (gardengirl.64@virgin.net) indicates in her email dated 9 Oct 2004 that Robena was CHRISTENED "SKILLEY", but married in the name of "BREW"*.... I have been unable to locate birth/christening records for a Robena Brew, BUT DID LOCATE A MARRIAGE ENTRY IN THE NAME OF "BREW" ON THE IGI. A christening entry in the name of Robina Skilly was discovered (18 Nov 1848 at Saint Barnabas, Douglas), however, I will keep an open mind.

*According to Len Faragher (Manx Bulletin Board/22 July 2004), "Emma Jane Kennaugh [d/o Robina], was christened with the surname Skilly although for some reason her mother [Robina] later used the surname Brew on marriage". Did (the mother Robina), perhaps have a liason with a Mr. Brew but was not married to him even though she used that name upon her marriage to James Kennaugh???

Brian Lawson (Manx Bulletin Board/23 July 2004) indicates that "Barbara" is the name entered on the 1851 Douglas census and "Rabena" is entered on the 1861 Douglas census, showing father "John SKELLY" and mother "Sarah".

1851 IOM Census indicates “Barbara” Skelly was born abt 1847 in Ramsey, the d/o John and Sarah
1861 IOM Census indicates “Rubena” Skelly was born abt 1847 in Douglas, the d/o John and Sarah
1871 UK Census indicates “Robina SHELLY” was born abt 1844 Isle of Man, residing in Liverpool and employed as a Servant. I am unable to determine if this is ‘my’ Robina Skilley, however, it is the ONLY 1871 census entry that fits; I was unable to locate an IOM 1871 census record.

LDS IGI indicates a CHRISTENING at Douglas for Robina Skilly 18 Nov 1848 at Saint Barnabas.
LDS IGI indicates a marriage between James Kennagh and Robena “Brew” on 15 Nov 1873

1851 IOM Census indicates James Kennaugh/son/7/Braddan
1871 IOM Census indicates James Kennaugh/son/unm/27/French Polisher/Braddan

1881 IOM Census indicates “Roben” Kennaugh/wife/32/Polisher’s wife/born Ramsey
1891 IOM Census indicates “Verbena” Kennaugh/wife/43/born Ramsey

NO marriage discovered between Robena’s mother (Sarah Roxborough) and any BREW – there is an entry on the IGI between Sarah and John Skeaylley[sic] on18 Sep 1842 Braddan.

All census records show Robena’s place of birth to be Ramsey, with the exception of the 1861 (Douglas), and of course the 1871 UK census showing only “Isle of Man”.

Hope this is of some assistance Mike. You can contact me at pat.galovich@gmail.com if you have any questions.