Cousins,

Sorry this rambles. Bear with me. A cousin asked about our shared O'Connor/Sullivan roots and I sought to cut and paste the answer (and ideas for your research) as pieces cut and pasted from previous HICUZ newsletters. The response only covers HICUZ newsletters through #30, so it is incomplete. I'll try to continue through #78 in a leter update.

Please ignore any page numbers which appear.

With a Rowe Reunion coming up the end of July (in Portland, Maine) I will endeavor to focus some effort on providing a family tree for you to read. Am pursiung a few options abroad. I rejoined the Manchester Liverpool Family History Society (MLFHS) and asked if any other members were related to our Wroes. No answer yet. I doubt I'll achieve any sort of breakthrough by the Rowe Reunion, but lets' keep our fingers crossed.

HICUZ 12 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

While in CT visiting my mother for her 90th Birthday, I asked more questions about her passage to America as a toddler in April or May 1906. I learned the ship left from Cork and went to Ellis Island - my mother, her G'Ma Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan, mother, uncle Sylvester Sullivan, and siblings Dan and Eileen O'Connor were passengers on the ship together.  I learned that G'Pa O'Connor remained in America earning money for the passage (probably in steerage) and because there was considerable public disorder (Black and Tans) in southern Ireland and very little work.  Apparently G'Pa O'Connor, while agreeing with getting the English out of Ireland, did not approve of the IRA (or predecessor group)'s methods.  The ships' passengers apparently suffered from some sort of influenza, as the stories reflect a great deal of sickness.  I also heard that G'Pa O'Connor said he had no brogue, but used to say the word wind (i.e. air motion) with the same sound as wind (mechanically winding up a clock).  I hope to get these sorts of oral history comments whenever I can and include them, as I haven't had time to update my regular computer files for almost two years now.

HICUZ 14 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

I went to the National Archives in early April to research the ship which brought my mother, as a thirteen month old baby, with her mother Bridget (Sullivan) O'Connor, grandmother Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan, uncle Sylvester Sullivan, and siblings Eileen O'Connor and Daniel O'Connor to Ellis Island, NY in April/May of 1905 from the port of Cork, Ireland.  I read the 1906 list of steamships which traversed the Atlantic to NYC; there were four lines (American Line; Cunard Line; White Star Line; Atlantic Transport Line) with quite a few ships.  I tabulated the dates of arrival and then went through an indexed listing by surnames, looking for data that might lead me to a particular date or ship; I used three approaches, searching under Sylvester Sullivan, Ellen Sullivan, and Bridget (Sullivan) O'Connor.  I did this as the group of six might have been listed under any one of those particular individuals, as oldest male, head of household, or head of family. I struck out in terms of crossing any lead to a date or ship. I started going through the passenger arrival lists name by name; I went through rolls 708 and 709(12 through 14 May 1906), then started roll 710.  No luck yet and at this rate it will take many trips to the Archives.  I've written the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on Ellis Island (no help) and to the LDS Ellis Island Indexing Project Director (at Salt Lake City) for suggestions (no answer yet).

I have some Irish ancestral geographical updates; Abbeyfeale (in Limerick) is Mainestir Na Feile - pronounced Mannish te na fail a) and like Castlecove, is not on tourist maps as yet. Caherhayes is pronounced Caw her hayes.  Bridget O'Shea was from Skilleen, Daniel Joseph O'Connor was from Grogeen (four miles from Meenahella), and Skehanegh is located in the hills above Caherdaniel and Castlecove (in Kerry), but there are no Sullivans relatives there now. Caherdaniel, which Maura said once had 2000 inhabitants, is now down to about 800.  Bridget Fitzgerald was from Killenegh (Killenich).  An Lar is Gaelic for city center (centre over there).

My Mom, Bridget Bernadine “Bryde” O’Connor Rowe was born 30 March 1905 in the hills of Skehanagh, above the Whitestrand coastal section of Cahirdaniel in County Kerry – at her mothers’ parents home (now basically a shambles). Thirteen months later she accompanied her mother Bridget, brother Dan, grandmother Ellen Sullivan, and granduncle Sylvester Sullivan to Ellis Island.

HICUZ 15 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

Eleanore (Sullivan) Riordan, a second cousin on Sullivan side of family, recalled my mom in their youth, and of knowing that my mom was born in the Sullivan home in the hills of Skehanagh above Cahirdaniel.  She recalled that four families, the Gabins, Gleasons, and two others lived in the same area.

HICUZ 16 –

Research Tips  One of the main things I've relearned from my students, is that we should not ascribe any sins of previous generations to the present.  By this I mean that each and every family has some skeletons in the closet (I know quite a few by now, but I am somewhat discrete) and we shouldn't punish the children for the flaws or foibles of their parents.  I tell each class, noting that National Public Radio's Garrison Keillor once said, "Each family has a great sinner!"  They are the ones I tell my class to research, as it is so much fun, and it requires tact and diligence.  Let me share some things recent students have found out - and shared in class.  One young man's grandfather staged his own murder (an innocent man died) so he could run off with another woman. The student found this out by tracing a spelling change in the family name, and being intrigued by family silence on the subject.  Another had a great grandfather whose incest of his daughter gave the family two additional children to raise. Amazingly the family stuck together.  Another's living grandfather had two children before marrying, one being the student's own father.  My point is that all these, shall we say indiscretions, had nothing to do with the student and are merely, may I say it, historical.  The same is true of ancestors hung as horse thieves, bank robbers, or slave auctioneers.  Many students have found out about unknown brothers or sisters, and many more discovered relatives in the class.

Putting together the story of a particular ancestor requires research, and documentation.  This can be birth certificates, deeds, wills, old letters, Family Bibles (or equivalent), Social Security records, published family histories, schoolbooks, obituaries, flyers from family gatherings, old photos, gossip which is confirmed(?) by several separate sources.  Write down all that you find out, with your sources noted in enough detail so any other person can retrace your steps.  You do have to decide whether to include those scandals that create family disunion - that I leave up to you.  Remember they are part of your particular family history.  SO - Where to begin?

HICUZ 17-

IRISH DUAL CITIZENSHIP. The article David sent is from the April 97 issue of International Living. Being an Irish citizen allows you to travel within the European Union (EU) countries more readily, or work within the EU without restrictions.  The article says, as an example "those governments requiring visas will grant them automatically to EU citizens at the border." To qualify, the article states, "if one of your parents was born in Ireland, you are by birth an Irish citizen."  To my knowledge this means my brothers and I, first cousin Daniel M. O'Connor Jr, and others ?? are.  It goes on to say "You may also claim citizenship if you can demonstrate that at least one of your grandparents was born in Ireland (anywhere on the island in or before 1921 or in the Republic of Ireland after 1921). You'll need an original copy of the Irish civil birth certificate, marriage certificate, and/or death certificate." An alternate way to become Irish is to invest in Ireland, at least 1,000,000 Irish Pounds (slightly over a million dollars US (the Canadian government was doing the same with immigrants from Asia this last decade). The article states that "Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs will allow dual citizenship. . . . U.S. citizens won't lose their nationality."  Since a great many of you out there have grandparents who were born in Ireland before 1921, you may be interested in this. Documents will be required.  Find this article through your library, or write the Embassy of Ireland, 2234 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008 - 1-202-462-3939. I called the Embassy and they are sending me application forms; I'll let you know how it goes. I have a copy of my mother's baptism certificate, but it's not an original copy, nor a record of her birth.  I'll have to get a certified/original copy of her birth certificate.

HICUZ 17 –

The official British census (of 1851), in enumerating the peoples of Great Britain, would officially structure the society into seven classes: The Monarch, Queen Victoria, austere and certainly remote from her subjects, was at the top. There followed in descending order the royalty; military officers; other professionals (doctors, lawyers, professors); then three lower but no less relevant classes of working people. Below these seven defined "classes" were women and children. And as a sign of that times and culture (not too different from how America, not quite forty years from its latest war with Britain and classifying its slaves and Indians in a similarly degrading way) the 1851 British census gave examples of "derelicts" who might escape being listed in its census process. Among the "derelict" types were its own sailors - hard for me to accept as a former Naval officer, yet quite understandable as an historian.

            AND

I stumbled onto what seems a noteworthy fact (though often ages are incorrectly stated by a person him/herself or by others in a family).  Great Gramma Ellen Bowler Sullivan grew up, was married (one surmises, as I've not gone looking for her marriage record - and it may no longer exist), and later emigrated from Ireland about April/May 1906, along with my mother, her mother Bridget (Sullivan) O'Connor, my mother's brother Daniel, and Bridget's brother Sylvester.  The cemetery records show that Great Gramma Ellen was 72 at her passing 2 February 1919 (probably of the influenza epidemic). This puts her birth year as 1847. Yet I noticed that the first of her children, Abigail Marie Sullivan, was born 1 January 1860 in Cork. This suggests (if the age at death is correct) that she was but thirteen when she married. I have no doubt this is accurate, and while it may be a bit young in our day and age, one could not make that assessment for that era or place. It may have also been a factor in Ellen and Sylvester's moving around Ireland almost yearly (see previous newsletter with places and dates of their children’s births). This little sidelight was worthy of mention, since I hadn't noticed it before and it probably was a big influence on their young married life - and is a part of their story.

HICUZ 18 –

If you can trace and provide copies of records showing you’re within two generations of an ancestor born in the Republic of Ireland, you can obtain an Irish passport  - as a “national.”

IRISH PASSPORTS. The Irish Embassy sent me the necessary applications; one side was entirely in Gaelic, the other in English. I'll need to get an original copy of the Irish civil birth certificate of my mother; others who may be interested, will have to obtain copies of the marriage certificates, and/or death certificates which establish a paper trail from their grandparents to themselves. I should advise you that this may be very difficult, as most copies of official documents were burned in the Irish rebellion and burning of the Dublin Archives in April of 1922. The documents you'll need can be most easily obtained, if at all, from the Records Office in the County of origin. The Embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008. Their phone number is 1-202-462-3939. I have a copy of my mother's baptism certificate, but it's not an original copy, nor a record of her birth.

The form indicates that a ten year, 32 page passport costs $75.00; a ten year 56 page passport $91.00, in US dollars. Payment is accepted in cashier's checks or postal money orders. A return fee of $5.00 is required for certified, registered mail. A word of caution, although one article I've read suggests this passport implies dual citizenship, another I've read says it means "nationality", and thus limits the scope of what a passport normally means. The second article says no franchise (voting) rights are implied. That seems appropriate to me.

            AND

American citizenship - O'Connors - Gramma and Grampa O'Connor (and my mother) became citizens when Grampa became naturalized 1 October 1913.

            AND

IRISH RECORDS SOURCES - Two sources for official/secular/civil records are: Public Records Office of Ireland, Four Courts, Dublin 7, Ireland  and The General Register Office (equivalent to our National Archives), Joyce House, 8-11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2, Ireland. The latter holds civil vital records for Protestants within Ireland since 1845, Catholics since 1864 - there were apparently differing submission requirements. A large fire on 13 April 1922 at Dublin's records repository destroyed many civil records, particularly those for predominantly Protestant Northern Ireland.

The General Register Office holds the remaining records from 1845 through 1922 for Northern Ireland, 1845 to the present for the Republic.  The Public Records Office of Ireland holds microfilmed copies of church registers, which predate the civil records, and may be more comprehensive in some cases. I sent off a letter to the General Register Office to obtain an official copy of my mother's birth certificate. I enclosed a personal check for more than the amount, as my account isn't in Irish pounds. The fees in Irish pounds - including search fees, are: Full Birth certificate - 5.50 (extra copies 4 Ir Pounds each); Short Birth certificate - 3.50 (extra copies 2 Irish pounds each). Death certificate - 5.50 (extra copies 4 each); marriage certificate - 5.50 (extra copies 4 each). Checks (cheques in this case) should be made out to "The Registrar General."

            AND

My (our) O'Connor grandparents met and married in Connecticut in 1901, so I hope to be able to trace their separate journeys to the States around 1898/99. After they married and had two children, Geraldine and Daniel, they returned to Ireland - about 1903/4. Grampa O'Connor then returned to the States to earn passage fares for his wife, children, and mother-in-law. I would also like any clues as to any or all of these four ocean trips, as they may provide clues about the family.

            AND

Received a long letter from my aunt Kay (O'Connor) Ambrose. Kay provided an update on her family, and her sisters Patricia (Tish) O'Connor and Dorothy (Dot O'Connor) Hansen. She also added some bits and pieces to the story of my mother's childhood, my Grandparents, and Great Gramma Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan (see the O'Connor Research - help requested article above). Kay said in her letter that Grampa Denis O'Connor returned to Ireland to bring Gramma Bridget, her mother Ellen, and their three children to the States. Great Gramma Ellen's sons John, Sylvie and Pat Sullivan used to visit in Bridgeport by coming from Ansonia on the Trolley car. Another son, Daniel Francis Sullivan, went to work on the RR out West, in Pocatello, Idaho. Gramma and Grampa O'Connor met in Ansonia, CT and dated for a year before marrying in 1901.

            AND

I received a copy of my mother's Irish birth certificate, and forms (I'll send you copies if you're interested) to apply for Birth, Marriage, and Death certificates (and duplicate copies). At the time I wasn't aware if any of my mother's grand children wanted to pursue the Irish Passport idea, and only sent for one copy. I can now provide details, and copies of forms, for those interested.

Birth Record examination: I examined the official copy of my mother's birth and compared it to a xerox copy of my Gramma O'Connor's birth. It's always a good idea to do this, it eliminates obvious forgeries (remember the great sinners among our ancestors), shows changes of residence, official seats of records, fee structure, governance, speed of recording, et cetera. One almost always finds new information in re-examining old letters, forms, and photos. Don't just get the facts, analyze them - there is always some part of a story and a link to local history. SO ... My mother's birth was on 30 March 1905 in Scahanagh (a different spelling of a place name I'd seen numerous times). Her name was Bridget (not Bryde as she later chose - a tradition termed name of common repute within British Isles). Her parents were Denis O'Connor of Scahanagh and Bridget O'Connor, formerly Sullivan, Grampa listed as a farmer. Gramma registered the birth 01 August 1905; the registrar was William O'Donnell. Gramma's, and my mother's, birth certificates were registered in the District of Sneem, Superintendent Registrar's District of Kenmar (Gramma pg91 vs Mom's Kenmare pg298). The copy for Gramma showed Skahanagh, vice Scahanagh. Both show County Kerry and the format was consistent. The 1942 copy showed receipt for fees (1997 one didn't) and both had imprints. These are important, as they show the administrative (taxation, voting ...) areas likely to show up in other records. Gaelic terms changed somewhat between 1942 and 1997.  The new form carries a warning about altering the data; the older one doesn't. It appears that Gramma and Grampa O'Connor lived at the Sullivan home in 1904/5, rather than with Grampa's parents. The Sullivans evidently lived in Skahanagh 1870's - 1905 (or longer). Sylvie Sullivan entered his mark (X) on the earlier form.

HICUZ 19 –

I incorrectly identified one of my mother's siblings who accompanied her to this country. The sister who accompanied my mother, her mother and grandmother, brother Daniel and her uncle Sylvester Sullivan from Cork to Ellis Island in 1906 was Eileen (not Geraldine).

            AND

Joke - courtesy laugh required for a politically incorrect, stereotypical entry from the Welsh Society of Fredericksburg. There was a shipwreck off a desert South Pacific. 10 Irishmen, 10 Scotsmen, 10 Welshmen, and 10 Englishmen were marooned, and not rescued for two long years. When found by an American warship, the Irish had learned how to distill Guinness from coconuts and were all inebriated; the Scots had learned to make bagpipes from the innards of goats and had formed a band; the Welsh had formed a choir and were all singing; and the English were still on the beach waiting to be introduced.

AND

SIBLINGS of Denis Joseph O'Connor; he b 25 Mar 1875, Caherhayes, Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Ireland.

            William O'Connor; b   ; m

            Daniel O'Connor; b   ; m

            Mary O'Connor; b  ; m Dennis Ready

            Norah O'Connor; b  ; m Michael Dillon

            Ellen "Nell" O'Connor; b  ; Sr Ann Gertrude; Sister of Charity

                        in Kansas (KS)

            Katherine O'Connor; b  ; Sr Mary Esther; Sr of Charity in KS

            Bridget O'Connor; b  ; m Patrick Curtin

            Patrick Daniel O'Connor; b  ; died as infant

            Patrick O'Connor; b  ; m Ellen Heffernan

            John O'Connor; b  ; m Mary Flynn

            David O'Connor; b  ; m  Johanna Fitzgerald

            James O'Connor; b  ; m Bridget "Bryde" ???

                        Unless otherwise shown by underlining, these O'Connors all grew to maturity and emigrated to America, after growing up in/near Caherhayes, Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Ireland.

SIBLINGS of Bridget Sullivan; she born 10 Mar 1875, Skahanagh, Caherdaniel, County Kerry, Ireland

            Abigail Marie Sullivan; b 1 Jan 1860; m William John Brew

            John Sullivan; b 1862; died as infant

            Dennis Sullivan; b 1868; m (1) Geneva Kelly (2) Sarah (??or

                        Delia)

            Mary Ellen Sullivan; b 3 Jun 1871;m Dennis Riordan

            John Shea Sullivan; b 5 May 1870; m Bridget Mulcahy

            Katherine Sullivan; b 1872; died as infant

            Patrick Sullivan; b 1873; m (1) Helen Casey; (2) Sarah Donnelly

            Katherine Sullivan; b 15 Aug 1878; Sr Mary Dosethius (Dosie),

                        Sister of Mercy in Hartford, CT

            Helen M. (Nellie) Sullivan; b ; Sr Mary Patrick; Sister of

                        Mercy in Hartford, CT

            Daniel Francis Sullivan; b 20 May 1882; m Mary Lyons

            Sylvester Sullivan; b 16 Dec 1884; m Katherine Langan

                        ????(1) Mary Dillon (2) Eleanor Riordan

            My records suggest all but Abigail Marie were born in Skahanough, Caherdaniel, County Kerry, Ireland.  The Sullivan data I owe to Margaret (Sullivan) Campbell. I have handwritten notes suggesting Great Gramma Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan had four sisters: Mrs ?? (Bowler) McCarthy of West Haven, CT; Mrs ??             (Bowler) Galvin of Cambridge, MA; Mrs ?? (Bowler) Donahue of Cambridge, MA; and another unspecified sister. These Sullivans all emigrated to America.

AND

Bridgeport's Vital Records office. It was a copy of the "Medical Certificate of Death" and "Undertaker's Certificate" for Great Gramma Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan.  The cause of her 2 Feb 1919 death is given as Apoplexy, with duration noted as 30 days. The attending physician was Daniel P. Griffin; her place of residence as 2010 Seaview Avenue. Other information given: she was noted as the widow of Sylvester Sullivan and the daughter of John Bowler and Kate Sullivan (was she a relative also???). Both parents were noted as born in Ireland. She is noted as born in Ireland in 1847, and as 72 years of age at death.

            AND

Maps, cartography - the lay of the land - One can even call up, save, print, or review maps of innumerable places around the world from the INTERNET. While to some this may seem "fluff" or of dubious value, I would suggest that it can lead an increasing number of cousins into their own research, and facilitate locating sources. Some may be of no value; my search of maps of Caherdaniel, County Kerry, showed a map with less detail than others I have. Maps are important as a research tool; the <www.mapquest.com> source was too slow to show Caherhayes, Limerick County). I have tried maps of Ringold Street in Brownsville, TX and Fort Hill Street in (West) Hingham, MA; that attempt was using <www.maps/yahoo.com/yahoo> and let me print a scalable map of where Second Lt John Angus McDonald, USMC lived with his first wife, Cassie.  On another map, provided as part of brochure from the Irish Tourist Board (propaganda for travel, naturally) I  found the town of Ballyhahil, the source of two Shanahans whose address I can't divulge, but who receive our newsletter. Ballyhahil is about twenty miles from Limerick city, and thirty miles north of Abbeyfeale. Names of towns, cities, and even homes (a British and Irish tradition) often reveal clues for locating the sources of ancestors. As an example, Caherdaniel or CaherXXX means castle of Daniel or XXX. SOOO, Caherhayes, where Grampa Denis O'Connor is from (near Abbeyfeale, Limerick County) may be near an old ruins.

I'm pursuing the purchase of one or more "Ordnance" maps of Ireland; these are maps developed by the British Army, and/or the Irish army, mapping/cartography departments, since Irish independence. They provide excruciating detail. Here is one source for the maps, which are done in four parts, North, South, East, and West. The cost is $9.95 each, plus tax and S&H, from The Complete Traveler, 199 Madison Ave, NYC, NY, 10016 @ 1-212-685-9007.

            AND

Received a nice letter from my aunt Tish O'Connor, along with a contribution. She also provided the addresses for several cuzzes who had recently moved. She also added to the store of information on my grandparents. Tish recalls that her mother often mentioned living in Sneem (which is quite near where she worked at the Parknasilla Hotel) and in Kerry, probably a generalized reference to Kerry County. Skahanagh is a small section of land near the town of Caherdaniel where my mother was actually born. Tish also recalls her father's mention of Abbeyfeale in Limerick. Caherhayes is a district or area near Abbeyfeale, where O'Connor cousins still live. She also told of my mother's telling, with a smile on her face, of her name being spelled "BRYDE", rather than Bridget.  All these little stories, and especially the use of place names, re-occur in Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English, and other nationalities' traditions. My mother named the log cabin where she and my dad spent their summer months "Whitestrand", after a beach or cove (I expect) near Caherdaniel, as one cousin identified Skahanagh - up in the hills behind Caherdaniel.

HICUZ 20 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

(Dennis O’Connor) - A US Federal census report for Fairfield CT in 1920 shows that he arrived in 1898, so I'll have to see if I can find that arrival. Scanning the dates and ship names (steamships) revealed that Trans-Atlantic transit times were about five to ten days in 1906. This should help me narrow my search based on oral tradition of my mother's departure from Ireland at 13 months of age.

HICUZ 21 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

All cousins should consider starting their own family history project. Talk with your parents, grandparents, older relatives, and collect the stories, photos, mementoes, and treasure of your family. Ask them to let you do an oral or video interview, or better yet, several interviews. Ask any relatives who served in WWII, the Korean War, abroad or at home, to tell you about it. These stories will bring the War, the Depression, a family transition into different focus, and will enhance family unity. Write about their unit, ship, battles, war bond drives, ration cards, and other facets of those times which will be forgotten unless we preserve those stories.

            AND

To do your family history, start with yourself, like the inner core of an onion. Find your school records, old photos, get a birth certificate, then proceed to each successive outer layer - your parents, obtaining their stories and memories (you can get the documents later). To collect and preserve these treasures, you may want to put them together in a three ring binder. Read one or more HOW TO books on Genealogy or Family History. See if books have been written on your parents' ships, units, or battles - read them to capture the shared experiences of that time. Share your tips, sources, and discoveries (with tact) with your "cousins." 

            AND

O'Connor/Sullivan research - I've sent away for a copy of my O'Connor grandparents' marriage license, and church records of their marriage. I found the addresses searching on the INTERNET, using <www.invalley.org/derby/government.htm>. Barbara Moore is Town Clerk of Derby, CT @ 35 Fifth Street, Derby, CT 06418 (1-203-736-1462). Dennis O'Connor and Bridget Sullivan were married 5 June 1901 in Derby, CT at St Mary's Church and perhaps more source material can be gleaned from these records. Churches often retain records of banns, which are traditional announcements of the impending wedding, to allow anyone to say whether the couple has any impediments to the planned marriage. This policy continues, being announced in bulletins in churches, on church bulletin boards, or being posted near large city churches. Paralleling this, in this country, and possibly in Western European countries, were "bonds", typically sworn statements by the male brothers/father of the groom, recorded in court notes, which said the prospective groom was single, was trustworthy, and had no major debts. The Derby Public Library, at 313 Elizabeth street, Derby, CT 06418 (1-203-736-1482) has been sent a letter asking for their holdings of State, County, or local censuses, town directories, or street lists which cover this timeframe. Like an increasing number of libraries, Derby's has a database of books and source materials searchable via INTERNET, @ www.invalley.org/lib-online.html .

HICUZ 22- O'Connor/Sullivan roots

Sullivan Research - a summary, and a call for corrections:

Humphrey Sullivan b 1798            m 10 Feb 1823 in Killarney, Kerry to

Bridget (Shea) Sullivan. Marriage shown on FHC film #0025925.

Their Children:

Mary Sullivan b 1819/33 941.5 D 2C V.6

within film 0883697 (christenings only)

Albina Sullivan chr 8 Feb 1827, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

John Sullivan chr 26 July 1829, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Patrick Sullivan chr 3 May 1833, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Denis Sullivan chr 5 Aug 1835, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Humphrey Sullivan chr 22 Oct 1838, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Sylvester Sullivan chr  Skehanagh, Sneem, Kerry

See below

Film 0883697 covers church records from 1785 to 1818, christenings only, but offers a unique opportunity to find, perhaps, this entire family in one source.

Sullivan research - Sylvester Sullivan (data from IGI CD ROM and family sources) m Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan. Their Children:

Abigail Marie (Sullivan) Brew b 1 Jan 1860 Cork Irlnd

Batch 7020425, film 0538524

John Sullivan b 17 May 1865 Sneem, Kerry, Irlnd

Batch C701261, film covering 1865, 0101109

John Sullivan (2nd) b 5 May 1870 Caherdaniel, Kerry Irlnd

Batch 8335690, sht 95, film 1395694

Dennis Sullivan 1868 - not found in IGI search

Patrick Sullivan 1873 film 1395694

Daniel Sullivan b 20 May 1882 film 1395838

Sylvester Sullivan b 12 Dec 1884   ditto

Mary Ellen Sullivan 3 June 1871 Skehanagh, Galway

Batch 8335690, sheet 95, film 1395694

Katherine I - died in infancy 1872 (?)

batch F839612, sheet 31; film 1395758

Katherine II - Sr Mary Dosethius 15 Aug 1878 1395858

Helen "Nellie" - Sr Mary Patrick 15 Aug 1877

batch F848192, film 1395858

Bridget Sullivan 10 Mar 1875

batch 8421930, sheet 70; film 1395838

This last family is that of my Sullivan great grandparents and grandmother, who lived, as cousin Eleanore (Sullivan) Riordan said in a 5 July 1996 letter, "above Caherdaniel" near the Gabins [?Gibbons], Gleasons, and two other families.

Film # 0883697 noted above is partially based on research conducted by Mormon cousins, and reflects their submittal of data for "Temple ordinances." Some apparent errors exist in the data submitted for three Sullivan ancestors:

Bridget Sullivan, batch 8421930, sheet 70 says Clare County vice

Kerry County. This place of birth/baptism is suspect.

Mary Ellen Sullivan, batch 8335690, sheet 95 says Skehanagh,

Galway vice Kerry. This place of birth/baptism is suspect.

Abigail Marie Sullivan, batch 7020425, sheet 98, says Cork vice

Kerry County. This last may be true.

These particular church records for Killarney, County Kerry are on films 823803, 823804, 823805, and 823809. These are "parish registers" which include baptisms, marriages, and burials. The first two encompass 1785 - 1818, the last two 1840 - 1875, and thus offer a better opportunity to find this entire family (but many, many others) in several films. Films 0883697 and 0883698 are "register printouts, christenings . . . extracted from . . . parish registers."

            AND

In some future attempt to find out just exactly when my gramma Bridget (Sullivan) O'Connor [then single and traveling with older sister Mary Ellen (Sullivan) Riordan] arrived in 1895 (per 1920 Federal census of Connecticut) I'll have to do more film review. The SOUNDEX code for Sullivan is S 415, and within the records covering arrivals in NYC:

1820 - ca 1891 US Customs Service; no records for NYC

arrivals; Records Group 36

1897 - 1902  Immigration and Naturalization Service

Records Group 85 Indexed by Surname only

NYC records, 1897/1957 - T715 (8892 rolls)

RG85NYK1 = Natl archives Roll 104; FHC film 0821553

1902 - 1943 Immigration and Naturalization Service

Only 1902/1943 indexed by SOUNDEX

Records Group RG85NYK2 = Natl Arch Roll; FHC

            film #1380131

            AND

O'Connor Research - On order, microfilm 0821531 providing SOUNDEX codes for New York City immigrant arrivals, 1897/1902 (Nolan - Ola). The SOUNDEX for O'Connor is O 256. Film number 0821531 includes the indexed names of O'Connors who entered NYC in that timeframe. Grampa Dennis O'Connor's arrival of 1898 (noted in Federal census of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1920) is sought. If successful, the search will branch out and find the 1906 arrival of my mother, grandmother Bridget (Sullivan) O'Connor, great grandmother Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan, aunt Eileen O'Connor, and uncle Daniel O'Connor in the timeframe of April/June 1906. I need to order NYC arrivals under SOUNDEX code O 256, film # 1379997 to find my mother's arrival. 

The above sources shown are from the INTERNET, from

<www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/immigrant/immpass.html>

  and <www. familytreemaker.com/gramain.html>

and <www.cimorelli.com/pie/nara/naramenu.htm>

and <www.cimorelli.com/pie/nara/sounde11.htm>.

            AND

O'Connor research - A certified copy of the Marriage License of my O'Connor Grandparents from Derby, CT was received. Filed on the 28th day of May 1901, and signed by Grampa Denis O'Connor (first name signed with one "n"), it also contained a certification of marriage by Father George Fogarty of St Mary's Parish in Derby. The copy offered no new information, merely stating Ireland as birthplaces for Gramma Bridget Sullivan and Grampa Denis O'Connor.

The rectory of St Mary's Church in Derby, CT was called; the rectory number is 203-735-3341. Perhaps the records in the church (going back to its founding in 1851) contained helpful information about the parishes of Gramma and Grampa O'Connor. NO, but it did list James O'Connor and Katarina {Katherine II, later a nun - an earlier sister by the same name predeceased her} Sullivan as the witnesses to their wedding. The oral tradition I heard was that one of Grampa's younger brothers came to America later as he was "just ahead of the British."

HICUZ 23 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

O'Connor research - Review is complete for a film rented through the local FHC. Before I share what I found, let me show what info is included (when the writing is legible). Covered in film # 0821531, NY 16 June 1897/30 June 1902, (? National Archives T 519-82), and alphabetically listed, are surnames running from Nolan to O. Form 548 New York City annotates immigrant arrivals; it has 9 lines:

Line one - Family name    Given name   Accompanied by

Line two - Place of birth, country   age in years/months  Sex  four

letters, circling one indicates class of passage (S steerage)

Occupation  Read/ Write (Yes or no)

Line three - Race (ie English or Irish)  Nationality (Irish in this

case)   Last permanent residence (usually Town or county)

Line four - Name and address of nearest relative whence came above

Line five - Ever is US?  From   To      Where?   Passage paid by?

Line six - Name and address of close relatives or friends to join

there

Line seven - Money shown   Ever arrested and deported or excluded

from admission

Line eight - Height  Complexion  Hair   Eyes   Distinguishing marks

Line nine - Seaport   Date  Name of Steamship

Often under this last line is info on departure port

I scanned all the O'Connors listed, looking for Great Grampa Denis. Before I started I made a small guide, with Grampa and his siblings birth years, and a column indicating their ages in 1895 and 1900. This would let me screen out those with similar names. I'll list the arrivals in chronological sequence, with clues underlined:

Nora O'Connor; age 19; h'maid; steerage alone, paid by self; from Abbeyfeale; can read/write; never in US; cousin in NY City; never arrested or deported; came with what looks like 10 w/ Pound symbol; arrived 6 May 1898 or 99 on SS Brittanic. notes - sailed from Queenstown (now Cork) K-29-44. White Star Line. Married Michael Dillon. POSSIBLE.

GRAMPA Denis O'Connor; age 20; laborer; steerage alone, paid by self; from Abbeyfeale; can read/write; never in US; Derby City, Conn bro Patrick; never arrested or deported; came w/ $10.00; arrived 9 August 1898 on SS Majestic. notes - Queenstown D-25-62. White Star Line. Married Bridget Sullivan. POSITIVE.

Nellie (Ellen) O'Connor; age 18; srvt; steerage alone paid by sister; from Abbeyfeale; can read/write; never in US; NY 2 sisters - Nora O'Connor and 2 brothers - 108 E 10th St; never arrested or deported; came w/ $9.50; arrived 12 October 1898 on SS Lucania. notes Queenstown G-6-70. Cunard Line. Became Sister Ann Gertrude. POSITIVE

John O'Connor; age 20; laborer; steerage alone, paid by sister; can read/write; from Abbeyfeale; never in US; Ansonia, Conn bro 130 North State St; never arrested or deported; came w/ $12.00; arrived 19 April 1900 on SS Teutonic. notes - D-8-19. White Star Line. Married Mary Flynn. POSITIVE

Nora O'Connor; age 19; h'maid; steerage alone; paid by self; from Abbeyfeale; can read/write; never in US; Hoboken, NY, sister Mrs O'Shea; 54 Garden Street; never arrested or deported; came with 15 (symbol not recognizable); arrived 10 May 1900 on SS Oceanic; notes - H 17 199. White Star Line. ?? married Michael Dillon. POSSIBLE.

Patrick O'Connor; age 22; laborer; steerage alone, paid by brother; from Abbeyfeale; can read/write; looks like was in US for 2 years - in what looks like brother John at Bridgeport, Conn - 114 (or 124) Highland Ave.; never arrested or deported; looks like 5 pounds;  arrived 24 Sep 1900 (or 1902) on SS Oceanic. notes D -7-444. White Star Line. Married Ellen Heffernan. POSITIVE

I found no David, Mary, or Daniel O'Connor for these years who "fit." Other O'Connors from Abbeyfeale went across the US, from Mass to Illinois. Analysis suggests that Nora was the first to come (English, rather than American money). Patrick probably followed; he had been here before, for two years - probably coming through NYC and going to Connecticut. I found a note from a conversation with my mother that there was a Sullivan uncle (?wife was Bride) and cousin(s) in New York when Gramma Bridget Sullivan and her sister Mary Ellen (Sullivan) Riordan arrived.

            AND

The Derby, CT Public Library replied to a request for a listing of holdings covering the period my O'Connor grandparents lived there. The material has all been moved to Ansonia during expansion, and they forwarded the query to Ansonia. Ansonia Library's Ms Phyllis Judd, 53 South Cliffs Steet, Ansonia, CT 06401-1909, sent along some helpful info on Denis O'Connor's Connecticut residences and jobs:

Year                 Ansonia                                                                      Derby

1901  No Ansonia listing                                       No Derby listing

1902      ditto                                                               ditto

1903  Laborer  41 Rockwood Avenue, Ansonia            ditto

1904    "                                               ditto                             ditto

1905  Moved to Seymour, CT

1906  Emp @ Seymour Mfg Co.      Home @ 48 Pearl Street

1907                ditto                 Home @ Maple Street

1908                            ditto                             ditto

1909                            ditto                             ditto

1910      Moved to Bridgeport, CT

Women were not listed in those directories, so no reference appeared to Bridget. The Seymour, Ansonia, Derby area of Connecticut at the time was termed "Brass Valley", as it produced most of America's brass. Factories in the area were:

Ansonia:  Wallace & Sons; Coe Brass Mfg Co.; Ansonia Brass & Copper Co.; Ansonia Mfg Co.; Ansonia Smelting & Metal Co.; Farrel Foundry; Phelps Foundry; Cook Co.

Derby: Birmingham Iron Foundry

Seymour: Seymour Mfg Co.

Source: Brass Industry in Connecticut, Wm Lathrop

            AND

I read a book several months back (in late 1997), The Oxford Guide to Family History, by Richard Hey, Oxford University Press, 1993. "Cousin" T. David Wroe of Manchester England mentioned the same book as one recommended in the Genealogy course he's taking. As I read it, notes were made which bear on the family histories under study. Most British of the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries moved infrequently. The book observes that when they moved, it was not far, and they usually married those within 20 miles. Manchester in its 1851 census reflected 13% of its populace as Irish, who had little upward mobility within England. This was because, in most cases, the Irish were predominantly farmers, rather than the skilled mechanical workers of Industrial Revolution England. Glasgow had 18% Irish, while Liverpool had 22%. Liverpool was the dominant port for British heading to Australia's gold rush (1850's), America's gold rush (1840's), or anywhere to escape the Potato Famine in Ireland.

When people traveled any distance in that era, the distance could be significant; by 1815 over 600 British ships stopped at Quebec alone. In that period, up to 25% of urban residents were servants, and I've noted numerous servants of rather small families. The book also noted that "all ranks of society aspired to romantic love ..." rather than arranged marriages. The feeling of most people, especially in an age where only Anglican, Jewish, and Quaker marriages were recognized, was that a man and woman were married when they pledged "mutual acceptance and fidelity", more so than by a church ceremony. The book also noted that "children of the middle and lower ranks of society frequently met their future partners while they were servants or apprentices, away from parental supervision . . . The largest single category of wives came from the same occupational backgrounds as their husbands." Two questions come to mind; how did great grampa Thomas Wroe/Rowe meet Mary Ellen Meagher? Did they marry?

The population was shifting to cities across Europe, and by 1851 the majority of British residents were in cities. Most city dwellers in Industrial Revolution England "lived in acceptable conditions." "The 1860s saw the beginning of a period of rapid suburban growth." Manchester alone saw its population grow by 45% just between 1821 and 1831. Times were rough, and men could only expect to live to 43.7 years by 1881. The age at marriage varied, and records noted "of full age" or "of age." It varied from 16 to 25, on average, affected by factors such as the urban or rural traditional nature of the locale.

            AND

Research sources - I scanned several books recently: Rivalry on the Atlantic, Commander Wm Mack Angus, Furman Press, 1939; A Century of Atlantic Travel; 1830-1930, Frank Charles Bowen, Little, Brown & Co. Boston, MA, 1930; Crossings, Walter T.K. Nugent, Indiana University Press, 1992. Harbor and Haven; an illustrated history of the port of New York, John G. Bunker, Windsor Publications, Woodland Hills, CA, 1979;  Immigrant and Passenger Arrivals,; a selected catalog of National Archives microfilm publications, National Archives and Records Admin (NARA); 2nd edn, 1983. The first four yielded a wealth of nautical information about steamship lines of the 1870's through 1930's. Specifically they yielded details of the White Star Lines, and details and photos of the ship, SS Majestic, on which my O'Connor grandfather arrived in America (see page two above). PURE GOLD, and worth sharing, as representative of the immigrant (to America or Canada) experience of the 1890's and early 1900's. I have tried to frame the description to apply to the more general conditions of passage experienced by a broad representation of American cousins.

PURE GOLD - The White Star (Oceanic Steamship Company) Line was founded in 1871 by Ismay, Imrie and Co of Liverpool; it started with existing clipper ships used to make the trade runs to Australia. White Star made its mark by building and using iron hulled steam passenger liners, the Oceanic, Baltic, Atlantic, Adriatic, Republic, and Celtic. The line popularized the use of reciprocating, double or triple expansion steam engines connected via shafts to propellers, vice then prevalent side wheels. While using coal, the ships still retained (and regularly used) sails to augment propulsion (and save on fuel). The quality of construction, speed of passage, and competitive fares soon made these ships "the most popular on the Atlantic."  A later, larger, and more recognizable White Star Line vessel, the Titanic, is the subject of current box office success.

In 1889 the Teutonic and Majestic were launched at Belfast, by Harland and Wolff, with the Teutonic appearing in that years' Royal Navy review at Spithead. Both these ships were built as "auxiliary cruisers", to be equipped with guns should a war come. Both England and Germany, only recently united in 1871 into a single country, were competing for commercial dominance of the seas in a more active way than say America or France. In 1896 these "auxiliary" contracts were renewed, and these two ships re-equipped, and the "old 5 inch muzzle-loading guns, absolutely useless for such a purpose, were replaced by 4.7 inch breechloaders backed up by a number of 4.5 inch Nordenfeldt machine guns which were then considered quite sufficient to stop a torpedo boat."  Designations as "auxiliaries" enabled the owners to collect yearly subsidies, which, added to passenger fares and payment for carrying mails (4 pounds per pound of letters and fourpence a pound per pound of newspaper - from England's General Post Office), yielded yearly returns of up to eleven percent. Carrying the government's mails also implied a greater confidence in a particular line which would inevitably translate to greater passenger loads.

The Majestic and Teutonic were "fast vessels", running the Atlantic in passages averaging about seven days, at an average 18 plus knots, as against 14 plus for the ships of two decades prior. There was a long extant "race" across the Atlantic, with lines competing for the best average speed, and the "Blue Ribbon." Holders of this title got no monetary advantage, but lots of publicity. Majestic held the title for several years at over 20 knots. Their design speed was twenty knots, though they typically went slower. Recall that they burned coal and high speeds required lots of shovelling (320 tons per day).

Majestic entered service April 1890 under Captain Parsell. Her maiden passage westward took 6 days and 10 hours, her eastward (return) was accomplished in 6 days, 58 minutes for an average speed of 18.31 knots. Her hull was 560 feet overall, she displaced 10,670 tons, had three masts (for her sails), two funnels, and 18,500 shaft horsepower from nine boilers. One can even admire the structural safety of the ships, as their length was effectively subdividied into compartments with no fore/aft linkage, i.e. you had to go up several decks to go forward or aft to the next compartment. The ships' fifteen transverse bulkheads ascended vertically fifteen feet above the waterline, making progressive flooding from one compartment to another unlikely if the ship hit an iceberg or another ship.

The ships' beam (ships are always feminine because it costs so much to keep them properly decorated) of 58 feet made the ships stable and the overall "look" was pleasing. The two ships, larger than their predecessors, carried 540 first class, 200 second class, and 1000 third class (steerage) passengers, plus 4000 tons of fine cargo. I saw no capacity listed for coal, but it must have approached 3500 tons. Coal dust, within the boiler rooms, and often in nearby compartments, could be stifling and hazardous as an explosion risk.

Steerage - You're probably all dying to read this, as so many of our ancestors travelled this way. The vast majority of immigrants had little money, and saw America (and Canada) as a mecca for economic advancement, as well as being politically, religiously, and socially more free. It was the bottom line which made steerage the way to go. IT WAS CHEAP!  One source states that the "average price of a first class ticket was then twenty-two pounds, of a second class twelve pounds, and of a steerage passage only four guineas." An ad from the White Star Line itself says "steerage fare to New York, Boston, or Philadelphia was "Six Guineas (L6 6S) including a plentiful supply of cooked Provisions. Children under Eight years Half Fare, and Infants under 12 months L1 1S." Fare wars saw this go to five pounds in 1891, down later. The fare equated, said another source, to "$20 to $25 for the trip." Passengers, even the poorest of Europe's "huddled masses", "by selling everything they had {or having a relative who preceded them buy them passage}, they were able to raise money for a trip to the nearest seaport and buy the low-cost ticket to America." Please note who paid for Grampa and his siblings, and note how closely in time the O'Connors emigrated.

"It was the custom of most lines to embark the steerage or third-class travelers first because there were usually so many more of them and the problem of getting them settled in their quarters . . . took time."  First class were last on and first off, at pierside, while others embarked and debarked via boats. On some lines, and from some ports, at differing times, the various ethnic, racial, or religious groups were segregated into different compartments. Almost always men and women were separated, though family groups were kept together as often as accommodations allowed.

All steerage passengers, no matter on what line or ship, got the least comfortable, least clean, and most inconvenient compartments. These were typically near the ships' stem and stern, ahead and below near the bow, or aft and below near the stern, adjacent to the noisy steering gear room and engineering spaces. These spaces, because of their relative position, experienced less of the ships' rolls (side-to-side), but much more of its' pitching (up-and-down) motion. They were more noisy, more dusty, less well ventilated and lighted. As time went by, however, their general cleanliness, healthfulness, brightness, and ventilation improved.

A 1880's vintage White Star Line ad noted, among many things (in fine print), that "An experienced surgeon is carried by each Steamer . . . Passengers will be provided with berths to sleep in, each adult having a separate berth; but they have to provide themselves with a plate, mug, knife, fork, spoon, and water can , also bedding - all of which can be purchased on shore for about L10 . . . MARRIED COUPLES, WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WILL BE BERTHED TOGETHER, FEMALES will be Berthed in rooms by themselves . . . BILL OF FARE - Each Passenger will be supplied with 3 quarts of Water daily, and with as much Provisions as he can eat, which are all of the best quality, and which are examined and put on board under the inspection of Her Majesty's Emigration Officer, and cooked and served by the Company's servants." Three meals are described, which varying sources report, for the timeframe 1890 onward, as ample, well prepared, and of good quality. Each adult passenger was allowed ten cubic feet for luggage, with saloon {First and Second class} passengers allowed twice this amount.

"All Steerage Passengers embarking at Queenstown must be at the Office of the Agent at Queenstown {Cork} not later than six o'clock p.m. of the day before sailing when the balance of the passage-money must be paid or the deposit forfeited, and all Passengers will have strictly to conform to the Rules laid down by the Company in order to meet the requirements of the Government Emigration Officer. Contract tickets will be issued for the Noon of the day previous to the advertised date of sailing."

An 1891 advertisement by the Lloyd Line showed a significant change in steerage focus, that line opting to "lend every steerage passenger an enamelled dinner service, a spoon and a fork, and to present him or her with a blanket which might be taken away at the end of the voyage." Competition amongst the lines suggests that Grampa O'Connor and his siblings had similar utensils provided. It appears the O'Connors were happy with these ships, made just down the road in Belfast, and waited hopefully on Cork's docks for their passages.

It is worthwhile to recall the story of the May/June 1853 Josephus passage of the Wroe/Rowe great grandparents in comparison with this story, as the changes are significant. Some things don't change, as a reporter working for an English paper, reported after travelling "steerage." "Everyone had some antidote for the much-dreaded seasickness - from lime drops to patent medicines and raw onions. It was later to be proved that 'not one of these antidotes had the slightest effect.'"

1890's immigrant arrivals - Ellis Island opened in New York in 1892, dovetailing with increased Federal immigrant laws and inspection to ensure only the healthiest, sanest, capable, and moral immigrants got to stay. Immigration to the US and Canada had been heavy in the 1880's, lower in the 1890's. Many immigrants to Canada "fell over" the border into the US, so many so that from 1851 to 1950 Canada's population remained almost stagnant although great numbers arrived. Federal inspection in New York, Boston, Philly often deferred passage; response here to an 1892 cholera outbreak in Hamburg almost stopped emigration from that port. A personal context to this process of inspection is the medical screenings by my father in Portland, Maine's harbor during WWII and the years thereafter. In many cases, the inspection required by law was enforced only by accident on those of better means. "First- and second-class cabin passengers did not have to go through the immigration stations, it being assumed, with some logic, that those who could afford to ride across in style were most likely to be people in good health and with enough money that they would not become public charges." In the early years of this century (so soon it will be another) anti-immigrant restrictions became more prevalent, especially against Chinese and Japanese immigrants, and those from southern Europe and the Middle East.

We often think that every immigrant wanted to come and STAY. Many sought merely to earn enough to return to their homelands in a better condition economically. Please note one of Grampa O'Connor's siblings had been here before, gone back to Ireland, then returned to America.

Most shipping lines were affiliated with or a part of railroads. The White Line had such a connection with the Erie Railroad, offering and advertising connections to America's West, South-West, and North. Agents also could book passage on to China, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. This commercial connection existed for decades.

HICUZ 24 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

18th and 19th C naming traditions - courtesy of "cousin" T. David Wroe of Altrincham, England. This pattern was often used:

MALES            First born son - after father's father

Second born son - after mother's father

Third born son - after father

Fourth born son - after father's eldest brother

Fifth born son - after father's 2nd oldest brother, or

mother's oldest brother

FEMALES            First born daughter - after mother's mother

Second born daughter - after father's mother

Third born daughter - after mother

Fourth born daughter - after mother's eldest sister

Fifth born daughter - after mother's 2nd eldest sister, or

father's eldest sister

            AND

O'Connor research - From a phone conversation with Aunt Tish O'Connor, her father assisted a younger brother and his wife Bryde when the family lived on Arctic Street. She doesn't think it was John, James, David, Daniel, or William. This would have been the brother who might have been "just ahead of the British." Who was it? Well, consider which male siblings of Grampa O'Connor we have data for, AND those we do not!

Of grampa's brothers, David and Daniel remained in Ireland; Patrick, John, and James went to America. I am not certain if Patrick Daniel married Bridget Fitzgerald and left Ireland, or died as an infant. James' wife was named Bridget ???? and I have notes saying they lived in New York; James and Bridget had two children, Donald Brian O'Connor, who went to Hollywood and produced films, and Beatrice, later Sister Theresa Miriam, of the Dominican Sisters in Sparkhill, NY. I believe that James, for reasons real or imagined, felt he was "on the lam."

            AND

The Family History Center called last night (March 11th) and said another microfilm had arrived. Hopefully, it's film # 1379997, NYC arrivals indexed by SOUNDEX code O 256, and I'll be able to find my mother's arrival in the timeframe April/June 1906. The form I used is included here and in other newsletters; I hope others will pick up family history and the form will help their particular search.

Pre- 1909 Passenger Arrival forms (Natl Archives)

Pre 1909 Passenger

Name ____________________________      Age _____________ Group _________  List _________     Sex ________ Citizen of _______________ Steamer ________________   Line _________________ Date ___________                              NEW YORK

I looked for the following passengers, hopefully in one group, but perhaps separately. I searched for each person, using SOUNDEX O256.

Mrs Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan                age 59

Mrs Bridget (Sullivan) O'Connor            age 31

Mr Sylvester Sullivan                         age 22

Miss Eileen O'Connor                                 age 4

Master Daniel O'Connor                     age 2.5 

Miss Bridget O'Connor                     age 13 months

Maybe Dennis O'Connor                    age 31

I went through the microfilm (twice)- and did not find any of them. I progressively searched for each in alphabetical order. My hopes were dashed, although I had previously been through this same film twice at the National Archives without success. I scanned for James O'Connor and his wife Bridget, but didn't find people who fit.

I then re-reviewed the other earlier (1897-1902) NYC alphabetical arrival listing. There was a James O'Connor who might fit. This James was 31, a laborer, could read/write, was never in US, was from Newtown Sandes (??), and was going to Ansonia, CT to meet a brother and (?) Miss Geoghegan of 7 Maple Street. Recall that the Ansonia Library response has a 1907 Directory domicile for Grampa O'Connor of Maple Street. I also spotted a potential Bridget O'Connor; she was from Cahirciveen, was 25, a servt, could read/write, never in US, had $10.00, was going to Bridgeport, CT to meet a sister, and arrived 9/22/1898 on SS Teutonic, J-22-64.

            AND

Sullivan research - With hopes of still finding out when my gramma O'Connor "crossed the pond", first as Bridget Sullivan, and then as Mrs Bridget O'Connor, I've ordered two microfilms: 0821553 NYC arrivals 1897/1902, the alphabetical listing which will include Sullivans; and 1380131, NYC arrivals 1902/1943, the SOUNDEX listing which will include Sullivans (S415). I have hope that my gramma O'Connor, traveling with her brother Sylvester and mother Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan, may have used her maiden name for travel documentation. I re-reviewed some old notes about a film, and found that I had noted a Bridget Sullivan; that particular Bridget was 35, traveling with two family members, and arrived 3 November 1905 on a White Star Line steamship. For my own remembrance, I had previously reviewed film rolls 630, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 714, and 717.

HICUZ 25 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

Research aid, Ireland, Antrim -Irish Emigration Lists, 1833-1839 Brian Mitchell, 1989, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD. I reviewed this source briefly, as its lists of emigrants are from Antrim and Londonderry, a bit far afield from my focus. Of general interest were notes as to the origins of the Ordnance Survey, started in 1791 as a way to map the British Isles prior to threat of invasion by Napoleon's troops. The maps of southern England were first published in 1801. These surveys were published on toto in 1835/1846 and used from 1848/1864 as the basis of Griffith's Valuation (GV - an assessment for land and property taxes). The GV identified each of 60462 Irish townlands and initially the concept was to incorporate remarks of local history for each parish. This rapidly became an overwhelming task and was discontinued, with the original 52 boxes of descriptions now in safekeeping at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. The townlands are recognized as administrative divisions to this date, tracing their origins back to ancient Gaelic "Bally Betagh" divisions, just as parts of Britain retain hundreds, waplands, and hides - holdovers of very ancient land division names. How does this concern us, well, if one is to research in Ireland, Britain, in Portugal or Italy, the names of places and administrative divisions change over time, and often appear in charts, maps, or such things as Ordnance Surveys.

These civil designations sometimes agree with, but often do not equate to, other divisions, as with parishes, or clerical divisions. In some places (it is so near Manchester, England) one expects to see civil and religious parishes coincide, but this is not always the case, and one should examine both. Other land divisions, such as the (now historic, ie not in use) baronies of Ireland, may appear on various geographic presentations. Irish baronies originated with ancient Celtic tribal divisions or "tuatha", but were subsequently multiplied and subdivided over the centuries; current names, where appearing, represent a combination of Celtic, Norman French, and English influences and are the basis of current Irish County lines. I haven't looked, but I expect the same process to be relevant to Scotland, and Wales. So, in looking for places in any country, one should expect a variation in nomenclature, size, and importance in the administrative and clerical boundaries. Wasn't that fascinating?

The Ordnance Survey chart of southern Ireland came in, and isn't of a scale to help identify where my O'Connor and Sullivan grandparents were born. Next order of business is to obtain the 1:50,000 scale versions for Counties Kerry and Limerick.

            AND

O'Connor research - A cousin wrote and shared a family story of my O'Connor great grandfather, Daniel Joseph Patrick O'Connor, and one of James O'Connor, his son and a younger brother of my grandfather.

The funeral of Daniel Joseph was apparently disrupted by Black and Tans, who blocked the funeral procession on its way into Abbeyfeale for the burial. The procession had to secretly carry the casket cross-country to the river and along its bank to the cemetery, then return the same way. This suggests his date of death was between 1916/1922. AND James was apparently arrested during the Easter 1916 uprising (?in Dublin), and when he attempted to escape his partner was killed. To avoid being entangled with the uprising further, James made his way back to jail.

            AND

Second cousin Jill (O'Connor) Kelly -  Jill said her father, Daniel Joseph "Joe" O'Connor was born in Ansonia, CT to Patrick and Ellen (Heffernan) O'Connor in 1899. Patrick was 26; Ellen was 27 at "Joe's" birth. This corrects my misinterpretation of the note in newsletter 23 of Patrick's arrival date as September of 1900 or 1902. Also, piecing together that my grandfather Denis mentioned his bro. Patrick in "Derby City, Conn" at his arrival in August 1898, that means the only Sept within that 1897-1902 group of records had to have been September 1897. As Patrick had been to the US earlier and worked out West in Kansas as a cowboy, this means his earlier arrival could have been 1894/95. Does anyone have a clue as to whom Patrick worked for near Kansas City?  Jill added that the older brother, Patrick Daniel O'Connor did die very early, perhaps at 2 years old. Jill and Henry have been to the O'Connor ancestral home in Caherhayes, "on the most beautiful hill in all of Limerick." Someday I hope to also.

            AND

CORRECTION: Let me correct another minor error; while my grandfather's NYC passenger arrival record form shows arrival on 9 August 1898, a separate ship arrival record says the 11th.

CORRECTION: Newsletter 22 reported a phone conversation with St Mary's parish records in Derby, CT told me that James O'Connor and Katarina Sullivan were witnesses to the wedding of my grandfather. I re-read a copy of the parish wedding certificate and it states John O'Connor and Catherine Sullivan.

Who was "Kate" Sullivan? My O'Connor grandparents' wedding record says Catherine Sullivan was a witness and I reported in newsletter 22 that this was Bridget (Sullivan) O'Connor's sister, later to be Sister Mary Dosethius (Sr Dosie). Could it also have been Catherine (Sullivan) Bowler, Bridget's grandmother - in CT to see her sister? The reason this came up was a review of Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan's death certificate lists her mother as Kate Sullivan. Can any cousin help; this may determine when Catherine (Sullivan) Bowler died?

A cousin provided the following death dates for William and David O'Connor, siblings of my grandfather - William died 5 October 1957 at the age of 75; David died 27 January 1961.

AND

Received a nice card and family pedigree chart from first cousin Maryann Carroll of Stratford, CT. Maryann, recently retired from teaching, is about to research her Carroll ancestors in County Meath, Ireland. She related her mothers' story of our granduncle Patrick O'Connor putting a $.50 (fifty cent) deposit down on a home.

HICUZ 26 - O'Connor/Sullivan roots

Sullivan Research - Trying to find another "passage."  While my search for Grampa O'Connor's passage was relatively straightforward and highly successful, this was not the case with Gramma O'Connor, nor with finding my mom's passage. I have several potential dates to look at, and several possible siblings of Gramma O'Connor for whom data seems possible. I will still need to order and review specific films covering specific dates and ships, but success may prove illusive. First I'll present those Sullivans in the first timeframe, 1897/1902, that one film covers. Please provide feedback on which individual matches as your ancestor and why, or why not. The second period, 1902/1943 will be covered in the next newsletter.

SULLIVAN ALPHABETICAL REVIEW 1897/1902

FHC Film # 0821553 - National Archives film Roll 493, 1897/1902 Alphabetical index of NYC passengers arrivals - Review and findings

(Only potential ancestors noted)

Patrick             21            labr                  could read/write            steerage

origin not shown ever in US - no             paid by sister

Bridgeport, Conn   765 Fairfield Ave

$10.00   ever arrested- no     

Arrived 5/4/1902            SS Celtic            Queenstown T-1-450

(Katherine - would be 22 in 1900; no Katherines found.)

Katie                20            labr            could read/write            steerage

Caherdaniel            paid by sister    accom by Nora

ever in US - no   ever arrested - no

Derby, Conn            sister Bridget 304 Elizabeth St

Derby     $1.70

Arrived 7/20/1899            SS Majestic            A-16-127

Catherine (Sullivan) Bowler - would be ?? about 75???

56            H'keeper         not in steerage            accom by Ellen

Cahirciveen            ever in US-no  ever arrested-no

$45.00   pd by daughter  Hartford, Conn 

205 Windsor St

Arrived 9/4/1901            SS Majestic            C-1-360

            AND

Rereading old notes - From Greg and Donna Rowe's journal of a visit to Ireland I retrieved some Irish geographical updates and crucial clues Greg and Donna heard from second cousin Maura Moriarity. Abbeyfeale (in Limerick) is Mainestir Na Feile - pronounced Mannish te na fail a) and like Castlecove, is not on tourist maps as yet. Caherhayes is pronounced Caw her hayes. Bridget O'Shea was from Skilleen, Daniel Joseph O'Connor was from Grogeen (four miles from Meenahella), and Skehanegh is located in the hills above Caherdaniel and Castlecove (in Kerry).  Bridget Fitzgerald was from Killenegh (Killenich).

HICUZ 27- O'Connor/Sullivan roots

Received a nice letter and photo from first cousin once removed Nora (Curtin) Hartnett of Tournafulla, Ireland. The photo was a snap of family in front of the local church at the 28 March 98 50^Th celebration of her sister Mary becoming a nun. The picture included Dan O'Connor; Willie Curtin; Michael O'Connor; Nora; Sr Mary Curtin; Joan (Sr Esther); and Shelia (Sr Borgia). Nora shared a few bits of family history of my grandfather Denis O'Connor's siblings © of their (Denis, John, Patrick, Sr Esther, Sr Ann Gertrude, Mary O'Connor Reidy, Nora O'Connor Dillon) going in the early 1900s. She indicates that James, the youngest, went in 1922 or 1923; James married Bridie Fox from Roscommon and they had two children: Beatrice (who became Sr Theresa Miriam and who she last heard was in Maryland, and Donald, who was a Hollywood script writer). She recalls that Beatrice and Donald visited her mother's home in Meenahella on holidays when she

was a child. She had an old address for them: 419 East 93rd Street, New York City, NY 10028. She also shared that my three O'Connor grand uncles who remained in Ireland: William (Bill) married Mary Cahill; Daniel (Dan) married Mary Lenahan; David (Dave) married Daisy Fitzgerald. Nora's mother Nora O'Connor married Patrick Curtin.

            AND

A letter and copy of a birth certificate, from first cousin once removed Catherine (Sullivan) Shrum of Nampa, Idaho, was of her father, my grand©uncle, Daniel Francis Sullivan. The certificate reflected his birth in Skahanaough (near Caherdaniel) and was

registered in the district of Sneem, Superintendent©Registrar's district of Kenmare, County Kerry. The birth was on 20 May 1882 and was registered by Sylvie (Sylvester) Sullivan, who put his mark on the registration of 10 June 1882. William O'Donnell was the Registrar. The birth is recorded in the Register Book of Births as entry 867 (or possibly 367). I'm reinserting the note, as it bears on Sullivan research.

HICUZ 28 –

                                                GOLD MINE!!!!!

Summary - First of all were Griffith's Valuations, taken in 1852, for the families of my O'Connor (and related) and Sullivan (and related) families, actually one generation further back than I've been before. Next were Irish census records for Kerry and Limerick counties in 1901, each of which reflected my great grandparents' families and my grandparents' siblings. Found for my Wroe/Rowe great grandparents is what I hope is their marriage date, and a civil record copy of the marriage is on order. Also found were parts of the 1881 English census (arranged with a surname index) which showed several siblings (and their families) of my great grandfather, Thomas Wroe (Rowe). Also found and recorded was a listing of Directories for the City of Manchester and its surroundings. Appropriate sized copies of the Ordnance maps for Kerry and Limerick were not available. Although the 1911 Irish census data is not yet available for review, I found the designations of census parcels for appropriate areas in Kerry and Limerick counties, Ireland.

1852  O'Connor research - Griffith's Valuation, call no. Q941.5, R2g, volume 88 (or film 0844986 at Fam Hist Library), was taken 9 September 1852 and records the household, in Limerick County, Glenquin Barony, Caher Electoral District, Newcastle County District, Abbeyfeale Parish, and Caherhayes Townland, of my great, great grandparents (notice the extra great, we're getting back further in records). In my zeal I forgot to record all the data, but will on my next trip. I did make copies of the pages encompassing Abbeyfeale proper and its surrounding region, and some data on Caherhayes (pg 10), so future research has a starting point.

From Greg and Donna Rowe's journal of a visit to Ireland I retrieved some crucial clues. Bridget O'Shea was from Skilleen, Daniel Joseph O'Connor was from Grogeen (four miles from Meenahella), and Bridget Fitzgerald was from Killenegh (Killenich).

The 1852 Caherhayes Griffith's Valuation data (page ten) showed no O'Connors, though I found a Michael (O') Connors, renting several plots from a Patrick Hayes. Caherhayes was described as "mountain and meadows", with a total area of just over 716 acres, with the land assessed at 174 pounds, 3 shillings, no pence; buildings as 10 pounds, 10 shillings, no pence. Michael Connors rented land worth 3 pounds, 15 shillings, no pence; and no value assessed to any buildings. Pretty slim information.

            Abbeyfeale proper (the town), and areas surrounding it had a number of Fitzgeralds, McAuliffes, McEnerys, and other familiar family names in 1852, so lots of digging is ahead. I expect land, whenever possible (and since this is after the horrors of the Potato Famine), stayed in the family.  I did note that Abbeyfeale had a separate cemetery for children, no doubt reflecting a large number of deaths from the potato blight. 

            Fitzgerald research - A Thomas Fitzgerald rented in Abbeyfeale West (in 1852), a house, land and an office from Richard Ellis, who seems to have owned most land thereabouts in 1852.  The land was just over 62 acres (62//2//0) and was assessed at 17 pounds, 10 shillings. The house was assessed at 1 pound, 5 shillings. Thomas Fitzgerald also owned a house valued at 6 shillings, and a house and garden valued at 8 shillings. In Abbeyfeale West also noted were Maurice Hartnett, and Jeremiah and John Sullivan.

            In Abbeyfeale East, a Patrick Sullivan rented several pieces of land from the same Richard Ellis. A Patrick Hartnett and a William Fuller Hartnett rented lands from William Murphy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1852  Bowler/Sullivan research - Griffith's Valuation, call no. Q941.5, R2g, volume 68 (or film 0844984 at Fam Hist Library), was taken in August 1852 and records the household, in Kerry County, Dunkerron South Barony, Castlecove Electoral District, Kenmare County District, Kilcrohane Parish, and Skehanagh Townland, of great, great grandfather John Bowler and the family of great great grandfather Sylvester Sullivan (only males were listed as heads of households) - then Caherdaniel townland.

            Bowler research - Great, great grampa John Bowler (and his wife, great great gramma Catherine Sullivan) in 1852 rented land and a home from William Jeremyn, as did others in the hamlet (my term, since only ten families lived in Skehanagh). John and Catherine rented over ten acres (10//3//12) of land assessed at 2 pounds, 2 shillings; a house at 8 shillings. John Bowler also rented an additional 98 acres (98//3/15) of other nearby land, in partnership with Patrick Bowler, Daniel Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, Timothy Moriarity, Murtagh Galvin, and Philip Mahoney).

            A Patrick Bowler (probably kin to John - ?? brother; ?? father) rented over 9 acres of land (9//3//29) assessed at 2 pounds, no shillings; he (and his family ??) lived in a house assessed at 10 shillings.

Skehanagh -  This particular data (page 9) was recorded on 27 August 1852 by a Royal Irish constable. The total assessed valuation of lands and buildings in Skehanagh in 1852 was given as 22 pounds, 12 shillings, with land holding 19 pounds, 13 shillings (the vast majority) of that value. Skehanagh,located in the hills above Caherdaniel and Castlecove and whose data is shown on page 54, reflects "family" of great great grandfather Syvester Sullivan, though I haven't figured out just how. I made copies of the pages encompassing Skehanagh, Caherdaniel and several surrounding townlands (all with familiar family surnames evident), so future research has a starting point.

Sullivan research - A Daniel Sullivan  rented 11 acres of land assessed at 2 pounds, 15 shillings from the same William Jeremyn. He (??and his family) lived in a house assessed at 7 shillings. I found no mention of Humphrey Sullivan or his wife Bridget Shea, parents of great grampa Sylvester Sullivan.

            See the note above for Patrick Sullivan (rented land with John Bowler). This Patrick also rented, in partnership with Patrick Murphy, over 14 acres (14//0//25) of land from William Jeremyn, each renting land assessed at 1 pound, 13 shillings; and each having assessed valuation of 7 shillings for buildings on that rented land.

Caherdaniel - On page 9, also recorded on 27 August 1852 by a Royal Irish constable.

            Sullivan/Bowler research - No Bowlers in evidence here, but there was a Peter Sullivan, renting a house, garden and office from Edward B. Hartopp. The land, etc covered less than an acre (0//1//32) and was assessed at 4 shillings; the house was assessed at 12 shillings.  Additionally there were other Sullivans, Johanna; James; and Florence (a male name). Additional names in the registry were Denis Clifford; Johanna Clifford; Michael Dwyer; Deborah Mahony; Jeremiah Grady; Michael Grady; and Michael Leary - all rented from the same Edward B. Hartopp, a total of over 175 acres (175//1//24).

            Shea research - A Bartholomew Shea also was there, renting over 6 acres of land (6//31//31) in partnership with Johanna, James, and Florence Sullivan. Recall that great great grampa John Bowler's wife was Catherine Sullivan, while Humphrey Sullivan married Bridget Shea. I haven't identified Humphrey or Bridget yet, but suspect Humphrey may have used another name.

1901 Irish Census - Kerry - It will be in newsletter # 29

1901 Irish Census - Limerick Film 0846499 (near the end of the film roll) we find, in Limerick County, Electoral District Abbeyfeale, Poor Law Union Newcastle West, Barony of Glenquin, Parish of Abbeyfeale, the Town of Abbeyfeale (and later down the newsletter, Caherhayes). Lists B contain property descriptions; Forms A list family members.

            AND

Townland of Caherhayes - Parcel 91/2 - no O'Connors listed on Form B (summary page), BUT several appear in actual enumeration

            My great grandparents - Bridget's maiden name was Fitzgerald

#10      Daniel O'Connor, 60, r/w, farmer, Lim, Irish/English

            Bridget Fitzgerald, wife, 50, r/w, farmer's wife, Lim, Ir/Eng

            Katie O'Connor, dau, 20, r/w, farmer's dau, Lim, not marr

            William O'Connor, son, 16, r/w, farmer's son, Lim, not marr

            Ellie O'Connor, dau, 14, r/w, farmer's dau, Lim, not marr

            David O'Connor, son, 11, r/w, scholar, Lim, not marr

            James O'Connor, son, 7, r/w, scholar, Lim, not marr

            Form B - property description - A "built" house; private dwelling; 2 out buildings (cowhouse and piggery); walls of stone, brick or cement;,wood, thatch or other perishable roof; 2 rooms in house; 3 windows in front; termed a second class house (from # rooms, windows, outbuildings); one distinct family residing in house under Daniel O'Connor; 7 total family members; data collected on 4th of month. Daniel owned the land.

HICUZ 29 –

1901 Irish Census, Kerry - County Kerry; Barony Dunkerron South; Electoral District - South Kerry; Poor Law Union Kenmare; Electoral District Castlecove; Parish Kilcrohane, Townland Skehanagh. Film 0836561, near end of roll, in census parcel 50/23.

#1 - Sylvester Sullivan, head, 70, cannot read/write, farmer,

Kerry,speaks Irish/English (he signed the form, however)

Ellen (Bowler) Sullivan, wife, 55, r/w, wool spinner,

Kerry, "/"      

Daniel (Francis) Sullivan, son, 18, r/w, farmer's son,                            Kerry,"/"

Ellen Sullivan, dau, 21, r/w, farmer's dau, Kerry, "/"

Sylvester Sullivan, son, 16, r/w, farmer's son, Kerry, "/"

the above on Form A//below data from Form B (land assessment)

They lived in a "Built" house serving as a private dwelling; 2 outbuildings; walls of stone, brick, or cement; perishable roof of wood, thatch or other; 2 rooms; 2 windows in front; classified as a third class house (according to # rooms, windows, outbuildings); a distinct family lived there; head of household was Sylvester Sullivan (MY GREAT, Grandfather); data collected 15 April, 1901, by Constable Patrick Callaghan.

Children of Sylvester (Silvie) and Ellen Bowler Sullivan:

(Children shown bolded below were enumerated; rest were not)

Abigail Marie Sullivan b 1 Jan 1860,married William

John Brew 11 Feb 1886, Pocatello,ID

John Sullivan b 17 May 1865 Sneem, Kerry, Irlnd

died in infancy

John Shea Sullivan (2nd) b 5 May 1870 Caherdaniel,

Kerry married (Bridget Mulcahy/Bridget Foley?)

Dennis Sullivan b 1868

married (1) Geneva Kelly (2) Sarah (? Delia)

Patrick Sullivan b 1873, married (1) Ellen Casey 19 Nov

1919; (2) Sarah Donnelly

Daniel Francis Sullivan b 20 May 1882, married Mary

Lyons, 22 Sep 1914 Pocatello, Idaho - noted

above in 1901 Irish census

Sylvester Sullivan b 12 Dec 1884, married Katherine

Langan 13 Nov 1913 - noted above in 1901 Irish

census

Mary Ellen Sullivan b 3 June 1871 Skehanagh - married

Dennis Riordan 2 June 1896 Ansonia, CT; came w/

Bridget to USA in 1895

Kathleen I - died in infancy 1872 (?)

Kathleen II - Sr Mary Dosethius b 15 Aug 1878,

Sr Mary Dosie, of Sisters of Mercy, Hartford, CT

Helen M. "Nellie" - Sr Mary Patrick ?1879, Sister of

Mercy,Hartford, CT - noted above in 1901 Irish

census

Bridget Sullivan b 10 Mar 1875, m Denis Joseph O'Connor

5 June 1901 Derby, CT

A cousin's letter (see note above) suggests another brother, Bartholomew Sullivan, who lived in Sneem, County Kerry. Knowing that Helen (Ellen), who later became a nun, was in Ireland in 1901 suggests that perhaps her sister Kathleen was still in Ireland, though perhaps already in a convent. Can anyone confirm this???

It seems more than coincidence that Daniel Francis Sullivan married in the same place as his sister Abigail (Abbie), but more than 28 years later. Please help me with some stories about Daniel Francis; did he come to America just before his marriage, or sooner???

CORRECTION: In HI CUZ 26, pg 7 I noted Abigail Sullivan as 42 in that year; it should have read 32. In HI CUZ 28, pg 4 I noted that the 1852 Griffith Valuation of Skehanagh listed the family of great great grandfather Sylvester Sullivan; it didn't, and he was my great grandfather, not great great grandfather.

            AND

Sullivan Research - a summary, and a call for corrections: My great great grandparents: Humphrey Sullivan b 1798, m 10 Feb 1823 in Killarney, Kerry to Bridget (Shea) Sullivan. Their Children:

Mary Sullivan chr 29 Jan 1824 -

within film 0883697 (christenings only)

Albina Sullivan chr 8 Feb 1827, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

John Sullivan chr 26 July 1829, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Sylvester Sullivan b abt 1831, Skehanagh, Sneem, Kerry

Patrick Sullivan chr 3 May 1833, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Denis Sullivan chr 5 Aug 1835, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Humphrey Sullivan chr 22 Oct 1838, Killarney, Kerry

film - as above

Film 0883697 covers Catholic church christenings from 1785 to 1818, and 1810-1839; it helped me find almost this entire family in one source. Did Humphrey and Bridget indeed move between Killarney and Skehanagh? Why?? Why weren't they in the 1852 Griffith's Valuation?

Ellen Bowler's sisters - I expect that Ellen Bowler's sisters lived in nearby villages/hamlets and I'll endeavor to identify the families of their spouses. About all I have to go on is an old letter, undated and unsigned (from a Sullivan cousin) sent to my mother. I can determine it was written by a granddaughter of Sylvester and Ellen Bowler Sullivan, and thus a first cousin of my mother. It notes that Ellen Bowler had four sisters, Mrs McCarthy of West Haven, Conn; Mrs Galvin of Cambridge, Mass; and Mrs Donahue, who remained in Ireland - another sister is not identified. The letter's tone suggests these sisters were in America prior to Ellen Bowler Sullivan's visit (to see a sick sister). Four sisters with the Bowler surname, however, should be easier to find in Irish records. It might even be easy to identify their husbands in Skehanagh or nearby villages. Watch me eat those words! Help me identify them - provide your guesses.

            AND

O'Connor research - Two sisters of my grandfather Denis Joseph O'Connor, Ellen "Nell" O'Connor and Katherine, became Sr Ann Gertrude and Sr Mary Esther of the Sisters of Charity, later serving in Kansas City, Kansas. A convent run by the Sisters of Charity was not found near Caherhayes (see newsletter 28); they may simply have been further afield.

            AND

Received a note from my aunt Dot (O'Connor) Hansen, in which she shared that her mother, as an indentured servant in Connecticut, worked for the Downes family (1895-98) in the town of Derby, Connecticut. It was during this work, as a maid, that she met Denis O'Connor, and later married him. Knowing that the Downes lived in Derby helped locate other records.

HICUZ 30 – O'Connor/Sullivan roots

At the FHL I copied a birth registration, from film 0101052, Birth 1875, Alphabetical Index, searched under O’Connor. Born on the first April 1875 in Caherhayes, Denis, son of Daniel O’Connor and Bridget O’Connor (formerly Fitzgerald). Daniel is indicated by his mark (an X) and noted as a farmer. The registration was done on 11 April by Thomas O’Connell, deputy registrar and noted on entry 452. All my previous records had indicated Denis, my maternal grandfather, was born in March. Film number 255933, Volume 10-1 of births in 1875, on page 665 was where I found Grampa.

            AND

Copied the 1900 US Federal census (film 1240142) for Connecticut, New Haven County, City of Derby. In Supervisory District 26, Enumeration District 307 I found the family of Charles Downs; see below:

304 Elizabeth Street, family number 296:

Downs, Charles N.; head; June 1859; 40; married 15 years;

born Conn; parents born Conn; Sec’y of Home Trust Co.

Lottie E.; wife; Oct 1862; 37; married 15 years; 1 child;

            1 child surviving; born New York; father born Conn;

mother born Conn;

            Emma S.; daughter; Nov 1887; 12; born Conn; parents born

Conn/New York; at school; 9 months in school

            Radcliffe, Emma M.; sister; Sep 1851; 49; widow; born Conn;

                        Parents born Conn; capitalist

Sullivan, Bridget; servant; March 1875; 25; born Ireland;

Parents born Ireland; emigrated 1895; in US 5 years;

Servant.

The above 1900 US Federal census record places my grandmother Bridget Sullivan as a single woman in Derby, Conn, living as a servant with the Charles Downs family at 304 Elizabeth Street. All those enumerated at that location are noted as reading, writing and speaking English. Other than the specific family names, family makeup, and address no significant new information appears. I found it interesting to see Mr. Downs’ sister listed as a “capitalist.” In our day perhaps one would say investor or holder of stocks and bonds.

            AND

Sullivan research - On my recent business trip to Salt Lake City I was again able to do lots of research in the evenings, and over a weekend. Also I traveled to Ogden, Utah to see second cousins Dale and Mamie (Brew) Mildon. Mamie provided some very helpful research tips; one was the results of her mother (Lila Kiholm Brew)’s research into Sullivan roots. Lila had as the parents of Humphrey Sullivan, Sylvester Sullivan and Abbie Hallison. Lila also had as the parents of Katherine Sullivan (wife of John Bowler) Llorience Sullivan (I feel this may be Florence) and Mary Clifford; and as the parents of John Bowler, Timothy Bowler and Bridget Hagarty. In searching the available christening records for County Kerry, 1785 to 1839, I did not find them. Lila had not noted any sources which could immediately help verify these as the parents. Can any Sullivan or Brew cousins provide some amplifying information about sources for this information.

            AND

Sullivan research - At Salt Lake City, the Family History Library, I spent almost nine hours reviewing ten rolls of microfilm covering Passenger arrivals at New York City, o2 January 1895 through the middle of August 1895. I was searching for Bridget and Mary Sullivan. I narrowed my search material to those ships passing through Queenstown (modern day Cork), steerage passengers, and those Bridget and/or Mary Sullivans whose ages, place of origin within Ireland, destination, et cetera matched expected information. I came up blank.

I did find, however, my grandmother’s sister, Katie Sullivan, as an immigrant. In film 1403825, spanning the timeframe 13-20 July 1899, and looking for list A-16-127, I found her:

            Katie Sullivan, age 20 and 1 month; single; servant; able to read/write; arrived 7/20/1899 on SS Majestic. Noted on sheet 23 among steerage passengers. Her ticket “paid by sister, 304 Elizabeth Street, Derby, Conn.” Origin, Caherdaniel; came with $17.50, but no ticket to Derby. The Ship’s Master, Edward J. Smith signed a sworn statement in Queenstown (Cork) dated 9 July 1899 that he had caused the ship’s physician to screen all passengers. The SS Majestic sailed 13 July from Queenstown. Many passengers were from Scandinavia and Eastern and Southern Europe. Katie had to answer whether she was “under contract, express or implied, to labor in the United States”, she answered no. The form indicated she was in good physical and mental health and not crippled, deformed; it stated she was not a polygamist.  The next passenger listed was Nora Sullivan, age 27 and 8 months, single, shop keeper; able to read/write; going to Indianapolis, to see brother James Sullivan @ 273 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis. She came with $25.00 and a ticket paid by her brother to Indianapolis.

            AND

Caution about ancestors – We all have grandparents and others further back. We believe them to be wonderful, warm persons, yet there is the chance they may have been thieves, murderers, drunkards, philanderers, terrorists, bigamists. WE should be realistic and not exalt them simply because they came before us. We should neither trash nor exalt them, but treat them realistically. There are many salty tales I could tell, but it is better to pass them on quietly and selectively, or disguise the story(ies) in generic terms. Do recognize that everyone has faults and don’t sanctify someone because they lived in an earlier age.

            AND

O’Connor research - Received a long letter from second cousin once removed Dennis J. O’Connor of Hopewell, Virginia. Dennis also sent along some photos of family members; one was especially significant to me. It shows the headstone/monumental inscription of Bridget Fitzgerald O’Connor, my maternal great grandmother. The inscription reads: “Sacred to the memory of Bridget O’Connor, died 1^st June 1918 Aged 66 years. Nora O’Connor CAHERHAYES Died 29 Dec 1992 AGED 82 years. Erected by her husband Daniel O’Connor & Children CAHERHAYES R.I.P.” I am told that my great grandfather Daniel is buried there also, without inscription due to the circumstances of his burial. This information provides Bridget’s birth in 1852. This info also would place great grampa’s death after 1918. The other photos were of second cousin Nora (Curtin) Hartnett with Dennis’ father John O’Connor of Pittsburgh, of the O’Connor home in Tournafulla (Tuar Na Fula), of John with Dennis’ brother Ray, Joe O’Connor, his wife Anna, and son Brian. Joe is the grandson of Daniel O’Connor, older brother to my maternal grandfather Denis O’Connor and lives in what I’ve referred to as the O’Connor ancestral home. Dennis also sent along a photo of his mother Marilyn Towne O’Connor and brother Ray.

The tree -

            Grandparents – Maternal

Denis Joseph O'Connor and Bridget Sullivan O'Connor

            Great Grandparents – Maternal

                        Daniel Joseph O'Connor and Bridget Fitzgerald O'Connor

                        Sylvester Sullivan and Ellen Bowler Sullivan

Great Great Grandparents - Maternal

Daniel J. O'Connor and Nora McEnery

Patrick Fitzgerald and Julia McAuliffe

Humphrey Sullivan and Bridget Shea

                       John Bowler and Catherine Sullivan