Hi Sheila,
Thank you for sharing the poem “Epic” by Patrick Kavanagh which I enjoyed very much. I’m probably not the only one who is now curious about your field covered by briars and blackthorn which in years past was protected by a police hut.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLISXyxKf7k
Patrick Kavanagh doesn’t appear to be too well known in America, although my central library has a large collection of his books. Unlike Percy French (1854 - 1920), Patrick Kavanagh (1904 - 1967) was commemorated on an Irish postage stamp issued on 21 October 2004 at the 100th anniversary of his birth.
I researched the witness Thomas O’Dea who testified on the second day of the magisterial investigation that Patrick Kelly had come to his house the night of the shooting of Michael A. MacNamara, thus providing “the tea man” with an alibi. I reckon he must be the Thomas O’Dea (age 37) living in the 1911 census at Gortygeehan, Lissycasey (the same townland where Patrick Kelly was living with his parents in the 1901 census). Thomas O’Dea was the son of Denis O’Dea and Mary Connor born on 1 January 1873. On 1 November 1908, Thomas married Bridget O’Connell, daughter of Peter O’Connell of Kilmurry McMahon. At the time of the 1911 census, Thomas O’Dea and Bridget O’Connell had two children, their eldest son Denis (age 2) was living with his Connell grandparents in Drumdigus, Kilmurry. I could not find Thomas O’Dea in the 1901 census; he was not living with his widow mother and four siblings in Gurtygeehan. Perhaps he had emigrated and later returned to Ireland.
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... en/359958/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... us/362655/
I also researched the witness John O’Dea who testified at the magisterial hearing into the 1913 shooting of Michael A. MacNamara, and was his cousin. I was confident that he was the John O’Dea born in 1870 to Thomas O’Dea and Mary McNamara of Carrowkilla, and the grandson of Patrick O’Dea. Thus, John O’Dea through either his father or mother, or both, could be the cousin of Michael A. MacNamara?
The discovery of another moonlighting attack led me further down this path. Similar to the two prisoners from Lavally convicted in the attack on Michael A. MacNamara in 1913, three others from Lavally were accused in a moonlighting attack in 1889 on the home of Patrick O’Dea of Carrowkilla:
ALLEGED MOONLIGHTING.
Yesterday morning three young men, named Patrick, Daniel, and John Sexton, sons of small farmers living at Lavalla, near Ballincally, the two first-named being brothers, were arrested on a charge of attacking and firing into the houses of John McMahon and Pat O’Dea of Carrowkilla in the same district. The moonlighters entered several houses and demanded firearms, but were only successful in intimidating McMahon into delivering up his gun [other accounts stated it was O’Dea]. Several bullets fired into the houses were found inside. The prisoners were brought before Mr. Hodder, resident magistrate, at Ennis, yesterday, and were remanded for eight days.
Birmingham Daily Post, Friday, 24 May 1889
The children of Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890) of Carrowkilla were likely all born prior to the 1846 start of the Clondagad and Kilchreest parish registers. His grandchildren were included in these registers (thank you Murph for transcribing all these parish records) and later USA passenger and census records are evidence that they were first cousins, grandchildren of Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890). Very late in the research, the John O’Dea who was born in 1870, and identified as the likely witness in 1913, was discovered to have died as an infant in 1870 (he was never reported on the very detailed obituaries of several siblings in Chicago).
Reconstructing the descendants of Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890) of Carrowkilla highlights how it is much easier to trace a family forward than tracing backwards. For example, his son Michael O’Day (≈1835 – 1911) immigrated to Chenango County in New York in the late 1860’s. This was discovered only in the passenger lists of three nephews who went there in the early 1900’s likely to assist their uncle on his farm as Michael O’Day was the father of three daughters and no sons.
Most of the O’Dea descendants ended up in Chicago. And despite excellent obituaries which typically list their parents, both their USA and Irish siblings, origins in Ballynacally, not one descendant (on the ancestry website) has successfully traced their ancestry back to Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890) of Carrowkilla. One grandchild, Thomas O’Dea (1882 – 1951), with the greatest number of descendants unfortunately had the least detailed obituary, only listing siblings living in Chicago. However, the later obituaries of these three siblings all lead directly back to Ballynacally, Clare and even reported their parents. Unfortunately, the ancestry website only has an index for Irish civil birth, marriage and death records with limited information; their users are mostly unaware that these records are freely available on-line at the irelandgenealogy website. This has led to the descendants of Thomas O’Dea (1882 – 1951) tracing his ancestry back to random parents in Kilrush, and even more random ancestors back two more generations.
In reconstructing the descendants of Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890), which started off with only two sons then grew, I included research to answer the following questions which expanded it greatly:
1) The likelihood of an O’Dea descendant who immigrated to America marrying a spouse from Ireland, and whether or not from County Clare.
2) The likelihood of an O’Dea descendant who immigrated to America returning to Clare either for a family visit or to return permanently.
3) The likelihood that an O’Dea male descendant who immigrated to Chicago, and remained there, would become a policeman for the City of Chicago.
Researching the O’Dea descendants in Chicago I was surprised to learn that the Family Search website has the parish records for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, described as the “cornerstone of Irish culture in Chicago”, and these registers are now freely available on-line. Frequently, the free Family Search website (only requiring registration) has better records than the subscription based ancestry website.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/cat ... %20Library
Researching the descendants of Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890) has now solved the mystery of how his grandson, John O’Dea (1880 - 1950), the son of a farmer in the 1901 census, had become a master harness maker by the 1911 census. Just because an individual was reported living with their parents in both the 1901 and 1911 Irish census reports, does not mean that they didn’t spend the intervening years living in America and learning a new trade.
Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890) and Mary _______ (≈1811 – 1876) of Carrowkilla, Kilchreest Civil Parish
At Griffith Valuation, Patrick O’Dea leased Carrowkilla Plot 6a from lessor Major William Ball; house, offices, and land; 25 acres, total valuation £19. He sublet to Hannah Moroney Plot 6b, a house valued at 5 shillings.
Mary O’Dea, of “Carukilla”, 65 years old, married, farmer’s wife, died on 29 September 1876; informant Patrick O’Dea of Carukilla (either her husband or son) per Killadysert registration:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 16109.pdf
The maiden name of Mary O’Dea is unknown. The Clondagad and Kilchreest baptism records include a Patrick O’Dea baptized on 27 February 1851, with parents Patrick O’Dea and Mary Lynch. This Patrick might be their youngest son. However, their residence was “Fierregh” in the baptism record, a possible variation of “Furroor” townland in Clondagad, so perhaps doubtful. One son, Michael O’Dea, immigrated to Preston in Chenango County, New York. Either his marriage record (presumably in NY) or 1911 death record might possibly have the names of his parents. This would require giving the Preston town clerk a call to confirm if they have these records as they could be in the nearby towns of Norwich or Oxford, and then completing an application along with a $10 fee to the appropriate town clerk. The likelihood that either the marriage or death record includes parents of bride/groom or of deceased is quite low. Irish civil BMD records, in a consistent format for all of Ireland, are much easier these days to obtain than USA records.
When moonlighters attacked the house of Patrick O’Dea of Carrowkilla in May 1889, Patrick O’Dea, Sr., was about 92 years old. The focus of the attack, I reckon, was more likely Patrick O’Dea, Jr., who would have been in his forties.
Just one year later, Pat O’Dea, of Carhukilla, widower, 93 years old, farmer, died on 30 April 1890; informant Ellen [McMahon] O’Dea, daughter-in-law (Kildysart registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 741652.pdf
Patrick O’Dea (≈1797 – 1890) and
Mary ______ (≈1811 – 1876) were the parents of at least five children and most likely at least seven children (including daughters Catherine and Jane):
1.0 Catherine O’Dea (≈1830 – 1903 in Lanna, Clondagad)
Catherine O’Dea married
Patrick Canny on 2 March 1851 at her father’s house; witnesses
Pat O’Dea and Marry Barry (per Clondagad and Kilchreest marriages, 1846-1880). Catherine O’Dea was the daughter of Patrick O’Dea; this is known as her youngest sister, Jane O’Dea, married in 1874 with her civil marriage record reporting father as “P. O’Dea”. The witness, Pat O’Dea, was likely her father.
At Griffith Valuation, Patrick Canny was a tenant in Lanna townland of Col. George Wyndham, Plot 2a; house, office, & land; 37 acres; valuation £13 and 10 pence.
Patrick Canny, of Lanna, married, age 65 years, farmer, died on 13 June 1891; informant his daughter, Margaret Canny of Lanna (Kildysart registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 730286.pdf
There is a good chance that Catherine O’Dea Canny raised her youngest sister, Jane O’Dea. When Jane O’Dea married John Gavin in 1874, her residence was reported as “Lanna”. In the 1901 census, the widow Kate Canny (age 76) was living in the John Gavin household at Lanna townland and she was reported as “Aunt”, perhaps as a sign of respect. Kate O’Dea Canny was, in fact, the sister of Jane O’Dea Gavin as accurately reported on the 1903 civil death record for Catherine Canny when Jane Gavin was the informant.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 588205.pdf
Patrick Canny (≈1826 – 1891) and
Catherine O’Dea (≈1830 – 1903) appear to have had only one daughter:
<Lanna, Clondegad, House 5, x>
………………. 1.1 Margaret Canny (≈1853 – after 1891), the only evidence of Margaret’s existence is the civil death record of her father in 1891. Her father married in March 1851, Margaret Canny was likely born in the period between August 1853 and January 1855 which has no baptism entries in the Clondagad and Kilchreest baptism register. Later whereabouts after 1891 are a mystery.
2.0 Thomas O’Dea (≈1832 – 1875 in Innisdea, Kilchreest)
Thomas O’Dea married
Mary McNamara on 13 April 1858; witnesses
Patrick McNamara and
Bridget McNamara (Clondagad and Kilchreest marriages, 1846-1881).
Thomas O’Dea, of “Ennisdea”, age 42, married,
herdsman, died on 8 January 1875; informant Mary O’Dea, not reported but his widow (Kildysart registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 237933.pdf
The later whereabouts of Mary McNamara O’Dea are unknown. It is possible that she was the Mary O’Dea of Killadysert, widow, 66 years old, laborer, who died on 11 March 1890 at Killadysart workhouse. However, “Mary O’Dea” is a very common name in the civil parish of Killadysart.
Thomas O’Dea (≈1832 – 1875) and
Mary McNamara (≈1835 ≈1840? - after 1875) were the parents of seven children. The baptisms and birth locations of their first two children are unknown. Thomas O’Dea was a farm laborer/herdsman, so he may have moved to a different parish or even abroad during the first years of their marriage. The later whereabouts of one daughter (Fanny) are unknown, but the other six children all immigrated to Chicago.
………………. 2.1 Patrick O’Dea (≈1860 – 1932 in Chicago)
Patrick O’Dea, age 30, married
Marie Quinlivan, “age 25”, on 5 November 1890 in Chicago (Cook County marriage index, 1871-1920). In the 1910 census, Patrick J. O’Dea (age 51) had the occupation of “Special Police” and employer was “own account”; he was living with his wife and brother, Daniel H. O’Dea (age 35) and one other boarder. In the 1920 census, Patrick J. O’Dea (age 58) had the occupation of “Special Policeman” and was hired by “Private Families”. It appears that Patrick provided private security for families in gangland Chicago.
………………………..……. 2.1.1 Mary Theresa O’Dea (1894 – 1909) was born on 30 March 1894 and baptized on 15 April 1894 per the St. Patrick’s baptism register, mother reported as “Mary Quinlan”; sponsors
Thomas McNamara and
Catherine O’Day. She died on Christmas Eve in 1909. Her uncle, Michael O’Dea, attended the funeral as noted in his local Indiana newspaper.
St. Patrick’s baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2Y9-M2S9
………………………..……. 2.1.2 Mary H. O’Dea (age 17 in 1920 census). In the 1910 census, Mrs. Mary O’Dea was reported to be the mother of one child, none surviving. Thus “Mary Helen” or “Helen Mary” appears to have been adopted, perhaps informally. Helen O’Dea (age 26) was living with her “parents” in 1930; and Helen M. O’Dea (age 29) was living with her widowed “mother” in 1940, along with Thomas J. Ryan (age 39, “nephew”). However, “Helen Mary” was not included in Mrs. Mary O’Dea’s obituary in 1942.
Patrick O’Dea died in Chicago on 2 December 1932, and was reported born in County Clare on 3 February 1860 and was the son of Thomas O’Dea and Mary McNamara (Cook County deaths index, 1916-1949).
O’DEA—Patrick O’Dea, husband of Mary, father of Helen and the late Mary Theresa, brother of Michael, Mrs. Fee, the late Mrs. Frances Collins, Thomas and Daniel O’Dea. Native of Ballynacally, County Clare, Ireland. Funeral Monday from 6033 Harper Ave to St. Cyril’s church; mass at 9:30 a.m. Interment Mount Olivet.
Chicago Tribune, Saturday, 3 December 1932
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103 ... ck-j-o'dea
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103 ... _o'dea
1940 Census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWTR-1SD
Mary Quinlivan O’Dea died on 19 November 1942, and was reported born on “16 August 1872” in “Rhinana, Ireland” and father was “Patrick Quinlivan”. I reckon only her birthplace was accurate; the informant was a “H. Ryan”.
O’DEA—Mary O’Dea, nee Quinlivan, late of 4763 Dorchester avenue, loving wife of the late Patrick, mother of the late Mary Teresa, sister of the late Delia McMahon, Nora Fahey, Patrick, Michael, and James Quinlivan. Native of Rhinana, County Clare, Ireland. Funeral Monday, 9 a.m., from funeral parlors, 71st and South Park avenue. Mass at St. Ambrose’s church at 9:30. Interment Mount Olivet.
Chicago Tribune, Saturday, 21 November 1942
The location in the death record and siblings reported in her obituary led to Newmarket-on-Fergus parish registers. Maria Quinlivan (1859 – 1942) was baptized on 9 September 1859, parents William Quinlivan (≈1825 – 1874) and Anne O’Donohue (≈1840 – after 1911), who had married on 10 October 1858. Daughter Bridget baptized in 1865 had the location “Rineanna”; William Quinlivan’s 1874 death record stated he was from “Rhiananna”. Anne O’Donohue “Quinlan” in the 1911 census was living with a “visitor”, her grandson
Michael Fahey, age 13, the son of
Nora Quinlivan (who died in 1907) and Patrick Fahey.
1911 census:
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... ly/355217/
………………. 2.2 Thomas O’Dea (≈1861 – 1926 in Chicago)
Thomas O’Day married
Sarah Crotty on 30 April 1890 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chicago; witnesses John Crotty and Catherine Crotty (Chicago Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2YM-5JKG
The Thomas O’Day family was difficult to find as they left Chicago for a few decades. In the 1900 census, Thomas O’Day (age 40) was living with Sarah and their three Illinois born children in Kansas City, Kansas, where he worked as a “steel rail straightener”. In the 1910 census, Thomas O’Day (age 48) was living with Sarah and four children in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he was a laborer in a steel mill. Their two youngest children (Tom and Theresa) were reportedly born in Ohio (Tom was born in Illinois per 1900 census).
Sarah Crotty O’Dea died on 3 July 1916 in Chicago of TB and it was reported that she was born in Ireland on 22 August 1865 to “C O Crotty” and “Ellen Riordan” (Cook County death index, 1878-1922). Her mother was accurately reported, but her father was William Crotty and she was born closer to 1860. In the 1880 census, William (age 51) and Ellen Crotty (age 47) were living in South Chicago with their six Irish born children, including Sarah (age 20), and also their 9 year-old American born son. The Crotty family reported their year of arrival to the USA as 1872. Sarah Crotty (age 11, born in Ireland) arrived in New York, with her other family members, on the steamship
Egypt on 20 October 1872.
1872 passenger listing of “Crotly” family (#889 to #896):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVPK-9J1C
The
Egypt at 5,064 tons was the largest of the 12 ships of the National Line which, according to advertisements, were the “Largest Passenger Steamships Afloat. Steam from Liverpool to New York, every Wednesday, and from Queenstown every Thursday”. The ship
Egypt left Liverpool on 9 October 1872, so the Crotty family would have boarded at Queenstown on 10 October 1872 and crossed the Atlantic in just ten days. “The Steerage accommodation is unequalled for space, light, and ventilation. Abundance of Fresh Provisions served up Cooked by Company’s Stewards” (
Derry Journal, Friday, 20 September 1872).
Their youngest Irish born child, Willie Crotty (age 12 in 1880), was born after 1864, so there is a civil birth record to trace back to the civil parish and then Catholic baptism records. William Crotty was born on 7 August 1868 to William Crotty and Ellen Riordan of O’Briens Bridge, in County Clare (Limerick registration). The baptism records for five of the six Crotty children born between 1857 and 1868 can be found at the Killaloe Parish baptism register (1844 – 1881), including William Crotty baptized on 7 August 1868; only missing child was Sarah born about 1860 (after only a quick look).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 256557.pdf
In the 1920 census, the widower, Thomas O’Dea (“age 50”), was living at East 65th Place in Chicago with his four children. At the same address was his sister, Marie O’Dea Fee (age 54) and her family as well as two “Illinois” born cousins.
Thomas O’Dea (≈1861 – 1926) and
Sarah Crotty (≈1860 – 1916) were the parents of four children:
………………………..……. 2.2.1 Ruth O’Dea (1891 – 1922) died on 8 January 1922 (born 31 October 1892 per death record, off by one year). Per St. Patrick’s baptism register, Mary R. O’Dea was born on 30 October 1891, and baptized on 15 November 1891; sponsors William Crotty and Catherine Crotty.
St. Patrick’s baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2YM-5J6N
………………………..……. 2.2.2 Helen K. O’Dea (1894 - 1921) died on 20 April 1921 (born 23 June 1894 per death record). Per St. Patrick’s baptism register, “Ellen Catherine”, born on 23 June, was baptized on 22 July 1894, sponsors William Lloyd and Mary Lloyd (William Lloyd married Mary Crotty on 14 May 1885 in South Chicago per Cook County marriage index).
St. Patrick’s baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2YM-PMGZ
………………………..……. 2.2.3 Thomas Patrick O’Dea (1896 - 1944) was baptized at St. Patrick’s in Chicago on 27 December 1896, sponsors Michael O’Dea (child’s uncle) and Catherine O’Dea (not sure who).
St. Patrick’s baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2Y9-7L1L
Thomas Patrick O’Dea, born on 13 December 1896, was living at 1418 E. 65th Place per his WWI registration. Per the Veteran’s Affairs Index, Thomas Patrick O’Dea, born on 13 December 1896, had been a private with Company B of the 81st Engineers Combat Battalion; enrollment on 27 August 1918, and discharged 6 December 1918. Thomas Patrick O’Dea died on 27 December 1944 at the age of 47 years and was buried on 4 January 1945 at Oak Forest Cemetery (aka Cook County Cemetery for the Indigent).
Veteran’s Index:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7B9W-8B2M
Cook County death index:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M8-PRMR
………………………..……. 2.2.4 Theresa M. O’Dea (≈1901 – 1934) was born in Ohio according to 1910 census. “Theresa Foushee (nee O’Dea), beloved wife of Robert, mother of Helen and Robert Jr., daughter of the late Thomas and Sarah O’Dea (nee Crotty), sister of Thomas and the late Helen and Ruth O’Dea, niece of Mrs. Robert Fee. Funeral Monday . . . St. Cyril’s church, Interment Mount Olivet” per Chicago Daily News of 18 August 1934.
O’DEA—Thomas O’Dea, beloved husband of the late Sarah, nee Crotty, father of Thomas P. O’Dea, Mrs. Theresa Foushee and the late Helen and Ruth O’Dea; brother of Mrs. M. Fee, Patrick J., Michael, and the late Daniel O’Dea; native of Ballynacally, County Clare, Ireland. Funeral Thursday, Jan. 21, 8:45 a.m., from his sister’s residence, 1201 E. Marquette Road, to St. Cyril’s church. Interment Holy Sepulchre cemetery.
Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, 20 January 1926
………………. 2.3 Mary O’Dea (1863 – 1942 in Chicago), no residence reported, was baptized on 16 April 1863; sponsor Anne O’Dea (Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). Regarding the baptism sponsor, a “Nancy O’Dea” died in the fourth quarter of 1864 at the age of 47; Kildysart record not yet available on-line.
Maria O’Day, age 27, married
Robert Fee, age 29, on 3 June 1891 in South Chicago (per Cook County marriage index, 1871-1920). Per the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church marriage register, the witnesses were Patrick Kelly and Mary Fitzgerald. The “Fee” surname does not exist in County Clare (per census reports) and more common in the north of Ireland (where in the 1940 census Robert Fee reported as his birthplace).
St. Patrick’s marriage register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2YM-RJTP
In the 1910 census, the Fee household included two Irish born cousins of Mary: Thomas O’Dea (age 28, 1905 arrival) and Michael O’Dea (age 25, 1908 arrival), both children of Patrick O’Dea and Ellen McMahon (see 7.0 below).
1910 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKC7-F1R
In the 1920 census, the Fee household included two more “cousins” of Mary; their reported birth was in “Illinois” and there appears to be some confusion if married “M” or single “S”. Catherine O’Dea (age 21) must be the Irish born daughter of Patrick O’Dea and Ellen McMahon, and thus indeed a cousin of Mary O’Dea Fee. Catherine arrived in Chicago in 1916 (and cannot be found elsewhere in the census), was born in 1898 and thus the correct age, and finally her occupation of “stenographer” in 1920 was the same as Irish born Kate in the 1930 census. Not sure about the other “Illinois” born cousin, Thomas O’Dea (age 22).
Robert Fee (≈1862 - 1944) and
Mary O’Dea (1863 – 1942) of Chicago were the parents of two children:
………………………..……. 2.3.1 George Leslie Fee (age 7 in 1900 census), per St. Patrick’s baptism register, “George S.” was born on 2 February, and baptized on 19 February 1892, mother reported as “Maria O’Day”; sponsors Michael Kelly and Mary Scanlon.
St. Patrick’s baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2Y9-78QT
………………………..……. 2.3.2 Robert Emmett Fee (age 3 in 1900 census), per St. Patrick’s baptism register, was born on 14 May, and baptized on 13 June 1897, mother reported as “Marian O’Day”; sponsors James Kelly and Mary Kelly.
St. Patrick’s baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2Y9-3YKV
Maria O’Dea Fee was the informant on the death record for her brother, Michael O’Dea, who died in Gary, Indiana in April 1941. The following year, Maria O’Dea Fee, born “20 April 1869” in County Clare, wife of Robert Fee, died on 7 February 1942. Burial in St. Mary’s cemetery, Evergreen Park, Cook County.
………………. 2.4 Frances “Fanny” O’Dea (1865 – before 1923, unknown location), no residence reported, was baptized on 18 February 1865; sponsors
John Murtough and
Fanny O’Dea (Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). Frances O’Dea was born on 14 February 1865, with a residence of Ballynacally; her father was a labourer (Kildysart registration).
Regarding the baptism sponsor:
John Murtagh, age 30, a laborer,
son of Thomas Murtagh, of x [unclear], married Mary McNamara, age 23, of Ballinacally, daughter of Patrick McNamara, on 24 February 1865 at Kilchreest chapel; witnesses
Michael O’Dea and
Honor Cleary (Kildysart registration). John Murtough would have been born about 1835, prior to the 1846 start of the Clondagad and Kilchreest baptism register. However, there was an Honor Murtagh baptized on 2 December 1846, parents were
Thomas Murtagh and
Honor O’Dea (Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 254941.pdf
Fanny’s first cousin, another Fanny O’Dea born in 1893, immigrated to Chicago, but in 1920 was living in the small city of El Paso, Illinois (see 7.6 below). The mother of the household where she was boarding was a Mrs. Bridget Murtagh Fitzgerald born in Ireland (supposedly about 1850 according to census reports, but I reckon prior to 1846). Bridget Fitzgerald died in El Paso in 1922, and her Illinois death record reported a father of “Patrick Mulaugh”. However, these records, when completed by informants who had never been in Ireland, are frequently incorrect. The Fitzgerald’s of El Paso named their second born son “Thomas”, surely after his maternal grandfather, Thomas Murtagh, who was married to Honor O’Dea.
The 1865 marriage witness, Michael O’Dea, was very likely the first cousin of the groom, John Murtagh. Honor Cleary, the other witness, will next appear married to Michael O’Dea in the 1870 USA census living in Preston, Chenango County, New York, with their six-month old daughter and Bridget Cleary (age 62). See 3.0 below.
Frances, born in 1865, was reported as the “late Mrs. Collins” in the 1923 obituary of her brother Daniel; and the “late Mrs. Frances Collins” in the 1932 obituary of her brother Patrick. Whereabouts are a mystery. Similar to all her siblings, Frances O’Dea likely left Ireland as I could not locate a Frances O’Dea and Collins civil marriage record in Ireland; or an appropriate Frances Collins in the Irish civil death records prior to 1923.
………………. 2.5 Michael O’Dea (1867 – 1941 in Gary, Indiana), no residence reported, was baptized on 13 July 1867; sponsor Eliza Chambers (Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). Michael O’Dea was born on 10 July 1867, with a residence of Knocksaggart; his father was a farm labourer (Kildysart registration).
Michael O’Dea was likely the baptism sponsor on 27 December 1896 for his nephew, Thomas Patrick O’Dea (2.2.3 above), per the St. Patrick’s of Chicago baptism register. The other sponsor was a Catherine O’Dea, whose identity is unknown.
INDIANA HARBOR
Michael O’Dea of the Lake Shore hotel, an engineer at the Inland [Steel Company] mill, spent rather a sad Christmas, having been called to Chicago on account of the death of his niece, Theresa, 16 years old, and daughter of his brother Patrick O’Dea of Forty-fifth street and Champlain avenue. Miss O’Dea died Thursday night and was buried on Christmas.
Lake County Times, Hammond, Indiana, 29 December 1909
In the 1910 census, Michael O’Day, born in Ireland, “age 37”, was boarding at the North Works Inn located in Gary, Indiana. His occupation was locomotive engineer at a steel mill, and year of USA arrival was 1908 (reported as 1885 in 1930). He was still an “alien” in 1910.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKRJ-S48
In the 1930 census, Mike O’Dea, born in Ireland, “age 54”, was boarding at a hotel on Washington Street in Gary, Indiana; his occupation was a laborer on a steam railroad. He was a naturalized U.S. citizen and had arrived in 1885 according to the 1930 census.
Michael O’Dea, born in Ireland, age 75, single, died in Gary, Indiana on 8 April 1941; his residence was the Central Hotel on Washington Street. His reported birth date was 10 July 1865 and parents reported as Thomas O’Dea and Mary McNamara. The witness was Mrs. Robert Fee of 1503 East 60th Place, Chicago (his sister).
………………. 2.6 John O’Dea (1870 – 1870), no residence reported, was baptized on 23 October 1870; sponsor Margaret O’Dea (Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). John O’Dea was born on 16 October 1870, with a residence of Ballynacally; his father was a labourer (Kildysart registration).
A John O’Dea died in the fourth quarter of 1870 at the age of zero; on-line civil death record not yet available.
………………. 2.7 Daniel Henry O’Dea (1872 – 1923 in Chicago), no residence reported, was baptized on 20 November 1872; sponsor “Mary” (Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). Daniel O’Dea was born on 10 November 1872, with a residence of Innisdea; his father was a labourer (Kildysart registration).
A Daniel O’Dea, age 10, born in Ireland, arrived in New York on 18 October 1884 on the ship
Egypt.
Daniel H. O’Dea was living with his brother, Patrick J. O’Dea, in both the 1910 and 1920 census (at the reported age of 35 and 45, respectively). His year of arrival was reported as 1884 in 1910 and 1890 in 1920. Daniel worked as a conductor for the street railways in Chicago.
O’DEA—Daniel O’Dea, son of Thomas and Mary O’Dea, nee McNamara, brother of Patrick, Thomas, Michael, Mrs. Fee and the late Mrs. Collins. Funeral Monday from sister’s residence, 1418 E. 65th Place, to Corpus Christi church. Burial Mount Olivet. Native of Ballynacally, County Clare, Ireland. Member of Chicago Street Car Men’s Union No. 241. For information call Yards 0124.
Chicago Tribune, Sunday, 7 October 1923
3.0 Michael O’Day (≈1835 – 1911 in Chenango County, New York)
Michael Oday (age 34) appears in the 1870 census living in Preston, Chenango County, New York, with his wife Honora Oday (age 29), their daughter Mary Jane (6 months), and Bridget Cleary (age 72, not reported, but Honora’s mother).
“Cleary” is a common surname in Clondagad and Kilchreest parish records. Honora Cleary, like Michael O’Day, would have been born prior to the 1846 start of its parish baptism register. With near certainty, Michael O’Day and Honora Cleary were the marriage witnesses at the 24 February 1865 marriage of John Murtagh to Mary McNamara; Michael O’Day was likely the cousin of John Murtagh.
There is no evidence that Michael O’Day fought in the American Civil War which ended in April 1865 as there are no military enlistment or pension records for him. Michael O’Day and Honora Cleary had a NY born 6-month old daughter born in the 1870 census. They had been married for 32 years according to the 1900 census. They likely married in New York as there is no Irish civil marriage record.
In the 1870 agricultural census for Preston, Chenango County, Michael O’Day farmed 115 acres and held 30 acres of woodland for a total value of $5,800. He reported no farming implements of any value. He owned 2 horses, 26 “milch” cows, and one “other cattle”, for a total value of $1,520. For the year ending 30 June 1870, Michael O’Day harvested or produced 30 bushels of Indian corn, 40 bushels of wheat, 25 bushels of Irish potatoes, $15 worth of orchard products, 900 pounds of butter, 45 tons of hay, and 4 pounds of hops. The value of animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter totaled $257. The estimated value of all farm production including betterment and addition to stock was $1,961.
Bridget Cleary (age 85) continued to live with the O’Day family in Preston through to the 1880 census, where she was reported as Michael’s mother-in-law. Bridget Cleary, with a headstone marked “1796 – 1892”, was buried in Saint Paul’s Cemetery in Norwich, Chenango County.
Margaret Cleary was living with the O’Day family in Preston in the NY 1905 census (age 70) and 1910 federal census (age 76), and reported as “sister-in-law”. She had most likely arrived in the USA about the same time as her sister, Honor. Margaret “Clary” (age 30) in the 1870 census and Margaret “Claery” (age 35) in the 1875 census was a domestic servant living in the household of T. Dewitt Miller of Norwich, Chenango. In both the 1880 census (age 40) and 1900 census (age 62), Margaret Cleary was a domestic servant in the household of Warren L. Scott, a grocer in Norwich. Margaret Cleary died in Norwich, NY, on 6 April 1915 (certificate 21214). Her probate records might lead to other Cleary relatives.
Michael O’Day, with three daughters and no sons, and getting on in years, would send to Ireland for his nephews, presumably to help with the farm work. John O’Dea arrived in 1903 and was still there when his brother, Thomas O’Dea, arrived in May 1905. A third nephew, Patrick Dwyer, also arrived in 1905.
After the death of Michael O’Day (1835 – 1911), the widow Honor Cleary O’day (1839 – 1929) would go to live with her daughter, Fanny O’Day Neville, in Norwich, Chenango County, until her death in 1929. Michael and Honor O’Day are both buried in St Paul’s Cemetery in Norwich:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149 ... hael-o'day
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149 ... nora-o'day
Michael O’Day (≈1834 – 1911) and
Honora Cleary (≈1839 - 1929) of Preston, Chenango County, were the parents of three daughters:
………………. 3.1 Mary Jane O’Day (1869 – after 1945) was 6 months old living with her parents in Preston in the 1870 census.
Mary J. O’Day, age 45, born in Preston, NY, daughter of Michael O’Day and Honora Cleary (both born in Ireland), married
John J. Griffin, age 56, born in Preston, son of Michael Griffin (born in Ireland) and Catherine Welch (born in Preston, NY), on 18 October 1916 in Norwich, Chenango, New York by the Rev. Joseph S. Tiernan; witnesses Robert Griffin and Marguerite Neville [bride’s niece] (NY County marriage records, 1907-1936).
1916 marriage register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FFRC-3WH
Mary J. O’Day Griffin (1869 – after 1945) was reported as the surviving spouse in the obituary of John J. Griffin (1864 – 1945) of Preston, who died in January 1945 (Press and Sun Bulletin, Binghamton, NY, 30 January 1945). They did not have any children.
………………. 3.2 Margaret E. O’Day (1871 - 1936) was 4 years old living with her parents in Preston in the 1875 census.
Timothy Downey and Miss Margaret O’Day, two well known young people residing in the town of Preston, were united in marriage Tuesday at St. Paul’s Church, Rev. Father Curtin officiating. Miss Mary O’Day, sister of the bride, was maid of honor and M.H. McMahon acted as best man. The bride is the daughter of Michael O’Day, of Preston, and the groom is a prosperous farmer. They are receiving the congratulations of their many friends.
Source: news article on findagrave website (below link) which has no date. The marriage must have been between the 1900 census, when Irish born Timothy Downey was a bachelor and the 1905 NY state census when he was married. From later census reports, they had no children.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147 ... ret_downey
………………. 3.3 Frances “Fanny” G. O’Day (1873 – 1944 in NY) was 2 years old living with her parents in Preston in the 1875 census.
She was also living with her parents in the 1880 census, but not in 1900 when her location is unknown. She next appears in the 1905 census as Mrs. Frances Neville along with James Neville (age 35), their daughter Margaret Neville (age 3), and a boarder, “John O’Dray” (born in “US”, occupation “harness”, age transcribed as “34” in error, clearly “24”). “John O’Dray” was in fact her first cousin, John O’Day born in Ireland in 1880 (see 7.1). Frances O’Day must have married the NY born James Neville (who was single in 1900) about 1901 (unknown marriage record).
Frances Neville died in Norwich on 22 February 1944 (per NY death index, 1852-1956). A photo of Fannie O’Day taken prior to her marriage is included in her findagrave memorial:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149 ... es-neville
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149 ... -g-neville
James Neville (1868 – 1932) and
Frances O’Day (1873 – 1944) of Norwich, Chenango County, were the parents of one daughter:
…………………….………. 3.3.1 Margaret V. Neville (1901 - 1991)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149 ... te-neville
4.0 Mary O’Dea (≈1841 – 1873 in Carrowkilla)
Mary O’Dea, of Carrowkilla, age 32, spinster, farmer’s daughter, died on 13 May 1870; informant Patrick O’Dea present at death Carrowkilla (Kildysart registration). Relationship of informant was not reported; likely her father who died in 1890, but possibly her 22-year old brother.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 260815.pdf
5.0 Margaret O’Dea (≈1843 – 1904 in Poulaphuca, Kilchreest)
Margaret O’Dea, of Carhukilla, “age 26”,
daughter of Patrick O’Dea, farmer of Carhukilla, married
William Dwyer, age 27, weaver, of Poulaphuca, son of William Dwyer (≈1812 – 1886), weaver of Poulaphuca, on 17 March 1879 at the Catholic chapel at Kilchreest by the curate P. McDonnell; witnesses John O’Dea and Bridget Gavin (Kildysart registration). Consistent information reported in Clondagad and Kilchreest marriage register, 1846-1880. Margaret O’Dea married just a few weeks after her brother, Patrick O’Dea, who married on 25 February 1879 (on the same civil registration page):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 046514.pdf
Margaret O’Dwyer, of Poulaphica, “age 53”, married, weaver’s wife, died on 10 May 1904; informant husband W. O’Dwyer (Kildysart registration). Her civil death record reflects a birth about 1851, while her marriage record a birth about 1843. The youngest of her eight children was born in 1894; I suspect that she was younger than the “26” reported on her 1879 marriage record.
William O’Dwyer (≈1841 – after 1911) and
Margaret O’Dea (≈1843 – 1904) of Poulaphuca were the parents of eight children.
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, House 1>
………………. 5.1 James O’Dwyer (1880 – 1948 in Chicago), no residence reported, was baptized on 6 September 1880; sponsor Mary O’Dea (Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). James O’Dwyer of Poulaphuca was reported born on 15 September 1880 (after his baptism) to avoid a penalty; father’s occupation was a “weaver” (Kildysart registration).
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, x>
James O’Dwyer, age 25, labourer, nationality “England”, race “Irish”, of Ballynacally, Ireland, arrived in New York on the
SS Celtic on 13 May 1906. His destination was to his brother, Patrick O’Dwyer, of 442 45th Street.
1906 passenger listing (#6):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JFCJ-K23
James Dwyer, of 4929 Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, birth in Ireland on 2 December 1880, arrival in New York on 12 May 1906, became a U.S. citizen on 19 August 1911 at the circuit court in Cook County; witnesses were “Dave” O’Dea [should be “Daniel”] and Patrick O’Dea of 4737 Langley Avenue, Chicago. Not reported, but the witnesses were his first cousins.
James J. Dwyer, age 30, married
Norah Murphy, age 27, on 15 October 1913 in Chicago. Norah Murphy was the
sister of Lt. John Murphy of the Chicago police department whose 1958 obituary reported his birthplace as
“Knockboy, Ballynacally, County Clare” and being the brother of “Mrs. Nora Dwyer and Mrs. Delia Kelly”. John (age 15), Nora (age 14) and Delia (age 13) were living with their parents, Edmond Murphy and Bridget Hehir, at Inishaellawn, Lisheen in the 1901 census:
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... un/360112/
James Dwyer, and his wife Nora, were issued a USA passport on 10 June 1924 with the stated purpose “too see my parents”. In the passport application, James Dwyer reported his birth in Clare on “4 September 1882” and that his father William Dwyer was still living in Clare. He had the occupation of policeman and they lived at 4626 Calumet Avenue in Chicago. They had plans to leave on the
SS Adriatic on 5 July 1924 and return within two months. James Dwyer (age 41) and Nora Dwyer (age 36) are on the passenger listing of the
SS Adriatic returning to New York on 25 August 1924.
1924 passport application (right side page; go to next page for passport photo):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5Y-WZT4
1924 passenger listing (#28, #29)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JNHQ-LWL
James Dwyer, born 2 December 1881, policeman, son of William Dwyer and Margaret O’Day, husband of Nora Dwyer, died on 11 October 1948 (per Cook County deaths, 1871-1998):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MZ-6MHJ
DEAD AT 66
James J. Dwyer, 66 [in fact, age 68], who retired from the police department 13 years ago, after 20 years of service, died Thursday night of a heart attack in his home at 1053 E 47th St. His wife Norah survives him.
Chicago Daily News, Friday, 8 October 1948
DWYER—James Dwyer, 1053 E. 47th street, fond husband of Nora Murphy Dwyer, brother of Patrick of Chicago, Madge and William Dwyer of Ballynacally, County Clare, Ireland. Funeral from funeral home, 1222 E. 47th street, Monday, Oct. 11, at 9:30 a.m., to St. Ambrose church [1906 – 2021]. Mass 10 a.m. Interment St. Mary’s, Oakland.
Chicago Tribune, Sunday, 10 October 1948
………………. 5.2 Patrick O’Dwyer (1882 – 1955 in Chicago), of Poulaphuca, was born on 4 March 1882 (Kildysart registration); father’s occupation reported as “weaver”.
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, x>
Patrick Dwyer, age 27, from “Boyle”, left Queenstown on the
SS Celtic arriving in New York on 2 April 1905. His destination was Oxford, New York (located in Chenango County, a nearby city of his uncle, Michael O’Dea, living in Preston). His contact was initially written as his brother, “Michael Dwyer”, but this name was crossed out and written above was “Patrick” with a scribbled surname, of Oxford, Shannaugh [Chenango], New York. I reckon Patrick O’Dwyer stated that he was from “Ballynacally” and the shipping clerk heard “Boyle”, located in County Roscommon, by mistake. With the obscure destination of Oxford in Chenango County, this passenger is surely Patrick O’Dwyer of Poulaphuca, Ballynacally.
1905 passenger listing (#12):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JF32-C29
In the 1910 census, Patrick Dwyer was boarding at E. 46th Street in Chicago, still an “alien”, and had the occupation of motorman in the streetcar industry. He held the same occupation through to the 1940 census.
Patrick Dwyer, “age 24”, married
Margaret Browne, age 22, on 27 April 1910 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chicago (Cook County marriage index, 1871-1920). When Margaret Browne Dwyer died in 1964, her obituary stated that she was the
“fond sister of Ellen Doohan of County Clare” (
Chicago Tribune, 21 September 1964). Ellen Browne, of Cloncolman, daughter of Michael Browne, had married Patrick Doohan of Lissycasey on 16 October 1915. Ellen Browne (age 14) was living with her father, Michael Browne, in Cloncolman, Clondegad, Clare, in the 1901 census. Margaret Browne was born on 18 November 1877 to
Michael Browne and Susan Clancy of Cloncolman (Kildysart registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 093334.pdf
Patrick Dwyer, of 226 W. 61st Street, Chicago, birth in Ireland in 1881, arrival in New York on 2 June 1904, became a U.S. citizen on 19 August 1911 at the circuit court in Cook County; witnesses were “Dave” O’Dea [should be “Daniel”] and Patrick O’Dea of 4737 Langley Avenue, Chicago. Same naturalization day as his brother, James Dwyer. Not reported, but the witnesses were their first cousins. The arrival date does not agree to the 2 April 1905 passenger listing, but fairly close (and there is no arrival on 2 June 1904).
Patrick Dwyer (1882 – 1955) and
Margaret Browne (1877 – 1964) of Chicago were the parents of four children:
…………………….………. 5.2.1 Katherine Dwyer (age 7 in 1920). Sister Marie Davide, O.P.
…………………….………. 5.2.2 James Dwyer (age 6 in 1920)
…………………….………. 5.2.3 Margaret Dwyer (1915 - 1954) was born on 5 September 1915, and baptized on 19 September 1915; sponsors James Coughlin and Nora [Murphy] Dwyer (per St. Leo the Great baptism register):
1915 baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2YM-15FH
Margaret Dwyer Mackin, late of 659 W. 61st Place, beloved wife of Joseph T., loving mother of Joseph, James, Marianne, Kathleen, Michael, and Margaret Mackin, fond daughter of Patrick and Margaret Dwyer, dear sister of Sister M. Davide, O.P., James and Annamae Dwyer. . . Our Lady of Solace Church. . . Holy Sepulchre cemetery . . .
Chicago Tribune of 4 October 1954.
…………………….………. 5.2.4 Anna Mae Dwyer (age 2 in 1920)
DWYER—Patrick Dwyer, late of 6928 S. Throop street, beloved husband of Margaret, nee Browne; loving father of Sister Mary Davide, O.P., James, Annamae, and the late Margaret Mackin, dear grandfather of six, fond brother of William and Madge of County Clare, Ireland, and the late James [of Chicago]. Funeral Monday, 9 a.m., from funeral home, 7013 S. Racine avenue, to St. Brendan’s church, Mass 9:30 a.m. Interment Holy Sepulchree. Member of St. Brendan’s H.N.S.; St. Elizabeth court, No. 22, C.O.F.; Calumet council, No. 632, K. of C., and div. 241, CTA. Please omit flowers.
Chicago Tribune, Sunday, 30 January 1955
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207 ... rick_dwyer
Note: this Patrick Dwyer of County Clare and later Chicago has been incorrectly “adopted” by the descendants of Michael Dwyer and Mary Sullivan of Ballyhaunis in County Mayo; the parents of 12 children including a Patrick Dwyer born on 23 August 1883, who died in Chicago on 30 June 1941.
………………. 5.3 John O’Dwyer (1883 – 1912 in Poulaphuca), of Poulaphuca was born on 15 November 1883 (Kildysart registration); father’s occupation reported as “weaver” (transcribed as “ODwver”, correction submitted).
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, x>
John O’Dwyer, age 24, single, laborer, of Ballynacally, destination Chicago, arrived in New York on the
SS Baltic on 9 May 1908. His Irish contact was his father, William O’Dwyer, of “Phoulaphuca, Ballynacally”. His USA contact was his brother James O’Dwyer, of 442 E. 46th Street, Chicago. John O’Dwyer was traveling with his cousin, Michael O’Dea, son of Patrick O’Dea, who appears right below him on the passenger listing. John O’Dwyer was likely only visiting his relatives in Chicago for a short period as he died in Clare at the age of 29 on 11 May 1912:
1908 passenger listing (#23, #24, two pages):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JXPS-23P
1912 civil death record:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 495016.pdf
………………. 5.4 Maria O’Dwyer (1885 – 1885), of Poulaphuca was born on 29 April 1885 (Kildysart registration); father’s occupation reported as “weaver”. Maria died at 5 days old.
………………. 5.5 William O’Dwyer (1886 – after 1955), of Poulaphuca was born on 10 November 1886 (Kildysart registration); father’s occupation reported as “weaver”.
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, House 1>
“William Dwyer” of Ballynacally was reported as a brother in the obituaries of James Dwyer (1948) and Patrick Dwyer (1955), both of Chicago.
………………. 5.6 Mary O’Dwyer (1888 – 1908), of Poulaphuca was born on 15 August 1888 (Kildysart registration); father’s occupation reported as “weaver”.
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, x>
………………. 5.7 Michael O’Dwyer (1890 – 1904), of Poulaphuca was born on 3 September 1890 (Kildysart registration); father’s occupation reported as “weaver”.
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, x>
………………. 5.8 Margaret O’Dwyer (1894 – after 1955), of Poulaphuca was born on 30 January 1894 (Kildysart registration); father’s occupation reported as “weaver”.
<Poulaphuca, Kilchreest, House 2, House 1>
“Madge” of Ballynacally was reported as a surviving sister in the obituaries of James Dwyer (1948) and Patrick Dwyer (1955), both of Chicago.
6.0 Jane O’Dea (<1846 – 1916 in Lanna, Clondagad)
Jane O’Dea, of Lanna, “age 21”,
daughter of farmer P. O’Dea, married
John Gavin, of Lavalla, age 28,
son of Martin Gavin, on 14 November 1874 at the Catholic chapel of Kilchrist by the Rev. M. Quinlivan; witness Pat O’Dea and Mary Gavin (per Kildysart registration). The marriage witness was likely Jane O’Dea’s father. When married Jane O’Dea was residing at Lanna, and not the Carrowkilla residence of her father, as Lanna was the residence of her elder sister, Catherine O’Dea Clancy (≈1830 – 1903), who quite possibly also raised her.
Jane O’Dea Gavin was a sister-in-law to James Gavin, who, according to the 1913 magisterial investigation, on the 29th of January at Jail Street in Ennis had used threatening language against Michael A. MacNamara, including that he would pay £5 to get boys to “give him a clitter”. Jane O’Dea Gavin was also sister-in-law to Patrick Kelly, “the tea-man”, who was married to Bridget Gavin.
Some evidence, however slight, that Jane O’Dea (and thus also Catherine O’Dea Clancy) was the daughter of Patrick O’Dea of Carrowkilla is that her eldest daughter married a son of John McMahon of Carrowkilla. Also, there was not a Patrick O’Dea of Lanna townland which would have disproved the theory. Further evidence could have been if the children or grandchildren of John Gavin and Jane O’Dea went to visit O’Dea relatives in Chicago, but they appear to have all remained in Ireland.
Despite Jane O’Dea’s age being reported as 21 in her 1874 marriage record, her birth year is open to debate. If truly only 21 years old, then born about 1853 and possibly between August 1853 and January 1855 which has no baptism entries in the Clondagad and Kilchreest baptism register. However, the 1901 and 1911 census reports for Jane Gavin reflect a birth year of 1845 and 1843 respectively. And when Jane Gavin died in 1916, her reported age was 70 years on the civil death record, thus born about 1846. Her headstone at Plot B86 at Kilchreest cemetery has chiseled in stone that she was 71 years old. Thus, I’ve concluded that Jane O’Dea was more likely born prior to the 1846 start of the Clondagad and Kilchreest baptism register.
An older age at marriage might explain why
John Gavin (<1846 - 1916) and
Jane O’Dea (<1846 – 1916) were the parents of only three children, a small family for that time period.
<Lanna, Clondagad, House 5, House 9>
………………. 6.1 Mary Gavin (1875 – 1954), no residence reported, was baptized on 8 August 1875; sponsor
Catherine O’Dea (per Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). Per civil birth registration, their residence was Lanna and her father was a farmer (Kildysart registration).
Mary Gavin, of Lanna, daughter of John Gavin, married
Patrick McMahon,
of Carhukilla, son of John McMahon (deceased) [and Anne Roache per 1873 baptism], on 17 February 1903 at the Catholic church at Lissycasey by the curate William Foley; witnesses Eugene O’Shea and Catherine McMahon (Kildysart registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 722855.pdf
Patrick McMahon (1873 - 1944) and
Mary Gavin (1875 – 1954) <Lanna, Clondegad, House 5; Carrowkilla, Ballynacally, House 2> were the parents of three children:
…………………….………. 6.1.1 Bridget McMahon (1903 - 1972)
<Carrowkilla, Ballynacally, x, House 2> married Thomas Ronan, of Music Hall, Lissycasey, son of John Ronan, on 11 April 1944 at the Catholic church at Ballycorrick by the parish priest Patrick O’Reilly; witnesses Patrick Gavin and Mary McMahon (Kildysart registration).
…………………….………. 6.1.2 John McMahon (1907 – 1990 per Kilchreest cemetery)
<Carrowkilla, Ballynacally, x, House 2>
…………………….………. 6.1.3 Mary McMahon (1914 – 1987 per Kilchreest cemetery), of Carrowkilla, was born on 31 January 1914 (Kildysart registration).
………………. 6.2 Patrick Gavin (1879 – 1967 per Kilchreest cemetery), no residence reported, was baptized on 28 December 1879; sponsor
Mary Quinlivan (per Clondagad and Keelchrist baptisms, 1846-1881). Patrick Gavin, of Lanna, was reportedly born on 20 January 1880 (one month after his baptism), father’s occupation was farmer (Kildysart registration).
<Lanna, Clondagad, House 5, House 9>
Patrick Gavin, age 30, of Lanna, Ballynacally, son of John Gavin, married
Anne McGuane, age 28, of Gurtygeehan, Lissycasey, daughter of John McGuane [and Anne Griffin per 1877 baptism], on 2 February 1910 at the Catholic Church of Lissycasey by the parish priest A. Clancy; witnesses Patrick O’Dea and Kate McGuane (Kildysart registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 627936.pdf
Patrick Gavin (1879 – 1967) and
Anne McGuane (1877 – 1963) of Lanna were the parents of three children:
…………………….………. 6.2.1 Mary Gavin (1913 – after 1944), of Lanna, was born on 18 September 1913 (Kildysart registration). Mary Anne Gavin, daughter of Patrick Galvin of Leanna, Lissycasey, married Patrick Collins, of Reiskavanagher (sp?), Newmarket, son of John Collins, on 29 August 1944, at the Catholic church at Newmarket-on-Fergus, by the curate J. Hayes; witnesses Patrick Hamill and Mary Collins (Ennis civil registration).
…………………….………. 6.2.2 Michael Gavin (1916 - 1955), of Lanna, was born on 2 July 1916 (Kildysart registration). Died on 22 June 1955 per civil death record, informant his father Patrick Gavin; headstone transcription states 22 Jan 1967.
…………………….………. 6.2.3 Patrick Gavin (1919 – 1986 per Kilchreest cemetery), of Lanna, was born on 5 September 1919 (Kildysart registration).
………………. 6.3 Michael Gavin (1883 – 1885), of Lanna, was born on 22 November 1883, father’s occupation was farmer (Kildysart registration). Michael died on 7 March 1885.
7.0 Patrick O’Dea (<1846 or ≈1851 – 1930 in Carrowkilla)
To be continued,