Thomas J. Madigan, Sergeant Major U.S. Army, born in Kilrush

[Jimbo]

FOUR ORPHAN BOYS INHERIT $5000 EACH FROM SOLDIERS

Denver, Colo., Oct. 18.—Four orphan lads at St. Vincent's home here learned of their inheritance of $5,000 each from two world war heroes, Thomas J. Madigan and James Jacques, who died recently at Fitzsimons general hospital.

The soldiers, without relatives, through the Rev. William J. Ryan of the hospital, bequeathed the $20,000 life insurance to the four "most deserving" boys at the orphanage.

The beneficiaries are Donald Floyd, 10, John Mail, 10, Eugene Casey and Roy Hillstrom, each three years old.

Madigan and Jacques died of tuberculosis contracted in France.

El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas, 18 October 1921

Two After-War Heroes

Out in the middle west four little orphan boys last fall had a happy surprise. Two soldiers, heroes during the Great War bequeathed their $10,000 insurance to these parentless youngsters of an orphan asylum.

Thomas J. Madigan and James Jacques were the soldiers and they both died of tuberculosis which the contracted while serving Uncle Sam on the firing line. They were heroes in life and they became heroes in death through giving these four little boys an encouraging start on the road to an education. Two of the children, ten years old, already have determined how their surprise fortunes are to be spent. One will become a musician and one a farmer. The other two are but three years old so their fortunes are still a bit hazy. All four, however, were chosen by the sisters superior of the orphanage because of their worthiness.

The Beloit Daily Call, Beloit, Kansas, 22 December 1921

In the 1920 census for Colfax, Adams County, Colorado, at U.S. General Army Hospital No. 21, later named Fitzsimons General Hospital, was patient Thomas J. Madigan, "Reg Seagt Major", born in Ireland, reported age 45, so born about 1875, single, arrived in the U.S. in 1894, naturalized citizen:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX27-9PZ

Below is brief history of Fitzsimons General Hospital which specialized in treating soldiers infected with tuberculosis during World War I. Thomas J. Madigan in the 1920 census was reported on page 11 of 24. The hospital was counted from pages 5 through 23, with 50 individuals (both patients and workers) per page, it was a very large hospital:

https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/articl ... l-hospital

MADIGAN—Thomas Madigan, at Fitzsimons General hospital. Services will be held at St. Philomena's church today at 10 a.m. Interment at Mount Olivet.
Denver Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, 14 June 1921

Thomas J. Madigan, Regimental Sergeant Major U.S. Army, died on 10 June 1921 and was buried at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Jefferson County, Colorado. The findagrave website (not his headstone) states that he was born on 5 December 1875 in Kilrush, County Clare. As an attachment, a news article from the Meade Globe includes a much longer version of the above Beloit News, highlighting the impact of tuberculosis on the nation.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/915 ... -j-madigan

Madigan is a very common surname in Kilrush parish records. One news article above stated that in bequeathing his insurance to the orphans, that Thomas J. Madigan had died "without relatives". Was this true? How likely is it that an Irishman in the United States has no siblings or cousins or other relatives? Who were the parents of Thomas J. Madigan?

To be continued.

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

This Thomas Madigan was born in 1869, which is 6 years too early, but I think he is a possiblility:

5 Dec 1865: Marriage of Michael Madigan, Seaman, aged 24, Pound St. Kilrush, son of Michael Madigan, Labourer, to Honora Corry, aged 26, Pound St. Kilrush, daughter of Michael Corry, Labourer, in Kilrush Chapel; witnesses: Dan McKiniry, Ellen Madigan; celebrant: Laurence L Brown, C.C.: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 266712.pdf
Parish Record: https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 3/mode/1up
(In my transcription the date, transcribed as 5 Nov. 1865, should be 5 Dec.),
Occupation of Seaman usually means the Navy.

2 Jun 1869: Birth of twins, John and Thomas Madigan, Pound St. Kilrush, to Michael Madigan, Seaman, and Honora Corry: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 243691.pdf
The death of a John Madigan, aged 0, was registered in Kilrush in 1869 (no image available).
The baptism of the twins was not recorded and may have been just a conditional baptism (a lay baptism considered valid in an emergency) at home in Pound St.. It was common for twins to be baptised conditionally at birth - a church baptism often followed, but maybe not in this case.

23 Sept 1871: Birth of Margaret Madigan, Pound St. Kilrush, to Michael Madigan, New York, U.S.A., and Honora Corry: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 198268.pdf
23 Sept. 1871: Baptism of Margaret Madigan of Michael Madigan and Honora Corry, Pound St.; sponsors; Pat Faul, Kate Faul: https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 3/mode/1up
No further records found for Margaret b. 1871.

1901 census: Michael Madigan, widower, aged 70, Pensioner, boarding at the house of Ellen Burke, The Glen, Kilrush: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... n/1082624/
In 1901, a Pensioner was usually someone who had been in the army, or the navy.
7 Jan 1908, Union Hospital, Kilrush: Death of Michael Madigan, Kilrush, widower, aged 78, Army Pensioner: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 541284.pdf

Michael seems to have travelled to the U.S.A. while in the navy (see record of birth of Margaret (above) in 1871.

I failed to find a record of the death of Honora (sometime between 1871 and 1901).

I found no births to Michael and Honora, other than the birth of the twins in 1869 and the birth of Margaret in 1871, so it’s possible that Thomas born in 1869 had few, or no close relatives. Whether he is the Thomas who died in Colorado in 1921 is another question, of course. But I noticed that this Thomas’s parents were married on 5th December 1865 and thought it a coincidence that findagrave gives the date of Colorado Thomas’s birth as 5th Dec 1875. The "X" beside the record of the marriage, in the Kilrush parish register, suggests to me that the record was checked at some stage.

Sheila

[Jimbo]

Hi Sheila,

Thank you for that feedback. I agreed that Thomas Madigan, of Pound Street in Kilrush born in 1869, had a good chance of being the Sergeant Thomas Madigan, a veteran of the Great War who died in 1921 in Colorado. While Sergeant Madigan had a declared birth year of 1875, it was not uncommon to fib your age when men enlisted with the army. You may recall Sergeant Thomas Walsh, the sister of Margaret Walsh Duncan who owned the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City (from pages 27-28 of the search for the missing Thomas McNamara). Thomas Walsh was born in Ballynahinch in 1869, but when he enlisted with the U.S. Army in 1898, he reported his year of birth as 1875. So Thomas Madigan of Pound Street had a very good chance, I reckoned, to be Sergeant Madigan and was worthy of further research.

However, I disagree with you that a Navy pensioner would ever be reported as an Army pensioner. The Michael Madigan, an Army Pensioner, widower, living in The Glen, Kilrush, in the 1901 Irish census was very unlikely ever in the Navy and also very unlikely to be the Michael McNamara, occupation Seaman, who was the father of the Thomas Madigan of Pound Street born in 1869.

Pound Street in Kilrush was very close to the harbor and it appears to have been quite common for its residents to have occupations associated with the river / sea. In just one single civil death record page from 1892, there were three deaths on Pound Street of a "widow of a boatman", "widow of a sailor", and "boatman". See link below for Bridget Madigan who died in 1892.

So the Michael Madigan, the father of Thomas Madigan, who had the occupation of "seaman" in the 1865 marriage record, was unlikely in the Navy. Since Michael Madigan was reported to have been in New York at the birth of his daughter Margaret in 1871, I reckon that Michael may have possibly worked as a seaman on an immigrant ship? Or perhaps he first immigrated to America, and would send for the rest of his family upon getting settled? Regardless, his son Thomas Madigan born in 1869 was worthy of further research as the possible Sergeant Madigan who died in Colorado in 1921.

I struggled to find any USA records of Michael Madigan & Honora Corry, or of their surviving children, Thomas born in 1869, and Margaret born in 1871.

I did discover that Michael Madigan was the son of Michael Madigan and Bridget McCormick born in 1841. The 1892 death record of Bridget [McCormick] Madigan of Pound Street, with the informant as Ellen Clancy was consistent with their daughter Ellen Madigan born in 1844, who married John Clancy in 1866.

My approach to discovering the missing family of Michael Madigan, was that the children of John Clancy and Ellen Madigan may have immigrated to the same place as the missing Madigans.

Living in Pound Street, Kilrush in the 1911 Irish census was the family of Patrick Clancy and Margaret Hynes. This Patrick Clancy appeared to have been born in 1869 at Pound Street, son of John Clancy and Ellen Madigan. First born son named John, second born daughter named Ellen. However, there was no marriage record to confirm this theory. Possibly a poor transcription? Plus, on the ancestry website, the prevailing view was that Patrick Clancy married to Margaret Hynes (as reflected in birth/baptism records), living on Pound Street, was the "Patrick John" of Newmarket born on 16 February 1868 to Timothy Clancy and Jane Molony (Ennis civil record):

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 266383.pdf

Newmarket Catholic parish records, and Sheila's related transcriptions. are for the period of 1828 to 1866. Timothy Clancy and Jane Molony did have children baptized in Newmarket Parish between 1861 and 1865. For more current records into at least the 1870's, it appears that the Mormon Church back in the day was able to microfilm the Newmarket baptism register (film number 101163). The ancestry website has "Ireland, Select Births and Baptsims, 1620-1911" with the entry for "Patrick John Clancy", 16 February 1868, Killanin, Clare, Ireland, father as Timothy Clancy, mother Jane Molony.

There is no actual record for this index entry. The civil record does not state "Killanin", so this must be the baptism record. A one-time poster on this forum asked about the location of "Killanin" in the below link, but gave few details on the record they were questioning, and there was a discussion if it was a civil birth record or baptism record:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3503&p=5340&hilit=Killanin#p5340

Did Patrick John Clancy really move from Newmarket Parish to Pound Street in Kilrush Parish? Even more interesting in the various family trees, was that this Patrick Clancy, a 44 year old fisherman in the 1911 census with ten children, moved with family members to Brisbane, Australia? One family tree has a photo of Patrick Clancy looking very sharp in a suit and white bow tie. But none of the family trees had any support: no Australian death records, no immigration records, no obituaries from the trove newspaper archive. Patrick Clancy and Margaret Hynes had ten surviving children, but there was only limited information on perhaps one or two of their children in any of these family trees.

The prevailing theory that Patrick Clancy of Pound Street was from Newmarket (one family tree had John Clancy and Ellen Madigan, but little other info) was very suspect. Did the Clancy's immigrate to Australia? After failing to find Irish civil death records for Patrick Clancy or Ellen Madigan Clancy, I had a look at the trove newspaper archive for an obituary of an Ellen Clancy of Brisbane. And surprisingly enough her obituary reported five sons, their names matching the 1911 census, along with five daughters with only their married names. Was also able to find their Australian death records and the Queensland passenger arrival index for the Clancy family.

Of the 12 Clancy family members living at Pound Street in the 1911 census, only one son, Patrick Clancy, would remain in Kilrush. Between 1912 and 1928, the Clancy parents and nine of their children would immigrate to Brisbane. See detail in below family tree. The first to immigrate was their son John Clancy in 1912. Only an index to Queensland immigration records is available on-line (actual record might be included with a findmypast subscription?). It would be interesting to see the actual passenger listing to reveal who sponsored John in 1912 as their sponsor could possibly be a Madigan uncle or aunt.

Queensland nominated immigrants (1908 - 1922):
https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/car ... e%3ACLANCY

Queensland nominated immigrants (1922 - 1940):
https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/imm ... e%3ACLANCY

Sheila, thanks again for the mention of the twin Thomas Madigan, born in 1869, as a possibility to be the Sergeant Madigan who died in 1921. However, after pursuing my research approach that the Clancy family would lead to the missing Michael Madigan family, which led us only to Brisbane, I searched the Irish civil death records and discovered that Thomas Madigan appears to have died in 1869 along with his twin brother John.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie ... t%3DSearch


Michael Madigan Family of Pound Street, Kilrush

Michael Madigan (died prior to 1864?) and Bridget McCormick (≈1793 - 1892)

In the Griffith Valuation of 1855 for the Town of Kilrush in the townland of Drimna in Kilrush Parish, Michael Madigan on Pound Street (in Plot 12) is a leaseholder of #24, a house, yard, and small garden; valuation 10 shillings; lessor Col. C.M. Vandeleur.

https://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv ... h=&height=

In having a look at google street view, the current two-story homes on Pound Street appear to be of post-WWII construction. The Kilrush and District Historical Society has an old "Lawrence photo showing the roofs of cottages along Pound Street. The signal box of the West Clare Railway is in the foreground".
https://m.facebook.com/KDHSCountyClare/ ... 14uQXxU9k4

Bridget Madigan, of Pound Street, age 99 years, widow of a boatman, died on 17 April 1892; informant Ellen Clancy, present at death Pound Street (not stated but Ellen Clancy was her daughter).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 717998.pdf

Michael Madigan and Bridget McCormick were the parents of three children who had been baptized in the Kilrush Parish register:

1.0 Mary Madigan was baptized on 9 May 1839, residence Pound Street; sponsors Michael Griffin and H. Cusack per Kilrush baptism register (1827 - 1863).


2.0 Michael Madigan was baptized on 2 September 1841, residence Leadmore; sponsor Norry Collins per Kilrush baptism register (1827 - 1863). Occupation was seaman. Was in New York in September 1871 at the birth of daughter Margaret. Later whereabouts unknown.

5 Dec 1865: Marriage of Michael Madigan, Seaman, aged 24, Pound St. Kilrush, son of Michael Madigan, Labourer, to Honora Corry (≈1839 - ?), aged 26, Pound St. Kilrush, daughter of Michael Corry, Labourer, in Kilrush Chapel; witnesses: Dan McKiniry and Ellen Madigan (Michael's sister); celebrant: Laurence L Brown, C.C.:

............ 2.1 Thomas Madigan was born on 2 June 1869 , residence Pound Street. The death of a Thomas Madigan, aged 0, was registered in Kilrush in 2nd quarter of 1869 (no image available).

............ 2.2 John Madigan was born on 2 June 1869. The death of a John Madigan, aged 0, was registered in Kilrush in 2nd quarter of 1869 (no image available).

............ 2.3 Margaret Madigan was born on 23 September 1871, residence Pound Street, Kilrush; father, a laborer, was in New York, per Kilrush civil records. Baptism on 23 September 1871 with sponsors Pat Faul and Kate Faul per Kilrush parish baptism register.


3.0 Ellen Madigan (1844 - 1903) was baptized on 17 February 1844, residence Pound Street; sponsors Tom Mahoy and Biddy White per Kilrush baptism register (1827 - 1863).

Ellen Madigan, age 23, of Pound Street, daughter of labourer Michael Madigan, married John Clanchy, age 23, of Ballyagun of Kilmacduane Parish, son of labourer Michael Clanchy, on 27 November 1866, at the Catholic Church in Kilrush, by the curate Lawrence J. Browne; witnesses Timothy Clanchy and Bridget O'Neill (Kilrush civil registration; Kilrush Parish marriage register).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 250744.pdf

Ellen Clancy was the informant on the 1892 death record of her mother, Bridget McCormick Clancy, of Pound Street. Ellen Clancy, of Pound Street, age 58, wife of laborer, died on 7 February 1903; informant husband John Clancy per Kilrush civil record.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 596214.pdf

John Clancy (≈1843 - after 1911) <Pound Street, Kilrush, House 42, House 44> was living with his daughter Ellie Clancy (age 30) on Pound Street in the 1911 Irish census. Unusual for a widower, it was reported his "years married" as 48 (should be 44); and 6 children born, with 1 living. In fact, two children, Patrick and Ellen, are known to have been still living in 1911, so difficult to know if the other four children had died prior to 1911. Perhaps his answer in 1911 was "one child living with him"?

............ 3.1 Michael Clanchy was baptized on 23 November 1867, residence Pound Street; baptism sponsors Michael and Bridget Madigan per Kilrush Parish baptism register. Per civil birth record, born on 22 November 1867, father's occupation was "labourer" (Kilrush registration).

Possibility: a Michael Clancy, declared age 22 (born ≈1869), born in Clare, Ireland, enlisted with the U.S. Navy at Boston on 5 March 1891 for a three year period of service. He had blue eyes, brown hair, and a florid complexion. Anchor tattoo on back right hand. Birth mark on left side of neck.


............ 3.2 Patrick Clanchy was baptized on 18 February 1869, residence Pound Street; baptism sponsors Michael and Bridget Cavanagh per Kilrush Parish baptism register.

Patrick Clancy and Margaret Hynes had been married for 22 years according to the 1911 Irish Census. Unable to locate their civil marriage record. Margaret Hynes was the daughter of John Hynes and Honora Shannon, of John Street, Kilrush, and baptized on 11 March 1865.

In the UK Outward Passenger Lists, departing London on the Orient Line SS Orsova on 25 July 1925 were: Mr. P. Clancy, "age 49"; Mr. M. Clancy, age 23; Mr. R. Clancy, age 20; Mrs. M. Clancy, "age 48"; Miss N. Clancy, age 15: "last address" reported as "Pound Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare". Captain C. G. Matheson. Most of the passengers were British, very few from the Irish Free State.

The SS Orsova would travel via the Suez Canal and was meant to arrive in Brisbane on 7 September 1925:

Orsova, left London July 24, due Columbo [Ceylon] Aug 15, Fremantle Aug 25, Adelaide Aug 29, Melbourne Aug 31, Sydney Sept 3, Brisbane Sept 7.
The Daily Mail, Brisbane, 3 August 1925 (per trove newspaper archive)

The SS Orsova did in fact arrive in Fremantle, WA, according to the above schedule, but due to the "British Seamen's Strike of 1925" there it remained. The Queensland passenger index states that the Clancy family arrived in Brisbane on the SS Orsova on 26 September 1925, but that clearly didn't happen. More likely they were among the many 3rd class immigrants from the SS Orsova who arrived in Brisbane on the SS Largs Bay on 5 October 1925. The 1925 seamen's strike was in protest against a proposed wage cut; many newspaper headlines stated that they were "Communists". The Clancy family of Pound Street spent many weeks in Fremantle:

THE SITUATION AT FREMANTLE
Orsova Still at the Wharf

"Helpless, but not hopeless," was the description given by an Orsova passenger yesterday of their plight during the hold-up of their ship at Fremantle. Like most strikes, it is upon those not concerned with the dispute that the hardships fall. Some 450 third-class passengers are still aboard the vessel. They wander about listlessly over the wharf and through the town, sit in groups on the deck, or play cards in the smoking room. . . .

Sunday Times, Perth, WA, 30 August 1925 (per trove archive)

Patrick Joseph Clancy died in Queensland on 27 September 1937, father John Clancy, mother Ellen Madigan (per Australia Death Index, 1787 - 1985).

CLANCY.—The Relatives and Friends of Mrs. P.J. Clancy, South Terrace, Yeerongpilly, are invited to attend the funeral of her beloved Husband, Patrick Joseph Clancy, to move from the Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Ipswich Road, South Brisbane. This Tuesday Forenoon, at 10 o'clock, to the South Brisbane Cemetery.
FOLEY CREMIN, PTY., LTD

The Courier-Mail, Brisbane, Queensland, 28 September 1937 (per trove archrive)

Margaret Greta Clancy died in Queensland on 22 March 1954, father John Hynes, mother Nora Shannon (per Australia Death Index, 1787 - 1985).

CLANCY. Mrs. Margaret G. —The Relatives and Friends of Mr. and Mrs. J. [John] Clancy, Mrs. and Mrs. F. [Bridget] Hills, Mrs. E. [Ellen] McNeil, Mr. and Mrs. P. [Patrick] Clancy, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Clancy, Mr. and Mrs. D. [Mary] Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Clancy, Mr. and Mrs. R. [Robert] Clancy, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. [Margaret] Keogh, and Mr. and Mrs. T. [Norah] O'Sullivan and Families are invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved Mother, Mother-in-law, and Grandmother, Margaret Greta Clancy of 22 South Terrace, Yeerongpilly, to leave the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ipswich Road, Annerley. This Tuesday, at 3:30 p.m. for South Brisbane Cemetery at 6:30 a.m.

The Courier Mail, Brisbane, Queensland, 23 March 1954 (per trove archive)

In Australia, I've now learned that "Mac" doesn't always refer to "McNamara". Mary Immaculate "Mary Mac" Catholic Church on Ipswich Road:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Imma ... ,_Annerley

Patrick Clancy and Margaret Hynes were the parents of 12 children, 10 surviving at the 1911 census, who were all living at Pound Street in Kilrush in 1911. <Pella Road, Kilrush Urban, House 6; Pound Street, Kilrush Urban, House 41>

.......................... 3.2.1 John Clancy (age 21 in 1911) was born on 27 May 1890, residence Pound Street, Kilrush. John Clancy, age 21, departed London on the SS Rimutaka (1900) on 7 February 1912 and arrived in Brisbane on 26 March 1912 as a nominated immigrant.
.......................... 3.2.2 Mary Clancy (1891 - 1895). Mary Clancy, age 4 & 1 month, of Pound Street, died on 20 August 1895; informant mother Margaret Clancy
.......................... 3.2.3 Bridget Clancy (age 18 in 1911). Bridget (age 22) and her sister Ellen (age 20), arrived in Brisbane on the SS Waipara in 1913 as nominated immigrants. "Mrs. F. Mills" on mother's 1954 obituary.
.......................... 3.2.4 Ellen Clancy (age 16 in 1911). Ellen (age 20) and her sister Bridget (age 22) arrived in Brisbane on the SS Waipara in 1913 as nominated immigrants. "Mrs. E. McNeil" on mother's 1954 obituary.
.......................... 3.2.5 Patrick Clancy (age 15 in 1911) was born on 19 June 1896, residence Pound Street. Patrick Clancy, labourer, of Pound Street, son of Patrick Clancy, married Bridget Coughlan, of Hector Street, daughter of labourer John Coughlan, on 17 July 1923 at the Catholic Church at Kilrush, officiated by the curate Andrew J. McNamara; witnesses Henry Russell and Bridget Hennessy (Kilrush registration). Patrick was the only member of the Clancy family to remain in Kilrush.
.......................... 3.2.6 Michael Clancy (age 13 in 1911). Michael (age 23), along with his parents and two other siblings, arrived in Brisbane on the SS Orsova (1908) in 1925.
.......................... 3.2.7 Mary Clancy (age 11 in 1911). Mary (age 23) and her sister Peggy (age 18) arrived in Brisbane on the SS Orcades (1921) on 31 March 1924. "Mrs. D. Jones" on mother's 1954 obituary.
.......................... 3.2.8 Timothy Clancy (1902 - 1902)
.......................... 3.2.9 Martin Clancy (age 9 in 1911) was born on 1 October 1900, residence Pella Road. Martin Clancy, age 22, a motor driver, of Kilrush, son of laborer Pat Clancy, married Bridget Walshe, age 28, of Kilrush, daughter of laborer John Walshe, on 29 April 1923 at the Catholic Church at St. Senan's in Kilrush, officiated by the curate James Smyth; witnesses Francis Shalor and Kitty McMahon.
.......................................... 3.2.9.1 Ita Clancy
Martin Clancy (age 27), Bridget (age 32), and Ita (age 4) arrived in Brisbane on the SS Jervis Bay (1922) on 8 October 1928.

.......................... 3.2.10 Robert Clancy (age 7 in 1911). Robert (age 20), along with his parents and two other siblings, arrived in Brisbane on the SS Orsova (1908) in 1925.
.......................... 3.2.11 Margaret Clancy (age 5 in 1911). Peggy (age 18) and her sister Mary (age 23) arrived in Brisbane on the SS Orcades (1921) on 31 March 1924. "Mrs. W.V. Keogh" on mother's 1954 obituary.
.......................... 3.2.12 Norah Clancy (age 3 in 1911). Nora (age 15), along with her parents and two other siblings, arrived in Brisbane on the SS Orsova (1908) in 1925. "Mrs. T. Sullivan" on mother's 1954 obituary.


............ 3.3 Bridget Clanchy was born on 1 January 1871, residence Pound Street per Kilrush civil records. The baptism record of 1 January 1871 reported the child as "Ellen", same as mother, in error. The baptism sponsors were Michael Madigan and Honor Madigan per Kilrush Parish baptism register.

Possibility: a Bridget Clancy, age 19, born in County Clare, departed London on the SS Jelunga, and arrived in Brisbane on 17 August 1891.

............ 3.4 Mary Clancy was baptized on 1 June 1873, residence Pound Street; baptism sponsors Pat Lynch and Mary Lynch per Kilrush Parish baptism register.

Possibility: a Mary Clancy in 1912 (the same year John Clancy arrived, a possible nephew?) was reported to be a "Nominator" in the index of Queensland nominated immigrants (1908 - 1922).

............ 3.5 Martin Clancy was baptized on 19 November 1875, residence Pound Street; baptism sponsors Thady Clancy and Ellen Cavanagh per Kilrush Parish baptism register.

............ 3.6 Ellen Clancy was baptized on 18 August 1878, residence Pound Street; baptism sponsors Stephen Birmingham and Ellen Deloughery per Kilrush Parish baptism register. Ellie was a "mill hand" in the 1911 census. <Pound Street, Kilrush, House 42, House 44> Ellie Clancy, of Pound Street, daughter of labourer John Clancy, married John Burke, of Pound Street [House 58 in 1911 census], son of labourer Thomas Burke (deceased) [and Mary Purtill], on 9 November 1913 at St. Senan's Church in Kilrush, officiated by the parish priest John McInerney; witnesses Ellen Mangan and John Kelleher.

********************

Thomas Madigan, born in 1869 the son of Michael Madigan and Honora Corry of Pound Street in Kilrush, is not Sergeant Thomas J. Madigan who died in Colorado in 1921. Upon his death in 1921, a news article stated that in bequeathing his insurance to the orphans, that Thomas J. Madigan had died "without relatives". Was this true? How likely is it that an Irishman in the United States has no siblings or cousins or other relatives? Who were the parents of Thomas J. Madigan?

To be continued.

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

Well, it’s very clear that my Thomas b. 1869 is not the sergeant major who died in Colorado. So it’s back to the drawing board with me.

I agree that my Thomas is very likely the Thomas Madigan who died in infancy in 1869.

Good work, Jimbo, on my Thomas’s father, Michael Madigan, Seaman (not Navy or Army), Michael’s parents, his siblings and his Clancy nephews and nieces, especially Patrick, whose emigration to Australia with his wife Margaret Hynes, in 1925, is especially noteworthy as Patrick was aged 56 in 1925 and Margaret was aged 60. It reminded me of the emigration of Jane (Quilty) Nash – see topic “John Nash 1815-1880 and Jane Quilty – Kilrush”: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7050 - if Jane’s age at death in 1904 is correct, she would have been aged 67 when she went to Australia in 1885.

So now we must begin afresh with Sergeant Thomas J. Madigan, born in Kilrush abt. 1875, died in Colorado 1921.

Sheila

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

I’m having another go at finding Thomas J. Madigan:

There is a faint possibility that Thomas Madigan was a brother of Joseph Madigan of James Madigan and Ellen Buckley born 16 July 1876 in Kilrush Workhouse:
16 Jul 1876: Birth of Joseph Madigan, in Kilrush Workhouse, to James Madigan, a Traveller and Dealer, and Ellen unknown (the Kilrush baptisms gives Ellen’s surname as Buckly and the sponsor as Bridget Deloughery, probably an employee at the Workhouse): https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 14743a.pdf

I can find no further records for James and Ellen in Kilrush, or for Joseph. And I am not at all sure that this is the marriage of James and Ellen in 1867:
14 Mar. 1867: Marriage of James Madigan, labourer, Newcastle [Co. Limerick], son of John Madigan, Labourer, to Ellen Buckley, Newcastle, daughter of Patrick Buckley, Labourer, in St. Thomas’s Church, Newcastle; witnesses: William Scales, William Jesse: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 225121.pdf

I think there’s a possibility that Mary Buckley, who was married to John Obrien, described in this record as a beggar, is a sister of Ellen:
9 Feb. 1877: Birth in Kilrush Workhouse of Bridget OBrien to John OBrien, a travelling beggar, and Mary Buckley: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 106244.pdf
I found no further records for Johh O’Brien and Mary Buckley in Kilrush, but this must be the record of the marriage of John O’Brien, Beggar, and Mary Buckley in Ennis in 1876: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 092773.pdf

If Ellen Buckly is a sister of Mary Buckley, I think that James and Ellen had what we now describe as a marginal existence. I think that they moved about and may not have registered the births of all their children.

Sheila

[Sduddy]

This might a better shot at finding Thomas J. Madigan:

A Thomas Madigan was baptised on 11 December (Feastday of Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas)) 1868. The birth was registered early in 1869. His parents, Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane, had married in Feb 1868. Two more children were born to Stephen and Bridget. Stephen died in 1872. I can find no further records for Bridget. She may have remarried, but I found no record of a second marriage (in Kilrush).

4 Feb 1868: Marriage of Stephen Madigan, aged 28, Farmer, Carnanes, son of Luke Madigan, Farmer, to Bridget Keane, aged 30, Baltard, daughter of Charles Keane, Farmer, in Baltard Chapel; witnesses: Patt Madigan, Sinon O’Brien: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 207188.pdf

14 Dec 1868: Birth at Carnanes, Kilrush, of Thomas to Stephen Madigan, Farmer, and Bridget Keane: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 248527.pdf

11 Feb 1870: Birth at Carnanes, Kilrush, of Maryanne to Stephen Madigan, Farmer, and Bridget Keane: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 230351.pdf

13 Apr 1871: Birth at Carnanes of John to Stephen Madigan, Farmer, and Bridget Keane: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 217630.pdf

1 Aug 1872, at Carnanes: Death of Stephen Madigan, married, aged 36, Farmer; informant: Mary Clancy, Burton Street: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 270995.pdf

Sheila

[Jimbo]

Hi Sheila,

Thank you very much for researching other possibilities for the parents of Sergeant Major Thomas J. Madigan who died in Colorado in 1921. I definitely agree with your latest investigative work that Thomas might be the son of Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane, one of only three children.

The fact that this Thomas Madigan was born in December 1868, and thus about six years older than the declared age of Sergeant Major Madigan is very reasonable. I mentioned in my last posting about the example of Thomas Walsh of Ballynahinch who was proven to have fibbed his age by six years, and also stated that "it was not uncommon to fib your age when men enlisted with the army". That comment should have specified "when men enlisted with the U.S. army" as I reckon that British military enlistments were more accurate. Sure, a 13 year old might say he was 14 year to enlist as a drummer in the British army. But it was much easier for an Irishman in the USA to fib about their age with Irish records, and local community knowledge of the individual, at such a great distance.

Prior to your very promising discovery, I researched further the Michael Madigan, army pensioner, who was reported in the 1901 census as a 70 year old widower. While he was definitely not the father of Michael Madigan, the Seaman, who married Honora Corry in 1865 and lived on Pound Street, this army pensioner Michael Madigan still might have been the father of Sergeant Major Thomas J. Madigan. Occupations in Ireland do pass from father to son, so it was definitely worth having a look at the army pensioner

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... n/1082624/

I am nearly certain that this Michael Madigan was a pensioner on the Tralee District Pension List dated 1 January 1883 and receiving his pension at Kilrush, listed as follows:

Michael Madigan, 24th Regiment of Foot, "amount" (far left column): £3 and 16 shillings, 1 pence; "rate of pay or pension" (far right column): 0 10.

Sheila, thank you very much for recently providing a link to "The Kerry Recruit", sung by Tom Lenihan, and posted here at the Clare Library website:
https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... enihan.htm

I was taken to a doctor and he soon staunched my blood,
And gave me an elegant leg made of wood.
He gave me a medal and ten pence a day,
And I’m contented with Sheila, I’ll live in fair play.

The last verse of the song has solved the mystery of what "0 10" listed on the pension listing for rate of pension stood for. Michael Madigan must have received "ten pence a day" as stated in the lyric. Probably a well known fact back in the day.

However, Michael Madigan, a pensioner of the 24th Regiment of Foot ("South Wales Borderers") did not fight in the Crimean War (1854 - 1856). According to the "UK Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925". "Michael Maddigan", was discharged from the 24th Regiment of Foot on 17 May 1870, at the age of 39 years old. Private Madigan had served for a total of 21 years and 4 months, plus another 5 months for "disability allowed". If my math is accurate, then he must have enlisted about September 1848 at the age of 18 years (born about 1830 or 1831). His birthplace was reported as "Kildysart, Clare", and had been a laborer upon enlistment.

The Kildysart Parish baptism records start in July 1829. However, there are no baptism entries between May 1830 and October 1830, and none entirely for the year 1831.

From the pension discharge listing, Private Madigan enlisted with the 75th Regiment of Foot, with whom he served for 12 years and 7 months, and then was transferred to the 24th Regiment of Foot, serving for 8 years and 7 months. His military service included 10 years and 7 months in India; and 3 years and 6 months in Malta. Regimental # 686. He had received two good conduct badges. Under "Disability or Cause of Discharge", and "Regimental Surgeon's Report", it states "gunshot in both legs on 14/9/57". From the below regimental histories, Private Madigan would have been with the 75th Regiment of Foot at the Siege of Delhi in June 1857, and the Siege of Lucknow in November 1857.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/75th_(Sti ... nt_of_Foot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Wales_Borderers

"Michael Maddigan" received the "Delhi" medal, but not the Lucknow medal (he was likely in hospital having "gunshot in both legs" in Sept 1857), according to the 75th Regiment of Foot medal listing (source: "UK, Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793 - 1949" on the ancestry website, pg 242 of 357). The remarks stated "transferred to 24th Foot on 30 June 61". This reconciles nicely with the Royal Hospital Discharge information: 8 years 7 months with the 24th Foot, plus 5 months of "disability allowed", agrees to his discharge date of 17 May 1870.

After Private Madigan was discharged from the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 17 May 1870, similar to other discharged soldiers with a military pension, it did not take him long to find a wife. On 8 February 1871, Michael Madigan, age 39, Pensioner, residence of Kilmurry, son of labourer Andrew Madigan, married Mary Moore, age 30, of Knockerra, daughter of weaver Pat Moore, at the Catholic chapel at Knockerra, by the Rev. Michael Pyne; witnesses Michael Hanlon and Darby McMahon (Kilrush reporting district). Consistent details with Knockerra (Killimer) Parish Catholic marriage record.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 161063.pdf

Michael Madigan and Mary Moore don't appear to have had any children. They didn't emigrate since Michael Madigan of the 24th Regiment of Foot was listed on the Tralee District Pension List dated 1 January 1883, as receiving his pension at Kilrush.

Sheila, as you previously discovered, in the 1901 Irish Census, living at The Glen in Kilrush, was a Michael Madigan, Army Pensioner, widower, 70 years old.

He appears to be the Michael Madigan, Army Pensioner, widower, age 78 years old, who died on 7 January 1908 at the Union Hospital Kilrush:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 541284.pdf

But then who was the Michael Madigan, Army Pensioner, widower, age 78 years old, who died on 15 January 1902 at the Union Hospital Kilrush?

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 607389.pdf

To be continued,

Edit (1) correction: Michael was son of Stephen Madigan, not Luke.

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

Yes, that’s a good question. I see now that Michael in The Glen in 1901 is not the Michael who married Mary Moore. The latter couple are living in Drumellihy McDonnell in 1901: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... l/1078699/
Mary in Drumellihy died in 1904 (still aged 60) and the record shows that Michael reported her death: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 576984.pdf.
So the Micheal who died in 1908 must be Drumellihy Michael. And the death in 1902 must be that of Michael in The Glen. Michael in The Glen was a widower in 1901. A possibility for his wife is this Mary Madigan, aged 57, wife of Michael Madigan, a Pensioner, whose death in 1896 was reported by her daughter Mary Madigan, Monvana, Kilrush: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 670307.pdf
Monvana is a sub-townland of the townland of Ballymacurtaun, in Kilrush parish: https://www.logainm.ie/en/1405407. I don’t see any Madigans living in Ballymacurtaun in 1901 – Mary (the daughter) must have married or gone away.

Thank you, Jimbo, for that very interesting posting.

One small error at the beginning: Luke Madigan should be Stephen Madigan (Luke was Stephen’s father).

Sheila

P.S. The song "The Kerry Recruit" mentions a leather strap worn around the neck. It probably saved men from having their throats cut, but it must have been very uncomfortable, especially in hot climates. This strap was still part of the uniform at the time of the Anglo-Zulu war in 1879. In her book, South from the Limpopo: Travels in South Africa, Dervla Murphy writes

Having passed yet another monument to men who fell 'For Queen and Country, in the conquest of Zululand', I was between steep cane-covered slopes ... Dismounting to walk the severest gradient, I marvelled at the endurance of the British troops who marched up these hills in the sweltering midsummer humidity to relieve besieged Eshowe. Their uniforms were brutally unsuitable: thick tightly buttoned red jackets, thick white trousers, heavy boots and ridiculous shakos - cylindrical stovepipe hats, peaked and plumed. Worst of all was the stock, a high stiff leather collar; all were cut to one size and alterations were forbidden, whatever the length of the man's neck. They were described as 'implements of torture' - many sweating necks were completely skinned.

Murphy goes on to describe the heavy loads they carried.

[Jimbo]

Hi Sheila,

Thank you for that added information. This was quite complicated as there were two army pensioners named Michael Madigan, and they both married a "Mary". But I think we now have it sorted out (after making a late correction below). I do wish that the Michael Madigan in the 1901 census living in Drumellihy McDonnell didn't report his occupation as "Army Pensioner R H Artillery". The Michael Madigan married to Mary Moore, was a veteran of the 75th Foot and the 24th Foot, and not the Royal Artillery. Perhaps just an easy mistake by a census taker as I cannot find a Michael Madigan who fought in the Royal Artillery.

The second Michael Madigan listed as a pensioner on the Tralee District Pension List dated 1 January 1883 also received his pension at Kilrush:

Michael Madigan, 64th Regiment of Foot, "amount" (far left column): £3 and 16 shillings, 1 pence; "rate of pay or pension" (far right column): 0 10.

There is better documentation of the military service record for Michael Madigan of the 64th Foot compared to Michael Madigan of the 24th Foot. Along with being one of 12 soldiers summarized on the "Examination of Invalid Soldiers on the 3rd of September 1867" (source, "UK Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925"), Michael Madigan of the 64th Foot had a 4 page pension file with greater detail on his enlistment and service.

From his discharge documentation (taken at Parkhurst barracks on the Isle of Wight), Michael Madigan had enlisted at Donerart (sp?), County Cork, on 14 August 1846 at the age of 20 years, so born about 1826. His birthplace was reported as "Parish of Killadisart, near town of Killadisart, in the County of Clare". The Kildysart Parish baptism records start in July 1829, so there will be no record of his birth.

Private Michael Madigan was discharged from the 64th Regiment of Foot on 3 September 1867, at the age of 41 years old. Private Madigan had served for a total of 21 years and 10 days. His discharge was on his own accord, having served 21 years he was entitled to a full pension.

Private Madigan initially enlisted with the 34th "Cumberland" Regiment of Foot, with which he served between 14 August 1846 and 28 February 1857 (his individual regimental # 2717). He was transferred to the 78th "Highlanders" Regiment of Foot on 1 March 1857 (regimental # 39). And then volunteered for the 64th Regiment of Foot ("2nd Staffordshire") on 1 February 1859 through 23 August 1867 (regimental # 708). His military service included 1 year and 5 months in the West Indies; and 1 year and 5 months in the Crimea; and 3 years and 4 months in India. He had received two good conduct badges, the Crimea Medal, and the Turkish Medal. He was also awarded the "Silver Medal with Gratuity of £50/00".

From the below regimental histories on wikipedia, Private Madigan, of the 34th Regiment, "saw action at the siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854 during the Crimean War."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/34th_(Cum ... nt_of_Foot

Private Michael Madigan was transferred to the 78th "Highlanders" Regiment of Foot on 1 March 1857. According to the regimental history, the 78th Highlanders had only just taken part in the Battle of Khushab in February 1857 during the brief Anglo-Persian War.

The regiment [78th Highlanders] returned to India in May 1857 to help suppress the Indian Rebellion. It took part in the recapture of Cawnpore in July 1857 and then took part in the reinforcement of Lucknow, strongly defending the residency until it was relieved in November 1857. The regiment won eight Victoria Crosses during the campaign and was hailed as the 'saviour of British India' and feted for its conduct at Lucknow. This included being commemorated by poets such as John Greenleaf Whittier and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The regiment returned home in September 1859.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/78th_(Hig ... nt_of_Foot

Private Michael Madigan did not return home with the 78th Highlanders in September 1859, as he had volunteered with the 64th Regiment of Foot on 1 February 1859. The regimental history states that the 64th Foot in June 1859 returned to Bombay and in 1861 returned to England, before moving to Malta in 1867 (at which point Private Madigan had already retired).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64th_(2nd ... nt_of_Foot

None of the three regimental histories, for which Michael Madigan had fought, mention the West Indies. His discharge documents appear to have listed his overseas assignments in chronological order (West Indies, Crimea, India). Thus, I suspect that Madigan's 1 year and 5 months in the West Indies (which includes Bermuda for British military purposes) was in the late 1840's, early in his military career. A search of the British or Bermuda newspaper archives would likely confirm this theory with further detail on the timing.

When Private Madigan was discharged from the 64th Regiment at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight on 3 September 1867, his intended place of residence was Salford, Manchester. However, he returned to County Clare, and similar to other discharged soldiers with a military pension, it did not take him long to find a wife. On 4 March 1868, Michael Madigan, age 41, Pensioner, residence of Cahiracon, son of farmer Daniel Madigan, married Mary Lourigan, age 30, of Dinguily, daughter of farmer Francis Lourigan, at the Catholic chapel at Killadysart, by the parish priest Michael Roughan; witnesses Tim Conway and Margaret Driscoll (Kildysart reporting district). The Kildysart Parish Catholic marriage record stated that the marriage took place on 28 February 1868.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 207148.pdf

Could not find a baptism record for Mary Lourigan. However, Francis Lourigan and Mary/Margaret O'Neil had two children (Margaret in 1833; Thomas in 1838), with a residence transcribed as "Derryguihy" and "Derriguihe" in the Kildysart Parish baptism records. Could not find this location in either the 1824 Tithe Applotment books or Griffith Valuation. In 1876, the youngest child of Michael Madigan and Mary Lorigan was born in "Deraguily".

Daniel Madigan, the father of pensioner Michael Madigan, could possibly have died on 20 January 1892, at Burrane, married, farmer, at the age of 90 years; informant Thomas Madigan of Burrane:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie ... 721237.pdf

His age and estimated birth year of 1802 would be appropriate to be the father of Private Michael Madigan who was born about 1826. However, as shown in the Griffith Valuation reports, there were several men named Daniel Madigan who were farmers at the time of Griffith Valuation:

https://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith ... arishname=

Mary (Lorigan) Madigan, of Monvana, Kilrush, married, age 57 years, died on 12 September 1896; informant daughter Mary Madigan per Kilrush civil death record.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 670307.pdf

Michael Madigan, widow, age 79, pensioner, was living at a boardinghouse at The Glen, Kilrush, at the 1901 Irish Census:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... n/1082624/

Michael Madigan, Army Pensioner, widower, age 78 years old, died on 15 January 1902 at the Union Hospital Kilrush; informant Sinon Clancy of the Kilrush workhouse:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 607389.pdf


Michael Madigan and Mary Lorigan were the parents of four children recorded in two different baptism registers:

1.0 Michael Madigan was baptized on 28 August 1870, residence Kilmurry; baptism sponsors Patrick Healy and Mary Flanagan per Kilmurry McMahon Parish baptism register. Per civil birth record, born on 5 September 1870, father's occupation was "Late Private British Army" (Kildysart civil registration).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 220900.pdf

Michael Madigan, age 22, arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on the Cunard Line SS Pavonia on 20 July 1891. He was traveling with a Bridget Madigan, age 20, spinster. Few details are recorded on these early passenger listings, however, there was a very short window for Michael Madigan to arrive in the USA since he married in Boston in April 1893.

Michael Madigan, age 23, son of Michael Madigan and Mary Lorigan, married Ann Garvey, age 24, daughter of Thomas Garvey and Cecilia M McDonough, on 19 April 1893 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHKL-8ZD

The below newspaper article provides further evidence that Michael Madigan of Cambridge was the brother of the Ellen Madigan who married in 1904 in Cambridge and provided the same address:

CAMBRIDGE.
Michael Madigan, an employee of Morse & Whyte, received an injury to his eye and a cut cheek from a flying piece of wire this morning. He was taken to the Cambridge hospital in the patrol wagon of station 2. Mr. Madigan is 28 years old and lives at 28 Decatur.
The Boston Globe, 25 June 1901

Michael and Ann Madigan and their family lived in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

............ 1.1 George Madigan (age 14 in 1910)
............ 1.2 Thomas Madigan (age 13 in 1910)
............ 1.3 Annie Madigan (1900 - 1900)
............ 1.4 Francis Madigan (age 9 in 1910)
............ 1.5 Herbert Madigan (age 7 in 1910)
............ 1.6 Walter Madigan (age 4 in 1910)
............ 1.7 Florence Madigan (age 1 in 1910)
............ 1.8 Gertrude Madigan (age 17 in 1930)


2.0 Bridget Madigan was baptized on 1 January 1872, no residence; baptism sponsors Jeremiah Carmody and Sarah Madigan per Kilmurry McMahon Parish baptism register. Per civil birth record, born on 10 January 1872, residence Kilmurry, father's occupation was "Late Private British Army" (Kildysart civil registration).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 193510.pdf

A Bridget Madigan, age 20, arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on the Cunard Line SS Pavonia on 20 July 1891. She was traveling with a Michael Madigan, age 22.


3.0 Ellen Madigan (1874 - 1943) was baptized on 22 November 1874, no residence; baptism sponsors John Finn and Margaret Nash per Kildysart Parish baptism register. Unable to locate civil birth record (likely under an odd spelling or poor transcription).

Ellen Elizabeth Madigan, "age 24", born in Ireland, daughter of John Madigan (mistake, should be "Michael") and Mabel Lorigan (should be "Mary"), residence 28 Decatur Street, Cambridge (same as brother Michael Madigan), married Donald Neil McKay, age 22, born in Nova Scotia, son of Alexander McKay and Etta Ross, on 1 February 1904, at Cambridge, Massachusetts.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPC5-4JLR

Nellie Elizabeth MacKay of Boston applied for USA citizenship in 1938. She stated her birth in County Clare, Ireland as 27 September 1883 (three years younger than when married, and nine years younger than baptism record). Her arrival in USA was reported in 1898 at Boston with the Laconia (no such ship arrived in Boston).

............ 3.1 Donald McKay (age 5 in 1910)
............ 3.2 Walter F. McKay (age 3 in 1910)


4.0 Mary Madigan (1876 - 1976?) was born on 15 September 1876, residence Deraguily (the home place of Mary Lorigan?); father's occupation was "labourer" (and not military pensioner?). Unable to locate baptism record.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 114705.pdf

Mary Madigan of Kilrush was the informant on the death record when her mother, Mary Lorigan Madigan, died in 1896 at the age of fifty seven.

In the 1950 USA census, a Mary Madigan, 75 years old, born in Ireland, single, was living at 378 Newbury Street in Boston. Her occupation was "unable to work" and she had supplemental income of $1,200 (likely social security).

A Mary Madigan, birth date 9 September 1876, made a U.S. social security claim on 26 March 1947, no location provided. The "notes" state "25 June 1976 Name listed as MARY MADIGAN", which is presumably her date of death, just short of a century and the American Bicentennial.

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

You did all that in record time. You have done good work on the army records for Michael in The Glen. Good work finding the baptisms of his children in two different parishes. And good work finding his daughter Bridget despite the mistakes made with the names of her parents.

Some people estimate that Irishmen made up 20% of the British Army. Very few would have been in the cavalry, but many would have the job of looking after the horses. And probably some of the horses came from Co. Clare. Here Cecil Woodham-Smith describes the manner in which the horses were transported to the Crimea:

To a critical mind, however, the arrangements, especially in the case of the cavalry, appeared inadequate. The transport of troop horses presents great difficulties: horses, being bad sailors, are nervous and suffer severely from confinement at sea. The obvious course was to send the cavalry in steamers, but steamers were not yet in universal use, and there was difficulty in collecting sufficient of them. It was decided that sailing –ships should be used, four or five to each regiment. But as steamers reached the East in from ten to twelve days, while sailing –ships took as many as sixty to seventy, it would have been quicker to keep the cavalry in England until sufficient steamers had been collected. The holds of the sailing-ships were small, stifling and horribly foul. When Mrs Duberly went down to see her horse she burst into tears. No proper arrangements had been made for securing the horses, there were head ropes only, and when gales blew in the Bay of Biscay the animals endured a martyrdom. Lieutenant Seager wrote from the sailing –ship Henry Wilsor on May 12th:

We had all the men standing at the horses’ heads, although some were so sick they could scarcely stand. The scene below during the whole time was dreadful and one I hope never to see again. As the vessel rolled from one side to the other, it pitched all the horses forward off their feet against the manger, they were absolutely frantic, the stamping of their feet on the boards, their screams together with the shouts of the men trying to pacify them, were something awful. Horse after horse got down, and as soon as one was, with great difficulty and danger, got up, others went down. Some were in the most critical position with their bodies lying under the other horses who were kicking and plunging upon them, and to get them out of these positions was a very difficult and dangerous affair. Our men worked well and were ably assisted by some of the sailors. Such a fearful scene I never wish to witness again, 85 horses all mad with fright, trying to break loose from their fastenings and I am surprised they did not succeed, for when the vessel rose on one side, all the horses on that side, 43 in number, dashed forward simultaneously with all their force, and this occurred every five minutes during the night.

In the Mediterranean it being unseasonably hot, a number of horses went mad in the heat and had to be shot, and Mrs Duberly’s died.

The Reason Why, by Cecil Woodham-Smith (1953) pp 143-44

For the last leg of the journey, from Varna in Bulgaria to the Crimea, a great number of the horses had to be left behind and starved to death:

In order to pack the Army somehow into the transports, sanitary requirements were disregarded, and men were crammed in wherever there was an inch of space. But still it proved impossible to accommodate both the Army and its equipment. The order being given to strip everthing to the bone, tents, medicine chests and ambulances were carried ashore. Animals had to be left beinid, including the baggage animals which had been collected with infinite difficulty in Bulgaria; cavalry officers were parted from their chargers and Lieutenant Seager had to leave his faourite ‘Jerry’. At the last moment a depot was hastily formed where 1,500 officers’ horses and 4,500 baggage animals were left. Most of these, including Jerry, starved to death.

The Reason Why by Cecil Woodham-Smith, p 161.

Sheila

[Jimbo]

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for sharing the quotes from The Reason Why, by Cecil Woodham-Smith. While researching the two army pensioners named Michael Madigan of Kilrush using the civil death records and newspaper archives, I did stumble upon a shopkeeper of Moore Street in Kilrush named Michael Madigan. What was extraordinary about this research was that in led, supposedly, to Maple Grove, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Maple Grove was where Mary Linnane and Edmund Linnane of Glandree, as well as many others from County Clare had immigrated as discussed in the latest postings of the search for the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandree. An amazing coincidence.

DEATH OF MR MICHAEL MADIGAN, KILRUSH.

It is with sincere regret that we record in the present issue of the HERALD, the death at a comparatively early age of Mr Michael Madigan, of Moore-Street, which took place after a rather brief illness on Friday, at the age of 58 years. The deceased, for a truly genial disposition, integrity of purpose, and whole heartedness, was held in the highest esteem, not alone by the entire community of West Clare. He was a thorough-going Irishman, and at all times gave practical support to all National movements for the benefit of his countrymen. In short, Mr Michael Madigan was a great favorite in Kilrush and on all sides there were manifested sincere tokens of regret for his death. His remains were taken to the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday morning where a Solemn High Mass was offered up for his Soul at 11 o'clock. The funeral which took place to the family vault at Burrane Church Yard on Sunday was the largest and most representative leaving Kilrush for many years. May the Lord have Mercy on his Soul. Messrs Allen and Clancy were the undertakers, and discharged their duties in a most satisfactory manner.

Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette, Thursday, 12 October 1899

Unfortunately, none of his relatives got a mention in the obituary. His funeral announcement also made the Dublin newspapers. "American papers please copy" likely meant that Michael Madigan had close relatives who had immigrated to the United States. I searched unsuccessfully in American newspapers for an announcement.

MADIGAN—October 5, 1899, at his residence, Moore street, Kilrush, Co. Clare, Michael Madigan, Esq., Merchant; deeply regretted. Requiem Mass at the Catholic Church, after which interment took place at Burrane Churchyard. R.I.P. American papers please copy.

Dublin Daily Nation, Thursday, 12 October 1899

The informant on the civil death record was his niece, Mary Donnellan, which led to his sister, Anne Madigan, married to Martin Donnellan.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 633507.pdf

Where was the Madigan "family vault" at the Killimer "Old Burrane" Cemetery? Searching findagrave (the ancestry website led to this) was a headstone for Patrick Madigan (≈1798 - 1852) which looked promising:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182 ... ck-madigan

However, according to the findagrave contributor, this Patrick Madigan already had a son named Michael Madigan who died in 1898 in Maple Grove, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182 ... el-madigan

MICHAEL MADIGAN of this city died on Friday last [16 June 1898]. He was taken with the grippe some weeks ago and failed steadily. He was 59 years old, was born in County Clare, Ireland and came to this country 17 years ago. He was an industrious, quiet old man, rather reserved but with an undercurrent of humor.

The Manitowoc Pilot, 21 June 1898, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin

His two sisters, Mary Madigan Mangin (1842 - 1898) and Catherine Madigan Toomey (1853 - 1914), were also included as children of Patrick Madigan (≈1798 - 1852) on findagrave:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/929 ... ary-mangin
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/920 ... ine-toomey

The Clare Library has the actual headstone transcription:

Erected by Timothy Madigan, Clooneylissaun in memory of his beloved father Patrick Madigan who died March 22nd 1852 aged 54 years and also his beloved mother Margaret Madigan died Dec 27th 1867 aged 63 years R.I.P.
In loving memory of Denis Madigan, Moneen, Killimer died March 19th 1951 Erected by the Clohessy family R.I.P.

https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... ptions.htm

Patrick Madigan of "Clonlissane" and Margaret Brown of "Tonavoher" were married in Kilrush on 15 February 1831; witnesses Michael Madigan, Thomas Brown, Ellen Molony (Kilrush Parish marriage records, 1829-1881). The remarks state " 3rd - 3rd consanguinity", so they were second cousins.

Between 1836 and 1841, there were four children baptized of Patrick Madigan and Margaret/Peggy Brown at Kilrush Parish. They likely had other children between 1832 and 1835, including a son named "Timothy" born about 1835 who erected the headstone. "Mary" born in 1841 and "Michael" born in 1836 would be the approximate ages as two of the three siblings who died in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. However, Madigan is a common surname in County Clare, as are "Mary" and "Michael". Also, there appears to be no evidence in USA records linking back to Patrick Madigan and Margaret Brown buried in Killimer cemetery, such as a death record naming their parents. I have some reasonable doubt that the three Madigan siblings who lived in Wisconsin were the children of Patrick Madigan and Margaret Brown.

Their son Timothy Madigan, who erected the headstone for his father, was discussed previously on this forum. A son of Timothy, named Patrick moved to Buffalo, New York:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6633&p=10446&hilit=Madigan#p10446

Michael Madigan, the shopkeeper at Moore Street, Kilrush, died in 1899 at the age 58 years old, so was born about 1841. Five years younger than the Michael Madigan born in 1836 to Patrick Madigan and Margaret Brown. The headstone for Patrick Madigan was a large and flat slab, very nice, in good condition, but I'm not sure it would be called a "family vault".

Also, in Old Burrane cemetery, was the monument for John Madigan (1799 - 1873) which does look like a "family vault". The actual marble or stone slab built into the vault appears newly updated, added subsequent to the 1988 transcriptions by the Kilrush Youth Centre.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/214 ... hn-madigan

Who were the parents of Michael Madigan of Moore Street who died in 1899? Michael never married, so no civil marriage record naming his father. Anne Madigan (his sister) and Martin Donnellan married prior to the 1864 start of civil marriage records. They were married in 1860, just making the Knockerra (Killimer) Parish marriage records which start in 1859. There are many Madigan leaseholders in Griffith Valuation for Killimer Civil Parish, which includes the townlands of Ballymacrinan, Burrane, Carrowdotia, Clooneylissuan, Tonavoher etc. One of these leaseholders, including many women who were likely widows, was likely a parent of Anne Madigan and Michael Madigan, but not sure which one.

https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... llimer.htm

1.0 Anne Madigan (≈1835 - 1915) and Martin Donnellan (≈1823 - 1885).

"Nancy Madigan" of "Kilimy" married "Martin Donelan" of "Kilmihil" on 18 February 1860 at Knockerra Parish; witnesses George Nolan (?) and Mary Madigan; per Knockerra (Killimer) Parish records (1859 - 1880).

Martin Donnellan, of Cahercanavan, age 62, married, farmer, died on 23 December 1885; informant daughter Mary Donnellan, per Kilrush civil death records.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 791682.pdf

The widow Anne Madigan Donnellan (≈1835 - 1915) was living with her eldest son in the 1901 and 1911 census. <Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, House 7, House 18> Anne Donnellan, of Moore Street, Kilrush, age 80 years, widow of a farmer, died on 15 June 1915; informant granddaughter Kathleen Dillon of Moore Street (Kilrush civil death record).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 460501.pdf

............ 1.1 John Donnellan was baptized on 4 April 1861, residence Cahercanavan, mother reported as "Nancy Madigan"; sponsors James Chambers and Ellen Chambers. <Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, House 7, House 18>

John Donnellan, age 37, bachelor, farmer, of Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, son of Martin Donnellan (deceased), married Catherine O'Connell, full age, of Tonavoher, Kilmilhil, daughter of Michael O'Connell (deceased), on 12 February 1899 at the Catholic chapel at Knockerra, by the parish priest A. Clancy; witnesses Michael O'Dea and Margaret Molony (Kilrush civil record).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 776909.pdf

........................... 1.1.1 Mary Donnellan (age 10 in 1911), born 8 February 1900 per Kilrush civil birth record. <Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, House 7, House 18>
........................... 1.1.2 Martin Donnellan ("age 11" in 1911), born 8 September 1902 per Kilrush civil birth record. <Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, x, House 18>
........................... 1.1.3 Michael Donnellan (age 5 in 1911) <Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, x, House 18>
........................... 1.1.4 Ellen Donnellan (age 3 in 1911) <Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, x, House 18>
........................... 1.1.5 John Donnellan (age 2 in 1911) <Cahercanavan, Kilmilhil, x, House 18>

............ 1.2 Michael Donnellan was baptized on 3 August 1862, residence Cahercanavan, mother's first name not clear on record; sponsors Michael Chambers and Eliza Chambers.

Possibility: Michael died prior to the 1864 start of civil death records?

Possibility: a Michael Donnellan, age 22, arrived in Boston on 1 July 1887 on the SS Bothnia. Little detail on this passenger listing, and the age is off by 2 or 3 years. However, he appeared to have been traveling with a Martin Donnellan, age 20, the correct age of his younger brother.

............ 1.3 Ellen Donnellan was baptized on 25 March 1864, residence Cahercanavan; sponsors Pat Chambers and Mary Shaughnessy.

Ellie Donnellan, of Moore Street, Kilrush, daughter of farmer Martin Donnellan, married Patrick Dillon, a hotelkeeper, of Dromegue (sp?), Kilmurry, son of farmer Lawrence Dillon, on 3 July 1895 at the Catholic chapel at Kilrush, by the curate Daniel Courtney; witnesses Michael [no surname, possibly Martin] and Mary Martin (Kilrush civil record). <Moore Street, Kilrush Urban, House 14, House 14>

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 838534.pdf

In the 1901 census, the Dillon household included two servants, including a Mary A. Madigan (age 22). Possibly a relative, but since the Madigan surname is very common in Kilrush, I reckon more likely not.

........................... 1.3.1 Mary Dillon (age 14 in 1911) <Moore Street, Kilrush Urban, House 14, House 14>
........................... 1.3.2 Kathleen Dillon (age 12 in 1911) <Moore Street, Kilrush Urban, House 14, House 14> Was informant at 1915 death record of grandmother, Anne Madigan Donnellan.
........................... 1.3.3 Joseph Michael Dillon (age 11 in 1911) <Moore Street, Kilrush Urban, House 14, House 14>
........................... 1.3.4 Teresa Dillon (age 10 in 1911) <Moore Street, Kilrush Urban, x, House 14>
........................... 1.3.5 Eily Dillon (age 7 in 1911) <Moore Street, Kilrush Urban, x, House 14>
........................... 1.3.6 Rita Dillon (age 4 in 1911) <Moore Street, Kilrush Urban, x, House 14>

............ 1.4 Andrew Donnellan was born on "13 January 1866" per Kilrush civil birth records (months after his baptism). His baptism, with an illegible first name, was on 31 October 1865, residence Cahercanavan; sponsors Michael Chambers and Elliza Chambers. An Andrew Donnellan died in 1866 at the age of zero per Kilrush civil death records, not yet available on-line.

............ 1.5 Mary Donnellan was baptized on 5 August 1867, residence Cahercanavan; sponsors John Conway and Mary Cavanagh. <Market Square, Kilrush Urban, House 1, x>

Mary Donnellan of Moore Street was the informant at both the 1885 death record for her father, Martin Donnellan, as well as the 1899 death record for her uncle, Michael Madigan.

In the 1901 census, Mary Donnellan was living in Market Square in Kilrush with her younger brother, Thomas. He married in 1908, and Mary appears to have emigrated from Ireland prior to his marriage (she could not be found in the 1911 census, nor in the marriage or death civil records).

A Mary Donnellan, "age 21", so born about 1884, of Kilmilhil, arrived in New York City on the SS Oceanic on 5 April 1905, going to cousin Molly Madigan of 295 Alexandria Avenue, New York. The age is about 15 years understated, but this Mary Donnellan was from Kilmilhil and going to a Madigan cousin. And there are not any better alternatives in the 1901 census. It was typical to knock 5 years off your age when immigrating to the United States, Mary Donnellan of Kilmilhil (living in Kilrush in 1901) may have looked very young.

............ 1.6 Martin Donnellan was born on "17 August 1868" per Kilrush civil birth record. "Thomas" was baptized on 8 August 1868, residence Cahercanavan; sponsors John Conway and Ellen Melican (Neilan?). There was not a suitable death record for a "Thomas" between 1868 and birth of "Thomas" in 1873, therefore, the child born in August 1868 was likely a "Martin" as noted in the civil record.

Possibility: a Martin Donnellan, age 20, arrived in Boston on 1 July 1887 on the SS Bothnia; he appeared to have been traveling with a Michael Donnellan, age 22.

............ 1.7 Thomas Donnellan was baptized in October 1873, residence Cahercanavan; sponsor Mary O'Dea. <Market Square, Kilrush Urban, House 1, House 14>

Thomas Donnellan, shopkeeper, of The Square, Kilrush, son of Martin Donnellan (deceased) married Maria Cleary, of Carrowdota, Killimer, daughter of Michael Cleary, on 12 February 1907, at the Catholic church at Knockerra, by the parish priest A. Clancy; witnesses Charles MacInerney and Margaret McMahon.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 654624.pdf

........................... 1.7.1 Michael Donnellan (age 2 in 1911)


2.0 Michael Madigan (≈1841 - 1899), a shopkeeper of Moore Street, Kilrush. See above obituary and funeral announcement. His niece, Mary Donnellan, was the informant on his civil death record in 1899. The executor of his estate was H.R. Glynn. merchant. He left an estate valued at £3,039.

http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchiv ... _00434.pdf

******************************

One important clue on the identity of Anne Madigan Donnellan (≈1835 - 1915) and her brother Michael Madigan (≈1841 - 1899) was that Mary Donnellan of Killimer, the presumed daughter of Anne Madigan Donnellan, was going in 1905 to her cousin Molly Madigan of 295 Alexandria Avenue, New York.

Sheila, I am fairly certain that Molly Madigan was the "Mollie Madigan" mentioned in a 1912 news article announcing the "Claremen's Entertainment and Ball", originally posted by Sharon over a decade ago, which you've only just transcribed a fortnight ago. First Manitowoc and now Molly Madigan, both a very spooky coincidence. Thanks for making this article searchable.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=403

Michael Madigan was living at Moore Street in Kilrush when he died in 1899. In the 1855 Griffith Valuation, there was a John Madigan as a leaseholder of #32 on Moore Street; house, office, yard; lessor was Owen Doyle; with a valuation of £3 and 5 shillings.

I searched the civil death records for a John Madigan of Kilrush, with the hope that the informant might be his son, Michael Madigan of Moore Street. No luck. However, there was a John Madigan, of Moore Street, bachelor, age 40 years, Classical Teacher, who died on 15 January 1877; informant Jane Crehan (likely Jane Considine married to Patrick Crehan of Kilrush).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 212756.pdf

Unfortunately, no family relationships were reported in a brief death announcement. I could only find one other article, from 1871, that mentioned the classical teacher John Madigan from Kilrush. Many people lived on Moore Street, so John Madigan probably had no connection to Michael Madigan who died in 1899, but was interesting all the same:

Madigan—On Sunday last, Mr John Madigan, classical teacher, Kilrush, after a lingering illness.

Clare Freeman and Ennis Gazette, Wednesday, 17 January 1877

At the recent Matriculation examination, held at the Queen's Colleges at Cork and Galway, Messrs John Studdert, At Drumellihy House, Cooraclare, and Michael Kelly at Cree House matriculated with honors, having studied only about a year with our townsmen, Mr. Madigan, Classical Teacher, the Greek and Latin authors required for entrance to the University. It must redound to the credit of Mr. Madigan while others were twice as long preparing, were rejected, that his pupils at once passed with distinction.—Communicated.

Clare Advertiser and Kilrush Gazette, Saturday, 4 November 1871

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

So Thomas Madigan of Colorado has led you to Michael Madigan in the Glen plus Michael Madigan in Drumellihy, who have led you to a Michael Madigan, Kilrush Shopkeeper, who is no relation of any of the aforesaid, and who, in turn, has led you to a Patrick Madigan (no relation), buried in Burrane, whose son, Michael Madigan, lived in Maple Grove, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and died there in 1998. I am reminded of the sideways number eight that is the symbol for infinity (John Madigan, the Classical Teacher, would not call it a sideways number eight). Someday someone tracing the Donnellans of Cahercanavan will be pleased to come upon all that work you have done and the connection you have made with Michael Madigan in Wisconsin and Molly Madigan in New York.

Going back to the “original” Thomas Madigan, who made the bequest, you wondered if it was possible for an Irish person to be without relatives. Well today, as I read Frank McNally’s column in the Irish Times, I found just such a person. At least Michael Madigan in Colorado got a headstone – this man did not. You will have to read right to the end of the piece: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-i ... n-picture/

Sheila

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

You will recall that I thought Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane, who married in 1868, might be the parents of Thomas who died in Colorado in 1926.
Bridget was the daughter of Charles Keane of Baltard (the townland of Ballard in the parish of Killard). I think he must be the Charles Keane who died in Baltard on 29 Mar 1876, aged 75: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 221687.pdf. There are some headstones for the Keanes of Baltard in Killard graveyard, but it would take a better brain than mine to figure them out: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... ptions.htm. The Keanes of Baltard are mentioned John O’Hart's pedigree (1892) here: https://www.libraryireland.com/Pedigree ... eremon.php.
I notice that neither of the witnesses at the marriage (1868)) was from the Keane family and that no member of the Keane family stood as sponsor at the baptisms of the children. That does not mean that Bridget was cut off, or anything like that, and it's possible that she returned home when Stephen died in 1872. It's also possible that she and the three children went to the workhouse.

As you have shown, Jimbo, the US 1920 census gives Thomas’s immigration year as 1894. He would have been aged about 19. Maybe the family remained in Carnanes and emigrated about that time.

Baptisms:
11 Dec 1868: Thomas of Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane, Carnanes; sponsors: Sinon Madigan, Bridget Madigan.
12 Feb 1870: Maryanne of Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane, Carnanes; sponsors: Sinon Madigan, Ellen Madigan
13 Apr 1871: John of Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane, Carnanes: sponsors: Pat Madigan, Margaret Madigan.

Sheila

[Jimbo]

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for sharing the link to the Irish Times article with James Joyce's graduation photo. Unlike Joyce's classmate, Robert Kinahan, who had no relatives, I reckon that Sergeant Major Thomas J. Madigan, while having few siblings, likely had dozens of Madigan and (possibly) Keane cousins.

I agree with your synopsis from the first of your most recent postings, except I am not very convinced that Michael Madigan or his siblings of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, were the children of the Patrick Madigan who is buried at Burrane cemetery. This might be true, I haven't disproved the theory, but there is some doubt due to lack of evidence and how common the Madigan surname is in Kilrush:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182 ... el-madigan

In years past, the findagrave website simply documented the information engraved on headstones. There was a higher level of reliability, but now information from family trees on ancestry, often dubious, appears to be copied into the findagrave website. Frequently circular references. The above memorial for Michael Madigan is at least possibly correct. The below memorial for Dennis Kane who died in Chicago is completely incorrect. The family relationships documented on this memorial are accurate in a sense, but they have nothing to do with the Irishman actually buried there. In fact, the headstone relates to Dennis Keane, who was born in Monmore, County Clare, to Dennis Keane and Bridget Madigan, the parents reported in his Cook County death record. On findagrave, his birthplace is Illinois? And his wife's name doesn't even agree to the headstone? The true Dennis Kane, by the way, I reckon has a good chance to be a first cousin of Sergeant Major Thomas J. Madigan who died in Colorado in 1921.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/815 ... ennis-kane

Thanks also for the link to John O’Hart's pedigree (1892). So Charles Keane (≈1801 - 1876) of Baltard had four sons: Patrick, Charles, Lawrence, and Thomas (all living in 1880 according to the pedigree). Bridget Keane, daughter of Charles Keane of Baltard, who married Stephen Madigan in 1868, was born about 1838. So I agree with you that she must have been the daughter of the Charles Keane who died in 1876 and not his son named Charles.

What is confusing about the below Keane headstone transcription (#198) is that how could Charles Keane (≈1801 - 1876) and Mary Cullinan (≈1799 - 1867) of Baltard have had a daughter Marcella (≈1808 - 1832) that was born so early in the century?

IHS Erected by Charles Keane of Baltard to the memory of his beloved daughter Marcella who died Jany 16th 1832 aged 23 yrs R.I.P. Amen. Also his beloved wife Mary Keane alias Cullinan who died Jan 28th 1867 aged 68 yrs Underneath lies Charles Keane died March 19th 1876 aged 75 yrs May they R.I.P.

https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... ptions.htm

Thanks very much for adding the baptism entries for the three children of Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane. There were indeed very many Madigan baptism sponsors, but, as you stated, none were the more distant Keane relatives.

When Stephen Madigan died in 1872, I reckon that the widow Bridget Keane Madigan and her three children may have been supported by their numerous Madigan relatives, and possibly other Keane relatives who "married in" to Kilrush, and the family avoided the workhouse altogether.

It appears that Thomas Madigan's widowed mother and his two siblings would have also gone to America, since there are no subsequent Irish records for any of them. But where did they go?

A Stephen Madigan appeared as a baptism sponsor in the Kilrush baptism records twice, both for the children of Denis Keane and Bridget Madigan of Monmore townland. I have a strong hunch that Bridget Madigan was the daughter of Luke Madigan and Mary Keane born in 1829. And that Stephen Madigan (with no baptism record) and Bridget Madigan were siblings. I believe that the children of Denis Keane and Bridget Madigan will lead us to the American location of the missing widow, Bridget Keane Madigan, and her children. This was the same research approach taken (unsuccessfully) for the descendants of Michael Madigan and Bridget McCormick of Pound Street in Kilrush.

Luke Madigan and Mary Keane were the parents of three children reported in the Kilrush baptism register (1827 - 1863): Bridget (1829, no location), Mary (1834, no location), and Michael (1838, Carnanes). They were likely the parents of other children born prior to 1827. There are quite large gaps between their three children, but there appear to be no missing pages in the Kilrush baptism register during this period, it is continuous. Stephen Madigan, son of Luke Madigan, was reported as age 28 when married in 1868, so born about 1840. His 1872 death record, at the age of 36, reflected a birth year of about 1836. Did the baptism go unrecorded? In a neighboring parish? Was the "Michael" baptized in 1838, a "Michael Stephen"?

Property Records: A Luke Madigan was one of many Madigans in Carnacalla townland, he was also reported in Monmore townland at the 1826 Tithe Applotment books for Kilrush:
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarc ... rch=Search

"Luke Madigan" (#330) appeared as an occupier of land in townland Carnacalla in the Tithe Applotment book for Kilrush Parish in the year 1826. Total 3 acres, 2 roods, 10 perch (all 1st quality), total tithe amount was 8 shillings and 10 pence. Luke Madigan was reported after four other Madigans (Timothy, John, Denis, Sinon), who held more acres with a higher valuation. Following Luke Madigan were Mathew Madigan and Michael Madigan.

"Luke Madigan" (#372) appeared as an occupier of land in townland Monmore in the Tithe Applotment book for Kilrush Parish in the year 1826. Total 20 acres, 3 roods (2 acres & 2 roods, 1st quality; 8 acres, 2nd quality; 10 acres & 1 rood, 3rd quality), total tithe amount of £1 + (shilling and pence columns not visible on report).

Luke Madigan does not appear in the 1855 Griffith Valuation. He likely died prior to 1855. Neither Luke Madigan or his wife Mary Madigan can be found in post-1864 civil death records for Kilrush.

******************************

Was Stephen Madigan, son of Luke Madigan, the brother of Bridget Madigan who married Denis Keane in 1855? Was this Bridget Madigan, the daughter born in 1829 to Luke Madigan and Mary Keane? Where did the children and grandchildren of Denis Keane and Bridget Madigan end up in the United States?

Bridget Madigan (1829 ? - after 1911?) and Denis Keane (≈1821 - 1887) were married on 18 February 1855 at Kilrush Parish, no townland residences provided; witnesses Pat Madigan and Sinon Madigan; remark: 3rd and 3rd consanguinity, so second cousins.

Denis Keane, of Monmor, farmer, married, age 66 years old, died on 10 September 1887; informant Sinon Keane (not stated, but his eldest son), present at death at Monmor (Kilrush civil district).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 774050.pdf

Bridget Kean, I reckon, was a widow living in both the 1901 ("age 60") and 1911 census ("age 80") in the house adjacent to her eldest children. <Monmore Upper, Kilrush, House 2; Moanmore Upper, Kilrush Rural, House 4> She was reported as "Aunt" in relationship to John Quinlan, the head of household in both 1901 (age 36, single) and in 1911 (age 50, married, with wife Bridget and 5 children).
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... r/1081798/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... er/363759/

John Quinlan of Monmore, son of Daniel Quinlan (deceased), married Bridget Madden on 9 February 1904.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 709101.pdf

John Quinlan was likely born on 23 October 1866 to Daniel Quinlan and Bridget Carmody of Rahona (who were married on 27 January 1866, Carrigaholt Catholic Parish).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 288459.pdf

Not sure how Bridget Madigan Keane could have been the aunt of John Quinlan. Possibly a great aunt? Or was the relationship through her marriage to her second cousin, Denis Keane? Their relationship remains a mystery. Also, could not locate the civil death record for the 80 year old Bridget Keane living in Monmore in 1911.

Denis Keane and Bridget Madigan were the parents of nine children between 1857 and 1873 (the only Keane baptism sponsors were in 1873):

1.0 Sinon Kean (1857 - after 1911) was baptized on 5 February 1857, residence Monmore; sponsors Sinon Madigan and Mary Madigan. Informant on the death record of his father in 1887. <Monmore Upper, Kilrush, House 1; Moanmore Upper, Kilrush Rural, House 3> Unknown civil death record.


2.0 Honora Kean (1860 - 1921) was baptized on 7 November 1860, residence Monmore; sponsors Sinon and Honora Madigan. Norah Keane ("age 34") was living in 1901 with two single brothers, Sinon and James. By the 1911 census, Honora (age 50) had been married for five years to Martin Keniry (age 58). Could not find the civil marriage record, perhaps due to a poor transcription or maybe they married in the USA? The evidence that Mrs. Honora Keniry was Honora Keane, were the Keane nephew and niece living with her in 1911, children of two different siblings of Honora: Thomas Keane (age 18) and Mary Keane (age 4). <Monmore Upper, Kilrush, House 1; Doonmore, Killard, House 16> Nora Keniry, of Doonmore, married, age 69 years, died on 1 May 1921; informant Kate Sexton of Doonmore.


3.0 Mary Kean (≈1862 - 1938) was born in late 1861 or early 1862 (based on age 38 in 1901, and age 49 in 1911; and no civil record); no baptism record was discovered (perhaps a neighboring parish?), and she was born prior to civil birth records.

Mary Keane, of Monmore, daughter of farmer Denis Keane (deceased), married Michael Keane, labourer, of Moyasta, son of labourer Michael Keane, on 11 January 1892 at the Catholic chapel at Kilrush by the curate John McKenna; witnesses Mat Carroll and Honor Keane (her sister).

In the 1911 census, the Michael Keane household included 1 year niece, Norah Keane, the daughter of James Keane (a widower in 1911) and Susan Purtill. <Monmore North, Kilrush, House 11; Moanmore North, Kilrush Rural, House 3> Mary Keane, of Monmore rural district, age 74, married, labourer's wife, died on 12 June 1938 at District Hospital Kilrush; informant Sister M. Loyola Murphy of the hospital. Michael Keane, of Monmore, Moyasta, labourer, age 74, widower, died on 3 July 1945; informant son Thomas Keane, present at death at Monmore, Moyasta.

............ 3.1 Thomas Keane (age 10 in 1901) <Monmore North, Kilrush, House 11; Doonmore, Killard, House 16> In the 1911 census, Thomas (age 18) was living with his aunt, Hanora Keane Keniry. He was the informant on death record for his father in 1945. He appears to have been the only one of his siblings (who reached adulthood) not to immigrate to New York.

............ 3.2 Delia Keane (age 8 in 1901) <Monmore North, Kilrush, House 11; x>

Delia Keane, age 22, from Monmore, County Clare, arrived in New York City on the SS Cedric on 25 April 1910. She was the first of her siblings and cousins to emigrate. Her Irish relative was reported as her father Michael "Ml" Keane of Monmore. Her USA contact was uncle Thomas Keane of 81 Perry Street, New York, a very important clue.

Delia Keane married Michael Kitson on 2 April 1919 in Manhattan, New York. "Mrs. M Kitson" of 48 Dominick Street was the American contact when her sister Nora Keane arrived in New York in 1921, and when her cousin Nora Keane arrived in New York in 1927. In the 1930 census, Michael and Delia Kitson were living at 515 132 Street in Manhattan with their five children, and also Delia's brother Patrick Keane ("age 29").

............ 3.3 Honor Keane (1895 - 1896) died on 5 January 1896 at the age of 5 weeks, informant Mary Keane of Monmore.

............ 3.4 Patrick Keane (age 4 in 1901) <Monmore North, Kilrush, House 11; Moanmore North, Kilrush Rural, House 3>

Patrick Keane, laborer, age 25, last residence Limerick, arrived in New York on the SS Adriatic on 16 April 1920; Irish contact was mother Mrs. Keane of Monmore, Co. Clare: USA contact, his sister, Mrs. Kitchen (Kitson) of 48 Dominick Street, New York City. In the 1930 USA census, Patrick Keane ("age 29", single) was living with his sister, Delia Keane Kitson, in Manhattan.

............ 3.5 Honor "Nora" Keane (age 1 in 1901) <Monmore North, Kilrush, House 11; Moanmore North, Kilrush Rural, House 3>

Nora Keane, age 20, of Moyasta, County Clare, arrived in New York on the SS Baltic on 22 August 1921; Irish contact, father Michael Keane; American contact, sister Mrs. M. Kitson of 48 Dominick Street, New York City. Nora Kean, of 48 Dominick Street, New York City, was the American contact when her cousin Mary Keane arrived in 1923.

............ 3.6 Unknown Keane, Mary Keane was the mother of six children in 1911, four living.


4.0 Patrick Kean was baptized on 10 January 1863, residence Monmore; sponsors John Flaherty and Mary Madigan.

A Patrick Keane, age 2, died in the first quarter of 1865. A Patrick Keane, age 2, died in the third quarter of 1865. A Patrick Keane, age 2, died in the fourth quarter of 1865. All Kilrush civil registration district. On-line civil death records not yet available.


5.0 Daniel Keane (1864 - 1947) was baptized on 31 December 1864, residence Monmore; sponsors Stephen Madigan and Mary Madigan. <Monmore Upper, Kilrush, House 1; Moanmore Upper, Kilrush Rural, House 3>

Daniel Kane, age 28, married Maggie Maloney, age 28, on 6 November 1895 in Chicago, Illinois (Cook County, Illinois, Marriage Index, 1871 - 1920). According to the 1900 census, Daniel Kane had immigrated to the USA in 1886. In 1900, Daniel and Maggie Kane, their two children, and a mysterious cousin named Patrick Lynch (Irish born, age 40) were living at 3222 Emerald Avenue in Chicago.

............ 5.1 Nora Kane (age 3 in 1900)
............ 5.2 Joseph Kane (age 4 months in 1900, died prior to 1910)

KANE—Daniel Kane, late of 7801 S. Loomis Blvd., beloved husband of the late Margaret (nee Maloney), devoted father of Nora, brother-in-law of Mrs. Dennis Kane. Funeral Tuesday, April 1, at 9 a.m., from funeral home, 1018-20 W. 79th St., to St. Sabina's Church. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Chicago Daily News, Chicago, Illinois, 31 March 1947

No parents were reported on the 1947 death record completed by daughter Nora Kane. Birthplace of County Clare. Age of 80 was off by only a few years.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M8-3WZK


6.0 James Keane was baptized on 12 February 1867, residence Monmore; sponsors Stephen Madigan and Catherine Daly. <Monmore Upper, Kilrush, House 1; Moanmore Upper, Kilrush Rural, House 3>

James Keane, of Monmore, "age 30", farmer, son of Denis Keane (deceased), married Susan Purtill, of Monmore, age 20, daughter of farmer Stephen Purtill (deceased), on 7 March 1905 at the Kilrush Catholic chapel by the curate P. Hogan; witnesses John Keating and Molly Keating (Kilrush civil registration). Susan Keane, of Monmore, age 30, married, died on 9 July 1910 (Kilrush civil registration).

James Keane and Susan Purtill were the parents of four children. In the 1911 census, the widower James Keane (age 44) was living with his brother Sinon (age 55), and two of his children (Delia and Michael). Two other children (Mary and Nora) were living with Keane relatives.

............ 6.1 Delia Keane (1905 - 1919) was born on 13 October 1905, residence Monmore, per Kilrush civil birth record. <x; Moanmore Upper, Kilrush Rural, House 3> Delia Keane, age 13, of Monmore, died on 13 January 1919.

............ 6.2 Mary Keane was born on 13 November 1906, residence Monmore. In the 1911 census, Mary Keane (age 4) was living with her aunt, Honora Keane Keniry. <x; Doonmore, Killard, House 16>

Mary Keane, age 16, of Moyasta, County Clare, arrived in New York on the SS Celtic on 8 July 1923; Irish contact, her father, James Keane of "Moonmore, Moyasta, Co. Clare"; USA contact, cousin, __ora Keane of 48 Dominick Street, New York City. The first name of USA contact was partially covered up, but obviously "Nora", daughter of Michael Keane and Mary Keane.

According to U.S. Naturalization records (signed 10 March 1931), Mary Keane was born in "Monmore, Ireland" on 13 November 1906; she had arrived in New York on the SS Celtic on 8 July 1923; she married Charles Murphy in New York on 29 April 1926, and they lived at 5085 Broadway, New York. The Mrs. Charles Murphy was the USA contact person when her sister Nora arrived in 1927.

............ 6.3 Michael Keane was born on 19 November 1908, residence Monmore. <x; Moanmore Upper, Kilrush Rural, House 3>

............ 6.4 Nora Keane was born on 7 November 1909, residence Monmore. In the 1911 census, Honor Keane (age 1) was living with her aunt Mary Keane Keane. <x ; Moanmore North, Kilrush Rural, House 3>

Nora Keane, age 17, of Moyasta, Clare, arrived in New York on the SS Celtic on 15 May 1927; Irish relative was father James Keane of Monmore, Moyasta, Clare: American contact was her sister, Mrs. C. [Charles] Murphy of 1032 3rd Avenue, New York. On 2 December 1930, Nora Keane signed a Naturalization Declaration to become a U.S. citizen providing the same immigration arrival details.


7.0 Denis Keane (1869 - 1924) was baptized on 27 March 1869, residence Monmore; sponsors Sinon Flaherty and Margaret Keane.

In the 1900 census for Chicago, Denis Kane, "age 27", reported his year of immigration as 1890. He had been married for two years:

MARRIAGE LICENSES.
The following marriage licenses were issued yesterday (Ages):
Dennis Keane, Mary Keane.............................28—27
The Inter-Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, 19 July 1898

In 1910, Dennis and Mary Kane were living at 3013 Pitney Court, and from the 1930 census on wards at 2951 Bonaparte Street in Bridgeport, both homes only a few blocks from St. Bridget's Catholic Church (1919 - 1990) in the South Side of Chicago.

............ 7.1 John Kane (age 10 in 1910)
............ 7.2 Dennis Kane (born 22 May 1901 - died 4 June 1917)
............ 7.3 Peter Kane (age 7 in 1910)
............ 7.4 Mary Kane (age 6 in 1910)
............ 7.5 Delia Kane (age 4 in 1910)

Dennis Kane, "age 48", born in County Clare, son of Dennis Kane and Bridget Madigan, spouse Mary, died in Chicago on 11 March 1924. His occupation was a laborer with the Water Department of the City of Chicago. Could not locate an obituary.

1924 death record: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3ZY-HRT

His wife died 25 years later in 1949. Mary Kane's death record was completed by her daughter, Mary Kane, born in Chicago she would unlikely have ever met her grandparents in Ireland. Birth date reported as 15 August 1872 in County Clare, parents reported as John Keane and Bridget Lillis. There must be several mistakes on this 1949 death record, but not sure what? This puzzle was too advanced and I could not determine Mary Keane's civil birth record.

1949 death record: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q23W-37DY

KANE—Mary Kane, nee Keane, late of 2951 Bonaparte street, beloved wife of the late Denis, fond mother of John, Peter, Mary, Delia, and the late Dennis, grandmother of Joseph and Patricia. Native Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland. Funeral Saturday, 9:15 a.m. from funeral home, 2911 Archer avenue, near Loomis street, to St. Bridget's church. Interment Mount Olivet.
Chicago Tribune, Illinois, 2 December 1949

8.0 Peter Keane was born on 29 June 1871, residence Monmore; no baptism record was discovered, only the civil birth record. Later whereabouts are a mystery.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 202474.pdf


9.0 Thomas Keane was baptized on 5 December 1873, residence Monmore; sponsors Thomas Keane and Margaret Keane.

Thomas Keane, uncle, was reported as the USA contact when 22 year old Delia Keane of Monmore arrived in New York on the SS Cedric on 25 April 1910. His address was reported as 81 Perry Street, where Thomas Kane (age 36, Irish born), Kate Kane (age 38, Irish born) were living in the 1910 census with their two daughters.

According to the 1910 census, Thomas Kane had immigrated to the USA in 1893 (in later census years, he stated 1898 for arrival), so at the age of nineteen, and had been married for nine years. Thomas Keane married Catherine Norton (Naughton in Ireland?) in Manhattan on 8 September 1901 (NY Extracted Marriage Index, 1866 - 1937). Thomas Keane died between 1930 and 1940.

............ 9.1 Marcella Kane (age 13 in 1920)
............ 9.2 Henrietta Kane (age 10 in 1920)
................................ 9.2.1 Gladys Curran (age 11 in 1940)
................................ 9.2.2 Marilyn Curran (age 9 in 1940)
............ 9.3 Theresa Kane (age 8 in 1920)

............................................................................

Did the widow, Bridget Keane Madigan, and her three children (one of whom might possibly be the Sergeant Major Thomas Madigan, who died in Colorado in 1921, supposedly with no relatives) settle in Chicago or Manhattan?

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

Wonderful work!

Firstly, I see that I gave 1926 as the date of death of Thomas in Colorado. That should be 1921.

Secondly, I think you are right in thinking that the most likely result of Stephen Madigan’s death in 1872 was that Bridget was supported by the Madigans for some time and that she and her three children then emigrated.

Jimbo, you have given a wonderful account of the Keane family of Monmore, Denis Keane and Bridget Madigan, who married in 1855, and their nine children. Not many people would even attempt the amount of research involved in finding them all – all, apart from Peter Keane, born 29 June 1871 (29 June is the feastday of Saints Peter and Paul – a Holy Day in Ireland up to the mid-sixties – St. Peter always much more popular than St. Paul).

Was Stephen Madigan a brother of Bridget Madigan who married Denis Keane? I can understand your having a “strong hunch” that they were siblings, given that a Stephen Madigan was sponsor at the baptisms of two of Bridget’s children. If they were siblings then Thomas Keane, who was born 5th Dec 1873 to Denis Keane and Bridget Madigan, and who emigrated in 1893, according to the US 1910 census, was a first cousin of Thomas Madigan, who was born 1868 to Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane.

Jimbo, in view of those incorrect family trees that you are finding on findagrave and ancestry, I think I have a duty to stress to other readers that I was just guessing when I said that Thomas in Colorado might be that son of Stephen Madigan and Bridget Keane. Indeed, it might be best if I uncouple those two Thomases right away. That would allow a free hand to anyone trying to find out what happened to Stephen Madigan’s widow, Bridget, and the three children, Thomas b. 1868, Maryanne b. 1870, and John b. 1871, who seem to have disappeared from the radar after 1872, all four of them.

Jimbo, or for anyone interested in Luke Madigan and his descendants: I notice that a Mary Madigan (Luke), Carnanes, was married on 18 Feb 1844 to John O’Dea of Kilmurry: https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 6/mode/1up

Sheila

P.S. About the Marcella Keane who “died Jany 16th 1832 aged 23 yrs”: I wonder if that inscription is really clear. Looking at a photo of Killard graveyard, I suspect that the inscriptions were much eroded by the weather here – see this photograph by Sonia Schorman: https://clarelibrary.fotoware.cloud/fot ... %3DKillard