I'd love more information on these my Grx3 Grandparents. We have a great deal of information on them once they made it to the states but not much before. We do know that John has Eyeries Parish on his tombstone. We know that he was a miner as he came to Wisconsin/Illinois as a miner when he came to the states. The family story says that he came through Canada. He and Margaret married in New York in 1841, but we aren't sure if that is state or city. They settled and farmed in Apple River, Illinois and their Irish Rock House is still standing and is still a residence today.
We have matched DNA with several people from the Tuosist area. After speaking with Sean O''Sullivan Goula, (one of my dna matches) from Tuosist, he confirmed that most of the people who left that area went to Canada. I found this very interesting and it confirmed our family story. I spoke with Riobard O'Dwyer, (a few years back while on one of my many trips as an artist to Allihies and the Beara) and he informed me that there are not many records from his period still around.
We would love to figure out any borthers or sisters and parents of either John or Margaret. We'd also love to figure out a home place for either of them,. Just any informatoin at all would be wonderful! I am in Ireland each year for my art and would love to have a new lead to explore! Thanks in advance for anything that you might be able to find!
Margaret Dukeman
Wednesday 19th Feb 2020, 11:08PMMessage Board Replies
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Hi Margaret,
I was wondering if you have checked naturalization records for the Sheas in the United States.
I too have Irish ancestors who were miners and settled in Wisconsin. They were Metcalf's. They came through Canada and first worked in the mines in Chippewa Co, near the Great Lakes before morving to Lafayette Co, WI. I was able to see their naturalization "Declaration of Intention" to become a citizen.
That is so fortunate that the wonderful Rock House is still standing.
Good luck with your research in Ireland.
Judy Sweets.
PrairieRose
Thursday 20th Feb 2020, 03:10PM -
Hi Margaret! I am wondering if we might be a distant DNA match; are you on Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, or Gedmatch? My 2nd great grandfather Jeremiah Joseph McCarthy came from County Kerry. His son's WWI enlistment states his place of birth as Killarney. However, I am also a fairly close match to someone whose roots come from Tuosist and has speculated that he might have been born there. (Indeed, there are some Jeremiah McCarthys from that parish born during that time.) Many of my matches have Shea and Sullivan in their lineage. I would love to be able to confirm his home parish.
Jeremiah was a bit of a scoundrel. He settled in Denver, Colorado, working for a smelter. There is another McCarthy working there at the same time, Florence McCarthy, who might be a relative. That also seems to be a common name in Tuosist.
Peg McCarthy, Topeka, Kansas
Peg McCarthy
Friday 21st Feb 2020, 06:16PM -
Hi Judy! We did find John's naturalization papers. However we have not found his application/ declaration of intent. Do you know how I might go about obtaining that? Thanks so much! Margaret
Margaret Dukeman
Saturday 22nd Feb 2020, 01:53AM -
Hi Peg!
So glad you messaged me. I think we may be distantly related. I am on Ancestry. Are you listed as Margaret McCarthy? If so I saw your name and many other McCarthy's. My Uncles Dave Shea, Daniel Shea and my Mother, Karen Shea Smith are also listed on Ancestry. Let me know if you see them. Thanks! Margaret
Margaret Dukeman
Saturday 22nd Feb 2020, 02:00AM -
Yes, I am on Ancestry; I keep my tree private because of some sensitive information on my mother's side. Most of my Irish ancestry is on my father's. Message me on Ancestry and I will send you a link to see my tree! I found you on FamilyTreeDNA and see that we are indeed a distant match. I will look for those other Sheas as well.
Peg
Peg McCarthy
Saturday 22nd Feb 2020, 04:11PM -
Margaret,
I think many of the "Declarations of Intention" to become a citizen are in District Counts. Also, Familysearch.org has some Illinois naturalization records that are indexed.
Judy
PrairieRose
Saturday 22nd Feb 2020, 05:15PM -
I'll check that out and thanks so much for the lead Judy! It is most appreciated!
Margaret
Margaret Dukeman
Saturday 22nd Feb 2020, 05:34PM