Murphy, Curtin and Fitzgerald in Abbeyfeale

According to her obituary, Catherine Murphy was born 25 Sep 1838 in Abbeyfeale and died 2 Oct 1916 in Steinauer, Pawnee County, Nebraska.  Her parents were Patrick J. Murphy and Margaret Curtin.  She arrived in New York 2 Sep 1852 and moved to Iowa, where she married James Curtin in 1854.  He died in 1868 and she married Silas Huff in 1870.

Patrick Murphy is buried with his wife just over the border in Kansas.  His tombstone states that he died 7 Feb 1872 at age 57 and was born in Abbeyfeal [sic], County Limerick.  His wife, Margaret is buried with him.  Her tombstone states that she died 20 Apr 1874 at age 62 and that she was born in Knockderry [sic-probably Knockaderry], County Limerick.  The Tithe Aplottment books show a Patrick Murphy in Clonelty, Abbeyfeale in 1831, possibly his father.  Patrick arrived in New York on 15 Jul 1851.

The family story about Patrick and Margaret is as follows:

"Lord and Lady Fitzgerald of Abbey Fail had a daughter who married a Mr. Curtin. Their daughter's name was Margaret. This Margaret Curtin - a granddaughter of Lady & Lord Fitzgerald of Abbey Fail married Patrick Murphy. They had five children - Catharine, Ellen, John, Nora & Tom.
When my grandmother, Catherine Murphy, was 9 years old she brought Ellen, John & Nora from Ireland to New York alone [1910 Census says she immigrated in 1852.]. Her mother & father had come to find a place to live in Iowa (had left children in Ireland). (One of the children got lost in New York).
Catharine Murphy married James Curtin - met him in Dubuque, Iowa..."

I would like to know if it is possible to check this story.  In any case, I would like to trace the ancestors of Patrick and Margaret.

John Hope  johnehope@gmail.com