Walsh & Callanan connections in Loughrea

Regarding: Delia Reta Walsh

Born: Sep 1895 in Longhrea, Ireland

Died: 20 Oct 1961 in Darby, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA

I am looking for any available information about my Grandmother Delia Reta Walsh and her family.  She died when I was just 4 years old and since she and my mother did not get along, virtually nothing has been passed down to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Census records show that she emigrated from Ireland to the United States in 1911.  In what we hope is the correct ship’s passenger list she lists her age as 18, but later records show her birth year as 1895 so she was probably only 16.

The ship’s record also shows her last permanent residence was  with her father, John Walsh, in Longhrea, Ireland.  Her destination was Philadelphia Pennsylvania where she went to work as maid.

Based on the above information I think I found Delia’s birth record in the Jul-Aug-Sep 1895 Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index 1864-1958.  However,I have found no matching records in either the 1901 or the 1911 Census.

She died on 20 Oct 1961 in Darby, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA.

From the 1930 Census we know that Delia’s brother Joseph Walsh, who was born in 1907 and later married Margaret Walsh (Aunt Maggie), was living with Delia and her husband Edward Albright Fritz.  It appears he emigrated about 1928.

Delia and Edward had one son, Edward John Fritz (he always went by Jack).  Presumably the John was from Delia’s father as neither the name John nor Jack appears in the Fritz family.

From the 1940 Census we know that another sibling, Frances D. Walsh born about 1896, was then living with Delia and Edward and working in Philadelphia.

My older sister believes there was another sister who came to the United States named Katherine.  It is believed she worked as a maid/housekeeper for a family in Florida.  Family tradition says that Delia was the oldest of 13 children.

In a 1971 letter Aunt Maggie told me that Delia’s mother’s name was Margaret Callanan and her father was John Walsh.  Margaret’s parents were Jack Callanan and Anna Murphey.  I have been totally unsuccessfully and confirming this information.  As these people would also have been Maggie’s children’s ancestors I tend to believe her information is accurate so not finding any confirmation is very frustrating.  Unfortunately I have also lost track of Maggie and Joe’s descendants.

I hope there is someone who can help me confirm at least a little of this.  I know that Walsh is the most common name in Ireland and Delia seems to have been very popular too.  All I can do is hope for the best!

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Sincerely

Regina Ruddy

Seattle Washington