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I am the great-great granddaughter of Michael Doherty and Honora Malone. Both were born in Limerick city. I am not sure of the year that they married, but their first two children were baptized in St. Munchin's Church: Julia (b. 1847) and Francis (b. 1849). They immigrated to the United States in 1851, first settling in the Bronx, NY and then Eastchester, NY. Michael was a stone cutter at the Tuckahoe, NY marble quarries. They had three more daughters - Mary Anne (b. 1856) Anne (b. 1858) and Honora (b. 1861). Michael enlisted in the Union Army at the outset of the US Civil War and was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. Honora died in 1906.

I do not know the names of Michael's parents because there were a number of Michael Dohertys born around the same time and I'm not sure which baptismal record is correct. When they immigrated, Michael and Honora left baby Francis behind with his parents in Limerick. As Francis got older, Michael's mother refused to send him to his parents. I know that Michael had at least one brother, because some of the letters he wrote to Honora during the war urge her to contact his brother to help get Francis to the U.S. 

I am drawing a blank on Honora's parents. I could not find a baptismal record for her. I know that she had at least two sisters whom also immigrated to the U.S., but her obituary only listed their last (marriage) names. 

If either of these names are familiar, please contact me - I would love to get more, definitive information. Many thanks.

Elaine Giacomo

Thursday 5th Sep 2019, 02:44PM

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  • Elaine:

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    I looked on the subscription site Roots Ireland and also did not find a marriage record. As you indicated there are too many Michael Doherty baptismal records to know which one is your ancestor. Also, there are no Honora Malone baptismal records which would connect with someone who married in 1847 or a few years earlier.

    I did find a baptismal record for a son John in September 1851. See below. Perhaps he died young or maybe he went with his parents to America.

    Roger McDonnell

    Name:John O'DohertyDate of Birth:
    Date of Baptism:13-Sep-1851Address:
    Parish/District:ST. MUNCHIN'SGender:UnknownCountyCo. Limerick
    Denomination:Roman Catholic
    Father:Michael O'DohertyMother:Hanora Malone

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Thursday 5th Sep 2019, 04:06PM
  • Thanks, Roger. He must have died early - I found their travel records and John was not there. Very sad for them. However, maybe baby John was named after MIchael's father, which helps my search. I appreciate all your help. Elaine Giacomo

    Elaine Giacomo

    Friday 6th Sep 2019, 03:53PM

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