William Peoples

William Peoples was my paternal Great Grandfather.   I have been searching for his family for many years now and am hoping that Ireland XO may be able to give me some useful hints!  

All that I know of William is that he was born on or about 12 August 1850 in Ireland!  He emigrated in about 1867 according to US census records but I have no record of where he may have landed or if he may have had any family with him.  Family lore says that he arrived either in Canada or Philadelphia, PA.  I have found no immigration records!  The photo I've uploaded is his signature on his Natuarlization Papers whichd were signed in November of 1872.  By that date, William was living in Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey.  He had married his bride, Bridget Grady, in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary's in that County in May of 1872.  William was a farmer and purchased a farm in May of 1877 from Daniel and Ellen Kelly  (in Mansfield Township).   William and Bridget  farmed that property and raised 9 children there including my paternal Granfather, John Ignatius Peoples.   William died February 7, 1921.

The only hope I have of finding William Peoples' family in Ireland is that the surname is largely concentrated in just the County of Donegal (with a small scattering of families in nearby Derry and Tyrone.   And those in Donegal are concentrated in just 12 parishes across the center of Donegal.  In addition, the 1880 US census lists an Ann Brogan as William's aunt.  This same aunt is the listed birth attendant on the birth certificate of that John Ignatius Peoples I mentioned above!  It is my theory at this point then that William's father either married a Brogan or had a sister named Ann Peoples who married a Brogan!   

If anyone here might recognize any of the names or places I've mentioned or might have any idea where I might concentrate my searches, please do write me directly

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.  

Pat Peoples