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Bernard Curran & Elizabeth O'Neill

My great great grandfather Bernard (Barnard) Curran was born in 1825. He departed Dublin during the Potatoe Famine and came to the United States. He was first a "cutter" then a "tailor" and had his own business eventually in downtown San Francisco. He specialized in Military Uniforms. He married Elizabeth O'Neill, we know she came from Tyrone, but do not know where or when she met Bernard nor when they were married. They had several children and one was my great grandmother Mary Ellen Francis Curran. She moved to central California as a nurse and later married George Hastings Castle.We know nothing of Bernards family, mother, father etc. We do know that Elizabeth's mother was Mary McSoreley and father was Patrick O'Neil. Any information on either Bernard or Elizabeth would be greatly appreciated. I have been searching since 2007.

MJ Barwick

mjbarwick@sbcg…

6 replies

MJ Barwick:

The subscription site Roots Ireland has a February 25 1838 baptismal record for an Elizabeth O'Neill with father Patrick O'Neill and mother Mary McSorley. The RC parish was Errigal Kieran also know as Ballygawley. This parish is in southern Co. Tyrone. The family address was shown as Errigal.  Some background https://www.cotyroneireland.com/rental/Errigal-Keerogue.html  ;

There was also a baptismal record for an older sister Ellen baptized August 4 1836.

I did not find a marriage record.

Without parents names, it will be difficult to find a baptismal record for Bernard Curran.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

If your Bernard lived on Page St.. in San Francisco, then his obituary is in

San Francisco Bulletin

Thursday, Sep 02, 1886

San Francisco, CA

Vol:LXII

Issue:126

Page:3

It notes he died at his home on 1 Sept. 1886 and was a native of Co. Tyrone.

You could check the 1880 US federal census as well as city directories to confirm that this is your Bernard.

glanvil3@aol.com

Roger and Patricia........

I can not thank you enough for this information. I am so very grateful!!! I will persue this and keep you posted as to my results. My great great grandfather did pass in 1886, I have been to his grave in Coloma CA. Actually the grave holds approximately 7 relatives. All but two were originally buried in downtown San Francisco Calvery Cemetery, but after 1906 earthquake and fire, the bodies were exhumed and moved to Coloma, Holy Cross Cemetery. I'm so excited!!! My research has new hope! My sister and I have been planning a trip to Ireland since before the pandemic. We hope to finally go the summer of 2023.

MJ Barwick

 

mjbarwick@sbcg…

You're welcome, MJ. Let us know if you need additional info.

glanvil3@aol.com

I found the baptism record and a lot of the information is right, but the cemetary documents states she was born in 1842. My great great grandfather was born in 1824/1825, he came to the U. S. we think on the Jamestown arriving Jul 8, 1848. I have the records from the Holy Cross Cemetary in Coloma, and it states that Elizabeth was 65 at the time of her death in 1907. Bernard was 62 at the time of his death in 1896. Elizabeth's sister is buried with them and she was born in 1836 and died at 35 in 1871. Bernard had to be approximately 18 years older. They must have connected and married in the U S. I guess I need to search the passenger lists for the O'Neill family coming to America. Which I have done before, but will try again.

I found an advertisement a few years ago dated May 7, 1853: Of PATRICK O'NEILL, and daughters (Ellen & Elizabeth) natives of Arriglekearn (co. Tyrone), who landed in this coundtry 2 years ago; when last heard from were in Philadelphia. Information of them will be thakfully received by their sisters, Rosanna & Margaret Earley, No. 5 Stilman St. Boston, Ms. This would make there arrival 1851, but what of the mother and who are these sisters? I realize that Patrick O'Neill is probably a very common name, but the daughters are both Ellen & Elizabeth and natives of Tyrone Co. 

Thank you for your help!

MaryJane

mjbarwick@sbcg…

MaryJane:

Many times immigrants made themselves younger when they came to their new country. Also, informants did not always know the exact age of the deceased and if Elizabeth used a younger year of birth throughout her life in America then the informant would rely on what they understood from Elizabeth.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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