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Bridget O'Brien of Galway immigrated to Illinois, USA

I am looking for information on my 3rd great grandmother, Bridget O'Brien.  According to her Obituary in Morris, IL, USA she immigrated to USA in 1848 and was born in Galway in 1831. She was the youngest of 12 children. Her parents died when she was quite young and she was left under the guardianship of an uncle, Rev. William Gibbons.

A brother, Michael, and oldest sister, Mary (married Glennan in USA) were in Morris, IL already when she immigrated. Her brother John I believe came over later. I do not know any of the other siblings names.

Bridget married Thomas Walsh in Morris, IL in 1849. From what I can tell he was from County Limerick but they married in the USA.

They were active in the Catholic church in Morris, IL so I am assuming they were Catholic in Ireland but I know that isn't for certain.

Kris Roberts

3 replies

Kris:

Many RC parishes in Co. Galway do not have baptismal records back to 1831 or so. The subscription site Roots Ireland does show some Bridget O'Brien baptismal records in Co. Galway around 1831 (seven between 1830-1832) but without having the parents names, we can't confirm any of these records. Assuming you have tried finding her parents names and were unsuccessful, perhaps a general DNA test would yield some matches on your O'Brien line. Those matches may have some more specifics on where in Galway the family was from.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hello, If you can't find Bridget in the baptismal records, you might research the siblings mentioned in her obituary: a Mrs. Glennon and Michael O'Brien. If you find the names of their parents, you will have found the names of Bridget's.  I hope this helps.

glanvil3@aol.com

Thanks Roger and Patricia....I did a DNA test and working that angle as well :)

 

I have researched the siblings as well

 

I appreciate the comments and any suggestions for sure!!!! 

Kris Roberts

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