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James McKay Rorty

Donegal

My great -great uncle was James McKay Rorty born 11 Jun 1837 in Donegal Town. He was the oldest of 10 children. His father Richard Rorty was adry good merchant with a store on Main St - The Diamond. His mother was Catherine McKay. James emigrated to New York in 1857..He enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, was a member of the Irish Brigade and died at Picketts Charge, the battle of Gettysburg on 3 Jul 1863. I am specifically looking for any information to substantiate his birth date..Family information also states that he was baptized on 18 Jun 1837 by Fr. Eugene McCafferty in Donegal. If you can give me any guidance regarding his birth or early I would truely appreciate it !!

Thank you for letting me join this group. I am hoping that someone will give me some guidance with regard to my request.

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2 replies

In 1838 Fr. Eug. McCafferty was the parish priest for the Catholic parish listed in the Catholic Directory of that year as Taunavelly aka Donegal town and Taunavelly/Townawilly/Tawnawully, unfortunately the records for the parish only go back to the 1870s. Co. Donegal is not great for early Catholic records with many starting much later than parishes in other parts of Ireland.

(Tawnawully is located in Barnsmore gap on the road between Donegal town and Ballybofey.)

Richard Rorty is included in Slater's directory of 1846 in the section for 'Linen & Woolen Drapers and Haberdashers' with an address at Main Street, Donegal town. See the middle column on the right hand page.

The surname Rorty is probably a variant of the more common McGroarty/Groarty.

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

 

Thanks so much for your reply and the PDF to Slater's.  I had seen a transcript of this some time ago, but never the real thing!  Richard was James's father and 

he was able to emigrate to the US in May of 1863 just about 6 weeks before Gettysburg.  James was granted leave in order to get them all settled in New York City (Brooklyn).  Sadly, they had very little time together as a family before James was killed.  He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Brooklyn NY.  On a happier note I noticed Fr. McCafferty is listed on the left side page of Slaters under the heading of Gentry and Clergy so it serves to confirm what you told me.  I appreciate having this PDF file..with so much information.  I am descended from James's younger brother Richard McKay Rorty who also went into the Dry Goods business in Paterson, New Jersey.  He then settled in Middletown, New York where he raised his family and died in 1915. 

 

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