Any clues would be greatly appreciated.
I'm researching Maurice R (ichard? ) O'Connell b about 1866 - died 1906. No information on county of origin.
He immigrated to Rochester, NY 1881. Married Margaret N ? b Dec 1865 (No information except born in Ireland)
Two Children:
Richard b 1887
Mary M 1888-1955 m John Henry Briggs 1905.
Children: Dorothy b 1906-1938, Ruth 1907-1987, William John b 1908-1973, Grace Agnes b 1910, John Robert 1920-1970
Ruth:
Likely your Maurice was from Cork or Kerry. Is there any information in American records (obit or death record) regarding the names of his parents particularly the mother's maiden name?
Civil registration of births in Ireland started in 1864. There are 22 Maurice Connell/O'Connell birth records from 1864-1866 mostly in Cork and Kerry.
However, it is very possible that Maurice made himself younger when he came to America and his actual birth year is pre-1864. We would then have to rely on available church records.
Roger McDonnell
Ruth,
I could only find what looks like the correct Maurice and family in the 1900 American census. I couldn't find a marriage record or any other census records. See attached. This may be where you got the information from. If not, as you can see, it says that Maurice was born in 1866. However, census birth information is notoriously unreliable. Taking the birth year as 1866, I could find 4 Maurice O'Connells born in 1866, none in May. Without further information it is not possible to differentiate them. Maybe you will be able to find something further in American records and if you do, let us know and there may be something further in Irish records.
Best wishes, Kieran