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John Kennedy "...from Cork"

Cork

My great great grandfather, John Kennedy immigrated around 1862 "from Cork" as he would tell his children.  He landed in the city of New York and traveled immediately to Valatie, NY where he met his wife.  They married and emigrated to Iowa around 1863.  His children were Bridget (b 1864), Elizabeth (1865), James (1866), Katherine (1868), John (1869), Mary (1875), Michael (1878), and twins Ellen and Margaret (1879), 

As the story goes, upon his arrival in New York City, he lost his brother with whom he was traveling.  They never saw each other again.  I don't know the brother's name, age, or anything.

No one recalls exactly where in Cork he was from - some in the family think it was just the port of embarkation.  When he settled in rural Iowa, the area around his farm and the other Irish neighbors was referred to as "Cork township" - although none of his neighbors were from Cork.  

So there is my giant brick wall.  I'm hoping to be able to dig up anyinformation on John in Ireland, his parents (which given Irish naming patterns must have been James and Elizabeth?), or his long lost brother.  

 

 

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4 replies

Hi Martha

Can you give a birth year for John?

I / you can then check www.rootsireland.ie/ for birth records

Col

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Col - 

We're (he was) not exactly sure actually.  The date on his tombstone was listed as 1838, but I think it could have been anything from 1835-1840.  

I have poked around rootsireland but it's difficult to tell when I can't be sure of his parents' names.  There is a listing of a John Kennedy born around that time with father James and mother Elizabeth (which would keep with the naming of his children - however that's in Westmeath.  

Thanks for your help!

 

 

IrelandXO member

Mattie,

What was the name of his wife and were you able to find them in a US Census record, if so where ?

Mallow CorkIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi MC - 

His wife was Mary Fleming - they met and married in Valatie, NY in 1862 or 1863.  From there they moved to Iowa and lived until he died in 1908.  Loads of info in Iowa - nothing before his arrival to the US.  His oldest son was named James, his 2nd eldest daughter was Elizabeth. 

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