Hello Sean,
I can't thank you enough for the information you shared with me! I am sure that I am able to move forward in finding more information about Patrick's family in Ireland.
It appears that Patrick came to the United States in 1851 and then moved to Canada where he and Bridget were married. Their oldest son, Edward, was born in Canada in 1861. Sometime before 1865 they moved to New Jersey and sometime before 1869 moved to Ohio. While in Ohio, Thomas was born in 1871. Thomas is my grandfather.
I do find differing names of Patrick's father and mother and will try to verify which is correct.
I can follow Patrick until 1910- then I lose track of him. I have traced Edward until his death but have not yet traced the other siblings (except for my grandfather)
My grandfather, Thomas moved to Minnesota, married Bertha Lawson. They then moved to Canada where several of their children were born including Emmet, my father. The family moved to Cour d'Alene Idaho until Thomas' death in 1928. My father, Emmet died in Butte, Montana in 1997.
It just means the world to me to find information about my father's Irish ancestors, he was very proud of his Irish heritage, indeed we all are. My family made Butte, Montana home and perhaps you know that Butte was home to the largest number of Irish in the USA at one time!
I will continue to search every record I can find for more clues thanks to your help!
Sincerely,
Nancy Kukay