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Norah Dwyer

GalwayBallymacward Gurteen (Galway)

Looking for information about my Grandmothers family from Galway. She was born Norah Dwyer in Oct. 1913. I would like to confirm if her parents were Michael Dwyer and Margaret Menton of Moyarwood Galway. It would also be helpful to find out if she may have had any siblings. Any information would be greatly appreciated. She emigrated in 1929 at the age of 16 to America. New York to be exact. Unfortunately she died before I was born. None of my relitives seem to know much about her life in Ireland or her family. What was happening in Galway in 1929 that may have sent a young girl to the US? How did she get the money for passage? If she is from this parish what other information would be available via the Internet? Photos would be great. Thank you in advance to anyone who may know my Grandmothers family.

Peggy

IrelandXO member

4 replies

Peggy:

I searched www.familysearch.org  and found a birth index record for a Norah Dwyer in the Ballinasloe registration district which is the correct district for Moyarwood. There is a minor glitch in that you indicated a birth month of October, however, this birth was recorded in the July-September quarter which would mean the birth date was in those months unless this is a different Norah.

Right now, the National Archives web site is down (probably for maintenance) so I was unable to pull the 1911 census record but I should be able to get it tomorrow. I was able to get on to Ancestry.com and found the ship record when Norah came to New York. Her point of contact was her Aunt Kate Anderson who was living in Jamaica, Queens New York. I assume she was her mother's sister. If you don't have an Ancestry subscription, send me your e-mail and I will get the record to you.

Many young girls left Ireland for a better opportunity in America. The economy in Ireland was not good and there was little for them in Ireland. I'm sure her aunt had a job lined up for her and likely paid her passage. I will get back to you tomorrow.

Roger McDonnell

 

Name: Norah Dwyer
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: Jul - Sep 1913
Event Place: Ballinasloe, Ireland
Registration Quarter and Year: Jul - Sep 1913
Registration District: Ballinasloe
Age:  
Birth Year (Estimated):  
Mother's Maiden Name:  
Volume Number: 4
Page Number: 27
Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Peggy:

The National Archives site is back online. Below is the 1911 census for Norah's family. Looks like Michael and Margaret were married in 1903-1904. As of 1911, they had four living children (one had died). I also included the 1901 census record for Michael. He had three of his siblings living with him. The ages look a little understated.

I did some searching for the marriage index record and found the record below. They were married in the summer of 1904. You can request the marriage record and the birth record for Norah by writing to the GRO www.groireland.ie  Fill out their form and provide the quarter/year of the event, the registration district (Ballinasloe) and the volume and page number. (4 and 27 for Norah and 4 and 19 for the marriage record). Each record costs around 4 euros.

Roger

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Galway/Killaan/Moyarwood/449081/

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Killaan/Moyarwood/1367903/

First Name: Margaret  

  • Last Name: Menton  
  • Year: 1904  
  • Registered Quarter/Year: Jul - Sep 1904  
  • Registration District: Ballinasloe  
  • Volume: 4  
  • Page: 19  
  • Potential Spouse Names: Thomas Grattan, Michael Dwyer  
Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Roger! I will look into her Aunt here in Jamaica which is close to my neighborhood. I do have Ancestry.com. I can't believe how fast the response to my questions. In my research here I think she worked as a nanny or maid for a family in Queens called the Kavanghs. It was in the 1930 census. But I feel like I can't be 100% sure. I hope to have more proof and share it with my family. Thank you again!

IrelandXO member

I looked in to Aunt Kate Anderson and found a Cathrine Anderson ( nee Meinton?) married to Abraham Anderson in 1913 in Manhattan. She was close to a decade older then her husband. In 1915 she was helping a nephew from Ireland, a man named Edward Stanley. At which time they were living in Brooklyn close to the ship yard the men were working in. Then in 1940, I see she and her husband are living in Jamaica, Queens. She Died in 1968 in Queens 4 years after the death of my Grandmother Nora. I have asked my Aunt to remember if she recalls Aunt Kate. But I have yet to hear back from her at this time. I hope this a the right thread for my research on my Grandmother. It is fitting if her actual birth is this quarter. Happy Birthday 100th Birthday Norah Dwyer Woods!!

 

Thanks Roger

 

Peggy

 

IrelandXO member

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