Parsons

Thank you, Roger, for your repy and information. I'm not sure if this is the same Catherine but will research the names and see what I come up with. Carol R

 

Hi Carol:

Have you checked the US Census records for her son and her sister?  That might be a clue as to the sister's age, family etc.  Where was she in the 1880 US Census?  That might also give some more information.  

If you need further assistance, please let us know.  

All the best,

Jane

Hi Jane,

Thank you for your response...I have searched the 1880 census records and haven't been able to find any records for Catherine or her sister. 

Catherine immigrated to the US in 1871.  Her immigration records doesn't have the name of a sister traveling with her.  Unfortunately, records show that she was admitted to the New York Alms House on April 6, 1887.  Her admittance record states that she arrived in New York on Mar 31, 1871, her birth year about 1851-53.  She was born in Claremorris, Mayo, Ireland  as were both of her parents. Included in the record was the mention of a sister living in New York and a male child, living with her sister. (No name for the sister) Catherine's immigration record shows that she was a spinister, yet her hospital admittance record states that she is a widow and that she worked as a domestic.  She apparently was an inmate at the NY Charity Hospital (Home for unwed mothers) prior to entering the Alms House. The record also stated that she was homeless and destitute and her prognosis fair.  I haven't found any other records for her.

I believe that the male child may have been my grandfather.  He was placed in the New York Foundling Home around 1887-1901.  His adoption papers show that his name was Ben Parsons. He is listed  in the  NY1890 Police Census as Ben Parsons, age 3. I was hoping to find the name of Catherine's sister so I could possibly research DNA matches.

Still hopeful and thank you,

Carol

Hi Carol:

Thanks for your reply with the other information.  It sounds as if Catherine was probably listed on the Census but maybe under another name.  

The above records that Roger listed on Roots Ireland could be your Catherine even though the dates are out.  Did you check the New York State Census records of 1875 for Catherine?  If she immigrated in 1871, she would have been listed in that record probably as a domestic.  II have a record of a Catherine Parsons in the 1875 NYS Census which shows her as a boarder living with a number of others (many Irish) in Albany.  She is at line 23 on this Census form.  

Here is the link for your reference:

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7250/004858097_00118?pid=1374506972&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D7250%26h%3D1374506972%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3Djpo241%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=jpo241&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.170581792.1291489873.1591012158-1014511939.1588501197

I will try to add this in another post as my browser won't let me add it.  

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

All the best,

 

Jane

 

Thank you Jane!  You and Roger have given me some great info. I appreciate both of you replying... the research continues!

Carol Russo

No problem, Carol.  Keep us posted and please let us know if you need any further help.

 

All the best,

 

Jane