Hi, Laura!!!
Thank you so much for responding to my message!
I do live in Iowa. My full name is Mary Ann (Ryan) Sgroi. I was born in Dubuque and lived there for about 23 years, moved to the Los Angeles area where I met my husband Frank, and moved back to Iowa (Marion) after our son Michael was born. I am descended through John Ryan, Mary Jane Slattery's brother. In fact, I have two obituaries for my great-grandfather John Ryan which mention your gg-grandmother. I'll attach them to this message if I can.
Did your family know Melvin and Donna Slattery? My parents were friends with them and my Dad worked with Melvin at Celotex in Dubuque. I just checked and Melvin's grandparents were Michael and Julia (Ryan) Slattery. Julila would've been a sister to Mary Jane Slattery. Did you know there are Slatterys buried at St. Aloysius Church in South Garryowen, Iowa? Have you been there?
Also, in your search for ancestors, have you encountered Christine Chorostecki? She would be a distant cousin of ours who is also interested in the Ryan family tree. She is the great granddaughter of Thomas Ryan, a brother of John Ryan and Mary Jane Slattery. The reason I mention her is because she has an ancestry.com account showing Patrick Ryan's siblings, John and Michael; however, she has them listed as half-brothers. And she has as a source an Iowa census report showing Michael living with his brother Patrick and Patrick's young family.
Also, Laura, the tombstone for Patrick, Mary Ann (Anna) and their son Henry is relatively new. I believe it was put up within the last 15 or 20 years. I've tried to locate whoever was responsible for it as they may know more about our ancestors but haven't been successful.
I think it's wonderful that you were able to visit the area in Ireland where our ancestors lived! My husband and I are hoping someday to visit Ireland as well since we both have Irish heritage.
Mary Ann