Archive for Castle Garden

O’Donnell Census Records and much more

January 28, 2008 · Filed under Castle Garden, Census, Certificates, O'Donnell, Registration, Ship records

I found Michael on the Castle Gardens website
Michael O’Donnell
Occupation Laborer
Age 25
Sex M
Literacy U
Arrived 1863-05-20
Origin Ireland
Port Liverpool
Last Residence
Destination USA
Plan Unknown
Ship Bridgewater
Passage Unknown
__________________
Mary O’Donnell
Occupation Wife
Age 23
Sex F
Literacy U
Arrived 1863-05-20
Origin Ireland
Port Liverpool
Last Residence
Destination USA
Plan Unknown
Ship Bridgewater
Passage Unknown

Other O’D’s on same ship
CATHERINE O’DONNELL Servant, Gentleman’s Servant 28 F 1863-05-20 England Bridgewater
ESSEY O’DONNELL Dressmaker 21 F 1863-05-20 Ireland Bridgewater
_________________
1870 Census– 9th Ward, City of Brooklyn, Kings County (July 26)
Page 172
Michael O’Donnell, 33- Laborer, born in Ireland (born 1837)
Mary O’Donnell, 30- Keeping Home, born in Ireland (born 1840)
Alice O’Donnell, 6 months, born in December in NY
Parents of Michael and Mary are of foreign birth.
__________
Name: Michl Odonnell
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837
Age in 1870: 33
Birthplace: Ireland
Home in 1870: Brooklyn Ward 9, Kings, New York
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Brooklyn
Roll: M593_950
Page: 258
Image: 519
Year: 1870
____________________
________________________

Irish to America, 1846-1865
O’Donnell, Michael Age : 25
O’Donnell, Mary Age : 23
Country of Origin : Ireland
Date of Arrival : May 20, 1863
Final Destination : USA
Port of Debarkation : New York
Ship’s Name : Bridgewater
Manifest ID Number : 901923
Port of Embarkation : Liverpool
Purpose for Travel : Staying in USA, but not a citizen of USA
Mode of Travel : Steerage
______________
Name: Michael Odonnell
Arrival Date: 20 May 1863
Age: 25 4/12
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Destination: United States of America
Place of Origin: Ireland
Ship Name: Bridgewater
Port of Arrival: New York
Line: 34
Microfilm Roll: 228
List Number: 444
Manifest ID Number : 901923

Name: Mary Odonnell
Arrival Date: 20 May 1863
Age: 23 9/12 (It says 43 but is corrected on the ship to 23)
Gender: Female
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Destination: United States of America
Place of Origin: Ireland
Ship Name: Bridgewater
Port of Arrival: New York
Line: 35
Microfilm Roll: 228
List Number: 444
______________________
Naturalization Record — 0354
Supreme Court, NY
Name: Michael O’Donnell
37 Whitehall St. (lower Manhatten)
Naturalization Date: 12 Oct 1868
Volume or Bundle 22
Former Nationality: Queen United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Record Number: 434
Witness: Hugh Killem, 27 Whitehall St. (daughter Alice married Eli Killem)
__________________________
This could be Michael and Mary’s children before 5 of the seven children died. Actually Alice should be listed unless she was visiting family or unless Mary is Alice Mary? I was told her name was Alice May but on other census it says Alice F. so I am not sure. We just wonder where the other five children went??? Also, if they had one James who was born in 1870 and he died, would they also name a another son James who was born later?? Or did some of the children die before they left Ireland? They had no children on the boat with them.

M. O’DONNELL Self M Male W 41 IRE Boot And Shoe Maker IRE IRE

Mary O’DONNELL Wife M Female W 41 IRE Keeping House IRE IRE

Thos. O’DONNELL Son S Male W 17 IRE Telephone Office IRE IRE (1863)

Jas. O’DONNELL Son S Male W 10 NY IRE IRE (1870)

J. Mary O’DONNELL Dau S Female W 7 NY At Home IRE IRE

T. A. O’DONNELL Dau S Female W 3 NY At Home IRE IRE

Thos O’DONNELL Son S Male W 1M NY At Home IRE IRE
_________________________
The 1900 census, Brooklyn, Ward 29, Ft Hamilton Ave in NY has the following
entry:

Eli A. Kellem, 29 yrs old, born Sept 1870 in NJ, Father born in NJ, mother
born in SC, occupation-pipe fitter

Alice F., wife, 28 yrs old, born Dec 1871 in NY, father born in Ireland,
mother born in Ireland, married for 8 yrs, had 8 children with 3 living

Alice F., daughter, age 6, born Oct 1893 in NY
Albert J., son, age 3, born Nov 1896 in NY
Ethel M., daughter, age 1, born Oct 1898

Mary E. (Dineen) O’Donnell, mother-in-law, age 58, born April 1842 in Ireland, father
born in Ireland, mother born in Ireland, widow, had 7 children with 2 living;
to the United States in 1863, in this county for 37 years.
____________________________
WW1 Registration Card- I have a copy but it is hard to read
Serial #3790
James Joseph O’Donnell
Hamilton Ave, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY (Can’t read the street number)
Birthdate- July 17, 1881
White
72″
Occupation
Asbesto _____ _______ Can’t read the last two words
Place of Employment, Coffee Street, Brooklyn, Kings Cty
Nearest Relative- Mrs. E. A. Killam, Sister (would be Alice)
I can’t read her street address but it is Brooklyn, Kings Cty, NY
Has his signature
__________________________________
St John Cemetery – Mrs. Lottie O’Donnell, registered owner of Section 25, Range V, gravet site No. 025, is buried there.

James J. O’Donnell died on Dec 8, 1931 in a taxicab en route to the hospital. An autopsy had to be performed because he died unattended. Cause of death was Chronic Myocarditis. His occupation was listed as pipe closer. His parents were listed as Michael O’Donnell and Mary Dundeen. Information provided by Mrs. Lottie O’Donnell. He lived at 265 89th Street in Brooklyn at the time of his death. He was buried on Dec 12, 1931 at St John’s Cemetery.

James J. O’Donnell was born 7-17-1881 in Brooklyn NY. His parents were Michael and Mary E. Dineen O’Donnell. He married Mary Harrigan who died after the birth of her 4th son LeRoy- “Mary O’Donnell died on Jan 28, 1914 at 4:00 p.m. at 216 Hoyt Street, a tenement in Brooklyn”. Other sons were Lester, James and Edwin. He then married Charlotte Kerner and had three more children.

James died on Dec 8, 1931 in a taxicab en route to the hospital. James parents were both born in Ireland. No information was listed on Mary Harrigans parents but I found a census and wonder if it might be her. Charlotte Vasalo, daughter of James and Lottie
____________________________________
Federal Census 1910 Census Borough of Brooklyn, Kings Cty April 20, 1910
Name: James Odonnell
Age in 1910: 28
Estimated birth year: abt 1882
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1910: 5-Wd Brooklyn, Kings, New York
Race: White
Gender: Male
Series: T624
Roll: 956
Part: 1
Page: 91A
Year: 1910
This is an interesting neighborhood- lots of Irish mixed with Japanese and/or Chinese.
Family # 286 House Number 148 – Gold Street
James O’Donnell age 28 born NY, parents born Ireland/Eng – Asbesto Manufacturer, Factory (He had not been out of work in the last 12 months) Working on own account (not an employee or an employer – Can read & write, Rent Home
Mary age 28 married 6 years, 3 children, 3 living NY parents born NY
Edwin 5 NY
Lester A. 3 NY
James G. 1 year 3 month NY
They were living next door to the John F. Harrigan Family.
Married 6 years with 3 children.
____________________________
1930 Federal Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, NY – Block C April 8, 1930
Line 8, 514, 66, 119
Value of home or rental – 60
Family does not live on a farm
James J. Head 49 Engineer, Plumbing (Employed)
Lottie- wife (has an H by wife – Wife-H) 43
Roy- Son – 18 (mother would be Mary Harrigan) Engineer Apprentice, Plumbing (Employed)
Lottie P.- Daughter 3 year and 2 months
Albert P.- Son 5 months
Jessie Creen – (Sister of Isabell) – Step-daughter 18 – Telephone Operator (Employed)
Radio- Yes
All who are old enough can read of write. None have been in school the past year.
Age at first marriage – 23 and 17 (this is a second marriage for both)
James lists that both his parents were born in Irish Free State
All the rest lists parents as born in NY including Charlotte.
James is not a veteran of the military
The neighborhood seemed to be a solid mix of Irish and German with a huge clan of Campbell’s next door.
Year: 1930; Census Place: Brooklyn, Kings, New York; Roll: 1509; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 1145; Image: 605.0.
__________________________________________________
1930
Family # 285, House Number 148 Gold Street (Mary’s Family)
John F. Harrigan 52 NY,Widow- parents born Ireland/Eng Occupation- Tinsmith? Paint works (Working on own account – not an employee or an employer) Rents Home –
Anna F or T- 27 daughter NY parents born NY Unemployed (cares for family)
James A. 26 Son ” Laborer Paper Factory (# of weeks out of work during 1909- 8)
Joseph L. 24 Son ” Laborer Paint Worker ( ” 24)
John J. 22 ” ” Motorman Railroad ( ” 0_
William S. 20 ” ” Laborer Unitype? Co ( ” 10)
All can read and write

_______________________________
Mary O’Donnell died on Jan 28, 1914 (five days after Leroy was born) at 4:00 p.m. at 216 Hoyt Street, a tenement in Brooklyn, Death Certificate number 2674. An autopsy was performed and the cause of death was asphyxia due to gas poisoning. Details of medical examiner’s report not included. No personal information was provided or known to the county medical examiner. She was buried in a pauper’s grave at the County Farm on Feb 5, 1914 by the Dept. of Public Charities.

It is thought she died while giving birth to Leroy at the age of 33. She is buried in St. John’s Cemetary.
_________________________________-
1870 Federal Census, Brooklyn, Ward 21
Location 337 and 317
Morris Harrigan 42 IR, parents IR Printer Real Estate 6000, Personal Estate 2000
Margaret 45 IR, parents IR
Mary A. 21 NY (all kids born in NY)
Margaret A. 18
James L. 16 School
Lester A. 14 School
Morris W. 12 School
Josephine E. 10 School
John F. 7
Albert C or G 3
Morris 85 (father)
Mary 63 (mother)
David Roach?? Apprentice Printer, PA, parents PA and IR
___________________
1880 Federal Census Brooklyn, Kings County

Name: John HARRIGAN
Age: 22
Estimated birth year:
Birthplace: New York
Occupation: Tin Smith
Relationship to head-of-household: Self
Home in 1880: Kings (Brooklyn), New York City-Greater, New York
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Spouse’s name: Kate HARRIGAN
Father’s birthplace: IRE
Mother’s birthplace: IRE
Image Source: Year: 1880; Census Place: Kings (Brooklyn), New York City-Greater, New York; Roll: T9_841; Family History Film: 1254841; Page: 288C; Enumeration District: 13; Image: 0055.
York Street
John Harrigan 22 Tin Smith Married born NY parents born Ireland
Kate Harrigan 21 Married born NY parents born Ireland

Live near O’Brian’s- sister Anna married John O’Brian
Thomas and Catharine 60 and 62 yrs and Bernard 34 who has consumption. Bernard born NY, parents Ireland. Live in same tenement as John and Kate Harrigan- Parents cannot read and write. John is a secretary.
___________________
1900 Federal Census, Brooklyn, Kings Cty, NY June 4
Name: John F Harrigan
Home in 1900: Brooklyn Ward 2, Kings, New York
Age: 40
Estimated birth year: 1860
Birthplace: New York
Race: White
Image source: Year: 1900; Census Place: Brooklyn Ward 2, Kings, New York; Roll: T623 1043; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 14.
York Street, # 95
John F. widow, 40 (Sept, 1859) born NY, parents born Ireland, Tinsmith
Mary 19, (June 1880) NY works, Feeder Band Packing??
Anna 17, (Nov 1882) at school
James 15, (July 1884) Electrician Work Leaner
Joseph 14 (May 1884) School
John 11 (Aug, 1888) School
William 9 (Sept. 1889) School
All can read and write
__________________
Federal Census 1910 Census Borough of Brooklyn, Kings Cty April 20, 1910
Family # 285, House Number 148 Gold Street (Mary’s Family)
John F. 52 NY,Widow- parents born Ireland/Eng Occupation- Tinsmith? Paint works (Working on own account – not an employee or an employer) Rents Home –
Anna F or T- 27 daughter NY parents born NY Unemployed (cares for family)
James A. 26 Son ” Laborer Paper Factory (# of weeks out of work during 1909- 8)
Joseph L. 24 Son ” Laborer Paint Worker ( ” 24)
John J. 22 ” ” Motorman Railroad ( ” 0_
William S. 20 ” ” Laborer Unitype? Co ( ” 10)
All can read and write
___________________
1920 Federal Census
Name: John F Harrigan
Age: 65 years
Estimated birth year: abt 1855
Birthplace: New York
Race: White
Home in 1920: Brooklyn, Kings, New York
Roll: T625_1150
Page: 11A
ED: 218
Image: 205

North Oxford Drive #149 Brooklyn, Kings County, 4th Assembly District,
John O’Brian Head 36 NY parents born England, Secretary for real estate
Anna 38, Wife NY
John F. 8
Vincent M. 7
John Harrigan- Father-in-law, Widow, Tinsmith for Paint Factory
William Harrigan 30 – brother in law Steveadore for Steamship Co
All can read and write
Doesn’t say whether they own or rent
___________________________

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Castle Garden before Ellis Island

January 23, 2008 · Filed under Castle Garden

Castle Garden, Prior to Ellis Island – Irish Priest Observes the “Runners”

When America thinks of immigration, two images immediately spring to mind: the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This is hardly surprising, given the fact that upwards of 16 million immigrants passed the Statue as they entered New York Harbor on their way to the inspection station at Ellis Island. One was surely a symbol of hope, the other a place of dread. Yet for the great majority of the millions of Irish who came to America, neither Lady Liberty nor Ellis Island played a role in their experience.

The reason is simple enough: Most Irish immigrants arrived before the Statue (1886) and Ellis (1892) were built. The great symbol of Irish migration to America stands only a half mile away from these landmarks at the tip of Manhattan Island: Castle Garden.

Originally constructed in 1811 as a fort named Castle Clinton (named in honor of Mayor DeWitt Clinton, a descendent of Irish immigrants from County Longford), it was converted in the 1820s into a public venue for celebrations, exhibitions, and entertainment. Thousands of New Yorkers
routinely thronged to the Castle for gala welcoming ceremonies for arriving dignitaries – from President Andrew JACKSON in the 1830s to Irish patriot Thomas Francis MEAGHER in the 1850s. By the mid-1840s the popularity of the site had grown such that a six-thousand-seat opera house named Castle Garden was constructed over the fort. In 1855, Castle Garden abruptly commenced its third unique historical phase, that of immigrant receiving center. Over
the next thirty-five years more than eight million foreign arrivals were processed there (1.8 million Irish), a total second only to its successor, Ellis Island.

Two things distinguished Castle Garden (and its counterparts in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and elsewhere) from Ellis Island. First, there was no rigorous inspection regimen (though immigrants were given quick health checks during periodic epidemic scares) . Second, there were no measures taken to protect newly arrived immigrants from the wily con men who prowled Lower Manhattan in search of easy prey. Sadly, these men used their ethnic
credentials–a good Irish accent, or better still, the ability to speak Irish–to ensnare their fellow Hibernians. As one Irish priest observed in the 1850s: “The moment he landed his luggage was pounced upon by two runners, one seizing the box of tools, the other confiscating the clothes.
The future American citizen assured his obliging friends that he was quite capable of carrying his own luggage; but no, they should relieve him–the stranger, and guest of the Republic–of that trouble. Each was in the interest of a different boarding-house, and each insisted that the young
Irishman with the red head should go with him … Not being able to oblige both gentlemen, he could oblige only one; and as the tools were more valuable than the clothes, he followed in the path of the gentleman who had secured that portion of the ‘plunder’ … the two gentleman wore very pronounced green neck-ties, and spoke with a richness of accent that denoted special if not conscientious cultivation; and on his (the Irishman’s) arrival at the boarding-house, he was cheered with the announcement that its proprietor was from ‘the ould counthry,’ and loved every sod of it, God bless it.”

— Excerpts, “1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American
History,” Edward T. O’Donnell (2002).

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