Missing Friends

Searching for family and friends in the USA in the 1800s

Research carried out by Killererin Heritage Society

Missing in the USA – Searching for family and friends

From 1831 through to 1916, the Boston Pilot newspaper printed advertisements by people seeking ‘Missing Friends’. There were over 45,000 advertisements placed by people desperate to find their family and friends.[1] Ads were placed again and again as people did not want to give up hope of finding their loved ones. This was the case particularly for those who emigrated later in the 1890s and who became a little more prosperous than those who had made the journey before that.

People from the parish missing in the USA between 1854 and 1880

Below are the names of some of the people from the parish located in the search for ‘Missing Friends’, published in the Boston Globe between 1854 and 1880.[2]

John Connolly

John Connolly, Dangan, Parish of Killeraron [sic], sailed from Liverpool to New York and arrived in Eoshen, Orange Co. NY in Nov. ’51.  He was in Ohio. One year ago he was in Alexandria Washington Co. PA. Information will be received by his sister Hannah care of Mary Kelly Goshen Orange CO, NY.

2 December 1854 – $30 Reward.

Thomas Fahy

Thomas Fahy, Dangan, Parish of Killererin. Last heard of 2 years ago in April in the Battee House, Molrle, Als. Please address his brother Michael Wellington, Lorain Co. Ohio.

25th August 1855 – $5 Reward.

Denis Coen

Denis Coen and wife Clodagh, Parish of Gurteen (Galway), came to this country in 1846. When last heard from were in Walpole, Canada. Mrs Coen is a daughter of Daniel Gilmore of Garra, Parish of Kilkeran [sic], Co. Galway. Information received by his brothers-in-law Michael and Thomas Gilmore, West Newbury, Mass.

7th June 1856.

Ellen Linsky

Ellen Linsky, native of the Parish of Kilererin who left home about 9 years ago, lived in England for some time with her brother till he died. When last heard from, she lived in Cincinnati N 32 Water Street with Hugh Maloy. Please address her brother James, care of James Scully, Chilicothe, Ross County, Ohio.

4th December 1858 – $10 Reward.

Andrew McCue

Andrew McCue, native of Hillsbrook Parish of Killcrerin [sic], Co. Galway. Parents’ names Michael McCue and Mary Donnellan. He left Ireland for America 25 yrs ago. Sister Judith, wife of Denis Hession, resides at 1B Rafferty Court, High Street, Pittsburgh, PA.

This is just one aspect of chapter 11 of Killererin – A Parish History.  There are many more tales of people who emigrated from this parish.  Killererin – A Parish History is on sale locally or from any committee member.  It is also for sale online elsewhere on this website

7th February 1880.
[1] Irish Central, ‘Irish Immigrants Search for Missing Friends’ (http://www.irishcentral.com/IrishAmerica/The-Search-for-Missing-Friends-93288174.html) (17 Oct 2013).
[2] Galway Co. Council, Archive Service, Island House, Cathedral Square, Nuns Island,Galway

This page was added on 06/08/2017.

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