Sarah McWalter nee Duggan emigrated to the USA in 1900

Information probided by Sarah's daughter Mary Dolan, interviewed by her daughter Bina Devaney on 9th September, 2008

Emigrated to Boston

Sarah left Tygreenane in 1900 and travelled to Boston via the port of Queenstown (Cobh).   She was 22 years old and it took 3 weeks, travelling by boat to reach Boston. She remembered how seasick she was for the entire journey. Sarah’s sisters and brothers had previously made the trip to the USA and she joined them when she arrived. Delia, her older sister, had left Ireland for America when Sarah was very young so she had no memory of her. In fact, when she arrived in America, was the first time she met her sister Delia.

First Job

Sarah’s first job was in a laundry but soon after arriving, she got a job with a wealthy family. She worked in the kitchen, cutting vegetables and serving meals. She would often give left-over food to the coloured children who called to the back door.

Return home

Aftr 7 years in America, Sarah returned to Tygreenane at the age of 29. Only Sarah and one other brother ever came back to Ireland.  Her other siblings all left the parish and stayed in the US.  Sarah went on to marry twice and had 3 children from her first marriage.  She was widowed while 6 months pregnant with her 3rd child. She remarried some time later and had 5 more children.

 

This page was added on 14/08/2018.

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