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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: caroline_wex on Saturday 15 October 11 14:14 BST (UK)
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Hi!
I've just recently found out that my great gran uncle, Nicholas O'Neill, died in BOSTON (I'm presuming Massachusetts although there are a few different Bostons!?) in America on 24 February 1946.
He was born on 12 December 1867 in Tomatee (sometimes spelled Tomathee) near Kilmyshall and Ballindaggin in Co. Wexford.
Any information on him would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks!
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HI Caroline_wex,
https://www.familysearch.org/ have Census and some other records, might be worth a look to see if you see Great Grand Uncle ?
Just having a look around but he isn't jumpsing out at me instantly - when do you think he arrived in Boston ? Gives us an idea of time - frame.
Sandra
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Hi! Sandra!
Thanks a million...
He's not on the Irish census for 1901 or 1911 so I'm thinking he went over before the turn of the century. As he was born in 1867, he could have gone out between ages of 18 and 34 so probably looking at years between 1885 and 1901.
All we have to go on apart from his birthdate are the headstones which mention his death date and his being buried in "Boston". That's it!
There is also the possibility that his name changed over there (to Neal, Neill or otherwise) and Nicholas could have been Nick or Nicky. In the case of a previous greatgranuncle on the other side of my tree... he didn't claim to be Irish on his census returns in America - might have been a common thing amongst Irish who went out during that time!?
Thanks again,
Caroline
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HI Caroline,
Do the headstones indicate that he was married ?
Sandra
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Hi...
No, neither of the headstones mention any wife. He was mentioned on his father/mother's headstone as having died in America. On his brother Timothy's headstone, it mentions he is buried in Boston.
That said, that other greatgranuncle I mentioned earlier on the other side also died in America and he was married. It wasn't mentioned that he was survived by a wife but he was... so it doesn't tell you either way! :o)
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Possibility ???
Nicholas O Neal living at Newton Ward 6, Middlesex, Massachusetts.
Ruth A Paul 84
Nicholas O Neal 55 Born Ireland. Single. Immigrated 1883. PA. Foreman. Farm
Martin Solan 54 Lizzy Commeaux 24 Harriet Otis Paul 44
Sandra
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Oh my God!
Sounds like a very strong possibility... as he was from a farming background.
Did you find that on familysearch, Sandra?! Thanks a million!!!
Caroline
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HI Caroline,
I was using anc but he is here on familysearch - http://www.rootschat.com/links/0fnw/
Where is he hiding before and after that is the question ;)
Sandra
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Oh - interesting - 1910 Newton Ward 6, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Age is a little out ??? But the same surname Paul ???
Ellen D Paul 75
Harriet O Paul 35
Irving C Paul 33
Mary Mills 35
John Murphy 24
Nicholas Oneil 31 Servant.Private Family. Single. Immigrated 1900
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0fnx/
Sandra
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Sandra! Thanks so much!
Hugely appreciated!
I have a feeling in my bones this is the right one. In fairness, looking back at mention of Nicholas on each headstone, they said he was 70, when he was actually born in Dec 1867 and died in Feb 1946 so was 78!!! Same with a lot of people in those days with discrepancies over ages... Doesn't make researching them very easy!!!
Going to go looking around the Newton area of Boston now for more clues.
Thanks again!
Caroline
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Presume this is the parents:- ???
Nicholas Neill - Born 12 Dec 1869 - Killan, Wex, Ireland
Father's Name: Thomas Neill - Mother's Name: Bridget Hogan
Are there any other siblings who may have immigrated to the USA ?
Sandra
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Yes! :o) Though his birth year has been given in register as 1867...
Think he's the only one of the twelve who went over to America. All others are accounted for in terms of where they're buried bar his brother, Patrick... but he was settled here until at least 1924 anyways as he was an auctioneer in the area. Just Nicholas, we think.
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Cannot see Nicholas returning to Ireland on any visits but wonder if a sibling might have visited him - long shot really ::)
Sandra
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Not very many Nicholas ONeill on passenger lists - one to bear in mind - maybe travelling a little later than you anticipate and the age slightly out ???
Nicholas Oneil. Born about 1874 Wexford and aged 28 yearsl
Port of Departure: Queenstown, Ireland to Boston. Massachusetts on the SS Ultonia arriving July 1902
Single. Labourer. Going to cousin Patrick Kenny. Dooleys Hotel. Boston.
Ba cheart dúinn a bheith chomh-ádh ;)
Sandra
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:) We should indeed! :)
Will check it out!
Thanks a million,
Caroline
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US City Directory 1921 - Newton. Massachusetts.
Nicholas O Neil - Farmer. 1402 Paul Street. with Mrs Luther Paul. Harriet Paul, Solan Martiin (also a farmer)
Also 1923 with Harriet O Paul. Mrs Sarah Manson. Solan Martin and Nicholas O'Neil.
Sandra
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Fantastic!
Thanks a million!
Where did you access those records?! Ancestry?!
Caroline
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Yes, thats right Caroline. Shelly is the expert on City Directories maybe she can find Nicholas a little later for you. I tried following Mrs Sarah Manson and Harriet O Paul through 1930 but no sign of Nicholas then.
Sandra
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Hello, Sandra!
I've since been on to newspapers in Bostonto see if they might have an archive of obituaries for 1946. One lovely lady had a look through the database and pointed me in the right direction to download from their site for a small fee. Newton Nicholas was definitely the right one. Here's the obituary for him -
:::Daily Boston Globe - Feb 26th 1946:::
O'Neill - In Newton Upper Falls Feb 24.
Nicholas O'Neill of 24 Summer St, formerly of Wexford, Ireland.
Funeral from the Henry J Burke Parlors, 17, Washington St,
at Newton Lower Falls Wednesday at 8am.
High Mass of Requiem at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church at 9 o'clock.
Friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours. 2 to 10.
I've just emailed MIoL Church so maybe they'll be able to let me know where he's buried.
It also gives his last address as Summer Street, Newton Falls Upper but, from what I can gather, I can't access 1940+ census online as 1940 will not be released til 2012?! Might be different with the City Directories though.
Thanks a million,
Caroline
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There are some city directories for Newton available for free here: http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/city%20clerk/genealogy.html
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Hi Caroline,
Great news from Boston - hope they can identify the burial place for you. Had another go at 1930 but haven't found Nicholas yet. Yes, 1940 Census due out next year. Maybe the link Shelly has put on will help locate him - hope so
Sandra
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Hello!
Yes... and I've just this minute had an email back from Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church. They were able to tell me exactly where he is buried in their cemetery and a few other details about him, which is fantastic!
Thanks a million for all your help - you've been great!!!
Caroline
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Hi Caroline,
Pleasure to have helped, didn't think we would find very much in the beginning - just goes to show ;)
Just a thought - If you wanted to try and get a photograph of the tombstone - You could join Find A Grave (free) and create a memorial page for Nicholas O'Neill at the Cemetery and then request a photograph - its explained here - How to submit a photo request. Hope this helps.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=listFaqs#73
Sandra
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hi, im doing family tree and saw your info on nicholas, was wondering if you could tell me who his sister bridget was married to and where the graves are for the sibblings please. m.
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Hi!
Great! Can you fill in any other pieces of the puzzle if yours is the same O'Neill family?
Not sure yet but there is the possibility she was married to a Mikey Jordan. There is also the possibility she was married to a Doyle near Bree.
Most of the O'Neill siblings are buried in Kilmyshall with a number of them buried in Enniscorthy.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
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well, i was trying to know for certain so i would be on the right track. a bridget neil in 1911 was married to james swords. she wasnt married in 1901 and going on age i pinpointed bridget neill from tomatee as she was there in 1901 and gone from there in 1911. cant find a marriage cert in co. wex. i dont know any thing else about the neill family.
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Hi
I know it's a long time since the last post but I'm looking for info on the family as well...
I'm an oneill living in Wexford. I'm a great granddaughter of Nicholas's brother Timothy. I'm trying to find out more info on their family, siblings, parents etc.
Caroline are you in Wexford? Would it be possible to pick your brain by email or phone.?
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Hello Kon.
Absolutely. Can you send me a private message and I will send you over my contact details. I've actually been speaking to one of your cousins recently, I think!
Really looking forward to getting in contact with you.
Caroline
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for attention: Kon -
please check your inbox and do get in touch as soon as possible or alternatively (if there is a problem reading your messages here) drop me another message here on this thread.
Many thanks,
Caroline
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New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the personal message facility. See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
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Thank you, Shelly!
Kon - can you please make two more posts here... and then I'll private message you my contact details again.
Many thanks,
Caroline
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Hello Kon! Do get in touch - I'd prefer not to put contact details here on a post as will be spammed! - but make two more replies on this forum and we can private message each other. Looking forward to speaking to you in the near future. Caroline
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Hi Kon,
If you can make one more post on RootsChat you will then be able to reply to Caroline's private message.
Regards
Sarah :)