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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: traynorm on Saturday 24 September 22 12:45 BST (UK)
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I am looking for relatives of Thomas Keenan born Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal in 1884. They moved to Bundoran and he emigrated to New York in 1907. Married Nora Dyer from Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon in 1912. They had 6 children. John born 1914, Catherine born 1916, Thomas born 1919, James born 1923, Joseph born 1926 and Frank born 1930. They lived at 64 West, 98th Street, New York. Thomas died 18 October 1949.
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There is an ancestry tree, (if it isn't yours) have you viewed that ?
Sandra
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Daughter Catherine - U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 - Catherine Mary Keenan - Birth Date 20 Feb 1916 N Y City, New York - Death Date 24 Apr 2003
Father Thomas Keenan - Mother Nora Dyer.
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2 Nov 1938, Wed Page 13
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110106565/marriage-of-daniel-f-catherine/
Sandra
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Son Joseph - U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 - Joseph Patrick Keenan - Birth Date 12 Feb 1926 New York N Y, New York - Death Date 18 Sep 2003
Father Thomas Keenan Mother Nora Dyer
Sandra
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Obit for Joseph - gives you names to investigate.
Daily News New York, New York 20 Sep 2003, Sat Page 16
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110102138/obituary-for-joseph-p-keenan/
Sandra
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Francis Keenan - Age 13
Birth Year: abt 1930 - Death Date 18 Jul 1943 Death Place Kings, New York
Certificate Number 15631
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WTR-1G5
Sandra
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Hello Sandra,
Many thanks for such a rapid reply. I very much appreciate that.
Both Catherine & Joseph are two of the family.
Thank you for the obituary and I'll follow up with the names in it & the undertaker may well have records of the family, though its nearly 20 years ago.
Would you have a link to the Ancestry location for that family tree you found please?
That's a really rapid response you gave me !!
Kind regards
Michael Traynor
Dublin.
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Here is the ancestry link but you would need a subscription to view.
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/88547701/person/32578157629/facts?_phsrc=DtI66&_phstart=successSource
Sandra
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In case you don't have it, Thomas & Nora(h)'s actual marriage certificate is here - https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/8731121
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Francis' death certificate is here - https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/7085145
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Hello Shelly & Sandra,
Thank you both very, very much for the information you so rapidly added to my enquiry today. I have located the Ancestry page for Thomas Keenan and posted an enquiry.
I will also today follow up on the leads in the obituary.
You have given me a terrific head start as I only learned a few hours ago where Thomas emigrated to in 1907.
Thank you both very much
Kindest regards
Michael Traynor
Dublin.
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This may well be your Thomas J Keenan - 31 May 1918
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L92F-H4JX?i=1550&cc=2329262&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQVJY-GQVB
SSDI - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JKGW-P27
FIND A GRAVE
Calverton National Cemetery Calverton, Suffolk County, New York
PLOT 10, 0, 1261
MILITARY - S/SGT, US ARMY
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/863852/thomas-j-keenan
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 -
Thomas J Keenan 31 May 1918 New York City (aged 27 years) Honorable discharged veteran
Registration Date 8 Oct 1945 Woodside, Queens, New York
Employer Honorably Discharged Veteran
Height 5 7 - Weight 140 - Complexion Light - Hair Color Brown - Eye Color Blue
Next of Kin Nora Keenan
43-18-56 St Woodside. LI. NY.
Sandra
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Thank you very much Sandra,
Yes, that's definitely Thomas okay.
I'm trying to phone the undertakers that managed the funeral of Joseph Keenan, Kennedy-Roth in Woodside. But it won't connect for me even with the correct area code from Dublin. Unfortunately their internal messaging won't allow me to email them either as I need a USA Zip code. It doesn't allow for messages from outside USA. Their website doesn't list an ordinary email address.
That's a pity as I feel they might have contact details for the family member that arranged the funeral.
I'll have to figure some way to contact them ?
Anyrate, thank you very much for all the information you have supplied to me in the past couple of hours.
Best wishes,
Michael.
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Son John Joseph Keenan - U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 for John Joseph Keenan - 6 Sep 1913 - New York City, New York
Registration Date 16 Oct 1940 Sunnyside, Long Island, Queens, New York
Employer New York Fire Dept. 33 W 43 St New York
Height 5 9 - Weight 180 - Complexion Light - Hair Color Black - Eye Color Blue
Next of Kin Mrs Thomas Keenan. 43-18-56 St Woodside. LI. NY.
FIND A GRAVE
6 September 1913 - 25 december 1985
Calverton National Cemetery Calverton, Suffolk County, New York
PLOT 11, 0, 8748
MILITARY F1, US NAVY
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/863790/john-j-keenan
Sandra
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New York, Index to Marriage Licenses, 1908-1910, 1938-1940 - John J. Keenan - 6 September 1913 New York City - (aged 27 years)
Marriage Affidavit Date 12 Jun 1941
Marriage Date 29 Jun 1941 New York, Manhattan, New York, New York
Residence Street Address: 43-18 56th St. Woodside, LI
Occupation Fireman NYCFD
Father Thomas Keenan - Mother Nora Keenan - Spouse Genevieve McCann
Certificate Number 10130 - Current Marriage Number 0
Witness 1 Daniel Carey - (this would be sister Catherines husband - married 1938)
Witness 2 Ellen Mc Cann
Sandra
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Obit for John Joseph Keenan - Newsday (Suffolk Edition) Melville, New York
26 Dec 1985, Thu Page 331
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110105902/obituary-for-john-j-keenan/
Sandra
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U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 - Genevieve McCann
Genevieve McCann Keenan - Genevieve Keenan
Birth Date 1 Jun 1916 New York City, New York - Death Date 20 Mar 2000
Father Frank McCann Mother Jennie Dunleavy.
FIND A GRAVE
Calverton National Cemetery Calverton, Suffolk County, New York.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72339359/genevieve-keenan
Sandra
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Did you try this one ? - Kennedy Roth Funeral Home - Address: 41- 45 58th St, Queens, NY 11377
Phone: +1 718-424-5430
Sandra
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Sandra,
You are playing a blinder with that information !!
Thank you very much.
Would you try and see if you can locate a death notice for James Keenan please?. He was born in 1923.
I know you gave me Catherine's date of death. Could I possibly trouble you to send me a link to her death notice please?.
I know their father, Thomas died on 18 October 1949. Could you try and track down his wife Nora's death notice please?
That would complete that entire family. You have done so well for me !
I apologise for asking you for these requests, but you are a wizard at getting such information !!
Yes, that is the phone number I have been trying, with that international area code.
Kindest regards
Michael.
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I have the connection of ancestry tree - will send info via pm.
Sandra
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Sandra,
The reason I am troubling you for newspaper or other death notices is they contain the details of the undertakers, and hopefully from one of them I'll be able to phone or email them.
Thank you
Michael.
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In the mean time - see if you can get anything from the pm.
Sandra
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obit of Joseph P Keenan's son Robert - 2020
https://www.thompsonmemorial.net/obituaries/1354-robert-joseph-keenan
the daughter in law Mary mentioned in the obit is his wife and survived Robert.
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I think Sandra might have covered this, but as for the funeral home that handled Joseph Keenan's funeral:
Write them a letter
41-45 58th Street
Woodside, NY 11377
try the church
St. Sebastian's Church
58-02 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside, NY 11377
http://saintsebastianwoodside.org/contact-us/
I assume this didn't work - is this the page that only accepts messages from the US?
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/contact-us
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will PM you with info for surviving family.
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Probably the obituary of John and Genevieve (McCann) Keenan's daughter Carole Martello. This lady was born in 1943, grew up in Queens, and her father worked as a fireman. John's occupation when registering for WWII was a fireman. Her parents aren't mentioned in the obituary. Survivors are mentioned.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/new-hyde-park-ny/carole-martello-6881507
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Have sent you further pm with family relationship explained. Hope this helps you.
Regards
Sandra
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Thank you very much Sandra & Oldohiohome for all that information. That is all terrific and I would be hopeful I should make contact with a living descendant of the Keenan family.
My connection with the Keenan family is my grandmother was Mary Anne Keenan from Bundoran in Co. Donegal. It was her brother Thomas that emigrated to New York in 1907 & married Nora Dyer in 1912. They are the parents of the six children that you have successfully tracked down today. So thank you very much.
If you get a chance, would you mind possibly sending me the death notices for James Keenan, Catherine Keenan (died 24 April 2003) and also their mother Nora Keenan (née Dyer) please. There will be family names and undertakers names on those 3 death certs as well as the others that will help me contact a living member of our family.
It will be great to make contact with a surviving descendant of my grandmother's brother.
Many, many thanks,
Michael.
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So far they are proving harder to find, at least for me.
Do you have an exact date of birth for Hanora Dyer? A middle initial?
There is this possibility so far:
Name Nora F Keenan
Death or Burial Place Queens, Queens, New York, United States
Death or Burial Longitude -73.912126
Death or Burial Latitude 40.739043
Cemetery Calvary Cemetery (Third)
Death Date 03 Aug 1959
Event Type Burial
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HXP-YQY
and this one
Nora Keenan
State New York
Residence Place New York
Last Place of Residence Queens, New York
Previous Residence Postal Code 11377
Age 84
Birth Date 21 Sep 1890
Death Date Dec 1974
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JRQK-226
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Nora/Hanora Dyer Keenan - birth 4 December 1889
1901 census Roscommon
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Roscommon/Bellanagare/Leggatinty/1666090/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003850159/
Sandra
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The date of birth for Honoria (Nora) Dyer is 4 December 1889 in Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon
Thank you
Michael.
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Looks like a few Dyer or Dwyer family members immigrated to the USA.
Brother of Nora - Martin Joseph Dwyer born 1887 Frenchpark. Roscommon. Died 1954
11 October 1954 Newark, Essex, New Jersey.
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/88547701/person/32578157650/facts
Sandra
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FIND A GRAVE
Brother John James Dyer - 19 March 1885 Frenchpark Roscommon - 24 March 1970 Selden, Suffolk County, New York.
Saint John Cemetery Middle Village, Queens County, New York, USA
PLOT Section 16, Row C, Grave 56
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57373143/john-james-dyer
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/88547701/person/32578157638/facts
Sandra
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Thank you very much,
Yes that is definitely Nora in the 1901 Census for Co Roscommon. The townland agrees with what is on her State birth cert. Unfortunately I don't have a date of death for her. But it could well be what Oldohiohome has suggested. The dates vary a bit but sometimes they didn't know their real birth dates !!. Perhaps if a copy of her death cert could be found that might give more clarity ?
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JRQK-226
She was still alive for the NY census of 1940. As was her husband Tom who died on 18 October 1949.
Regards
Michael.
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I'd look at this one first - it's on billiongraves, but I don't have a subscription.
Nora F Keenan d 3 Aug 1959, buried Calvary, Queens
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HXP-YQY
regarding the other one, people usually didn't get everything wrong about their birth date. Maybe the year but not the date, or they'd be a day or two off from what the record says. Or with Irish records the actual birth could be a few weeks earlier than what the record said. People would be late registering the birth so they would give a date recent enough to avoid the fine.
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There are no death certificates available online for the period you require. Unfortunately, you would need to purchase the certificate from New York.
Sandra
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I'd look at this one first - it's on billiongraves, but I don't have a subscription.
Nora F Keenan d 3 Aug 1959, buried Calvary, Queens
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HXP-YQY
regarding the other one, people usually didn't get everything wrong about their birth date. Maybe the year but not the date, or they'd be a day or two off from what the record says. Or with Irish records the actual birth could be a few weeks earlier than what the record said. People would be late registering the birth so they would give a date recent enough to avoid the fine.
I don't think that is her OOH.
https://billiongraves.com/grave/person/5402762
Sandra
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I haven't come across a listing of a son called Martin. He died in 1921 aged 14 years. Nora & Tom were married in 1912.
Is there a census for New York available after 1940 ?
Michael.
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Martin Dwyer/Dyer - was a brother of Nora Dyer.
Sandra
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Remind me - Where did the date of death for Thomas Keenan come from - 18 October 1949 ?
Sandra
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I have Tom's memorial card that my late father had.
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Does it say where he died or what cemetery ?
Sandra
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1940 census Assembly District 2, Queens, New York City, Queens, New York.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQG1-XV9
I sent you a pm with a copy of the 1950 census with Catherine Keenan/Carey and her husband and children.
Sandra
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Naturalization for Thomas Keenan (just in case you haven't seen it)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9M8-G7TD?i=550&cc=1999177&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQPTX-9LFL
Sandra
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Thank you for the Certificate of Naturalization.
Tom's memorial card doesn't give any details about his death other than the undertaker, Martin S. Chalk, 57-04 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, N.Y.
From the fact Nora appears on the 1940 Census but not on the 1950 Census would indicate the possibility she died during that decade ? Or is that a wrong assumption to make ?
Michael.
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This may well be your Thomas J Keenan - 31 May 1918
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L92F-H4JX?i=1550&cc=2329262&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQVJY-GQVB
SSDI - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JKGW-P27
FIND A GRAVE
Calverton National Cemetery Calverton, Suffolk County, New York
PLOT 10, 0, 1261
MILITARY - S/SGT, US ARMY
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/863852/thomas-j-keenan
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 -
Thomas J Keenan 31 May 1918 New York City (aged 27 years) Honorable discharged veteran
Registration Date 8 Oct 1945 Woodside, Queens, New York
Employer Honorably Discharged Veteran
Height 5 7 - Weight 140 - Complexion Light - Hair Color Brown - Eye Color Blue
Next of Kin Nora Keenan
43-18-56 St Woodside. LI. NY.
Sandra
Nora was listed on this document for son Thomas J Keenan Jnr. in 1945.
Sandra
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Thomas Keenan
Birth Date 7 Jan 1887 Birth Place Republic of Ireland - Death Date 18 Oct 1949
Claim Date 3 Nov 1949
Notes: 27 Aug 1976: Name listed as THOMAS KEENAN
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 -
Sandra
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Thank you Sandra,
So we can narrow Nora's date of death between 1945 & 1950 ?
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There are no death certificates available online for the period you require. Unfortunately, you would need to purchase the certificate from New York.
For New York City death records after 1948, unfortunately, access is very limited currently.
Only the following relations to the deceased can request both a death certificate and the confidential cause of death medical report:
Spouse
Domestic partner
Parent
Child
Sibling
Grandparent
Grandchild
Informant listed on the certificate
Person in charge of disposition
The following relations to the deceased can also request a death certificate, but not the cause of death medical report:
Niece/nephew
Aunt/uncle
Great grandchild and great-great grandchild
Grandniece/grandnephew
If you are not listed above as an entitled party, you must document your right to get a death certificate.
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/birth-death-records-death.page
I don't see any likely matches for her in online NYC death indexes, so possible she may have died elsewhere or was somewhere else for the 1950 census.
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I may have to wait until I make contact with a living relative to see if they know when Nora died.
Have you tried to see if there is a death notice for Nora's daughter Catherine that died 24 April 2003 and Nora's son James that unfortunately I don't have a date of death for. Sorry !
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Son - James Patrick Keenan - 12 April 1923
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 - James Patrick Keenan
Age 22 - Birth Date 12 Apr 1923 New York City, New York
Registration Date 14 Dec 1945 Woodside, Queens, New York
Employer Unemployed Veteran
Height 5 7 - Weight 140 - Complexion Ruddy - Hair Color Brown - Eye Color Blue
Next of Kin Nora Keenan. 43 18 56 Woodside Queens NY.
Sandra
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FIND A GRAVE
James Patrick Keenan - 12 Apr 1923 died 12 Jan 1972 (aged 48)
burial Long Island National Cemetery East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York
PLOT SECTION 3C SITE 1359
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85809178/james-patrick-keenan
Sandra
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U.S., Veterans' Gravesites, ca.1775-2019 - James Patrick Keenan - 12 April 1923 (aged 48 years)
Service Start Date: 26 May 1942 - Service End Date: 10 Dec 1945
Death Date 12 Jan 1972 - Interment Date 17 Jan 1972 New York
Cemetery Address 2040 Wellwood Avenue Farmingdale, NY 11735-1211
Cemetery Long Island National Cemetery - Plot: Section 3c Site 1359
Notes Cpl Us Army World War Ii
Sandra
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This may be James with his mother in 1950 43 - 18 Queens New York.
Nora Keenan aged 59 years. born Ireland. Widowed.
James Keenan aged 26 years. born NY. never married. Packer. Steel Co.
Sandra
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FIND A GRAVE
Catherine Mary Carey - this must be the burial date 29 April 2003.
Plot - Section 25 Row OO Grave 200
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177167861/catherine-m-carey
Daniel J Carey - 6 Jul 1994
Saint Charles Cemetery East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.
PLOT - Section: 25, Row: OO, Grave: 200
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177168277/daniel-j-carey
Sandra
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This may be James with his mother in 1950 43 - 18 Queens New York.
Nora Keenan aged 59 years. born Ireland. Widowed.
James Keenan aged 26 years. born NY. never married. Packer. Steel Co.
Sandra
4318 56th [same address as Thomas and Nora in 1940]
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I'd look at this one first - it's on billiongraves, but I don't have a subscription.
Nora F Keenan d 3 Aug 1959, buried Calvary, Queens
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HXP-YQY
I don't think that is her OOH.
https://billiongraves.com/grave/person/5402762
Sandra
Thanks, I put it out there hoping someone could look it up.
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And also the same address on the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men of the sons.
Sandra
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My sincere apologies for the delay in replying to your last few updates. I had a visitor call here for the past couple of hours.
Thank you very much for the information about Nora, James & Catherine.
I have lots to digest with all the information you have sent me today.
It's almost overwhelming the information you were able to glean in one single day about my grandmother's brother, Tom Keenan. This time yesterday I knew so very little about him. I am very impressed with all that you found. Are you in the USA. ? I am in Dublin.
Over the coming days I will be making efforts to contact relatives that 24 hours ago I did not know they existed.
Without your assistance today I probably would not have known where to start looking for any descendants of Tom Keenan from Bundoran.
I hope others are appreciative of your efforts for without your knowledge I would not have made such progress.
Many thanks and kindest regards
Michael Traynor
Dublin.
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You're welcome, always a pleasure. I grew up in Ohio and my wife and I now live in Rhode Island.
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I was going to suggest contacting the funeral home that handled Thomas Keenan's funeral, Martin S. Chalk, at 57-04 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, but it doesn't look like it is still there, or anywhere.
While looking for it, I found this page with a picture of St Sebastian's, which is also now torn down.
https://newyorkyimby.com/2017/02/four-story-residential-building-complete-at-57-04-woodside-avenue-in-woodside.html
That is where their son Joseph was buried from, so probably Thomas and Nora were also, and probably their parish. The records would probably be now in a diocese archive, which is a search for another day - probably not online, but you might be able to contact them.
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Glad I could help, I'm sure the others will say the same.
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Thank you very much for that information about St Sebastians.
That's a shame such a lovely building was torn down, but like you suggest the records must be secure in a diocesan archive. So I have an email address so at least I will start with that. Yes, indeed some of the Keenan family members must have a funeral record there.
You have all been such a wonderful help.
Thank you all,
Michael.