Irish Denigan moved to Chicago was a policeman in 1930's

[NZvixx]

I'm trying to see if a Denigan I have traced might be linked to our family tree.
My mother had an irish grandfather (Richard Denigan born in Longford abt 1892)
She was very young and didn't know him very well but was lead to believe that there was a relative who became a Chicago police chief.
I've traced a Michael Joseph Denigan born 6th October 1887 in Longford, Ireland
it seems he immigrated to the US (1910 I think)
There is a WW1 draft card showing he lived in Chicago
in 1920 census he is a patient in Sea View Hospital, Richmond, New York
in 1930 census he is in Chicago again and married (to Margaret Dyer age 36) and there are 4 children
at this point his occupation is given as a policeman
on his WWII documents he is still showing as policeman
He died in McHenry, Illinois in 1971
So... How can I link him to my gt-grandfather ? (who we have little info on other than born in Longford around 1882  and his father's name was James)
I have a gut feeling that these are brothers. It would tie up the tales that were told to my mum about the police chief in Chicago. (maybe he wasn't a chief but this Denigain was definatley in Chicago police)
Do the police have any way to look up employee records?
incidentally - I also found a Charles Denigan born abt. 1886 in Longford who in 1929 was admitted to US home for disabled volunteer soldiers in California at the age of 43
any help most welcome

[Lisa in California]

If I am looking at the same volunteer soldier record, the man's name was Charles Donigan.  He had a brother, James, living in Huntington Beach, California.

If you are interested in this man, I can look for additional records.

Update:  This man's mother's maiden name may have been Cannon.

[aghadowey]

Am approaching this query from the Irish angle.

There's a Michael J. Denigan in 1901 census living in Longford with his family- father is police pensioner-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Longford/Killashee/Ballyclare/1553632
Here's James Denigan and some of the family in 1911 census (Michael's not in the household)-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Longford/Killashee/Ballyclare/587197

Was your grandfather born "abt 1892" or "around 1882"?

[*Sandra*]

Hello NZvixx,

Looking at the 1910 passenger list the father of Michael was James Dennigan of Kiloshee.. Longford. Ireland.
There is an entry on the link below for Margaret Josephine Dennigan/Landeen daughter of Michael Dennigan and Margaret Dyer. It stated Michael  immigrated to Brooklyn in 1900.  Perhaps the contributor would be able to help you further, they seem to have some personal information.
Perhaps an Obituary for Michael Joseph Dennigan would help ? The McHenry Public library have a section "Ask Us" - if nothing else pans out would that be worth an e-mail ?

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0cuq/

The Obituary was printed in the Chicago Tribune - - Jul 25, 1971 - unfortunately pay - per  - view.
(... Denigan. Michael J Denigon ralt CPD beloved qf the late Margarel 9 Dena ean nee Dyer ...)


http://www.rootschat.com/links/0cur/


A son was wounded in Korean War Conflict = 11 December 1950

4 Chicago Area Marines - One GI suffers wounds. Chicago Tribune  Dec 12, 1950

Four Chicago area marines and a Gary soldier were listed as wounded in the ... Private XXXXX son of of Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Deni- gan Sr.,

 

Regards
Sandra

[NZvixx]

Was your grandfather born "abt 1892" or "around 1882"?

sorry - abt 1882
and by 1901 is showing in the UK census as living in Bermondsey, London
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=uki1901&h=3186190&ti=5538&indiv=try&gss=pt&ssrc=pt_t7971789_p-891913213_kpidz0q3d-891913213z0q26aidz0q3d7223516995z0q26pgz0q3d32771z0q26pgPLz0q3dpidz0q257caid

[aghadowey]

The link only works if you have an Ancestry subscription but that does explain why I couldn't find him in 1901 Irish census.

[NZvixx]

Hello NZvixx,

Looking at the 1910 passenger list the father of Michael was James Dennigan of Kiloshee.. Longford. Ireland.
There is an entry on the link below for Margaret Josephine Dennigan/Landeen daughter of Michael Dennigan and Margaret Dyer. It stated Michael  immigrated to Brooklyn in 1900.  Perhaps the contributor would be able to help you further, they seem to have some personal information.

Thanks Sandra - have messaged them to see if any more info.
1910 immigration fits better than 1900 as he would then be the Michael showing on the Denigan census in Ireland 1901

[NZvixx]

The link only works if you have an Ancestry subscription but that does explain why I couldn't find him in 1901 Irish census.

Do you think Michael I Denigan (age 14 in 1901 Longford census) is michael Josepeh denigan that went to the US ? I'm guessing an "I" could be an error for the "J" for Joseph?

[NZvixx]

The Obituary was printed in the Chicago Tribune - - Jul 25, 1971 - unfortunately pay - per  - view.
(... Denigan. Michael J Denigon ralt CPD beloved qf the late Margarel 9 Dena ean nee Dyer ...)

Thanks for this - do you know what ralt means? CPD is Chicago Police Dept I guess