McClosky (various spellings) Co Fermanagh

[djacobsen]

Looking for parents of Margaret McClosky (McCloskey/McClusky/McCluskey) b. abt 1843/1845 in Co Fermanagh and her sister Anna (Anne/Annie)

Margaret McClusky was abt 20 years old in 1861, when she sailed from Ireland to New York.  When she came to America the Civil War was in progress.  She had a sister named Anna who came to America too.

According to her obituary, Anna McClusky, born in Co Fermanagh, came to the US when she was 20 years, locating in New York City.  She spent most of her life working as a governess in the home of W.K. Vanderbilt, the New York millionaire.  She made 3 trips to Europe with the Vanderbilt family. Anna had come to Greeley, Nebraska [in retirement] to make her home with her sister, Margaret McManus. Anna McCluskey died of heart disease at the home of her sister Margaret  McManus.  Anna (sometimes written Annie) McClusky (written McClosky in obituary was 78 years old.  There had apparently been eight McClusky siblings.  Four brothers and two other sisters – I believe they all remained in Ireland.

Margaret McClusky married Patrick McManus in New York City abt 1869. First child Mary Ann b. 1869 NYC. Maggie b 1871 in Virginia. Twins James E and Sarah b 1877 in Pennsylvania. Kitty b. 1879 in Nebraska
Margaret McClosky McManus died in Greeley Co Nebraska in 1933. Her husband Patrick had also died there in 1888. Any help in connecting the McClosky sisters or Patrick McManus to Ireland would be appreciated.

[aghadowey]

Welcome to Rootschat. To trace Irish ancestors born in Ireland before the start of civil registration you'll need to do a bit more research in American records to see if you can find a location (parish if not actual townland).

Have a look at Introduction to Irish Records and My Ancestor came from Ireland - where do I start?.

To start with, does Margaret's marriage certificate list the names of her parents?

[djacobsen]

I don't have Margaret & Patrick's marriage certificate.  According to family "lore" Patrick came to the US about 1850 and according to her sister Anna's obituary, Margaret came 10 years later. The obituary also says that the sisters were from Co Fermanagh. That's it!    Sacred Heart in Greeley Nebraska has Margaret's death certificate (she died after her sister Anna died), but parents are not mentioned.  There is no death certificate for Patrick. I really am stuck, aren't I?

[aghadowey]

There's a chance that Margaret's marriage certificate might list parents- information would have been supplied by Margaret herself whereas death certificate filled out by an informant who may not know the correct details.

[shellyesq]

When was Anna born & when did she die?  If she is on passenger lists, depending on the time frame, there may be more information about her birth date and place, relatives, if she was naturalized, etc. 

Do you have Anna on any US census records?

[djacobsen]

I have one possible Anna - but in New Jersey.  That info is put away for now as I'm w'orking on the O'Connells.

[Mal2010]

McCloskey is a common name in County Antrim, might be worth checking there.

[aghadowey]

McCloskey is a common name in County Antrim, might be worth checking there.

McCloskey (and variants) is common in lots of places but since Fermanagh seems to be the place of origin best not to start running around searching everywhere for any McCloskeys. The big problem here is a birth well before the start of civil registration.