Many questions have been asked about James Goodbody Kearney, my paternal great grandfather, through the years. The family story was that he suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized when his children were quite young. Since no one talked about him and apparently my grandfather knew little of him, he became the brick wall. This is my surname and I knew so little of this line beyond my grandfather, Matthew J. Kearney. Something had to be done!
Starting with the known, a death notice was located for James Kearney. He died on 26 January 1910 in Trenton, New Jersey.[1]
Since his death occurred before the 1910 United States census was
recorded, the 1900 census was searched. James Kearney was enumerated in 1900 in
the New Jersey State Hospital at Trenton. Listed as a salesman, he was 43 years
old, born about 1857, in Ireland.[2]
My grandfather was born in 1896 and only four years old when his father was in
New Jersey State Hospital.
 |
| James Goodbody Kearney |
Working backwards, the 1890 U.S. census was destroyed leaving a gap between the 1880 and 1900 census records. In that gap, on 20
August 1884, James G. Kearney became a naturalized citizen. Living at 232 East 46 Street, New York City, he
was a clerk born in 1858. His date of arrival in the United States was 1868.[3]
With this clue for his immigration, the passenger list for James and his family
was located.[4]
Traveling in Steerage, the family arrived in New York (through Castle Garden, the point of entry prior to Ellis Island) on 20 March 1868.
Traveling in Steerage, the family arrived in New York (through Castle Garden, the point of entry prior to Ellis Island) on 20 March 1868.
Matthew
Kearney, 50, Labourer; Katherine
Hannah, 20, Spinster; Hannah, 48, Wife;
Edward, 18, Labourer; Children - Eliza, 7; Sarah, 8; James, 6.
James Goodbody Kearney can now be placed in context within a
family structure. However, records can be confusing. James is only 6 when other
records indicate he would have been about 10 or 11 in 1868. Was the cost of
passage a factor? Did the family give younger ages for the children to pay a
lower fare? Why is there a gap of ten years between Sarah and Edward? Are these
all members of the same family?
James was a father, husband, son and brother. I knew he was my great grandfather but he was also such a singular, detached member of the family. It is good to place him with his parents and siblings. But, what kind of life did he lead? What prompted his admission to the hospital? I have some clues!
To be continued….
James was a father, husband, son and brother. I knew he was my great grandfather but he was also such a singular, detached member of the family. It is good to place him with his parents and siblings. But, what kind of life did he lead? What prompted his admission to the hospital? I have some clues!
To be continued….
No comments:
Post a Comment