The family of origin is a mystery for Catherine Donnelly, born around 1833 in Ireland.
DNA connections may provide leads.
By 1860 Catherine was married to Michael Preston (1813-1904), also of Ireland, and lived in Pine Plains, Dutchess County, New York.
Catherine Donnelly and Michael Preston had at least six children:
- John (1857-1928) (my great great grandfather) married Bridget Sheehy
- Anna (1858-1892) married Charles Ultcht
- Bartholemew (born 1864) only seen in the 1865 New York state census in North East
- Mary Elizabeth (1866-1890) married Jeremiah Welch
A clue about Catherine Donnelly's origins appears through her daughter, Hannah, who never married. Hannah lived in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey with her "cousin," Anna Donnelly. Anna was born around 1887 in Pennsylvania to Anthony Mang and Rose Stuginwald, both of Germany. So Anna could not have been a cousin of Hannah Preston, whose parents were Irish. Anna's absent husband, George Donnelly, was more likely to be Hannah's cousin.
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| 1930 federal census Newark, Essex County, New Jersey Hannah Preston, head; rents for $100; owns a radio; age 60; single; born in New York. Anna Donnelly, cousin; age 47; [illegible marital status]; born in Pennsylvania. Frank Donnelly, son of cousin; age 23; single; born in New Jersey. Raymond Donnelly, son of cousin; age 22; single; born in New Jersey. |
George Donnelly and Anna Mang were married in Newark in Newark in 1905. His parents were John Donnelly and Ellen Brady. He was 32 years old (born about 1873).
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| Marriage record George F Donnelly and Anna Mang. Married March 6, 1905 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. |
George Donnelly was last seen in the 1905 New Jersey State census in Newark. With Anna Mang (1887-1963) he had three children:
- Mary Donnelly (11 December 1905 - 21 April 1909)
- George Francis Donnelly "Frank George" (31 December 1906 - 12 February 1974)
- Raymond Anthony Donnelly (26 March 1908 - 18 March 1953)
Three-year old Mary was buried at Saint Mary's Cemetery in East Orange. She died of Scarlet Fever at the Essex County Isolation Hospital in Belleville.
Raymond never married. He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange.
George Donnelly Junior married Imelda Heery in 1938. His descendants are among the DNA matches connected to Catherine Donnelly, wife of Michael Preston. They trace their origins to Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
In the 1880 census, George, age 8, was enumerated with his parents, John and Ellen "Donley," in Bridgewater, Plymouth County. Ten of George's siblings were also listed.
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| 1880 federal census Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts Household of John Donley [Donnelly] |
If George Donnelly and Hannah Preston were first cousins, then George's father, John Donnelly, was a sibling of Hannah's mother, Catherine Donnelly.
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| Tree explaining cousin relationship between Hannah Preston and George F Donnelly. Birthdates are approximate years. |
John Donnelly died June 21, 1921 in Brockton. His parents were listed as Bartholomew Donnelly and Ellen E Brady. (John's wife was also named Ellen Brady. Did both women share a name, or was this an error?)
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| Death certificate of John J Donnelly. Died June 21, 1910 in Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Father- Bartholomew Donnelly. Mother- Ellen E Brady. Available on Ancestry. |
Catherine Donnelly named a son Bartholomew. Was he named for his maternal grandfather?
Catherine Donnelly is a close relative, perhaps the sister, of John J Donnelly (1842-1910) of Brockton.
John Donnelly's daughter, Jennie (1868-1950), married John Joseph Reagan (1868-1944). Several of Jennie's descendants are also DNA connections.
Identifying the town of origin in Ireland and viewing records could help solidify Catherine Donnelly's connection to John Donnelly.
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| Shamrock crocheted by my grandmother Jeannette ODonnell (1920-1993) |
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