Gateway Family

HistorianA Publication of the ST. Louis Public Library

Vol. 10, No. 2, 2010

New York City’s Five Points Neighborhood elcome to the twenty- f you’ve heard of Five Points, you’ve most likely heard that it was hell eighth issue of on earth. That description, however, may be an understatement. At its WGateway Family Historian. worst, Five Points could have ranked higher on a “Worst Places to Live” list than would the domain of Old Scratch himself! This issue’s focus is a I country that furnished many It was literally a filthy place. Garbage was ankle-deep in the streets on a good immigrants to Missouri – day, and chamber pots were emptied out of apartment windows into the street. The smell on a hot day was unbearable. . Such awful sanitary conditions combined with overcrowding (3,000 people PLEASE NOTE: Gateway in a half-mile radius) meant that disease was widespread. Deadly diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and tuberculosis took the lives of thousands. An 1832 Family Historian is now a cholera epidemic killed one-third of Five Points’ population. bi-annual publication. How did the residents of such a hell-hole amuse themselves? What’s Inside Five Points had 270 saloons, 500 Page 2 ... And Some Venerated bordellos, and the high rates of Ancestors crime and violence that inevitably accompany such establishments. Page 3 Ethnic Spotlight: Police estimated that at least one The Scotch-Irish per day occurred in one especially rough section of Five Page 4 Site Seeing: Points called the Old Brewery. useful Websites Police recorded 5,000 there during a 15-year period. Page 5 New Arrivals They also admitted that some did You Know? murders in the Old Brewery likely Page 6 They Came From... went unrecorded; there were several buildings that police would Ireland! only enter when they could do so Page 7 Help!! in force.

Page 8 Contact continued on page 7 “A Summer Evening Scene at the Five Points” courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Venerated Ancestors continued from page 2 7. McLysaght, Edward. Irish 10. Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte provided). For each surname, the ... And Some book provides its derivation, variant Families: Their Names, Arms, Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and and Origins. : Crown Surnames. Kansas City, MO: Irish forms, and the locality in Ireland Venerated Ancestors Publishers, 1972. H/G and STACKS Genealogical Foundation, 1992. H/G where the name is most prevalent. 929.3415. 929.4. Best used in conjunction with The St. Louis Public Library’s Dogtown Neighborhood by Sandra 5. General Alphabetical Index Provides the etymology of over Irish surnames are listed by Gaelic McLysaght’s works (see 7, above). collections contain a number M. Brunsmann, The Saint Louis Irish to the Townlands and Towns, 500 Irish surnames, alternate spelling (an Anglicized index is also of essential reference books for by Ellen M. Dolan, and From Kerry Parishes and Baronies of Ireland. spellings, locality in Ireland where Irish research. Some deal with Patch to Little Paderhorn by Kenneth Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. the name is most prevalent, the all-important question of T. O’Connor. Co., 1984. H/G 914.15003. and color reproductions of the ETHNIC SPOTLIGHT how to find the precise locality in This “must have” reference book coats-of-arms for about half of Ireland where an ancestor lived. 3. Falley, Margaret Dickson. Irish and for Irish research lists all towns and the listed surnames. See also Others cover Irish surnames or Scotch-Irish Ancestral Research: townlands in Ireland and provides McLysaght’s More Irish Families immigration. Here are a few of the A Guide to the Genealogical the county, barony, parish, 1857 and Supplement to Irish Families, The Scotch-Irish many sources available: Records, Methods, and Sources in Poor Law Union, and Townland each of which covers an additional he term Scotch-Irish refers to Irish Ireland. 2 vols. Evanston, IL: M.D. Census of 1851 for each entry. 1,150 names. Protestant dissenters who emigrated to 1. Casey, Albert Eugene and Falley, 1962. H/G 929.3415. Since Irish records are usually not North America (most between 1717 and Dowling, Thomas E. P. O’Kief, The first (and possibly best) guide kept only on the county level, 8. Mitchell, Brian. A New Coshe Mang, Slieve Lougher, to Irish genealogical research researchers must have the names Genealogical Atlas of Ireland. 2nd T1775). Scholars believe that as many as 250,000 and Upper Blackwater in provides an historical sketch of of all the other political divisions of ed. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical such persons came to North America during the Ireland. 16 vols. Birmingham, Ireland, research methodology, an Irish locality in order to find all Pub. Co., 2002. H/G 912.415. colonial period. AL: Knocknagree Historical Fund, and an extensive bibliography of appropriate records. This atlas provides clear, concise 1952-71. STACKS 929.3415. Irish genealogical resources for the maps showing each county and Most of the Scotch-Irish dissenters were A compilation of various records: serious researcher. 6. Lewis, Samuel. A Topographical its boundaries for Ireland’s civil descendants of Scottish and English persons deaths, Griffith’s Valuation, Dictionary of Ireland. 2 vols. parishes, baronies, Poor Law who had been relocated to the Plantation of church records, estate books, and 4. The Famine Immigrants: Lists Reprint. Baltimore, MD: Unions, and Roman Catholic Ulster during the 17th century. Those who much more focusing on the Irish of Irish Immigrants Arriving at Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984. parishes. For the counties of remained in Ireland typically refer to themselves as Ulster Scots, counties of Cork and Kerry. Each the Port of New York, 1846- H/G 914.15003. Northern Ireland, maps for while those who went to North America usually call themselves 1851. This gazetteer provides detailed volume has its own index, and 7 vols. Ira A. Glazier and Presbyterian Congregations are Scotch-Irish. In 2008, 3.5 million Americans identified themselves Volume 16 includes an overall Michael Tepper, eds. Baltimore, MD: information on the cities, towns, also provided. as being of Scotch-Irish ancestry. index. Genealogical Pub. Co., 1983 – . H/G villages, parishes, and baronies of 929.3415. Ireland including even the smallest 9. Ryan, James G. Irish Records: On first arrival in America, the Scotch-Irish generally referred 2. Faherty, William Barnaby, The tragic Irish potato crop failure of places. Because this book was Sources for Family and Local S.J. The St. Louis Irish: An struck during the winter of 1845- first published in 1837, the place History. Salt Lake City, UT: to themselves simply as “Irish.” They only began using the term Unmatched Celtic Community. 46. During the next six years, tens names reflect Ireland as it was Ancestry Inc., 1997. H/G 929.3415. Scotch-Irish in the 1840s in order to distinguish themselves from St. Louis: Missouri Historical of thousands of tenant farmers and before the Famine. The original This useful guide provides for Potato Famine refugees. The Famine immigrants were largely Society Press, 2001. STACKS and rural laborers who were unable to 1837 edition (which the Library each Irish county a list of research Catholic, uneducated, and poverty-stricken, while the Scotch-Irish H/G-L 977.8660049. feed their families or pay their rent owns) includes a third volume that facilities and available records. It were primarily Protestant, literate, and landowners. There was little Noted local historian and author fled to North America. This bookset provides detailed maps of each also pinpoints where each type of interaction between the two groups since most Famine immigrants Faherty documents the history lists Irish passengers who came to county. record can be found (including the settled in large cities in the New England and Mid-Atlantic of the Irish in St. Louis and their the port of New York chronologically LDS Family History Library in Salt states, while most of the Scotch-Irish migrated to the South, the considerable influence on local by ship. Information includes arrival Lake City). Appalachian region, and to several Midwestern states. Some Scotch- politics, business, charitable date, ship, port of departure, name, Irish immigrants also settled in Ontario, Canada. institutions, and the Catholic age, gender, and occupation if Church. For more on the St. known. Each volume has an every- For more information, visit Scotch-Irish Americans at http:// Louis Irish, see also Early Irish name index. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch-Irish_American. Settlers in St. Louis Missouri and

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Following are items that were the Canadian almshouse documents include spouse’s name, names of recently added to the History & listed in this book. Due to the other relatives, New York address, Site Seeing Genealogy Department collection. widespread poverty engendered by place of birth, occupation, ship, and the Potato Famine, many women and (for many immigrants) the ship 1. Dobson, David. Irish Emigrants children from broken families are and date of arrival in the U.S. The Cyndi’s List—Ireland Finding Your Irish Ancestor’s in North America. 7 parts in 4 vols. included in these records. “Remarks” column often provides www.cyndislist.com/ireland.htm Place of Birth Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Pub. invaluable information about the www.genealogybranches.com/irish.html Includes an extensive list of Co. 1997-2003. H/G 929.3. 4. Punch, Terrence M. Erin’s Sons: depositor’s family in America and Need help finding the county or town categories that may prove useful Entries generally provide Irish Arrivals in Atlantic Canada, Ireland as well as more detailed when researching ancestors from from which your people hailed in emigrant’s birth date and place, 1751-1858. 4 vols. Baltimore, MD: information about place of origin. the Emerald Isle. Categories include Auld Eire? Check out this site! occupation, arrival date, and North Genealogical Pub. Co., 2008-2010. how-to; libraries, archives and H/G 929.3716. 6. The Search for Missing Friends: museums; maps, gazetteers, and American port of entry. A source Irish Immigrant Advertisements geographical information; mailing for each entry is also provided. Contains information gleaned from Placed in the Boston Pilot. Ruth- lists, news groups, and chat; and Many indentured servants who Canadian newspapers, burial records, military (to name a few). skipped out on their contracts are cemeteries, probate, marriages, Ann M. Harris and Donald M. among those listed. shipping, military, and famine relief Jacobs, eds. 8 vols. Boston: New Origin and Meaning of Irish England Historic Genealogical Surnames rolls as well as lists of convicts, Society, 1989-1999. H/G 974.4. www.dochara.com/the-irish/surnames/ 2. Emigration From the United indentured servants, and apprentices. Provides the names of thousands origin-meaning-of-irish-surnames/ Kingdom to America: Lists of Local Canadian records covered are Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports. mainly from the provinces of New of Irish immigrants coming to Ira A. Glazier, ed. 10 vols. Lanham, Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova North America during the period MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2006 Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. 1831-1920. Boston’s major Irish – . H/G 929.308921. Each volume is fully indexed. newspaper, The Pilot, ran a column Irish Immigration to America Passenger lists from England, of advertisements or queries called www.ilw.com/articles/2001,0830- Scotland, Wales, and Ireland 5. Rich, Kevin J. Irish Immigrants “Missing Friends” for persons AILF.shtm (1870-1875) are arranged of the Emigrant Industrial Savings hoping to reunite with family A helpful overview of Irish chronologically by arrival date Bank. 2 vols. New York: Broadway- members lost or displaced during Centre for Irish Genealogical and immigration to North America. at American ports (mostly New Co., 2001 – . H/G the immigration experience. Historical Studies http://homepage.tinet.ie/~seanjmurphy/ Irish Timeline York). Information includes 929.3747. . Includes helpful guides to the www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~fianna/ name of ship; port of departure Provides a list of 7,500 depositors National Archives of Ireland and the history/ and arrival; date of arrival; and in the Emigrant Industrial Savings A lengthy Irish history chronology name, age, and occupation of each Bank in New York City. Entries General Register Office of Ireland. Police History Online from prehistoric times to the present. emigrant. Includes name index for Also provides free access to Directory http://policehistory.com/ of Irish Genealogy—Internet Edition An overview of Irish National Police each volume. Island Ireland (2009). history. http://islandireland.com/Pages/history/ 3. Johnston, Daniel F. Irish Did You Know? Family History Research at the Irish local.html Emigration to New England } Potato Famine Passengers to the Port Numerous Irish local history links. Times of New York Through the Port of Saint John, Irish Surnames www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/ http://aad.archives.gov/aad/series-list. New Brunswick, Canada. Many Irish surnames are (as you probably suspected) Gaelic in origin, but some are The Kerry Patch Search surnames, maps, a printed jsp?cat=SB302andbc=sb Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Pub. not. Significant numbers are in fact of English, Norman, Viking, and Huguenot origin. http://home.earthlink.net/~lilirish/ guide to place names, and selected More than 600,000 records of Co., 1997. H/G 929.374. Boyle, Browne, Carew, Courtney, and Hatton are all English in origin. All surnames KerryPatch.htm passenger lists. You can also access Potato Famine escapees to the Port The port of St. John, New that begin with Fitz (Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, etc.) are Norman. The surnames Cotter, their step-by-step guide to Irish A history of the St. Louis neighborhood Gould, Howard, Loughlin, Sweetman, and Trant, though not especially common in of New York. Brunswick, Canada, was also a ancestor research. where many persons of Irish descent Ireland, all denote descent from a Viking invader. The name Doyle (a common Irish settled. major point of entry for Irish name) also denotes descent from a “dark or evil foreigner” as Vikings were referred migrants. Many Irish persons to when they first appeared on Irish soil. Bearers of the uncommon Irish surnames arriving in Canada went on to New Blanc, Champ, Deverell, Millett, and Trench all can claim Huguenot descent. England after leaving records in

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1782 – Legislative independence won from They Came From . . . Ireland! Britain by Irish Parliament. 1798 – Revolution of 1798. 461 – St. Patrick dies after having achieved 1394 – King Richard II lands at Waterford and his dream of introducing both Roman marches to . 1800 – Act of Union is passed (effective civilization and the Christian Church to January 1, 1801). Ireland. 1541 – Henry VIII declares himself King of Ireland. 1829 – Catholic emancipation is passed. Help!! 563 – Columcille sails to Iona, where he Help!! Provides an opportunity introduces Christianity to Scotland and 1558 – Accession of Elizabeth I. 1845 – Beginning of Famine. Registration of much of England. He becomes renowned for readers to ask for assistance We Could Use Your Help, Too… marriages of non-Catholics begins. as a missionary and proponent of the 1595 – Rebellion of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone. with genealogical queries. See the Gospels. he St. Louis Public Library loves being able to help so many 1846 – Total failure of potato harvest and Contact section for e-mail and postal 1598 – O’Neill’s great victory at Yellow Ford in first deaths from starvation occur. Charles genealogists. We are sometimes asked if there is anything you 597 – Columcille dies. addresses. Put GFH-HELP!! in the Ulster. Stewart Parnell is born in County Wicklow. can do to help us. If you would like to help support the Library, 800 – Lambay Island (near Dublin) is subject line. – Defeat of O’Neill, O’Donnell, and 1848-49 – Worst years of famine. Ireland’s you may wish to consider donating a copy of your printed family history attacked by Vikings. 1601 Spaniards by Mountjoy at Battle of Kinsale. population decreases from 8.5 million to 6.5 T book to us. We will gladly add it to our permanent collection. We also million due to emigration and death. Q: Help! What’s the meaning of “Erin 908 – The Eoganachta are defeated when – Accession of James I. Surrender of Hugh appreciate Missouri county, town histories, and compilations of Missouri they attempt to conquer . Their 1603 O’Neill. Enforcement of English law in Ireland. 1858 – Fenian Brotherhood is founded in go bragh”? king, Cormac MacCullenan, is killed. county records. America. A: It is the Anglicized version 1608 – Plantation of Derry seized by English. 914 – Vikings establish a settlement at of a Gaelic phrase that is usually 1864 – Government registration of births, Waterford. You might also consider making a Tribute donation through the St. Louis 1641 – Great Catholic-Gaelic rebellion for marriages, and deaths begins. translated as “Ireland forever.” It return of lands. It is later joined by Old English Public Library Foundation. Tributes allow you to donate tax-deductible 916 – Vikings establish a settlement at originally derived from a common Catholics in Ireland. Under leadership of Irish 1867 – Fenian rising occurs in Ireland. Dublin. funds for the purchase of books or materials that will be added to the chieftain, Rory O’More, conspirators seize Gaelic expression, “May I stay in Dublin and expel the English. English settlers 1881 – Charles Parnell is imprisoned. genealogy collection. You can honor a family you are researching or an 920 – Vikings establish a settlement at are also driven out of Ulster. Catholics hold 59 Ireland forever.” Irish political groups th individual of your choice with a bookplate that is added to each Tribute Limerick. percent of land in Ireland. in the late 18 century co-opted the 1882 – Parnell is released. item. This program benefits the Library and your fellow genealogists. If 940 – is born. A son of a leader phrase in an effort to promote Irish 1649 – English soldier and statesman, Oliver 1891 – Parnell dies in October. you would like to consider making a Tribute gift, go to the Foundation’s of the free tribes of Munster, he succeeds Cromwell, lands at Dublin. His troops kill national identity and the growing his brother, Mahon, as King of Munster in 2,000. Land in Munster, Leinster, and Ulster website at slplfoundation.org. Thanks to all our readers for your continuing 1916 – Easter Rising occurs in Dublin. Irish 976. is confiscated and distributed to Cromwell’s desire for Irish independence from Republicans attempt to end British rule in support of the Library! soldiers. the British crown. 999 – Brian Boru defeats the Vikings. Ireland and establish the Irish Free Republic. Rising is put down; 15 participants are 1650 – Catholic landowners are exiled to executed in May by firing squads; nearly 1002 – Brian Boru is crowned High King of Connaught. 1,500 participants are imprisoned. Visit Erin go bragh at http:// all Ireland en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Go_Bragh. 1656 – More than 60,000 Irish Catholics are sent 1919-21 – Irish Republican Army (IRA) fights 1014 – Brian Boru is killed at Battle of as slaves to Barbados and other islands in the Irish War of Independence against Britain. Clontarf. Caribbean. 1921 – Anglo-Irish Treaty creates Irish Free New York City’s Five Points Neighborhood (continued from page 1) 1167-69 – Normans arrive at Wexford and 1658 – The population of Ireland (estimated State (six northern counties elected to thus begins 800 years of struggle between at 1.5 million prior to Cromwell’s arrival) is just remain part of UK as Northern Ireland). Five Points was also not a paradise for children. Most dressed in rags and the English and the Irish. 500,000 when Cromwell dies during this year. 1922 – Civil War starts between Irish Free did not attend school. As a result, they were illiterate. Incest rates were 1175 – End of the reign of Rory O’Connor, 1661-68 – The Duke of Ormond rules Ireland State Army and the IRA. IRA objects to the last native . high, so many youngsters chose to sleep outdoors with groups of other as Viceroy. formation of Northern Ireland since it would still be subject to British rule. children rather than go home. By age eight or nine, most would have allied 1258 – Gallowglasses (mercenary soldiers) 1672 – More than 6,000 Irish women and boys from Scotland arrive in Ulster. themselves with a of street toughs in order to survive. in Five are sold as slaves and sent to Jamaica. 1922 – Northern Ireland begins civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths Points had names such as the Forty Thieves, Plug Uglies, , 1272 – The English conquer Ulster as well as 1688 – James II is deposed in England. Gates within its six counties. Shirt Tails, and . most of and Munster. of Derry are shut in face of James’ troops. Catholics hold 22 percent of land in Ireland. 1923 – Irish Civil War ends. Free State forces 1315 – After the , win after a vicious conflict that probably Why would the Irish (or anyone else) choose to live in such a place? The Edward Bruce of Scotland invades Ireland 1689 – Siege and relief of Derry. James II’s caused more deaths than the Irish War of but fails to overthrow Norman rule. Parliament restores all lands confiscated since Independence. keyword here is “choose.” People with choices didn’t live there. People settled 1641. there initially because they had recently arrived from Ireland and only had 1318 – The English kill Edward Bruce near 1927 – General elections are held in Ireland. . 1690 – William of Orange lands at money enough for the cheapest rents in Five Points. They stayed only and defeats James II at Battle of the Boyne. 1937 – Constitution of Ireland is replaced because their dead-end job didn’t pay enough money to allow them to get 1361 – A royal edict bans pure-blooded the Constitution of the Irish Free State Irishmen from becoming mayors, bailiffs, 1692-1829 – Catholics are excluded from (1922). out. Their children stayed there only because they couldn’t get the schooling other officers of the king, or clergymen. Parliament and all professions. Photo of ragpickers courtesy of the Library of necessary to better themselves and claw their way out. 1949 – External Relations Act is repealed. Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. 1366 – forbid Irish/ 1695 – Catholics hold 14 percent of land in Ireland leaves the Commonwealth. Republic English marriages and prevent the English Ireland. of Ireland is declared (26 counties). For more information, visit The Irish in NYC – The Five Points Neighborhood from using Irish language, custom, or laws. 1714 – Catholics hold 7 percent of land in Ireland. at www.irishinnyc.freeservers.com/custom.html.

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Co-editors: HistorianCynthia Millar & Thomas A. Pearson

A co-publication of the History & Genealogy and Special Collections Departments.

slpl.org

St. Louis Public Library 1415 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103 314-539-0386 or 314-539-0381 Fax: 314-539-0393 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact!The St. Louis Public Library’s website is slpl.org. It contains our online catalog, events calendar, Our Town— special indexes for St. Louis historical and Events at St. Louis Public Library biographical materials, an index of selected St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper obituaries, death Check the St. Louis Public Library Events Calendar (www. notices, burial permits, and an archive of past slpl.org/events/calendar.asp) to find up-to-the-minute listing of what’s happening at all St. Louis Public Library locations. issues of this newsletter.

During Central Library’s restoration and renewal, genealogy Central Library and the Carondelet Branch are and military history programs will be held at the Buder currently closed for restoration and renewal. You Branch. FREE parking is available on the Buder Branch lot. can continue to send requests for obituary and You can also follow the History and Genealogy Department burial permit copies to [email protected]. Visit blog at http://hgdept.blogspot.com/. slpl.org, read Check It Out!, or see the H&G Department’s blog for details on the re-opening Buder Branch of Compton, the temporary home of the History 4401 Hampton, St. Louis, MO 63109-2237 & Genealogy Department. Gateway Family 314-352-2900 Historian will continue to provide guidance to those who are researching ancestors with a It’s easy to add you to the programs notification list. E-mail Missouri connection. [email protected] and use NOTIFY in the subject line.