Volume I, Number 1 Irish-American Historical Society January 1989

Irish join campaign to establish center .for ethnic history

The Irish-American Historical So­ ciety was founded on March 3, 1988 as one of six ethnic historical groups or­ ganizing the Ethnic Historical Archives Center of New Haven. The six societies intend to develop in New Haven a library-museum that will become a center for the preserva­ tion of the city's and the state's rich and diverse ethnic heritage. The six societies represent the Jew­ ish, Afro-American, Italian, Hispanic, Ukrainian and Irish communities. It is anticipated that other ethnic groups will be formed to participate in the center. At present, the Ethnic Center has no I home, but several options for securing space are being studied. One site under consideration is a tract owned by Pauline and Walter Hald at Dwight and Elm streets in This artist's rendering shows the Hald property at Dwight and Elm streets in down town New Ha ven. Clustered downtown New Haven as it might look as an ethnic history center. The buildings at the right are the barns that would house the archives of the around a courtyard on the site stand II participating ethnic historical societies. buildings. some dwellings, some gar­ ages and sheds used in the trucking study on the prospects for converting The Irish-American Historical So­ company which the Hald family oper­ the Dwight-Elm site into an ethnic ciety will participate in the develop­ ated for many years. center. ment and administration of the com­ The Dwight-Elm site has the poten­ The consultants recommended that plex and , it is hoped, will become a tial to become a sort of urban historical the first stage ofa conversion project be clearinghouse for the collection and complex with its buildings providing the renovation of three attached barns preservation of the history of the Irish space for the archives of the various on the site to serve as an archives build­ people of Connecticut. ethnic societies, a museum, a perform­ ing. The consultants projected the ance and lecture hall and office space opening ofthe archives building in Jan­ Some of the projects envisioned by for the individual societies. uary 1993. the society include: In November, the consulting firm of If the Hald property cannot be ob­ Holt Wexler Crawford & Merchant and tained. the six societies will continue to • Copying and preserving in the eth­ the architectural firm of Gardner Ryan seek other suitable property in the city nic center's archives letters, papers, , Architecture + Design completed a for an ethnic historical complex. diaries and other reminiscences of and about Connecticut's Irish-Americans; • Collecting artifacts relating to Irish-Americans; 'The Shanachie' will carry on a tradition • Conducting an oral history pro­ gram to put on tape the recollections of In Ireland. the "shanachie," pronounced "shaun-a-key," was a storyteller, Irish immigrants and their descendants; genealogist, historian and folklorist all wrapped into one. The shanachie • Sponsoring exhibits of Irish history memorized the traditions of the people and, seated by the peat fire in the and culture; evening with families gathered around, passed them along so that they would • Establishing a genealogical service not be lost. We hope that our newsletter, The Shanachie, will help in some to help Connecticut's Irish-Americans small way to preserve the history and traditions ofthe Irish-American people trace their ancestors; of Connecticut. • Indexing references to Irish people in Connecticut newspapers. .. Oral history project will put reminiscences on tape

Editor's note: As one ofits first projects. the society hopes to begin an oral history program - making tape recordings ofthe reminiscences ofConnect­ icut Irish people. George Waldron is in charge ofour oral history program and is developing a list of people to interview. During the I930s. the federal Works Project Administration conducted a similar program to preserve the recollections ofConnecticut people of vari­ ous ethnic backgrounds. The transcripts ofthese interviews are preserved at the University of Connecticut. To give some idea of how valuable such interviews can be in preserving ethnic heritage. we reprint below excerpts from a WPA interview with a Bridgeport woman, who is identified only as Mrs. 0. "I was born in County Limerick. lish, the Irish were practically driven boat coming in a day sooner than It was Munster. on the River Shannon. We from their homes. Mv two sisters came expected. are noted in this part of our country for to America four years before r did. "At least 35 were taken from the rectory by nightfall. I became panicky our beautiful scenery and our wonder­ They also sent money home to my par­ ents every month. Later they sent me when my folks did not come. They fin­ ful green pastures where our cattle my passage. r also had a brother here ally arrived at noon on the next day. graze. Of course, cattle arc raised all with my sisters. My sisters secured em­ Before the priest would let you go, he over Ireland, but Limerick surpasses all ployment for me in New York. first asked your people for a very exact­ other places. The best firkins of butter "My brother went to Boston to work ing description of you. Then he came that were ever made come from there for and make his home with relatives back and asked the same question of who maintained a very successful you. If the descriptions coincided then "Our town was noted far and wide wholesale grocery business . .. you were given to your people. for its great fishing and was also a pop­ "I sailed for America in the old ' Ma- "After I was in New York a month, ular hunting resort. Wonderful thor­ jestic.' I can remember I was so my sister married and moved to Bridgeport. I came with her and later oughbred horses were raised there . .. I seasi ck The leaving home and part- ing with dear ones was sad enough, but secured a position with a family as a can remember as a young girl attending to be so ill and have no loving care waitress ... games. They played what is known as made it worse. I entered America rather "We attended many social activities hurling. The players were marvelous sad at heart. It took us eight days to held by Irish immigrants. At one of athletes .. . come. these, I met my husband. Only eight "In some way, my sisters misunder­ years after I came here I was married "Amusements other than sports stood and there was no one to meet me. .. . My husband was an immigrant were the cross-road dances. These were Finally. a priest. an immigrant from from Roscommon. He came to Ameri­ held out in the country where the roads Ireland, collected all the Catholics, 40 ca many years before I did. He made crossed ... lhen we had the old-fash­ in number, and took them to his rec­ three trips back before his death . . . In ioned kitchen dances held at neighbors' tory . It was not far from Castle Garden, fact , one of my children died in Ireland. homes each night. Turns were held so now known, I believe, as Ellis Island. A She was very young, that is, about eight that they would be at different homes Protestant minister took about 25 Prot­ years old. She accompanied him on his each time. estants under his care to his rectory. I last trip. Due to her death, he never "My schooling in Ireland was limit­ believe the confusion was due to our cared to make another trip." ed to what the English government saw fit to give us . .. G irls and boys had to attend separate schools. No Gaelic was taught in school. Our teachers were 1st census showed some Irish in New Haven Irish people, mostly from our village . In some way or other they had gotten a fair education and were able to teach. The first u.s. census was made in 1790. The census returns did not list But their word was not taken for our each person living in the country at that time, but did list the name of the marks. Once a year an examiner came head of each household. from England to examine us one by The returns for New Haven showed a population of 4,848 in 918 house­ one . Then the y marked us accordingly, holds. There was not a large number of Irish people in New Haven at that which was unfair to our teachers and to us . .. time, but the returns did contain a sprinkling of Irish names among the "Every Tuesday was market da y. All heads of households. The returns did not, of course, take into account the produce. cattle. horses. etc. were probably larger number oflrish immigrants who were at that time serving as brought into the large market in the domestic servants in New Haven homes. center of the town . English merchants Names that appear to be Irish in the listings include: William Reiley, came over from England to buy and Downey Maloney, David Fanning, Edward Lark in, Daniel Malone, William they certainly took advantage of us .. . McNeil. Nelly Hoye, Archibald McNeil, William McCracken, Edward Me­ The large firkins of butter that went for loy, Elizabeth Burke, John Prendergrass, William Gowan, James McCoy, almost nothing were sold per pound in Hugh McHolland. Malecton McCum, Phillip Mahan, James Downey, Fran­ England for fancy prices. All their pro ­ cis Moore, John Meloy, Jonas Murrain, Margaret Murrain, Joseph Murrain fits were made at the expense of the poor Irish. and Daniel Hoy. "Due to the suppression of the Eng- City soldier wrote from France during World War I

Editor's note: On April 10. 1918. a young Irish soldier from New Haven, James McCartin, ofthe 10lst Machine Gun. wrote to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John McCartin of20 Monroe St. from the battlefront somewhere in France. The letter told oflife with the American Expeditionary Force and provided some information about other New Haven area soldiers. including Cpl. Joseph McNa­ mara. a 24-year-old graduate of SI. Francis School who had won the French Croix de Guerre for bravery. The Ictter is reprinted below . (New Haven Register, Mav 3. 1918)

Dear Father. Mother and Kids, This being the first chance I have had to write a line to let you know I am in fine health, also all the rest of the boys and hope everyone home is as well. The mail I just received is the first I have had in over a month. and it was very welcome. One of the fellows just came in with a package for me and when I opened it there were two cartons of Camels from Nell. Another very welcomed requisites. I haven't seen Johnnie or Ray since around Thanksgiving as we have all been on the move most of the time. I suppose you all know we had a whack at the trenches. We put in 15 days in the front lines and had a pretty soft time while we were there. Of course, you know it wasn't like sitting in the parlor home eating ice cream and cake. We were in right next to where the Germans are making the drive at this date. After coming out, we hiked from one town to another for about three weeks and covered over a hundred miles. We are behind the lines in the American sector and expect to go in again most any day. You remember Joe McNamara who used to live downstairs in our house? They called him 'Buttsy.' Well, he is in the same company with Johnnie and has received a 'Croix de Guerre' from the French for bringing in 17 wounded men while under shell fire. 'Croix de Guerre' is French for 'Cross of War.' Tell rna not to worry over her fruit cake not having frosting on it. I wrote and told her how I received it in the trenches, along with the can ofcocoa and we had a grand time with it. John said in his letter that Lizzie Bradley heard some of the Branford battery got it in the neck. That isn't true because I was talking to a bunch ofthe fellows in the battery about a week ago . They were in back of us over here. They were in back of us where we were in and one night the French sent up a rocket signal for a barrage as a raiding party of Boches were coming over and all the little battery boys from New Haven got their guns talking in 28 seconds and fooled Fritz. The French general in this sector wanted to take the whole battery to Paris on parade, but there is too much business on hand just now. Well, the gang is all lining up for 'chow,' so I will close. Stray cow proved to be more than a match for two of New Haven's finest Officers Patrick Roche and Michael tion. His wife, Mary, and their son also night, a railroad yardsman rushed up to Farrell were among the many Irishmen ran to the window: They saw Pat's Officer Roche and yelled, 'Have you who served with distinction on the New chase and his great jump over the snow. seen that mad cow?' Haven police force. But the two of '''Your brother will be killed, run '''I have seen it and I don't want to them were no match for a four-legged quick and help him,' yelled Mrs. Roche see it again,' replied the officer. creature that wandered onto their beats to her husband, and he and his son "Then the railroad man said that he one day in late January 1894. went dashing out of the house and they saw the cow down near the brewery and On that day , a group of boys chased reached Pat just in time to pull him out he thought it might be one of the cattle a stray cow onto Humphrey Street in of the snowbank before he was stiff that the brewery drew its beer from. He Fair Haven where Roche was on duty. from the cold. The cow was then saun­ tried to drive it into a yard, and the cow Roche, according to a newspaper ac­ tering off down the street. The Roches turned on him. He had to jump a high count, "was on the point of picking up went in hot pursuit until the cow fence to get out of the way. the rope the cow was dragging behind disappeared. "The cow had the whole neighbor­ it, when Boss turned suddenly on the "Officer Mike Farrell had the cow on hood terrorized. Officer Roche got a cop. Roche tumbled over a pile ofsnow his beat for a little while, and he too lasso and was prepared for it, but when just as the cow's head went bang against tried to capture it, but he couldn't, its he got another glimpse of it, the cow it. Enough ofthe snow was kicked up to antics were so wild. The cow turned on was running like mad in the direction almost bury Roche when it came down. him and he had to shin up a tree to of the old Carrnango bridge. "Patrick's brother, John, is also a po­ avoid a butting that would have put "It was learned the next day that the liceman. He lives on Humphrey Street him out of commission. cow had escaped from an Oak Street and was off duty at the time. The com­ "But Roche's beat was the favorite butcher named Fletcher." motion in the street attracted his atten- place for the cow to roam. Later in the (Bridgeport Herald, Feb. 2, 1894) Briefly noted PLEASE JOIN US - We invite you to join us in our efforts to preserve the history and heritage of Connecticut's Irish-Americans. Our success will depend on developing a large and active membership. We need people to collect and catalog all sorts of historical documents, to conduct oral history interviews, to give us their reminiscences, to help with mailing lists, fund raising and programs. Won't you join us? You can become a member by sending your name and address and a check for $10 I made out to the Irish-American Historical Society - for dues for 1989 ­ ~~~ to Mike Lynch, 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven 06519. Members will receive the newsletter which will contain notices of meetings and activities. Top-rated Barber Editor's note: In recognition of the LOOKING FOR AN ANCESTOR - One of the features we hope to bond between our historical society and incorporate in the newsletter is a genealogical swap column to put mem­ the other societies that comprise the Eth­ bers who are tracing their ancestors in touch with other members who nic History Center, and to foster apprecia­ may have information on those ancestors. If you are stumped in your tion ofall ethnic groups, we will include in search, let us know and we will put a brief item in The Shanachie. each issue of The Shanachie, along with stories about Connecticut's Irish-Ameri­ THANKS - Several groups have given us a helping hand in getting cans, at least one story about a member of started, either through use of their facilities, their money or just their another ethnic group. encouragement. We thank the New Haven Gaelic Football & Hurling In the middle of the 19th century, the Club, the Irish-American Community Center, the Knights of St. Patrick, foremost barbers in New Haven were al­ the Irish History Roundtable. most all Afro-Americans. Among them was Fred Manyard, whose picture, shown SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW - We are looking for memora­ above, appeared in the newspaper in 1894 bilia of Connecticut's Irish-Americans. If you have old papers, diaries, when he took over the Chapel Street shop passports,genealogies, etc., etc., or ifyou know ofanyone who does, please long run by another famous Afro-Ameri­ let us know. We would like to make copies ofsuch documents and include can barber, Charley Reese. "Fred is a pop­ them in our archives. You can get in touch with us by calling: Joan ular barber and an able candidate for the Moynihan, 272-0118; George Waldron, 468-6948; Neil Hogan, 269-9154. popularity of his predecessor," said the paper. "Like Mr. Reese, Fred is a good deal of a character. He is setting out to fit BOOKS - Two books ethnic history buffs will enjoy are now available up the old establishment anew and has in local bookstores. "Saving New Haven: John W. Murphy Faces the already transformed it into a more mod­ Crisis of the Depression" by Mark Mininberg tells how Mayor Murphy em barber shop than it was in Mr. Reese's fought to keep the city afloat during the debacle of the Depression. The time." fifth volume of "Jews in New Haven" contains 13 articles about the (New Haven Register, May 30, 1894.) Jewish community in the city. Both are filled with the sights and sounds of old New Haven. Volume I, Number 2 Irish-American Historical Society March-April 1989

St. Patrick's Day first celebrated in New Haven in 1842

The first St. Patrick's Day parade in After that, William E. Robinson, New Haven was in 1842 when the new­ Esq., delivered the main oration of the ly formed New Haven Hibernian Prov­ day. Robinson was a native of Ireland ident Society sponsored a celebration who had come to the United States that included not only a parade, but about 1837 and earned a bachelor's de­ church services and an orator. gree at Yale. He was well known as an The Hibernians gathered at 8 a.m. inspiring orator and had lectured at the on St. Patrick's Day morning, a Thurs­ Young Men's Institute in Hartford and day that year, "in the Society Hall, in at the American Institute in New York Street's Building, and about 9, led by City. the Band of the New Haven Blues pro­ Robinson's talk, the Herald wrote, ceeded through Chapel and York sts. to "chained and charmed the attention of the Catholic Church, on Mount Pleas­ a large and respectable audience for ant ..." reported the Daily Herald . nearly two hours. We have not time to The newspaper noted the event "was give a synopsis of this discourse, and celebrated for the first time in this can only at present say that it was all city," and said " ample preparations that could either be desired or expected had been made for the occasion, by pro­ on such an occasion, and gave the ut­ viding appropriate badges and other most satisfaction to all who heard it." paraphernalia. including a beautiful At the conclusion of the oration, standard, painted by Mr. Mitchell, of John J. Stone, Esq., sang a song which this city, and which does honor both to Robinson had written for the occasion the artist and to the gentleman who Don't miss this year's St. Patrick's and which told of the love of Irish emi­ designed it. Day parade - Sunday, Msrcit 12, grants both for the ir native and their "On one side, it represents St. Pa­ 2 p.m. adopted lands: trick, in his sacerdotal robes, with his Bishop's mitre and Apostolic crosier, gan, with the key. Wm. Cauldwell and "Dear Isle of the ocean , farewell to preaching before King Leogaire, his Charles Fagan were the Marshals." thy mountains! Queen and the Druids, at Tara Hall. He At the church, said the Palladium, "Farewell to the graves where my holds in his right hand the three leaved "the Rev. Mr. Smyth , under whose ju­ forefathers sleep! Shamrock from which he deduces the dicious ministration, his countrymen "Farewell to thy green hills, thy pure doctrine of the Trinity in opposition to here owe much of their improvement, sparkling fountains! that of the Druids, the faithful wolf dog made a very sensible and effective ad­ "Soon may the light of thy noon-day of Ireland crouching at his feet, the dress . .. in which the wrongs of Ireland be blended darkness of Paganism and the serpents were feelingly portrayed and her "In glory, with rays of thy morning of the Isle flying before the face of the oppressors scarified most energetically so splendid; Apostle. and justly." "Soon may thy winter of anguish be "On the reverse is a portrait ofGen. During the services , the church choir ended, Montgomery, representing the adopted with Mr. Cooke at the organ , sang "Erin Mavourneen, Erin go Bragh. citizen, attended by the Genius of Ire­ "Hail Glorious Apostle, " and several land resting on a Harp, clothed in white other hymns " in excellent style," and and green, delivering to Washington, "after the exercises in the Church, the "Columbia, hail! see a heart broken who represents the native citi zen, a Society proceeded through Broad, stranger, scroll inscribed with the word Quebec George and State streets to their room, "Rejoicing in hope , sets his foot on - in the distance the temple and god­ where they dispersed." thy shore; dess of Liberty. That was only the beginning of the "Thy free Institutions shall guard "Over all, the National Eagle spreads day's activities, however, for at 2 p.m . him from danger, his wings, bearing in his beak a scroll the Hibernians formed aga in and "The chains of oppression shall bind with the mottos, 'E Pluribus Unum,' marched through State , Elm, York and him no more. and 'Erin go bragh.?' Chapel streets to the Exchange Saloon. " For thee his heart swells with a Another newspaper, the Palladium, There they were entertained by a New patriot's devotion; commented, "Bernard Riley, the Presi­ Havener named Mr. Phoebus who ren­ "For thee, are his prayers offered up dent, carried a harp, with the Vice Pres­ dered a song written specially for the on the ocean ; idents, Patrick Murphy and John occasion by another New Havener, the Greene, and the Treasurer, Michael Co- famous geologist, J.G. Percival. Please tum to page 4 Page 2 Pioneer candy maker -Genealogy gleanings ANew Haven Irishman was one of IMMIGRANT PASSENGER LISTS - One of the most important sources the pioneer candy manufactu rers of gent'~logical Iri~h ~ho Connecticut. His name was Thomas E. of information for anyone searching for. ancestors McAviney and, although born in Ha­ came to th is country at the time of the Potato Famine in the 1840s IS a zardvill e in 1859, he settled in New seven-volume set of books entitled, " The Famine Immigrants: Lists of Irish Haven as a young man. Immigrants Arriving at the Port of New York 1846-1851." The monumental work was published volume by volume over the last 10 About 1888, McAviney set uP , a ~he wholesale confectionery at his home at years by the Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc. of Baltimore. It includes 72 Minor Street. His busin ess grew ra­ nam es of 651,931 Irish immigrants who came to this country on 2,227 ships pidly and by 1895 he started making his during the Famine period. .. own cand y for sale. The lists are arranged by years and by the names of the ships making the In 1897, he moved into larger quar­ voyage. The listings contain, in addition to the immigrants' names, the ir ages ters on Columbus Avenu e and in 1921 and occupations. Each volume contains an ind ex so that the research er can he built a large factory at 187 Columbus easily check all the references to a particular surname. Ave. In 1923, he moved his office to The New Haven Colony Historical Societ y has a complete set of the 253-257 State St., keeping his factory volumes as does the Connecticut State Library in Hartford. and warehouse on Columbus Avenue. In the early days of his business, COUNTY CORK FAMILIES - In her excellent book "Irish and Scotch­ McAviney became a familiar sight to Irish Ancestral Research," Margaret Falley uses a number of sources to Connecticut people as he drove his can­ compile lists showing the county of origin of hundreds of Irish families. The dy wagon throughout the state visiting lists are valuable as clues for those who do not know where their ancestors the trade. He continued traveling unt il came from in Ireland. Following is the listing Falley gives for County Cork : 1918 when he was deeply affected by "King: MacCarthy. Princes: MacCarthy, MacCarthy Reagh, O'Sullivan, the loss of his son, Justin, killed in O'Sullivan Beare. Earls: Barry, DeCourcy, Fitzgerald. Viscount: Roche. Bar­ combat in France during World War I. ons: Barry, Condon. In addition to Justin, McAviney and "Lords: Barrett, Barry, DeCogan, Fitzgera ld, MacDonough, O'Callaghan, his wife, Mary McCarthy McAviney, O'Donovan, O'Driscoll, O'Keefe, O'Leary, O'Lehan, O'Mahony. had a daughter, May, and four sons, "Chieftains: MacAuliffe, MacClancy, MacSheehy, O' Crowley, O'Cu]­ George, Ernest, Thomas, and W. Leo lenan , O'Dea, O'Dugan, O'F1ynn , O'Hea, O'Noonan, O'R iordan. McAviney. "No title designated: Barnwell , Barry Oge, DeCapel , DeCarew, DeCogan , McAviney died on March 10, 1928. Coppinger, Galwey, Gould, MacSherry, Nagle, O'Ahern, O'Bradley, O'Bri­ (New Haven Register, March II , gan, O'CalIanan, O' Casey, O'Caisin, O'Coleman, O'Creagh, O'Crowley, 1928) O'Cullen, O'Curry, O'Daly, O'Danaher, O'Deasy, O'Dennery, O'Dinane, O'Dineen, O'Donovan, O'Flavey, O'Fihelly, O'Flynn, O'Griffin, O'Halahan, O'Hartigan, O'Healy, O'Hennigan, O'Herlihy, O'Heyne, O'Hoolighan, Italian day care centers O'Horgan, O'Hurley, O'Kearney, O'Kelleher, O'Lomasey, O'Looney, O'Lynch, O'Morony, O'Murphy, O'Regan, O'Ronayne, O'Scannell, O'Shea, Italian immigrants who came to O'Tuohy, O'Tuomey, Sarsfield , Skidd y, Supple, Walsh." New Haven at the turn of the century CENSUS OF 1659 - Another excellent source for pinpoint ing the loca­ were way ahead of their time in the tion of families in Ireland is the Census of 1659. The census did not list each matter of day-care centers. By the early person 's name, but it did list the landowners in each townland, the number 1900s, two Italian day-care centers were of Irish , English and Scots living in each townland and the surnames and operating in the city for fam ilies in numbers of families of the principal Irish families in each barony. which both mothers and fathers had to A typical listing of the principal Irish families is that for the Barony of work to make ends meet. Inishowen in County Donegal : O'Barr, 7 families; O'Brillaghan, 23 families; The first day-school , or nursery as O'Boyle, 8; O'Cally, 22; McCallin, 15; O' Callane and O'Cullane, 12 and 27; they were then called, was opened Sept. O'Conagill, 9; O'Carran, 16; O'Currin, 22; O'Carny, 10; McCollgan , 30; 4, 1906 and the need was found so great McConway, 6; O'Callaghan, 8; O'Doghertye, 203; O'Doy, 6; O'Deuer, 8; that a second was opened in November McDevet , 27; O'Donell, 20; O'Dermond, 35; O'Deveny, 9; O'Farran, 14; of the same year. One was located at McGlaghl in, 76; O'Granny, 6; McG illneske, 8; O'Gollogher, 12; O'Herrall, 8; Greene Street and Hughes Place, the O'Hegerty, 23; O'Harkan, 21; O'Knawsie, 9; O'Kelly, II ; McKay, 6; O'Lun­ other at 47 Prince St. shaghan, 22; Mclaughlin, 63; O'Luog, 9; O'Mrisane,.7; O'Mora~ , 6; O'Mul­ loy, 7; McMurray, 8; O'Muney, 8; Port er, II ; O'Quigley, 25; 0 Rodan, 13; The centers were staffed by the Ap­ O'Shelae, 8; O'Towlan, 14, McVagh, 6. ostolic Sisters of the Sacred Heart WHAT'S IN A NAME? -- The common Irish surname Hines or Hynes is a Prominent Italians who served as of­ modem form of the distinguished name 0 hEidhin or O'Heyne. The ficers of the day care centers included: O'Heynes are descended from Guaire the Hospitable, King of Connacht. Dr. William F. Verdi, president; Emilio The head of the clan was chief of a territory in the Barony of Kiltartan in Balsamo, vice president; Father Bab­ southern Galway from the 7th century on. The O'Heynes shared with their bato, chaplain; Angelo Porto , corre­ kinsmen, the O'Shaughnesseys, the lordship of Aidhne, which consisted of sponding secretary; Luigi Constanzo, the territory from Gort to Oranmore. Mulroy O'Heyne, the father-in-law of financial secretary. Brian Boru, commanded the forces of Connacht at the Battle of Clontarf. (New Haven Union, Nov . 3, 1909) (Reference, "Irish Families," by Edward MacLysaght). Editor's note: In recognition of the bond between our historical society and STUMPED? - We hope to incorporate in our newsletter a genealogical the other societies in the Ethnic History swap column to put members who are tracing their ancestors in touch with Center and to foster appreciation for a11 other members who might have information on those ancestors. If you are ethnic groups, we print in each issue at stumped in your search , let us know and we will put a brief item in The least one story about another ethnic Shanachie. group. .Page 3 Workers picked Grogan to head first statewide union

When the laboring men of Connecti­ and workingwomen are subjected, as cut formed the State Labor Union, the ~ . well as pointing out the remedies. first statewide labor organization in "We need in this state a similar bu­ Connecticut history, at a meeting in reau ; we want the 'Corporation Law' Hartford in the summer of 1871 , they wiped from the statute books ; we want elected James Grogan of New Haven $50 of a workingman's wages exempt their president. from attachment, and although that was the only measure asked of the late In his first message to Connecticut's legislature by the workingmen, it was workers, Grogan laid out a program for denied; also, to amend the lien law, so the union and exhorted working people as the claim of the laborer shall be the to shake off their lethargy and make we now suffer, from either of the exist­ first that will be satisfied. their numbers felt in state government: ing parties, the representative working­ "There is no state in the Union "Having been appo inted by the pres­ men of this state have concluded to ident of the National Labor Union ex­ where the workingmen ha ve the same follow the glorious example of their opportunities politically as they have in ecutive officer for the State of Connect­ brethren in New Hampshire and Mas­ icut and having also been elected Connecticut. What we need is organiza­ sachusetts, and cut aloof from all the tion. Too long have we been hood­ president of the State Labor Union, I existing political parties and organize a take the present opportunity of calling winked and deceived by the partisan new party in this state to be known as politicians, until now that we have an upon the workingmen to set to work the Labor Reform Party, on the plat­ immediately to organize to overcome organ of our own, which I consider the form of principles laid down by the Na­ mainspring of the movement, we must the present corru pt political parties tional Labor Union. which have for years been heaping bur­ go to work earnestly and have a live "While the workingmen of New and flourishing Labor Union in every den after burden upon the producing York , through organization, have classes. city and town in the state. The only wiped off the statute books ofthat state thing that politicians will respect is "The present politi cal parties being the odious 'Conspiracy Law,' the labor power and if we fail to use it for our controlled and run in the interest of organizations in this state are still made own welfare, we have no one to blame monopolies, corporations and capital­ to feel its power. but ourselves. ists, and our legislators instead of legis­ "The workingmen of Massachusetts, lating for the people, are constantly through sending some 20 or 30 of their "Public meetings to discuss the labor passing laws whereby the rich are be­ own men to the legislature, have suc­ question should be held without delay coming richer and as a necessary conse­ ceeded in obtaining the same chartered in all the important centres, and the quence the poor poorer; and whereas rights for organized labor as granted to people should be aroused to the work. the burdens of taxation are oppressive­ organi zed capital , they also have estab­ Now is the time to organize. Don't wait ly placed upon the shoulders of the pro­ lished a Bureau of Labor Statistics, until the eve of election , but be pre­ ducing classes, and there being no hope which is fast bringing to public notice pared to act when election day comes." ofredress from the wrongs under which the oppressions to which workingmen (New Haven Union, Aug. 6, 1871) List of prizes for parish fair at 51. John's Church reads like Dublin directory On Feb. 25, 1878, St. John's Church candlesticks; Father Murphy, lace cur­ castle; Edward McCabe, napkins; Ri­ in New Haven announced the list of tains ; Joseph McDonought, satchel. chard Purcell, checker board; Patrick winners of prizes at its fair. The list School table: Michael Herrity, glass Kelley, chair; Rev. P. Mulholland, mu­ reads like a Dublin city directory: set, four pieces; John Toole, ladies' sical album; Rev. W.J. Slocum, blan­ Confectionery table: Frank Mullen, bow; Tessie Kane, doll; J. Leonard, kets; James B. Keating, lace tidies ; Ce­ candy basket; Mrs. J. Donnelly, cake; pipe; Mr. McKiernan, shawl; Katie Da­ lia Dillon, wax flowers; B. Reilly, bride. Katie McVey, Mrs. Spillane's cake. ley, piano; Mrs. Kelley, four tidies; St. John's table: Father Fitzpatrick, Children of Mary table: Joseph Reil­ Hannah Ahearn , glass set, four pieces; cologne stand; Maynard, shell cross; ly, pair of vases; Mary McShea, motto, Nellie Carroll, toilet set; Mrs. James James McCarthy, small silver set; R. St. "God Bless Our Home;" Win ifred Brannigan , silver spoons; Mary F. Car­ Clair, motto, "Simply to Thy Cross I Wrinn, motto , "The Lord Will Pro­ roll, box of soap; Father Fagan, pair of Cling;" N.A. Cremin, cloak; Mary Kel­ vide;" Ann Mostatur, quilt; Thomas panel pictures; Ann McGee , dress pat­ ley, clock; Mrs.1ohn Hatch, quilt; F. Stanford , shell box; Nellie L. Toomey, tern; Rev. P. Donahoe, barrel of pota­ Fitzgibbons, rug; Rev. S.P. Sheffrey, silver vases; Katie Murray, breakfast toes; Mary Keegan, pair ofvases; Elizah glass set; Sisters of Mercy, sewing ma­ shawl; Father Sheffrey, toilet set; Mrs. Deuitch, cushion; Kate Stanford, toilet chine; Mr. Hoffmeister, bookcases; Harry Flynn , ladies' slippers; Lizzie set; Morris Reilly, silver castor; Mrs. H.L. Manville, sofa; Mattie McGuire, Ryan , accordion; Sarah Gerard, ladies' Cil., Foote, glass pitcher; James lena­ silver forks; Mary A. Reynolds, stu­ companion; Charlotte Whelply, bride; han , prayer book; Dr. J.1. Barry, tea set; dent's lamp. Bridgett Carr, work basket; Charles Ea­ Mamie Keating, lamp; Frank Collins, St. Aloysius table: Father Murphy, gan, cups and saucers ; Allie L. Craig, white wine set; Dr. J.J. Barry, red wine pair of vases; Jennie Eagan, motto, silver knives ; Josie Fitzgerald, glass set; Elizah Deuitch, fur cap; Rev. W. J. 'What Is Home Without a Mother;" vases; Carrie Reilley, embroidered Slocum, Sacred Heart pictures; James T.F. Delnan, slippers; James G. Rynn, chair; Lizzie Fox, gents' slippers; M. Morrisey, white glass set; Mary Burns, black walnut receiver; Rev. W.J. Slo­ Wrinn, china set; Rev. P. Mulholland, house with furniture; Rosanna Mc­ cum, lamp and tube ; Rev. S.P. Sheffrey, set of silver forks; Rev. S.P. Sheffrey, Hugh, white spread; Mr. Regan, cuffs book shelves; Mary McDermott, air comforter; Rev. H. Carmody, half a and collars; Father Murphy, goblets; castle; P. O'Connell, match case; Mrs. dozen chairs; Mary Delnan, box of note James McHugh, half barrel of flour; J.H. Griffin, spoon; Hanahan Mona­ paper; Rev. S.P. Sheffrey, chromo pic­ Mrs. P. McHugh , gold ring; J.A. Mc­ han , wine set; Edward Glynn, box of ture; Miss Mary Buckmaster, pair of Connick, table cover; Ann McKeon, air soap ; William Connolly, reindeer. Page 4 Briefly noted Parade stepped off WELCOME - Our new members include Edward and Catherine R. Ahern, on March 17, 1842 Mary S. Ahem, Michael S. Ahern, George Bellinger, Vema Curran Betzner, Patrick Bohan, Janet L. Brinton, John J. Burke, Margaret F. Bushy, John J. Continued from page I Carbrey, Lois M. Case y, Eleanor M.Connelly, Beryl Devlin, Joan M. Doheny, Joan K. Fitzgera ld, Matthew Frawley, Thomas tallagher, Audrey " Yet tearful and sad is the silent and Bill Gallogly, Joan M. Gill, Mary Ford Griffin, Betty Gubicza, William emotion, J. Hackett, James Hallissey, Richard W. Hally, Cornelius J. and Irene Healy, "Which still bears his heart back to Patricia A. Heslin, Norman and Jeanne Roche Hickey , Vincent Hines, Erin go Bragh. Patrick M. Hogan , Tracey and Maureen Hogan, Nancy E. Hyde , Alice and William Jaqua, Nora V. Joyce, John A. Keyes and family , Daniel Kirb y, "Great land! Where the ashes of Bar­ John KJein, Robert J. Leeney, Mary Florence Lillis, Frank Logue, Jack ry now slumber; Maher, James F. McCabe, Susan McDonough, James D. McEvoy, Laurence "Where Irish Montgomery hallows McGivney, Joseph M. Mc'Iague, Joseph Monahan, John F. Morrissey, the ground; Margaret and William Mulhall, Francis P. Murphy, Mary Doyle Nelson , "Where Erin's MacNevin and Em­ Kenneth and Diana O'Brien, Francis X. and Arlene O'Connor, John R. mett we number, O'Connor, Martin J. O'Connor, John O'Donovan, John and Margaret "With those whom American laurels O'Keefe, Patri ck O'leary, Penny O'Neill, John A. and Estelle Quinn, Mary have crowned. E. Reardon, Philip Reilly, Frank and Rosalie Reynolds, James K. Reardon, "Great land of their graves! While I John Reardon, Thomas and Noreen Slater, Nancy Boyle Stackpole, Phyllis live I shall bless thee; Swebilius, Kali Watson, Katharine S.K. Weber, Carolyn E.H. Westerfield , "Dear land of my fathers , I grieve to James F. White, Frances C. Winston. If we miss your name, let us know. address thee, We'll try to update the list in each issue. Individual membership is only $10 "With Erin Mavourneen, Sian-lat go per year, family membership only $15. Membership checks should be sent to Bragh." Michael Lynch, J 71 East Grand Ave., New Haven 06513. Following another song written by TAX EXEMPT - We have been notified that the Internal Revenue Service the Rev. John Pierpont of Boston , there has granted the Irish American Historical Society tax exempt status under were "several hearty cheers for the Ora­ Section 501 (c)(3) of the federal tax code . Under this exemption, the society tor of the day, for Mr. Percival and the is not liable for income tax and contributors can take exemptions for gifts to Rev. Mr. Pierpont, the gentlemen who the society. sang the songs, the music and the edi­ NEXT MEETING - The next meeting of the Irish American Historical tors of the public press." Society will be Tuesday, March 28, at 8 p.m . at the New Haven Gaelic The Hibernians marched back to Football and Hurling Club, Venice Place, East Haven. their hall and ended the day about 6 p.m. with a rendition of the ever-popu­ SEARCHING - The ' six ethnic societies comprising the Ethnic Historical lar "Yankee Doodle." Archives Center of New Haven continue to consider sites for the ir The city's newspapers were duly im­ headquarters. The Hald property at Dwight and Elm streets is being pressed . "We believe," commented the considered as are several other sites. We will report on progress regularly in Herald, "every portion of our fellow The Shanachie. citizens were gratified yesterday with IRISH HISTORY ROUNDTABLE - The 2 16th monthly meeting of the Irish the display of the Hibernian Society History Roundtable will be Tuesday , March 21, at 8:30 p.m. at the Country comprising the great body of our Irish Club Restaurant, 1232 Whitney Ave. At out publication deadline, the population, and showing the rank and program was not firmed up, but the Roundtable always has interesting character which they are assuming in presentations on some phase of Irish history and culture. society. No congregated body ofour cit­ izens has ever appeared in a more or­ FEIS - The annual New Haven Feis will be a two-day event this year, July derly manner, nor in a more respectable 8 and 9 at Yale Field, Derby Avenue and Forest Road. Plan to bring the character .. ." whole family and enjoy two days of Irish song, dance, food, culture and , "The Hibernian Society turned out especially , good fellowship . handsomely," chimed in the Columbi­ an Register. "A better looking proces­ sion of men with their noble banner IRISH AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY and their green scarfs, never passed P.O. Box 713 through Chapel Street." New Haven, Connecticut 06503 And , noted the Palladium, "Those jealous persons who have been taught "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the to associate in the Irish character future." Padralc Pearse naught but the elements of ignorance and vice, would have looked in vain in President: Neil Hogan, 26 Crestview Terrace, Wallingford 06492. 269­ their sedate procession for any marks 9154. other than those belonging to well-or­ Vice President: Joan Moynihan, 157 Harrison Road, Cheshire 06410. dered and respectable citizens; and 272-0118. could each heart have been seen, we Secretary: George Waldron, 69 Pardee St., New Haven 06513. 468-6948. doubt not it thrilled as patriotically for Treasurer: Michael Lynch, 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven 06513. 467­ the land of its adoption, as it wept fer­ 5307. vently for the sorrows of its own be­ Membership Chairwoman: Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven loved 'isle of the ocean.?' 06512. 468-0426. Thus ended successfully for every­ Membership: $10 lndlvldual, $15 family. Send name and address and one the first observance of what today checks made out to Irish American Historical Society to Michael Lynch, - almost. 150 years later - remains 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven CT 06513. one of the city's oldest and most popu­ lar ethnic festivities. Volume I, Number 3 Irish-American Historical Society May-June 1989

One ofthe legendary stars ofthe ear­ and the condition of our exchequer will ly days of professional baseball was a not permit anything of the sort at this Connecticut Irishman named James period ofour existence. Subsequent de­ Henry O'Rourke. velopments in the field of finance may A member of the Hall of Fame in remove the present gloom and we may Cooperstown, N.Y., O'Rourke hit .310 emerge into a condition where we may in 19 seasons in the big leagues, owned see fit to reply in the affirmative to your and managed his own team, was a exceedingly modest request." founder and president of the Connecti­ In the late I890s, O'Rourke went cut League and at the age of 52 caught a back to Bridgeport to practice law and game and got one hit in four trips to bat become owner-rnanager-player of the for John McGraw's New York Giants. Bridgeport team in the fast-paced Con­ Born in East Bridgeport on Aug. 24, the National League in hitting with a nect icut League where he was known as 1852, O'Rourke while still a boy was .350 average. Later, he also played for "Uncle Jeerns." O'Rourke's team left to run the family farm when his the Washington Senators and the New played on a field carved out of the fam­ father died. In the little time he could York Giants. ily farm. spare from chores, O'Rourke turned to In 1890, O'Rourke joined other dis­ "O'Rourke," wrote one of his con­ his first love - basebal l. contented athletes to form the Players' temporaries, Tim Murnane of the Bos­ He began his career in organized League and when that league folded he ton Globe in 1904, "is a practicing law­ baseball in 1866 with the Bridgeport returned to the Giants. yer at Bridgeport. The Connecticut Unions. His outstanding hitting won O'Rourke had brains as well as ath­ circuit allows him to get home every him a spot as shortstop and substitute letic talent for during the off season he night, so that he can be found at his catcher the next year with the Middle­ enrolled at Yale, earned a law degree office every morning. He took up base­ town Mansfields, one of the top ama­ and went into practice at Bridgeport. ball in his native city more for recrea­ teur teams ofthat era. When the Mans­ His degree and his fondness for verbose tion than for a business and is now fields turned pro and joined the language earned him the nickname finding things coming his way very National Association in 1872, their "Orator." Just how richly he deserved smoothly. manager could get young O'Rourke to that title can be seen in the reply which "O'Rourke has been noted for his sign up only with the stipulation that he is said to have given one Buffalo fondness for five-syllable words and the baseball club would provide a hired player who asked for more money: "I'm long sentences and can set the wheels hand to take his place on the family sorry, but the exigencies ofthe occasion Please turn to page 4 farm. The next year, the Mansfields dis­ banded, but not before O'Rourke had Steve Madigan remembers attracted the attention of Harry Wright, For years, the late Steven Madigan Dec. 4, 1898. who hired the Bridgeport farmer to play was Mr. Irish History of New Haven. " My paternal grandparents, Stephen for his Boston Red Stockings. When the An avid and tenacious collector and Madigan and Bridget Fitzgerald Madi­ Connecticut farm lad arrived in Bos­ preservationist, he ha1 a well-deserved gan, came from Kilkee in the County ton, Wright asked him if he would reputation as the person to talk to Clare, Ireland. I don't know what my mind playing under the name about any question oflocal Irish histo­ grandfather did. He died when my fa­ "Rourke" instead of "O'Rourke," to ry. In 1972, Madigan was one ofa num­ ther was quite young. My father was the which the player replied , "I'd rather die ber of people of Irish descent inter­ youngest in the family and I never than give up my father's name." viewed by Elizabeth Johnson ' for an heard much about my grandfather. O'Rourke was one of the sluggers on oral history project. Thanks to John­ There were several aunts who all came the national champion Boston teams of son's efforts, the oral history tapes of to this country, except one who stayed that era, consistently hitting well over Madigan and the others are now pre­ over there and raised a family . .300, while playing outfield, shortstop served at the New Haven Colony His­ "My father was bound out as an ap­ and catcher. When the Red Stockings toticel Society. The society graciously prentice in the harness making trade became one of the teams founding the consented to let us print excerpts from .. . in the nearby town of Ennis, which National League, O'Rourke got the first the Madigan tape including Madigan's is the county seat there. Shortly after he hit in the league's history, a line-drive recollections ofthe arrival ofhis toreie­ became a journeyman -I presume he single to left. thers in New Haven and ofthe neigh­ was still quite young - he just ran In 1879, O'Rourke signed on with borhood he grew up in. away from home and came over here to the Providence club, later returning to New Haven. Boston and then playing for Buffalo, "My name is Steven Madigan. I was where he was manager. In 1884, he led born in New Haven on Pierpont Street, Please turn to page 3 Page 2 Family history·------Kerrymen danced In the 1920s, one of the highlights of NA"!'URALIZATION PAPERS - A source of genealogical information the winter social season for New Haven s?l!letlm~s overlooked by those searching for their roots are United States Irish people was the annual ball of the cItIzenshIp documents, more commonly known as naturalization papers. Kerrymen of New Haven. . ~ere IS considerable variation in the information contained in natural­ In 1923, for example, the ball was lzatlOn. paper~. In some cases, the information tends to be skimpy, but in held on Monday, Feb. 12, at Fraternal others It can literally be a gold mine, giving the researcher very specific data Hall, 19 Elm St. The committee for the such ,as where and when the immigrant was born, the name of the immi­ ball included Michael J.Sweeney, chair­ grant s ship and the exact dates of his or her departure from Ireland and man; Patrick O'Sullivan, Timothy arrival in the United States. Crimmins, Maurice K. Fitzgerald, John M. Fitzgerald, Jeremiah O'Connor, OLDER. REC~RDS - Originally Connecticut naturalization papers were president; John O'Connor and Jeremi­ handled either In county courts or in Superior Court. Even some of these ah Grady, secretary. earlier records can shed a lot of light on individual immigrants. Among the "From the number of couples that early papers of New Haven County immigrants, for example, are the have signified their intention of attend­ following: ing the ball," it was reported, "it is ex­ Brad.y, James, of New Haven, born Queens County, Ireland, arrived New pected that it will be the largest which York City I Nov. 1814, age 26 on 12 June 1821, papers filed in Superior the organization has ever held . One of Court, 20 Dec. 1821. the reasons why so many want to at­ Farrill, Andrew, of New. Haven, born .Parish of Raphoe, County of Done­ tend is the fact that the Kerryrnen have gal, Ireland, amved U.S. In 1793, a resident of Connecticut since 18 June done so much 'good by their charitable 1798, papers filed in Superior Court 24 June 1806. work that they have endeared them­ Hayes, Jal!les, of New Haven, late of County Waterford, Ireland, arrived selves in the hearts of the Irish descen­ New York CIty, 17 Nov. 1827, age is now 30, papers filed in New Haven dants in the city." County Court, 28 March 1835. Kidney, William, of Derby, born Cargoline (?) County Cork, Ireland on 15 F~b . 1803, p~pers filed in New Haven County Court, 7 Dec. 1831. Immigrants in 1784 MItchell, Patnck, of New Haven, born Province of Leinster Ireland emigated to U.S. in 1793, papers filed in New Haven County Court 4 Dec' A letter printed in the Hartford 1806. ' . newspaper, American Mercury, on Oct. O'~onnell, Mathew, of New Haven, born Dublin, Ireland in 1802, papers 18, 1784, reveals a multitude of details in one short paragraph about Irish im­ filed In New Haven County Court, 28 March 1832. migration to America in that era. FEDE~A~ JI:JR!SDICTION - After 1906, when the federal government Described as an "extract of a Letter assumed jurisdiction over the naturalization process, forms were standard­ from Waterford, July 25," the letter in­ ized and . add i t i on a ~ information was provided. The naturalization process dicates that economic and political con­ then entailed the filing of many documents, two of which the Declaration of ditions were already causing fairly Intention and the P~tition for Naturalization,are most 'likely to yield the large-scale immigration, not only from greatest amount of information for the genealogist. the north of Ireland, but also from the The Petiti.on for N~turalization likely will contain the immigrant's name, south. place of residence, birthplace and birthdate, the name of the ship which It reveals that the immigrants were br~ught him or her to this country, the dates and ports of departure and not coming over as indentured ser­ al!1val, and the names of the witnesses, usually family members, close vants, but were able to pay their way. It fnends or employers. Later, the names, birthdates and birthplaces of the lists the prices charged and it alludes to spouse and children were included. what was to become the common prac­ tice of one family member going on . ,=:EDERAL RECORDS CENTER - Several years ago, Connecticut natural­ ahead and then bringing relatives over izauon papers were transferred from state courts and from the Connecticut later. State Library in Hartford to the Federal Archives and Records Center, 380 "The never to be lamented emigra­ Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02154, telephone (617) 647-8100. Most of the tions," the extract said, "are going for­ card file indexes for the naturalization papers have also been transferred to ward in this part of the kingdom, with uncommon desolation. The Anne Ben­ Waltham. However, some of the indexes remain in local courts and it is best C~rk to check them before making the trip to Waltham. jamin Edmonton Master, from to (/nformat~on on natura!izati~ns was provided by Jonathan Shea ofCen­ Philadelphia, has upwards of three tral Connecticut State University and by the staffofthe New Haven Public hundred passengers amongst whom is Library.) not one redemptioner. They have all paid their passage - ten guineas in the WH~T'S IN .A N~ME --: The Irish surname McAvoy or McEvoy ­ cabin - six in the steerage - and four Macf'hiodhbhuidhe In Gaelic - has roots both in Ulster and in Leinster. in the hold. This is his second voyage in 9ne McAvoy clan was.located in the ancient territory ofOirghialla, compris­ that trade, and he intends continuing in mg the modern counties of Louth, Armagh and Monaghan. Another McA­ the same line, for the accommodation voy clan originally was situated in the barony of Moygish in County West­ of passengers chiefly. This must con­ rneath, but late~ move~ southward and settled in County Laois . The leading vince the tyrants and fathers of oppres­ me~bers of this family were among the Seven Septs of Leix whom the sion that they are not the scum of the English transplanted to County Kerry in 1609 because they were so trouble­ people alone who are leaving them in some. (Reference "Irish Families" by Edward MacLysaght) peaceable possession of a desolated country, for the full exercise of their INQUIRY - One of our members is looking for a Pilltown in County tyranny; one of the passengers has been Clare. He says he can find Pilltowns in other counties, but not in County in America since the peace, and re­ Clare. Can anyone help? turned for his family, whom he now brings away, in number 25." Page 3 Tape preserves Steve Madigan's recollections of New Haven

Continued {rom page J lot of money, but he spent it on the Street was not an Irish neighborhood. "He worked for a while for a harness horseraces. He had his own horses and Parts of Fair Hav en at that time were maker and then he and a friend who raced them, harness racing. He drove getting to be quite Irish and later even worked with him, Thomas King, his own horses at tracks ... more so ... One section down near formed a partnership as King and Ma­ "In New Haven, the track was first Federal Paperboard, down on James digan . They had a place on East Street known as Hamilton Park . When I re­ Street, James Haven, in that area, par­ just off Grand Avenue across the street member it, it was Elm City Driving ticularly Main Street . .. that was re­ from a feed store there. They split up Park . It was out around the corner of ferred to as Dubl in, that was a real Irish after a few years and he continued in Whalley and the Boulevard . .. neighborhood . .. that business until the time he died in "But the section we were in ... it 1932. "My two uncles came here because was not an Irish neighborhood. It was "I don't know why he came to New they were in trouble and were in busi­ very cosmopolitan. In fact, looking Haven. He ran away I suppose because ness here. My mother was the next one back at one time on our street on the . . . there weren't too many opportuni­ when she was 16 . .. Her reason for comer was a German, Hans Norman, ties in Ireland and many people were coming to New Haven was because her who ran a grocery store; across the coming over here at the time - for three brothers were here .. . street Mrs. Chapman had a private freedom from the many restraints " Then my oldest aunt came and fin­ school and then there was a house which the British had on Ireland and ally the youngest in the family, Mary , where the Gormans lived, they were the opportunity to make a life of his came with their parents. The family Irish . .. then a Swede and a Polish own ... chipped in and set them up in a small family; across the street was a Scotch­ " His oldest sister, Bridget Keane, farm and they lived here. My grandfa­ man. lived in New Haven. I presume he ther didn't live very long. My grand­ " Next to him was an Irish family; came to see her. In fact, one thing I mother lived with us in the winter and across the street was a Swiss, and then heard was that she bawled him out and lived out on the farm with Uncle Pat in there was a house with what we called told him to go back to his mother ... the summer. She died with us in our Yankees, now they'd be called WASPS, "The town he came from, Kilkee, house on Pierpont Street when I was 7 two families of Yankees in there. was what was called a watering place, a years old. That would be in 1903. "Across the street was an Irish fam­ little shore resort. I was there seven "My mother did work as a domestic ily, a Jewish family and our house, and years ago. I think his mother ran sort of servant, mostly cooking, I think. She across the street was a German, Billy a roominghouse or boardinghouse for was a good cook, but I presume she did Ehler, he became an alderman later. summer visitors. I think she helped all kinds of housework because I don't Then there was a big sort of tenement support her family in that manner. ever recall her saying she worked in a house . .. You couldn't visualize from "My maternal grandparents were Pa­ house where they had other servants the outside how it was divided into trick Mortall and Mary Cleary .. . and ... She met my father, I guess, socially. rooms, but a number of families lived they had a family of three boys and He was quite a bit older than she, that in there, mostly Polish. I remember an three girls. They were farmers, not is at least 10 years. She never knew him Austrian family, Hungarians. wealthy by any means, but not of the in Ireland. "Beyond them was an Irishman ... real poor peasant type. My uncle had a "Most Irish lived in what they called threshing machine and threshed wheat northern Ireland ... Across the street downtown, off Grand Avenue, East, was Huntington, a Yankee. He used to for other farmers and they had horses Wallace, Franklin, Hamilton That and did pretty well .. . They were from come around every year for the directo­ was quite an Irish settlement I don't ry, Price & Lee . . . There was a Swede County Limerick, the town of Killrna­ know if that began to decay or Fair lock, about 20 miles out of Limerick ... on the comer, a couple of Yankees , Haven was opening up . . . but a lot of then a French family . . . I don't recall "My two oldest uncles, Pat and people were moving out into Fair Ha­ John, got involved in one of the many any Italians ... Of course, they were ven at that time . .. coming in and pushing the Irish out of uprisings, known as the Land League, "The neighborhood around Pierpont and they got in bad with the British downtown " authorities. They were wanted and were hiding out and they decided to come to Hero of 1798 found refuge in New London this country . .. I'd say around 1875 to 1880 ... They came out here to escape At least one of the United Irishmen land, but he was gloriously unfortunate. the British authorities like many Irish­ of the rebellion of 1798 found refuge in He loved liberty; he took an active part men . . . My other uncle, Dan , had been Connecticut. His name was John Dris­ in the war (rebellion) of 1798. The fate over here already. He ran away like my coll and he was born in 1757in Cloyne, of the patriots of that year is known; father ... and came over here . County Cork. they were defeated. "Why he came to New Haven I Driscoll was with the United Irish­ "Mr. Driscoll escaped covered with don't know, but he was in New Haven men in Wexford during the uprising wounds, some of them so severe as to and that might have influenced Pat and and was wounded on June 21, 1798 have proved incurable. After years of Jack to come here too. when the Irish rebels were routed at the suffering, he sank under their effects. "They were both contractors. This Battle of Vinegar Hill. His wife, the partner of his breast, the was before the days of the automobile Like many others involved in the sharer of his misfortunes, went before and they had dump carts to cart sand aborted rebellion, Driscoll made his him to that 'bourne whence no traveler and gravel and later coal. Pat Mortall way to America and settled in New returns.' She died the 16th July last. was quite a well known character . .. London, perhaps because that was the "The patriot of whatever country He was the sort of person that if a vau­ destination of the ship which carried who may learn the fate and visit the deville show came to town and they him to safety. Apparently, he lived tomb ofDriscoll, will not fail to heave a wanted to make a joke about an Irish­ there the rest of his life. sigh, to drop a tear over the ashes ofan man, they'd tell it about him. He died on Jan. 20, 1817. "The de­ illustrious exile." "He was an intelligent man without ceased," said his obituary, "was very (New York Shamrock, Jan. 25, 1817; much formal education ... He earned a respectably connected in his native New London, Gazette, Jan. 22, 1817.) Page 4 Rabbi settled disputes _.-Briefly noted

One of the customs which Russian WELCOME - Our new members include Mr. and Mrs. William C. Jews brought to New Haven in the lat­ Barrett, Joseph W. Borcherding, Ann Canning, Jo-Anne Connelly, Raymond ter years of the 19th century was that of J. Donahue Sr. and family, Margaret M. Dunn, John and Leonora Farley, settling their grievances at a special William F. Jr. and Dorothy Farrell, Elizabeth Gray, Hugh and Dorothy Jewish court. Keefe, John J. Keefe, Ann Kritemeyer, Carolyn M. Lee, Ruth Logan, Martin Rather than take their disputes to M. Looney, Edward J. Leavitt, Thomas F. Maher, Michael and Freda civil court, the aggrieved parties laid McDermott, Terry Ann McGrath, Vincent and Mary McMahon, Robert and their case before a rabbi in what one Shirley Meagher, James W. Moore, Johnny and Cecelia Moran, Patricia newspaper called a "ghetto tribunal." Reardon, Thomas P. Roche Sr., Fred Watson, John and Catherine Wynne The rabbi listened to both sides and and family. Our apologies to Nancy Barnes Stackpole whose name we had issued a verdict settling the case . If the wrong in the last issue. If you know of anyone who is interested in Irish parties were not satisfied with the rab­ history and might want to join us, let us know and we will send her or him a bi's decision, two disinterested men copy of the newsletter and an application. from the Jewish community were called to sit with the rabbi as a court of ELECTION - At our March 28 meeting, members elected the following appeals. officers: President Neil Hogan, Vice President Joan Moynihan, Secretary According to one reporter who at­ George Waldron, Treasurer Michael Lynch, Directors Edward Ahem, tended a session, the tribunal met in the Jeanne Hickey, Finnbarr Moynihan, Peggy O'Donnell, Thomas ~later. The basement of Congregation Beth Hane­ officers and directors will serve until March 1990. At a meetmg of the hash Hagedoe B'nai Israel on Rase officers and directors on April II, Jeanne Hickey and Neil Hogan were Street with Rabbi A.A. Rosen presiding elected to represent our society on the Board of Directors of the Ethnic as judge. Historical Archives Center of New Haven. Cases ranged "from petty differences over a sale of $5 worth of merchandise ETHNIC HISTORY CENTER - On April 5, representatives of the six to a real estate transaction involving historical societies comprising the Ethnic History Center were given a tour of thousands of dollars ... Each side is I Long Wharf, the former Seamless Rubber Co. factory, on Sargent Drive. required to file with the rabbi a sum of Everyone was impressed with the space available and it was the consensus money which serves as the filing of a that serious consideration should be given to leasing space at I Long Wharf bond that the party decided against will for a home for the Ethnic Center. carry out the order and abide by the decision of the tribunal. If the value of THANK YOU - We appreciate the generosity of the Irish American the property involved in a dispute is Community Center and of John and Leonora Farley for their donations to $75, each side puts up $100. The rabbi our society, and to the New Haven Register. receives as his compensation a fee of$5 for trying the case." The parties presented their argu­ IRISH HISTORY ROUNDTABLE - The Irish History Roundtable spon­ ments in Yiddish and when all testimo­ sors a program on Irish history and culture the third Tuesday ofevery month ny had been taken, the rabbi either at 8:30 p.m . at the Country Club Restaurant, 1232 Whitney Ave. made a decision then and there or, if the issues were too intricate, adjourned FEIS - The Irish American Historical Society will have an exhibit at the the court to give the case further two-day Irish festival at Yale Field on July 8-9. We are looking for pictures consideration. of Connecticut Irish people and activities for our exhibit. If you have such (New Haven Register, Dec. 6, 1903) pictures, we will rephotograph them so that you don't have to take a chance Editor's note: In recognition of the on losing them at the festival. Call Neil Hogan, 269-9154. bond between our historical society and the other societies in the Ethnic History COMING EVENTS - Later this year, we hope to sponsor a program on Center and to foster appreciation for all taking, exhibiting and preserving photographs for family history and a ethnic groups, we print in each issue at workshop on genealogy. Watch the newsletter for announcements. least one story about another ethnic group. IRISH AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Baseball star O'Rourke P.O. Box 120-020 Continued from page I East Haven, Connecticut 06512 moving in the umpire's head when he "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the calls him down for some blunder. future." Padraic Pearse "O'Rourke uses up-to-date methods. Now and then some visiting pitcher President: Neil Hogan, 26 Crestview Terrace, Wallingford 06492. 269­ must be rattled so James has a small 9154. army of boys gathered just outside the Vice President: Joan Moynihan, 157 Harrison Road, Cheshire 06410. grounds that are let loose at a given 272-0118. signal, and as they gather back of first Secretary: George Waldron, 69 Pardee St., New Haven 06513. 46&­ base with Indians yells, O'Rourke can 6948. be seen wreathed in smiles." Treasurer: Michael Lynch, 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven 06513. "Orator Jim" finally retired, al­ 467-5307. though he continued to catch from time Membership Chairwoman: Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Ha­ to time for the Bridgeport team well ven 06512. 468-0426. into his 50s. He died at his home at 274 Membership: $10 individual, $15 family. Send name and address and Pembroke St. in Bridgeport on Jan. 8, checks made out to Irish American Historical Society to Michael LynCh, 1919. 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven CT 06513. Volume I, Number 4 Irish-American Historical Society July-August 1989 Railroad workers' boycott put an end to harassment

The word "boycott" originated in Ireland, but 30 years before it came into use there, a group of Irish immigrants put it to work in Fair Haven , Conn . The story of the immigrants and their boycott began in 1848 when some businessmen formed the New Haven & New London Railroad with plans to build a 50-mile line link ing Stonington and New Haven. Crews comprised mainly of Irish im­ migrants were hired to begin laying track working eastward from New Ha­ ven. The workers lived in a camp locat­ ed, accord ing to a newspaper account, in Fair Haven just across the Qu inn ipi­ ac River in "a small square formed by dangerous for an Irishman to venture the danger. the junction of five streets." out after night fell. "There was good fighting material in The square was " nearly covered with "Th is cond ition of things lasted for that little colony of hardy railroad rough unpainted shanties which were some time, and went from bad to worse builders; and the mob doubtless occupied by the three or four hundred until the climax was reached one thought so, because it retired after hav­ Irish laborers employed in building that Fourth of July morning. An hour or ing discharged another volley ofstones. section of the Shore Line Railroad." two before daybreak the morning in "Then the laborers assembled in the "From the first day of their arrival," question the shanties were surrounded open space in the center of the square the account continues, "the laborers by a howling mob which amused itself to consider the situation. One Jeremiah were harassed and persecuted in a by hurling stones at the shanties and Sullivan was elected to preside; he had hundred ways by the villagers .. . threatening to kill the 'damn paddies' been in the country longer than any of Whatever their motive, they did every­ and bum the roofs over their heads. the others. thing possible to make life disagreeable "The women and children thus sud­ "It was a dark night; the young for the railroad builders. denly and rudely awakened, were terri­ moon had sunk from sight hours be­ "These laborers could not appear on fied. But their husbands, fathers and fore, and the stars were obscured by a the village streets even in broad day­ friends rushed from the huts, dressed thick haze that hung over the village. light with safety, and it was positively and half dressed as they were, to meet But there was light enough for the la­ borers, who, hatless and coatless as they had rushed from the ir huts at the first Irishwoman was first female factory inspector attack, pressed about the cart upon which they had placed their chairman. Because ofthe large number of'wom ­ "He told them things had now en employed in factories in the early reached such a pass that it was evident part of the 20th century, the Connecti­ they must either fight or lea ~e the cut General Assembly in 1907 passed neighborhood. The latter we will not legislation calling for the appointment do, therefore, we must fight. The only of a female deputy factory inspector. question to be settled is how sh~lI ~e 1,Pplicants for the position were to fight? . ..A motion was made which In be screened by a committee of three substance amounted to this: that here­ prominent women and the successful after all the food, clothing and other applicant would join the staff of the articles needed by the laborers be pro­ factory inspector whose job it was to cured from some distant point, any­ check on the health and safety features where but Fair Haven. No more deal­ of the state's industries. ings with Fair Haven merchants . .. On Oct. I, 1907, the committee an­ "Whoever was the author of the mo­ nounced that an Irish-American wom­ tion, it was adopted, and a committee an, Julia Corcoran of Norwich, had was appointed at once to carry out the been selected to be the state's first fe­ will of the meeting. The fact that the male factory inspector. Please tum to page 4 Please tum to page 4 Page 2 Ukrainian recollections Family history ------, The recollections of a number of CEMETERY BROWSING - Cemeteries are filled with genealogical infor­ New Haven's Ukrainian immigrants mation. And, in the summer, cemeteries offer the added attraction of were collected during the 1930s and are keeping us out of doors where we can enjoy the sun, the flowers, the trees on file at the University ofConnecticut. and the birds. Typical of their reasons for coming to America was that expressed by An­ ROOTS IN IRELAND - Irish immigrants very often inscribed on grave­ drew Parylo: "I was supposed to go to stones not only the name of the deceased person and birth and death dates, the army and I didn't see why. Then, but also where the person came from. The information may include the too, there wasn't too much land . I ex­ county - Mayo or Kerry or Tyrone - and, if you are lucky, the townland or pected to make a few dollars in Ameri­ parish where the person was born. ca and return. At that time, people A typical Irish immigrant's gravestone, found in old St. Bridget's Ceme­ started to go to Canada. There were tery in Cheshire, reads: "William Byrne, father of Rev. Patrick Byrne, born some advertisements in the papers. in the parish of Tallow, County Waterford, Ireland, Died May 3, 1896, AE. America was short of workers. 83." "In Hamburg, in Germany, there Such an inscription contains a number of leads which a family researcher was a Hamburg line and Ukrainian Bu­ may follow. Knowing that William Byrne was born in 1813 and exactly reau to give information. I wrote, asked where he came from, the researcher may be able to find his baptismal for information and suggested a few records, which, in turn, would reveal the names of Byrne's parents and his names of people from my village that godparents and the priest who baptized him. might want to go. They told me to get In add ition, the researcher can trace the name Byrne through various 40 or 50 people to go. Forty-five people other census and survey records in the parish of Tallow and perhaps con­ from my village went. struct an entire family tree from those records. "In Austria in 1911 there was much Finally , the date of death on the gravestone enables the reseacher to war talk; now I wanted to go too . It cost search old newspapers for an obituary notice which may contain much more about 200 kronin, but I got about 75 information about the life, occupation and family of William Byrne. kronin for getting my village people to go, so it cost me only about 125 kronin. MILITARY SERVICE; - Gravestones frequently contain information Father and mother started to cry, but I about military service. Even though such information is very brief, it can said I will come back. Monday I sent a open up new avenues of research for the family historian. letter to Ukrainian Bureau. Tuesday I In old St. Mary 's Cemetery in Ansonia, for example, there is a gravestone went to a doctor. Friday I left home. with this inscription: "Richard Condon, son ofMichael and Bridget Condon, Sunday I was on the ship, and next USS Monongahela, killed Ft. Morgan, Ala., Aug. 23, 1864, Age 20 years." Sunday I was on Ellis Island." With that information and a standard history of the Civil War, it is Many of the Ukrainians lived in a possible to flesh out a much more complete picture of Condon's service in house at the corner of Lloyd and Chap­ the war. A quick check of a Civil War chronology reveals that the port of el streets near the Bishop Company. "It Mobile, Ala., was closed to blockade runners with the capture of Fort wasn't clean when we got there, " re­ Morgan, Ala., by Adm. Farragut on the very date that Condon died. Obvi­ called James Osochowsky, one of the ously, Condon must have been killed during that battle . early New Haven Ukrainians, "but we made it clean. But we used to cry, 'In MAIDEN NAMES - Sometimes gravestones will contain information that Ukraine, at least we had a garden, but unlocks the mystery of a wife's maiden name. In St. Lawrence Cemetery in what have we here?' '' West Haven, for example, is a stone with the inscription "Margaret McIner­ Osochowsky said that when the U­ ney Shanahan, wife of John B. Shanahan." A researcher who was unsure krainians arrived in New Haven they about his grandmother's or great-grandmother's family name, might find the felt like they were lost in a deep woods answer on that stone. or at sea because everything was so new and strange and because there was such LOOK IT UP IN DUBLIN - For those who want to get back to original a mixture of ethnic groups. sources, a five-day family history program is being offered in Dublin this fall. "Poles we did not like," expla ined The course is being conducted by Irish Ancestry Research Courses and is Osochowsky, "because Poles had been being offered on three different sets ofdates: Sept. 4-9, Sept. 18-23, Oct. 9-14. our landlords. Italians we did not like According to the sponsors, "The course includes an outline of the social because they fought against Austria. history of Ireland, with the emphasis on the 18th and 19th centuries. It then Russians we didn't like because they, examines the many sources of records available in Ireland and their uses and too, fought Austria, and because our limitations ... The archives in which the major records are kept will be people didn't have liberty in Russia, visited and the content and use of these records demonstrated. These ar­ although Ukrainians who came from chives include the National Archives of Ireland, National Library ofIreland, the Russian Ukraine got along with Genealogical Office, The Registry of Deeds and the Registrar General's Russians pretty well." office." The course director will be Dr. James G . Ryan , who has written several bOOKS on Irish genealogy. Editor's note: In recognition of the bond between ourhistorical society and Anyone interested in participating should contact: Irish Ancestry Re­ the other societies in the Ethnic History search Courses, Stratford House, Barnhill Road, Dalkey , Co. Dublin. Phone Center and to foster appreciation for all 011-353-1-857731. ethnic groups, we print in each issue of The Shanachie at least one story about another ethnic group. Page 3 Bernie Cannon enjoyed nationwide reputation as horse trader Dressed in his usual linen duster and The day after he had purchased the wearing a slouch hat with a long whip horse, Curran got a call from someone in his hand, Bernie Cannon was one of on the outskirts of town to pick up a the most easily recognizable Irishmen corpse and bring it to his funeral home . of New Haven. "Halfway to the house of the de­ Around the turn ofthe century, Can­ ceased," one newspaper reported, "the non was the city's, and perhaps the animal stopped short in his tracks and state's, most famous horse auctioneer. balked suddenly and refused to move. His knowledge of horseflesh and his Neither persuasion by kind words nor reputation for integrity was such, it was use of the whip would move the ani ­ said, "that buyers and users of horses mal. He absolutely would not budge . from alI sections of the state were wont And it was a long time afterwards that to consult him and depend absolutely he did condescend to move and then he on his judgment." terners loudly asserting that alI Con­ turned around and ran home to his necticut was good for was to harbor stable." Born in 1859 and brought up on a watch tinkers and tin peddlers and , The furious undertaker went straight farm in the Mt. Carmel section of Ham­ maybe, a horse thief or two." to Cannon's stable. "Well, well,' said den, Cannon as a young man opened a At a horse auction in New Haven, Cannon when he had heard the story, stable at 169 Commerce St. and for 40 Cannon was a picturesque figure. "Ro­ "it's too bad, and the dead man waiting years maintained a business either bust in body and with stentorian all the while. I'll make amends, but you there or on George Street. He made voice," reported a newspaper, "he fur­ mustn't expect that any self-respecting frequent trips throughout the state and nished unbounded amusement to the horse is going to have any respect for an as far afield as Massachusetts, New chance visitor and aroused the enthu­ undertaker, and ifhe balks, it's because Hampshire, Maine, Wisconsin, Arizona siasm of the prospective buyer as he he's an honest nag and can't stand such and California in search ofgood horses. trotted the horses out and proclaimed a lowdown business." "In those centers," one paper report­ their virtues. Cannon once told a reporter that he ed, "the genial New Haven horseman "Transferred to the stage, the horse knew horses were doomed the minute built up a sterling reputation for the auction with Bernie Cannon holding he saw the first -automobile chugging square deal and his appearance was al­ the center would have made a great along Commerce Street. But he always ways a signal for a royal welcome. setting for a melodrama. He was the had faith the horse would make a "In the great wholesale horse mar­ source of admiration for the visiting comeback "as a gentleman's pleasure, kets, Bernie always had a bone to pick farmer and a most wonderful awe-in­ the driving horse ." with the dealers. He would claim and spiring figure to the smal1 boy." Sporting gentlemen, he predicted, argue that Connecticut harbored the Cannon also was not above playing a would tire of the utilitarian automobile best judges of horseflesh in the world, joke on an unsuspecting purchaser. The and "take up the breeding and driving and that it was only through the un­ story was told that Cannon once sold a of the road hors e." kindness of fate that the Nutmeg State horse to Micha el Curran, a New Haven Unfortunately, Cannon died in 1921 was not the greatest of alI breeding undertaker. The horse, Cannon told the and didn't live to see his prediction grounds for the noble animals. undertaker, was "kind, gentle and a come true. "That always raised a great laugh thoroughbred speed maker in every (New Haven Register, Feb. I, 1921) and caused much scoffing, the wes- particular." Hartford immigrants banded together to aid each other in sickness, death

Like most immigrants, Irish people such of the members as shal1 by reason "Second, That said society may elect clung together when they first arrived of sickness or infirmities, be incapable such officers and in such manner as in America. ofattending to their usual trade or call­ their constitution and by-laws shall pre­ They lived close by each other in ing, and also towards the relief of the scribe and that the present officers of ethnic neighborhoods in which their widows and children of deceased said society shall continue in office un­ own parish church was the center of members, til others are chosen in their stead. social and educational, as well as reli­ "Resolved by this Assembly , That "Third, That said society shal1 have gious, life. the Rev . John Brady, Thomas Kenney , power to make such by-laws, rules and And , because they were usually poor, John Hickey, James McManus, Mi­ regulations as may be necessary to carry the first organizations they formed were chael Byrns, and such other persons as into effect the objects of the society. often mutual benefit societies, associa­ are or may be hereafter associated with Provided that such by-laws, rules and tions where they could take care ofeach them , be and they hereby are, with their regulations be not repugnant to the con­ other's needs by pooling their successors, constituted a body polit ic stitution or laws of this state, or of the resources. and corporate, by the name of 'The St. United States. One ofthe early Irish mutual benefit Patrick's Society of Hartford,' and by "Fourth, Said society shall not have societies in Connecticut was The St. that name may sue and be sued , answer power by anything contained in these Patrick's Society of Hartford. The soci­ and be answered unto, defend and be resolutions, to use any of its funds for ety was incorporated by special act of defended in all courts whatsoever, and banking operations. the General Assembly in 1842. may have and use a common seal, and "Fifth, This charter may be altered, The special act read : alter the same at pleasure, and shall be amended or repealed at the pleasure of "Whereas, a number of individuals capable in law of purchasing, holding the General Assembly. have formed themselves into an associ­ and conveying any real or personal es­ "Sixth, No salaries shall be paid to ation, under the name and style of 'The tate for the use and benefit of said soci­ an amount over one hundred dollars." St. Patrick's Society of Hartford,' the ety. Provided that said society shall at ("Resolutions and Private Laws of object of which is to raise a fund to be no time hold real estate to a greater the State ofConnecticut 1836 to 1857," appropriated towards the support of amount than five thousand dollars. Volume III, page 322) Page 4 State picked Irish native of Norwich for its first female factory inspector club and because of her helpfulness and viser of the firm, engaging all help but Continued from page I true womanliness she was greatly be­ the heads of departments, and at the In making the appointment, the loved by them and considered as of same time as the head of the co-opera­ committee described Corcoran's quali­ great value to the community by many tive association, winning the affection fications as follows: of the best known women in Norwich. and confidence of the hundreds of "Miss Corcoran was born and "The remarkable value of Miss Cor­ women for whom she had secured brought up in Norwich, her father hav­ coran's services both to her employers many benefits. Her employers say they ing been an engineer in one ofthe mills. and among her fellow workers became cannot speak too strongly in her favor His death, by an accident when she was known to a well-known member of the about 14, cut short her hopes of a col­ labor bureau in Washington, D.C., who "Miss Corcoran is a Roman Catholic lege training for which her unusual in­ recommended her for an important and is of Irish parentage. The commis­ telligence had caused her to aspire, and position in one of the largest depart­ sion believes that this record, together she became an employee in the Nor­ ment stores in Boston. This firm, which with many other outside testimonials, wich mills. Here she was employed for is known throughout the entire country nearly all of which were unsought by a number of years, becoming familiar for its remarkably just and fair treat­ her and acquired by the commission with every detail of the work and rapid­ ment of its employees was seeking a without her knowledge, as to her ster­ ly rising to the first place among the woman who might be, in a sense, a go­ ling character, high principles and de­ women employees. between for the firm and its employees. voted interests in the work of bettering "She also took a course in business Miss Corcoran in this position was a industrial conditions, but especially her college. Her Norwich employers have member of the employers' council and personality wh~ch is the chief requisite, written of her brightness and capability the president ofthe co-operative benefit combined to render her the best fitted and of her broad mindedness, which association of the employees. candidate for the office of woman dep­ kept the interest of the employers and "So valuable were her services con­ uty" factory inspector in Connecticut employees equally in view. They de­ sidered in this double capacity when , clare her to be 'one woman in a thou­ after a few years, a member of the em­ (Hartford Courant, Oct I, 1907) sand .' It was during this period of her ployers' council started a factory in career that the late General Ely of Nor­ connection with the department store, wich remarked that if ever there was to he chose Miss Corcoran of all the em­ Railroaders fought back be a woman factory inspector in Con­ ployees to help organize the undertak­ Continued [rom page I necticut, Miss Corcoran was the wom­ ing and occupy a similar position there. an for the place. "She had been for several years in laborers had decided to transfer their "She was president of a working girls this factory, being the confidential ad- patronage to some other town became known to the villagers early in the day; and shortly before noon a committee of ;--Noted briefly------t the best citizens of the village called at WELCOME - New members include: Peggy Shea Berg, Nancy Callahan, the works and asked to be allowed to William H. Clancy and family, Robert and Mary Catharine Colburn, Daniel speak to the laborers. J. and Joan Dempsey, Frank and Marie Diamond, John J. and Ellen J. "Contractor Stetson called the men DCounty Clare of New York, also a positivist, presided had reached the age of 60. His spritely in 1830 and came to Connecticut in at his funeral. step had gradually failed him and he 1849. He settled in North Haven and (New Haven Register, March 2 became bent and worn. As he appeared took up farming, but shortly thereafter 1878) , in the community the following spring, he carried with him for support a great big stick, cut from a live oak tree, and IRISH AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY that stick has been his constant com­ P.O. Box 713 panion for the last 20 years. New Haven, Connecticut 06503 "Living became more and more dif­ ficult to pick up in the mountains, "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the squirrels and rabbits having been pretty future." Padraic Pearse well shot out by the hunters, and the old man became a wanderer among the President: Neil Hogan, 26 Crestview Terrace, Wallingford 06492. 269­ Connecticut towns, seeking a meal 9154. whenever it became meal time, but Vice President: Joan Moynihan, 157 Harrison Road, Cheshire 06410. never begging as a mendicant begs and 272-0118. never seeking money. Secretary: George Waldron, 69 Pardee St., New Haven 06513. 468-6948. "With age came the desire for some­ Treasurer: Michael Lynch, 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven 06513. 467­ one to talk to, and although the old 5307. man had almost forgotten how to talk, Membership Chairwoman: Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven it came back to him gradually and he 06512. 468-0426. told his life's story, the story of a bro­ Membership: $10 individual, $15 family. Send name and address and ken heart and the loss of all faith in checks made out to Irish American Historical Society to Michael Lynch, human nature." 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven CT 06513. (Bridgeport Herald) Volume I, Number 6 Irish-American Historical Society November-December 1989.

Mayor Lee to speak at IAHS reception on Nov. 19 Former New Haven Mayor Richard those anending. Any money donated C. Lee will be the guest speaker at the will be used for two purposes. One is to Irish-American Historical Society's re­ enable our society, along with the five ception at the Knights of St. Patrick. other ethnic historical societies forming 1533 State St., New Haven, on Sunday the Ethnic History Archives Center of afternoon, Nov. 19, from 3 to 5 p.m, New Haven, to secure space at One The reception, which we are calling Long Wharf as a headquarters. Once we "a celebration of our Irish heritage," is secure quarters, we can begin to collect open not only to society members, but genealogical and historical materials also to families. relatives, friends. ac­ and artifacts to help members do quaintances and an yone who has an research. interest in things Irish-American. The second use to which the contri­ In addition to a message from May­ butions will be placed is the sponsoring or Lee. we will have an opportunity to of programs such as speakers and gene­ get to know each other and to talk alogical classes for the benefit of mem­ about the programs we will be sponsor­ bers. ing in the months ahead to preserve our Mark Sunday afternoon. Nov. 19. on will be provided by well-known Irish Irish heritage. folksinger and radio personality Johnny your calendar and come join us for this Hors d'oeuvre will be served. Music Moran. celebration of our Ir ish heritage. Tiny town of Norfolk dug deep for starving Famine victims

During the Potato Famine. many him, on the receipt of the money. to from the happy country 01 your ad op­ Connecticut communities reached out Edward E. Ryan . chairman of the Irish tion have filled our afflicted land with with material assistance to the Irish Relief Committee in Norfolk: joyful hope and increased our pleasure peasants who were dying by the "Cork. 19 March 1847 to have these happy tidings reach us on thousands. "My dear Mr. Ryan - St. Patrick's Day. A lener sent to the little village of "To you and to the benevolent con­ "Assure the humane friends who are Norfolk, Conn.. by the Irish temper­ tributors of the 5 pounds I have re­ exerting themselves and making such ance crusader. Father Theobald ceived and of the sums expended in the costly sacrifices for our preservation Ma thew shows the extent ofaid provid­ purchase of the bread stuffs. I extend that every Irish breast throbs with grati- ed by Connecticut during that terrible f!lY heartfelt thanks. Thc I~te accounts Pleese turn to page 4 ordeal. The letter was pr inted in the Litch­ field Enquirer. which prefaced it with a commendation of its own for the gcner­ Delegates condemned Irish civil war ous peoole of Norfolk: Irish-Americans were understand­ The 200 delegates who anended the "Some time ago, we had the pleasure ably dismayed when civil war broke out convention from all Connecticut came of announcing the praiseworthy libera­ in Ireland in 1922 after the Irish had down on the side of the Irish Free State. lity of the citizens of Norfolk, in behalf won virtual independence from British "It was the general opinion of the of the starving Irish. rule . speakers." reported the New Haven "That town has, we believe, done 11K civil war was between those Union on New Year's Day 1923, "that bener in proportion to its means and Irish who were willing to accept free Ireland was not in need of assistance numbers than any other place in th is state status within the British Com­ from this country at this time. but that state or perhaps in the Union. monwealth and those who wanted to the Irish Free State go vernment should "With a population of about 1,400, accept nothing short of total indepen­ be left to handle Irish affairs without most of them are farmers, five hundred dence of all Ireland from England. intervention for the present. The Free dollars were subscribed by her citizens A convention of the Connecticut State go vernment was looked upon as in the course of a few days. for the Friends of Irish Freedom met in Erin half way to a republ ic and it was point­ object referred to - a part of which Hall on State Street in New Haven on ed out that the Friends of Irish Free­ was transmitted in money, and the re­ Dec. 31, 1922 to see what might be dom should conduct itself by lend ing mainder in provisions, to the care of done to bring the fighting to an end. moral support to the present govern­ Father Mathew, the justly celebrated The featured speaker at the conven­ ment until that time when Ireland author of the temperance reform in tion was Thomas F. Cooney of Provi­ would be absolutely free from British Ireland. dence. R.I.. national president of the Please turn to page 4 "The following letter was wrinen by Friends of Irish Freedom. Page 2 18th century papers Family history booke------..... tell of Connecticut Irish Jim Campbell of the New Haven Colony Historical Society has brought to Advertisements and notices in old our attention the July 1989 issue of The American Genealogist which Connecticut newspapers tend to contra­ contains a listing of a number of new books that may prove helpful to those dict the generally accepted wisdom that tracing Irish ancestors. They include: few Irish people settled in the state until the middle of the 19th century. "Irish Records: Sources for Family Local History," by James G. Ryan, Below, for example, are two adver­ Dublin: Flyleaf Press, 1988; clothbound, 562 pages with index, $34.95 plus tisements and one news item taken $4 shipping. Order from the publisher, 4 Spencer Villas, GJengeary, Co. from the Connecticut Journal in the au­ Dublin, or in U.S. from Ancestry Inc., P.O. Box 476, Salt Lake City, UT .urnn of 1768: 84110. The American Genealogist says, "This work, which ranks with Fal­ "New Haven, November 14, 1768. ley's in comprehensiveness, is the first to list available records on a county­ The Public is hereby notified that by-county basis. Maps show each county's civil parishes and addresses are GEORGE DUDLEY, Cloathier, from given for Catholic parishes. The 4 I-page introduction, copiously illustrated, Cork in Ireland, works with Mr. Daniel describes the records useful for genealogy, discusses their origins and ex­ Whitmore, Middletown, and having re­ plains how to use them." ceived Tools from home, and among others, TEASILS, will colour and dress "Pocket Guide to Irish Genealogy," by Brian S. Mitchell (Apollo, Penn: all Sons of Woollen Cloths, in the nea­ Closson Press, 1988), paperback, 103 pages, no index. $7.95 postpaid in U.S. test and best Manner, as are done in Order from publisher, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, PA 15613-9238. "This Europe, where he served a regular Ap­ book has the lowest cost, and is among the best, of the introductory guides in prenticeship to Seven Years. Any Gen­ print; its lack ofan index is offset by its logical arrangement, covering in tum tleman, who will be pleased to employ the administrative divisions of the land, the source records (illustrated) him , may depend upon being faithfully available, and the records offices (with their hours, fees and requirements, served. N.B. One of the above Teasils making this pocket-size volume one to carry with you). Clear examples show may be seen at the Printing Office in the neophyte how to use the records to determine family relationships." New Haven." "Woodbury, November 2, 1768. "A Guide to Tracing Your Dublin Ancestors," by James G. Ryan (Dub­ Whereas on the 24th of last month, the lin: Flyleaf Press , 1988) paperback, 96 pages, index. $9.95 plus $3 postage. Subscriber let a Mare with a red plush Order from publisher, see address above. "The text of this volume is side-saddle, to one William Sheehan, substantially the same as the introduction to the author's "Irish Records." an Irishman, to go to Middletown, but Dublin records, many unique because of early urbanization, are, however, as has not been there, it is supposed he 'overed in more detail than in "Irish Records." Ryans's guide is an excellent is gone off with the Mare, which is up­ .ow-cost manual on Irish Research." wards of 14 hands high, of a sorrel col­ our, with white feet, one of her houghs "A Guide to Irish Parish Registers," by Brian Mitchell, (Baltimore: Gene­ crack't, a natural swift pacer, trots a alogical Publishing Co., 1988), clothbound, 134 pages, $25. "Dates ofearliest little and has a swich tail. Sheehan is of registers for each civil parish are listed by denomination in columns headed middling stature, but thick and well Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Other .. ." shap'd, writes a good hand and last winter taught a school in this place, had with him when he went away, a light "Parish Maps of Ireland: Counties of Armagh, Donegal, Londonderry and colour'd great coat, his other apparel Tyrone," by Brian Mitchell (Apollo, Penn.: Closson Press, 1988), paperback, unncertain - He has a woman with 288 pages, $19 .95 postpaid. Order from publisher, see address above. "A him, who he calls his wife, she is pitted larger-scale supplement to the author's "A New Genealogical Atlas of Ire­ with small-pox, and has two blisters on land" (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986), this volume has 146 the back of one of her hands, mark'd maps, most scaled at one inch to the mile . They show each townland in the with India ink.. 165 civil parishes of the four counties covered." "Norwich, October 17th, 1768. Last Friday Evening the Shop of Mr. John "Return of Owners of Land in Ireland, 1876" (Baltimore: Genealogical McCanhy of Norwich was opened and Publishing Co" 1988) clothbound, 325 pages, no index, $35. "This govern­ two pair of new buck-skin breeches tak­ ment compilation lists the 32,614 owners of one acre or more in 1875, en from thence; several shins &c. were compiled from assessment records. Relatively few holders of parcels of less taken from people's hedges, the same than several hundred acres are listed, since far more of them were tenants night - and on Sunday, two transient than owners in fee. For tenants, however. the book is particularly helpful fellows were taken up at Pomfret, and when used with Griffith's Valuation, the published mid-19th century assess­ the following articles were found in ment listing each occupant of Irish land. From the Valuation, the landlord of their packs, viz. 18 keys of different a tenant's family of interest can be identified, The size of the landlord's sizes and constructions, 5 files forted, a holdings is significant because estate papers for the larger estates are more very large iron spike hardened and likely to have survived and may contain rent books or copies of leases with sharp at the end, one hammer, one tin­ genealogical data." der box, tinder, steel, matches, flints and brimstone, a phial supposed to contain aquafortice, so that it appears "Irish Passenger Lists 1847-1871." compiled under the direction of Brian they were furnished with a variety of Mitchell (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. , 1988), clothbound, 333 useful instruments for executing their pages, index, $28.50. "These are previously little known passenger lists of business. One of them is an English­ two steamship lines operating from Derry (J. & J. Cooke, 1847-1867, and man, about 50 years ofage, red face and William McCorkell & Co .. 1863-1871), listing 27,495 people bound mainly of short stature, crooked shape and for Philadelphia, New York and Quebec. Their advantage over the U.S. lame ... and says his name is John Customs Passenger Lists (aside from the fact that the New York lists are Wood. The other is a German about 30 unindexed) is that place of origin is given, often with some specificity." years old named Jacob Hendricks . .." Page 3 Irish immigrant's Atlantic voyage was filled with perils

The experiences of the voyages of Then the fun began in earnest. The "'I happened to stand in with the thousands of immigrants who came to waves rolled up into terrible propor­ first mate. He said to me on the quiet America - Irish and others - were tions, the wind tore over the ocean like that we were not in New York but never recorded and have been lost to mad and rain came down in such quan­ many hundred miles from there. He us. tities that seemed as if the whole water told me of the captain's scheme. He Fortunately, occasional accounts of force of the universe had concentrated informed me also to have my father such voyages have survived, some its powers around the ship. inquire of some small fishing boats through the most unlikely of "For ten days not a soul but the passing by if we were not in St. John's coincidences. sailors ventured on deck. The stoves in bay. One day in August 1895, for exam­ which the cooking was done for the "'My father thought it all a joke and ple, a reporter for the New Haven Un­ crew and the passengers were in two really believed what the captain had an­ ion stopped at police headquarters. It cabins on the upper deck. No one in ten nounced. When he did inquire, howev­ was a slow day on the police beat and days would venture near the stoves to er, and found out the real facts, he was the reporter got to talking with several cook anything. It was worth a man's life astonished. "So were the few trusty of the policemen who were born in Ire­ to attempt it. In that time, therefore, friends he subsequently told the story land about their experiences coming to the passengers had to get along as best to. These friends and my father stole the United States. they could without cooking what they away from the vessel at dark and start­ Through that chance conversation ate . There had been no preparation for ed for the city for officers to arrest the came a newspaper story which has pre­ such an emergency and there was great captain. served for us the difficult journey of hardship on board. '''During their absence some traitors Detective Phil Reilly across the Alantic '''From there out,' said the detective, who had got word of the affair told the Ocean to America. 'we trusted to luck to get us safely to captain what had occurred. He ordered Reilly was born in County Cavan, land somewhere. One day we would the anchors weighed and prepared to the ancient home of the O'Reilly clan , find ourselves sailing through a climate sail away without those who had gone on March 25, 1841, and came to the that would almost roast an ox, it was so for the officers. The passengers drove United States in 1851. Here's his story fearfully hot. The next day we would be the captain into his cabin. There they as told in the Union on Aug. 16, 1895: trying to escape icebergs. You see the locked him up. In the meantime, the "The detective was four months on captain didn't know where he was. We crew were charged upon by the excited the ocean less one day. He was never reached St. John's, New Brunswick. oassengers. The anchors which were tossed around so in his life. He was The provisions had become exhausted half way up, were let go, the crew accompanied by his father. The ship and in order to get rid ofthe expense of stopped work for fear of their lives and which they had intended to secure feeding the passengers any further on the anchors parted and were lost. berths on had sailed just a day or two the way to New York the captain boldly '''By this time, the deputation had before they were ready to start. They announced that we had arrived in New returned from the city, but without the were disappointed , of course, but not York bay. officers. A compromise was effected ; so much so when they heard a few days "'No one knew tu me contrary, save provisions were put on board and we later that the steamer had stove a hole the crew, and they had been silenced. started for New York. When we arrived through her, when the ship was a few We were all told to get ready for a small there, an effort was made to arrest the hours out and everyone of the several steamer would come to the ship and captain, but the numerous delays tired hundred passengers except two or three take us to the city . Our ship was an­ out the passengers and it was aban­ were lost ... chored seven or eight miles down the doned, the majority being only too glad "The detective and his father were bay. to be once more upon land.'" so overcome at the news that they al­ most accepted the disaster as a warning not to leave their native land. With Spanish mariner settled down in New London some misgivings, they finally took pas­ sage on a transient vessel with about One of Connecticut's earliest His­ giance, supremacy and abjuration by 300 others. Then the experience began panic residents may have been Don law appointed, be, and he is hereby de­ such as very few have or care to tell Gabriel Sistera, whose nam e:.. appears clared to be naturalized and ent itled to about. in New London records in the I770s. all the privileges, immunities and ad­ Sistera was a sea captain who carried vantages of His Majesty's English sub­ "In the first place, after being at sea a on an extensive trade between Spanish jects born within this colony, as fully few days , the passengers observed that ports, New London and the West In­ and effectually, to all intents, construc­ the captain had no more knowledge of dies .In 1771, he settled in New London tion and purposes whatsoever, as the ocean than the most ignorant lands­ with his son, Gabriel. though he, said Gabriel Sistera, had men on board. They they also noticed Several years later, the public re­ been born within the dominions ofand that he was a tippler and frequently cords of Connecticut carry this entry: subject to the King of Great Britain; strode on deck from his cabin with a "An Act for the Naturalization of excepting only such privileges and im­ heavy load of whiskey aboard. Every Don Gabriel Sistera. May 1773. munities as by law are not competent to vessel that he could get a glass on, he "Whereas Don Gabriel Sistera, a na­ foreigners who have been or are would steer right for regardless of the tive of Barcelona in the Kingdom of naturalized." time or distances lost in changing the Spain, now resident in New London, ("The Cathonc Church in New cug­ course. He would inquire of the captain hath by his petition preferred to this land ," by William Bryan, 1899, Vol. II, of the vessel about what latitude or lon­ Assembly, pra yed to be admitted to the page 62.) gitude they were in and obtain other privileges of His Majesty's subjects Editor's note: In recognition ot' the points about his bearings. This he did within this colony, therefore, bond between our histories! society and upon every occasion that he sighted a "Be it enacted by the Governor, the other societies in the Ethnic History vessel, no matter if a stranger hove in Council and Representatives in Gener­ Center and to Ioster appreciation [orall sight every day. al Court assembled and by the authori­ ethnic groups, we print in each issue at "It went along in this manner until ty of the same, That the said Gabriel least one story about another ethnic the vessel ran into a terrific storm. Sistera, having taken the oaths of alle- group. Page 4 Memorials established to honor loved ones City's Patrick Murray was king of hackmen Several Irish-American Historical Society members have made gifts to the society for the establishment of memorials in honor of deceased For 30 years in the late 19th century, family members. They are as follows: Patrick Murray was New Haven's pre­ "In loving memory of James M. and Julia N. Roche and Lt. James M. mier cab driver, or hackman. Roche. Jr. USMC." by Norman and Jeanne Roche Hickey and family. When Murray died on Jan. 12. 1898. "In loving memory of David F. Waldron," by the Waldron family. the Register wrote: "In memory of the love they gave - Patrick Joseph Reardon and Mary "Patrick Murray. whom Yale men Kirby Reardon." by James and Patricia Reardon. far and ncar know as Murray. the hack­ "In memory of Elaine McAvoy Hogan, loving wife, mother and friend," man. passed away quietly at his home by Neil. Tracey and Maureen Hogan. at 91 Adeline St ., last night ... For the present. these memorials will be placed in a special book of "Hundreds of men will mourn his memorials. When the society finds permanent quarters, the memorials loss. His hacks always stood on the cor­ will be inscribed on an appropriate plaque. ner of College and Chapel Streets and Memorials will be established for gifts of $100 or more to the society. he has transported more Yale men from the campus to the Yale Field than any other hackman in the history of - Briefly noted ------...... Yale. "He was about 45 years old and WELCOME - Our nell members include David A , Bovlan, John R. Casey. leaves a widow and two sons." (Jordon P, Courunanchc. LIIITelKe and Man Joan Kilbride Covlc, John P. Donnell y. Rober! E. Douglas. William and Jane Healy Dunn and family. Joseph P. and Lenore Hcalv. Bridget Mariano. kiln Clark Marshall. Frank T. I\k(iann, Lillian Moran. Paul and Ellie Pat Fitzgerald Rahc, Mildred E. Delegates decried war Randall, Arthur D. Reinhart. Christopher and Barb ara Revnolds, the Shon­ Continued from page I tell familv.Jamcs T . Smith, Marvbcth Stevens. Bcvcr!v G: Tabak. Brian P. \ 'itelli. . . . imperialism." The convention passed a resolution. ORAL HISTORY WORKSHOP - Twcniv-scvcn members and non-members said the Union. "urging an end to the who art' interested in genealogy turned out for our oral history workshop at fratricidal strife in Ireland: denouncing the (iat'lit' Club on Sundav. OCI. 15. Louise FitzSimons. one ofour members the activities of the republicans - an who is a professional historian and has done oral history projects. presented attempt by a small minority to terrorize the work shop. providing a lot of practical information on how to go about the majority into submission: denounc­ interviewing acquaintances and relatives to preserve their recollections on ing the campaign of falsehood and false tape. Keep watching in The Shanachic for announcements of future work­ pretences carried by (republican) en­ shops on how to trace vour ancestors both in the United States and in Ireland . . vo ys in America: expressing the belief in an eventual Irish republic and calling IRISH HISTORY ROUNDTABLE - The Irish Historv Roundtable meets the upon England to turn over some of its third Tuesday or ever y month at 8 p.m . at the Country Club Restaurant. western hemisphere possessions to 1232 Whitney Ave, Each month. the Roundtable has a speaker on some America as proof of its professed desire topic of Irish history and culture. to pay its debts." Norfolk dug deep IRISH AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Continued from page I P.O. Box 120-020 East Haven, Connecticut 06512 tude . Well may I say in the words of the sacred scriptures that you hav e made . "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the 'the heart of the widow to sing for joy future." Padraic Pearse and caused the orphan's tears to cease to fall. ' President: Neil Hogan, 26 Crestview Terrace, Wallingford 06492. 269­ "All my energies shall be exerted in 9154. the disposal of the bread stuff con­ signed to my care. I need not say that Vice President: Joan Moynihan, 157 Harrison Road, Cheshire 06410. the wishes of the philanthropic donors 272-0118. shall be faithfully fulfilled. How de­ lightful to see good men of every reli­ Secretary: George Waldron, 69 Pardee St., New Haven 06513. 468­ gious creed thus acting in the spirit of 6948. the Saviour. whose darling precept is, 'My dear little children, love one Treasurer: Michael Lynch, 171 East Grand Ave., New Haven 06513. another: 467-5307. "How I desire to take by the hand and to my bosom the truly Christian Membership Chairwoman: Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Ha­ minister, the excellent Mr. Eldridge (Jo­ ven 06512. 468-0426. seph Eldridge, pastor of the Congrega­ tional Church of Norfolk). May the Membership: $10 individual, $15 family. Send name and address and Lord bless him and all who sympathize checks made out to Irish American Historical Society to Box 120-020, with the sorrows of aftlicted Ireland. East Haven, CT 06512. "Thanki'ng you again, dear M·r. Ryan, for the great pleasure you afford­ (In Ireland, a Shanachie is a folklorist, storyteller and keeper of the ed me by your valued letter, I am with people's traditions.) the highest respect , devotedly yours, Theobald Mathew."