Finding Aunt Ellen

Since returning from Ireland, we discovered that Hugh's oldest daughter Ellen emigrated to the US in 1866 and lived in New Jersey.  Rich and Wendy visited the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton to solidify the connection with our family.  They then visited some sites in Newark where Ellen and her husband Joseph Glass lived and worked.  Check out her story at hughmckenna.org.

Rich and Wendy enjoying Central Park, across the river from Newark

Marriage record from County Tyrone Ireland

1866 emigration record for Joseph, Ellen, Joseph, Letitia and George 

1867 Death record for Letitia - she died of croup

Marriage record for Elizabeth showing Ellen's maiden name is McKenna

Death record for Joseph Glass showing his father is Andrew

Burnet Street School was built in 1869
Joseph Glass was the janitor here for over 30 years

Burnet Street School is currently used for Kindergarten thru 8th grade.

Salvio is a 7th grader at Burnet Street School

Ellen died in 1921 at Overbrook, the Essex County Hospital for the Insane
which held over 3,000 patients.

The hospital was shut down in 2007.  It was reported that over 10,000 patients died here.

Ellen would have faced difficult living conditions.

Coming Home!!!

GIANTS!

We left Belfast today with mixed feelings, after having driven to each location where Thomas & Sarah, Hugh, John and their families lived. Mixed feelings because we were excited to visit the northern coast, and yet disparring because of the closeness we had come to feel towards those who came and also left Belfast, before us. Each experience has strengthened our conviction that the family in the 1852 census is ours.
The drive north was gorgeous! Of course it had to rain on us, but the sun was out and the air was clear when we arrived at the northern sea. First we roamed the abandoned halls of the Castle Dunluce, and then climbed the stairs to the hidden grotto below. The late afternoon was spent in wonder at the grander of Gods beautiful world. A camera, even one as good as Quinn's, can not capture the magnificence of this stone, water, grass and sky. Quinn, Brett and Rich loved it so much they almost decided to stay. Todd couldn't quite stomach the sight of those he loved tempting fate so close to the edge. We are now safely settled into our rooms, and the sun has finally set at 10:45.
Again, thank you for your faith and prays.

Traveling North to the Giants Cuaseway and other adventures

Our last day in Belfast

For two days straight we have searched in PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland). The facilities are brand new and with in walking distance of down town Belfast, and within eye site of the Titanic Center. It has been very fruitful. With all discoveries there are parts that are very convincing and a few other parts that might cause one to hesitate. We have put some of the more interesting bits of "information" into new.familysearch.org and encourage your discussion. Let us know what you think.
Without revealing any thing specific, we can say that ...
Brett has mastered the maps of the city of Belfast in the 1800's, and knows everywhere the McKennas and Singletons lived. Tomorrow he will take us on a tour.
Rich and Quinn have not only exhausted the baptismal, marriage and death records from the Christ Church, and St. Anns Cathedral data bases, but in the process they have guided our discovery of hundreds of other possible relatives.
Todd has identified at least two or three new resources at the Linen Hall Library that will be helpful in pursuing the discovery of future generations.
Rich has shared with us the history of the church in Ireland, exposing how extremely lucky we are that our ancestors we ever to find the church.
Quinn ended our day by picking a record with Rich that didn,t contain what he wanted but, but added five married siblins to another line. What a way to finish.
Brett has demonstrated how to survive on the "wrong" side of the line.
The weather is truly beautiful, the people are wonderfully convivial (unless driving an automobile), and the spirit has guided us daily.
Thanks for your encouragement and prayers.
Cheery-O