Edward Holmes, a mason, son of John Holmes, a gardener, married Mary O'Gorman, spinster daughter of John O'Gorman, a farmer, 6 Nov 1849, at Kilmurry Parish Church, County Limerick, Ireland. They were residents of the townland of Rivers. Edward is thought to have been born in Limerick, before 1828. He died before 1871, place unknown. A son, Michael J, was born in 1851 and a daughter, Catherine, in about 1855, both probably in Limerick. Mary Holmes had 2 other children, whose names and birth dates are unknown. Michael J Holmes married Mary Ann O'Shea, daughter of Timothy O'Shea, a tailor (deceased), 22 Jan 1871, St Mary's Cathedral, Cork City, Ireland. A son, John, was born 19 Dec 1871, in Ireland. Michael was a tailor. He emigrated about 1872 to the 6th ward of Brooklyn. His wife joined him in 1875, but son John is thought to have remained in Ireland. Two children were born to Michael and Mary Ann in Brooklyn, Edward Emmet in 1876, and Catherine in 1877. Michael became a citizen in 1877 in Brooklyn. He then moved his family to Utica, NY. He drowned in the Erie Canal 13 Oct 1879. His wife and children moved to Chicago about 2 years later. SBT, Wellesley, MA