Does anyone have an ancestral line that includes the names of John Bryan (surname changed to John O'Brien somewhere between Ireland and the USA) and Mary Bulger (possibly Bolger)? Those names are of my great-grandparents who arrived in Allamakee County, possibly shortly after the census of mid-1854. They show as having lived in French Creek, Allamakee for two-years at the time of the June/July census of 1856. The following is a summary of what I think that I know. John was born about 1807; Mary about 1810. The exact dates and places of Baptism and marriage are unknown. Four children (Anty, Thomas, Patrick and Margaret) were born at the Townland of Viper-Kells, and were Baptized at St. Michael's Church at Danesfort; Kilkenny, Ireland, between 1842 and 1850. I believe that the entire family emigrated, via Liverpool, during 1853 and lived in New York (state or city?) for about one year before moving to Iowa. How they got to New York is not yet known. Neither is it known how they got to Allamakee County, but one (unproven) family story says, "They travelled up the Mississippi on a barge and lived in a cave (along the Mississippi?) during their first winter in Iowa". Those "unknowns" are frustrating! John (and two possible brothers, James and Denis) are listed in the Griffith Valuation of 1850 as leasing a total of about 100 acres of land in both the Townlands of Viper-Kells and Coalsfarm. Not much is known about Mary Bolger (possibly "Bolger") other than her mother was a "Downey". Any information about that family would be appreciated. I do have a lengthy list of their descendants. Thank you, .......Pat Utecht (mother was a daughter of above PatrickO'Brien).

Pat, Just an idea!!! Many of the Irish immigrants landing in Boston or New York ---including my GGF and GGM---were located in upstate New York, specifically the Montgomery County area, for a year or two, and then encouraged to head to the new West---Iowa at that time. Good Luck!! Gary Nicholson Key