David Actually, Margaret O'mara married John H. Denning in Rock Island County on March 1, 1860: Volume A - Page 167 - License 3527. In 1870 (Census) John is 41 years old and Margaret is 30. Their children, so far, are: Evaline - age 9 and Bell - age 4. They are farming in Duncan Township. Your Patrick O'mara, who was born in Prussia (see history lesson below) according to the census, is 24 years old and living with John and Margaret in the same household as a farm laborer. History In the first half of the 19th Century (1800's), most of Ireland depended on their potato crops for survival. In 1845-1847 a blight destroyed the potato crops and 750,000 citizens died of starvation and disease. During these years hundreds of thousands of people left Ireland, many (maybe most) coming to the United States. At this time, Prussia was at the height of it's power, controling most of Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Hungary and more. (You remember Prussia from high school history. They were the soldiers with those steel spikes on the top of their helmets!) Anyways, ships would travel from port to port until they were loaded for a trip to America. Perhaps your Patrick's mother was pregnant when they left Ireland and he was born in one of these port stops. Pure speculation! (But maybe) If so, this should help you identify the ship these folks came over on and the ship's manifest will connect some of your research. I'll get back into this later, right now I must go do something productive on this fine spring day! George Carpenter Illinois City, Illinois > Catherine O'mara born ireland in 1805 about. is first located in > Millersburg Mercer county Illinois. working as a domestic. in the Marsh > house. she is known to have 2 children. probbably more. unknown husband. have > not located yet. > Margaret O'mara born 1842 about in ireland. maried John H Denning.born 1828 > in pennsylvania. maried 1860 Mercer county Illinois. they had 8 children. i > have only located 5. > Caora Belle Denning born illinois 1866 about. maried Isaac E. Close > Evaline Denning born Illinois 1861 about. maried Mr. Pike > James Denning born Illinois 1876 about > Albert Denning born 04/1879 Illinois > John Denning junior, born 1880 in mercer county Illinois. > > John H Denning born 1827Pennsylvania had an older brother named Joseph A > Denning. he was born 1827 about in Pennsylvania. he maried Julia Adams. and > they moved to Rock Island. Julia's brother lived withthem for a short while. > Harrison Adams. he was listed as a cripple. Joseph and Julia had several > children. > > Patrick O'mara/ O'marah born Ireland 1847. was found living with his mother > at age 13 in Millersburg Mercer county illinois, i have no idea what became > of him. > > only portion of this family from above i have any more information on. is > from Cora Belle Denning who maried Isaac ellsworth Close. i am seaking > anyone who may be abble to fill in these blanks. best wishes sincerly david > niswender > >