Hi there, I am Julie Chlarson. Live in the San Diego, CA area and am a first time poster on this site. The family names I am searching are: Clarkin, Clarken, Griffin, Keanealy, Kanealy, Hughes, Jenks. With the exception of the Jenks family, all came originally from Ireland and most through New York and then on to Iowa. Some of the Clarkin, Griffin and Keanealy families were still in contact with my grandmother as late as 1960, but I don't have any of their names or addresses. I am searching my grandmother's lines from Ireland. She was Marie Ursula Clarkin, born in Cresco, Iowa in 1896. Her father was Michael Joseph Clarkin married to Ida Mary Jenks. Ida and Michael also had two sons, Thomas and Earl. Ida died when the children were young. They eventually moved to California, lived in Los Angeles county for a period of time and then moved to San Diego. Tom and Earl both married here in San Diego and raised children, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are still in this area for the most part. I have details of these families if anyone is interested. Marie married Mark Leslie Beck and they had four children: James, Aleine, Dorothy Kathleen and Elizabeth Janeane. I am Dorothy's eldest child, Julie. Michael Clarkin's father, Thomas Clarkin came with his four brothers, John, William, Francis and Henry from Armagh County, Ireland. His parents were Owen Clarkin and Mary Hughes. Owen Clarkin was born in 1780 and died in 1840. Mary Hughes was born in 1784 and died about 1838. Thomas came to New York with his brothers about 1845. He stayed in New York about two years, then moved to Iowa, eventually settling in Chickasaw County. Thomas Clarkin was married to Maria Griffin, July 24, 1858 in Iowa. Maria was born in 1835 and was orphaned at an early age, so she went to live with her aunt, Mary Gavin. Maria Griffin's father was Michael Griffin, born 1785, died about 1840 and her mother was Mary Keanealy/Kanealy, born in 1785/90 and died in 1838. Maria Griffin migrated about 1845; with her three brothers landed in New York, stayed there for about ten years, then came to Chickasaw County Iowa, where she taught school. Maria Griffin and Thomas Clarkin also had five daughters: Mary who married George Hughes; Margaret; Elizabeth who married Frank Maroney; Julia who married Frank Murphy; and Agnes who married Thomas Reed. According to my grandmother's journal, all of these Clarkin girls taught school before they married. I have some journal entries on some of these sisters' family lines if there is anyone interested let me know. My email is: <jaceagle47@aol.com> thanks, Julie