I have been trying to solve a mystery for several years now, and thought perhaps one of you might come up with the creative idea that finally solves it. According to his obituary, my husband's gg grandfather, George Pierce Noonan, emigrated from Ireland in 1849 when he was 12 years old. The obituary says he went to Canada, and I know he ended up in California by 1852. Other family researchers have confirmed that he originally came from Co. Clare, and that his parents did not leave Ireland until later. He had younger siblings who came over later, but he seems to have been the oldest child, so he couldn't have travelled with an older sibling. It appears that he either travelled alone (not common at 12 years old, right?)or perhaps with distant relatives (aunt, uncle). I have not found a single trace of him on any ship's lists (and I've searched tons of them.), and have begun to seriously consider that he must have stowed away. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to figure this mystery out? Loralee

My thoughs are that he might have travelled with a neighbour or friend of the parents and met on his arrival by a relative, Declan

First change the subject to include Noonan to catch people's attention. Secondly, I have Noonan's in Montreal in the 1850's. Two families, but they are only incidental to my searches, so I never delved into them too deeply. I have a Michael Noonan m. to Margaret Slattery, both b. about 1820. They had a large family born between 1858 and 1868 in Montreal. Also a Dennis Noonan and Jane Donnelly had a son John Myles Noonan b. 1868 in Montreal. It's possible your George Pierce did come over with an uncle and went on from there, so check Montreal or Quebec City as they were big arrival ports. Just a thought. Diane ----- Original Message ----- From: Loralee Wellington To: IRL-CLARE@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2013 1:26 AM Subject: [IRL-CLARE] 12 year old Mystery Immigrant I have been trying to solve a mystery for several years now, and thought perhaps one of you might come up with the creative idea that finally solves it. According to his obituary, my husband's gg grandfather, George Pierce Noonan, emigrated from Ireland in 1849 when he was 12 years old. The obituary says he went to Canada, and I know he ended up in California by 1852. Other family researchers have confirmed that he originally came from Co. Clare, and that his parents did not leave Ireland until later. He had younger siblings who came over later, but he seems to have been the oldest child, so he couldn't have travelled with an older sibling. It appears that he either travelled alone (not common at 12 years old, right?)or perhaps with distant relatives (aunt, uncle). I have not found a single trace of him on any ship's lists (and I've searched tons of them.), and have begun to seriously consider that he must have stowed away. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to figure this mystery out? Loralee ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message