Well, I looked at Ellis Island's database. She may have been on the ship under her maiden name, but I didn't see her. I strongly suggested getting the marriage record but census is also good idea, as I agreed. Interestingly, the passenger record stated that he had already come to the U.S. and lived in Chicago a short time in 1903. Then he went back. Why? Death in the family? To get married? At any rate going back to Ireland is not terribly common in and of itself. I don't quite see the numbers problem. The passenger record stated that he was married. She couldn't get pregnant if she was pregnant whether she was in Ireland or with him. She may have followed on shortly or not been listed in the right way. I could not find her. The 1920 census did state that they both arrived in 1905. Patricia was stuck as near as I could tell, and she is on her way to some answers. She needs to order some records which is what I suggested privately. I would want to see that marriage record and New Jersey death records for starters. So, I am not really doing "all" the research for her. Just pointing her in directions which I think is what she was hoping for. Christina Peter R Booth wrote: > Christina, With experienced researchers like you and I, you immediately start > asking all these questions. And then if you look too hard, you end up doing > all the research for them and take away the thrill of discovery. If you have the correct marriage in March qtr 1905, it seems strange > that just a few months later he's off on his own to USA. Further, look at > the supposed births of children. Thomas is born 1906 and then twins Mary and > Nora in December that same year. So in the space of some 22 months after > marriage, she's had two pregnancies and her husband has been away in America > for what must be at least three months. For the numbers to add up, she must > have been pregnant when he left shortly after marriage, and got pregnant > almost immediately again they next met, either in Clare or USA. Patricia might need to look at some US birth, migration and census > records to see where children were born. It's not a case of just one look up. It all needs to be cross checked. > Each record only provides part of the total picture.