This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Magnolia1889 Surnames: Clark (or Clarke), Clifford Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.ireland.may.general/1266.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There may be a connection with my famiy: the name of one of my Ballina ancestors is Mary Clark. Mary (born circa 1850) wed Alfred Clifford of the "town of Moy" located in Ballina, County, Mayo. Her husband reportedly was a "skilled master mechanic" and member of the Ballina Mechanics Institute, according to the New York obituary of the couple's eldest son, William E. Clifford (1877-1930), of New York. This eldest son, who was born on King Street in Ballina, according to his obituary, emigrated to the United States around 1897 and became a resident of Brooklyn, New York, where he remained until his death in 1930. (After the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, King Street reportedly was renamed O'Rahilly Street.) Mary Clark's eldest son returned to Ballina, which is County Mayo's largest town, to visit his family a few years before his death in 1930, his obituary further notes. Ballina is situated in Kilmoremoy parish, a part of Ireland that experienced much hardship during Ireland's Great Famine years. In addition to eldest son William, Mary Clark and had at least two daughters, Bedelia ("Delia") and Margaret Clifford, who also emigrated from Ireland to the United States. "Alfred J. Clifford and Mary C. Clifford" also are listed as sponsors at the January 1917 baptism, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Brooklyn Heights, New York, of the couple's grandson William Maurice Clifford, born 17 December 1916. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.