This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: ODONNELL, ROURKE, GILLIGAN Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/oI4.2ACIB/737.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Dear Matthew, This is what I have on two John O'Donnells in Holyoke: JOHN O'DONNELL #1 Marriage Record: John O'Donnell, age 24, from Ireland, works as laborer, parent: Terence O'Donnell married Bridget Rourke, age 20, from Ireland, parent: Cornelius Rourke on February 5, 1856 in Chicopee, MA. (the marriage records for 1856 did not list the mother's name) 1860 Census: John and Bridget are living in Holyoke, MA with son Terrence, age 3 months. John works as a laborer. 1870 Census: John and Bridget are living in Holyoke, MA,with children: Joseph age 6, Ellen A. age 4, Katie age 2, John E. age 2 months, and with Valentine J. age 25 and Mary Nelligan age 32. (Valentine J. O'Donnell is a member of the family I'm tracing and the brother of the John O'Donnell I'm tracing.) Mary is a boarder and this is confirmed in the 1880 census. John is a grocer, Bridget keeps house, all the children attend school, Valentine works as grocer and Mary works in the paper mill. 1880 Census: John and Bridget are living at 49 Elm St., Holyoke, MA with children: Joseph age 16. Nellie A. (Ellen) age 14, Kate age 11, John age 10, Edward age 7, and with Mary Neligan age 45 a boarder. John works as a grocer and Bridget keeps house. Death Record of son: March 6, 1868, Terrence O'Donnell age 8, born in Holyoke, died of heart disease in Holyoke, parents: John and Bridget O'Donnell and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Holyoke. Death Record of daughter: August 28 1867, Maria O'Donnell age 12 days, born in Holyoke, died of weaknesses in Holyoke, parents: John and Bridget O'Donnell and was buried in Chicopee, MA. JOHN O'DONNELL #2 Marriage Record: John O'Donnell, age 21, from Annascull, Ireland, works as spinner, parents: Terence and Bridget O'Donnell married Ann Gilligan, from Grange, Ireland, age 20, parents: Michael and Mary Gilligan on February 25, 1854 in Chicopee, MA. Married by Rev. R.L. Lawrence. 1880 Census: John age 47 and Ann age 47 are living at 73 Lyman St., Holyoke, MA with children: Terrence C. age 24, Michael age 19, Mary J. age 21, Annie age 18, John F. age 13 and Margaret age 13, and with boarders: Michael Clayton age 37, John Clayton age 24 and Martin J. Clayton age 4. The children were all born in Massachusetts except John and Margaret who were born in New Hampshire. John works in the alpaca mill, Ann keeps house, Terrence is a bartender, Mary is a dressmaker, Annie works in the cotton mill, John F. is at school and Margaret works in the alpaca mill. Death Record: May 11, 1884, John O'Donnell age 50, died in Holyoke, born in Ireland, parents Terrence born in Ireland and Ann born in Ireland, and was buried in Holyoke, MA. (while the mother's name is different from the marriage record, the dates seem reasonable. -OR- Could this be the death record of John #1?) At first I thought John O'Donnell #2 was part of the family I was tracing when I first found the 1880 census record. However, when I found the marriage record I knew the birth place presented a significant discrepancy. I believe John O'Donnell #1 was born in Dingle as his sister Ellen's marriage record lists a birth place of Dingle, Ireland. You probably have seen the christening records which have been posted in response to some queries on the web. These Dingle christening records appear to match up with John #1 and do not appear to be applicable to John O'Donnell #2. I have not researched any military records to date, so I don't know which John O'Donnell may have been in the American Civil War of 1861-1865. Do you have documentation? I hope this helps. From this information are you able to determine which John O'Donnell is part of your family? Which of the John's children is your great grandfather or great grandmother? Regards, Joan O'Donnell