I am related to the first priest appointed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Rev. Patrick O'Neill, of Kilkenny, Ireland. At least, I'm trying to prove my connection to him. I am seeking deaths and burials of my ancestor, his brother, Thomas O'Neill, about 1859. Patrick served in Charleston from 1838 - 1865. I know that two of their sisters were with Patrick in 1850 and 1860 and served as witnesses for marriages he performed. Another brother, Walter, is buried at St. Lawrence, having died in 1859 and been buried there by Patrick, though there are no death records for him at the church. My grandmother came to Charleston in the 1960's and was told by someone that her ancestors were buried "under the church". We didn't know exactly what that meant and subsequent research in Charleston, both at the church and at the Diocese, drew blanks. However, I have recently corresponded with a descendant of the architect of the 'new' sanctuary of St. Patrick's, built in 1888 following the earthquake, and he said that the church was built on a floating foundation and that he had seen a cemetery below the church, complete with tombstones. This was done by order of the bishop at that time. Isn't that fascinating? I don't believe that many people there in Charleston know about this. I wonder if those graves are even documented in the church records? Could my missing Thomas O'Neill and his wife be there? How would I go about trying to gain access to this cemetery? Does anyone out there have any knowledge of this or advice on how to proceed? I'm ready to take a big flashlight, some bat deterrent and head for Charleston and St. Patrick's tomorrow! However, I am aware of the sanctity of the location and the sensitivity with which some might view this information. When I was there a few years ago, I met the church historian, named Joan Mack. The e-mail address I had for her no longer works. The priest was new. I am anxious to be advised... Julie O'Neil Perkins Coweta Co., Newnan, GA

Julie, I have family buried under the addition to the 1st Scots Presbyterian Church in Charleston. I was told when I visited there that they do not have the records. They had my gggrandfather on the records but none of the others. I do know they are there by the death certs but the church has no records. Have you been in touch with Mary Giles with the diocese? She was most helpful to me on a burial at St. Lawrence. Her e-mail is mgiles@catholic-doc.org Pat "Julie O. Perkins" wrote: > I am related to the first priest appointed to St. Patrick's Catholic > Church, Rev. Patrick O'Neill, of Kilkenny, Ireland. At least, I'm trying > to prove my connection to him. I am seeking deaths and burials of my > ancestor, his brother, Thomas O'Neill, about 1859. Patrick served in > Charleston from 1838 - 1865. I know that two of their sisters were with > Patrick in 1850 and 1860 and served as witnesses for marriages he > performed. Another brother, Walter, is buried at St. Lawrence, having died > in 1859 and been buried there by Patrick, though there are no death records > for him at the church. > > My grandmother came to Charleston in the 1960's and was told by someone > that her ancestors were buried "under the church". We didn't know exactly > what that meant and subsequent research in Charleston, both at the church > and at the Diocese, drew blanks. However, I have recently corresponded > with a descendant of the architect of the 'new' sanctuary of St. Patrick's, > built in 1888 following the earthquake, and he said that the church was > built on a floating foundation and that he had seen a cemetery below the > church, complete with tombstones. This was done by order of the bishop at > that time. > > Isn't that fascinating? I don't believe that many people there in > Charleston know about this. I wonder if those graves are even documented in > the church records? Could my missing Thomas O'Neill and his wife be there? > How would I go about trying to gain access to this cemetery? Does anyone > out there have any knowledge of this or advice on how to proceed? I'm ready > to take a big flashlight, some bat deterrent and head for Charleston and > St. Patrick's tomorrow! However, I am aware of the sanctity of the > location and the sensitivity with which some might view this information. > > When I was there a few years ago, I met the church historian, named Joan > Mack. The e-mail address I had for her no longer works. The priest was new. > I am anxious to be advised... > > Julie O'Neil Perkins > Coweta Co., Newnan, GA > > ==== SCCHARLE Mailing List ==== > Another 'MUST' for South Carolina genealogical research > South Carolina Department of Archives and History > http://www.state.sc.us/scdah/