Sarah Walsh from Newport, County Mayo, Ireland [Archive] - Genealogists' Forum

sandramudd

26-07-14, 18:12

I am trying to find information on my paternal grandmother's family. I have information after she arrived in the U.S. but it seems as if she didn't exist before she boarded The Servia. All the information I have on Sarah is as follows:
Sarah Walsh
Daughter of Martin Walsh (from her death certificate)
b. 1 Nov 1879 in Newport, County, Mayo, Ireland
sailed from Queenstown, Ireland aboard The Servia on 27 April 1898
arrived in New York on 6 June 1898
8 June 1900 US census in St. Louis, Missouri working as a servant
1900 married Charles C. Cottingham in St. Louis, MO
7 Dec 1902 son Robert C. Cottingham was born (d. 1 May 1927)
6 July 1904 son Charles Melvin Cottingham was born (d. 20 Aug 1930)
5 Oct 1906 son John C. Cottingham was born (d. 13 Nov 1923)
15 July 1908 son Thomas Vincent “Vince” Cottingham was born (d. 28 Aug 1951)
19 April 1910 US census living in St. Louis, MO
17 Dec 1910 husband Charles died
About 1912 Sarah married Joseph Griffiths
1913 daughter Mary Griffiths was born
8 Jan 1920 US census living in St. Louis, MO
4 April 1930 US census living in St. Louis, MO
1932-1933-1935 listed with family in St. Louis city directory
1 April 1940 US census living in St. Louis, MO
6 Nov 1957 Sarah died
8 Nov 1957 buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis

I don’t know how to find out if she was naturalized. I’ve had no luck finding her in Ireland. Walsh is a very common name there. So are Martin, Sarah & Bridget (her sister who paid for her passage).

kiterunner

26-07-14, 18:45

Was her husband either born in the US or naturalized, Sandra? If he was a US citizen then I think she would have obtained citizenship by marrying him.

Janet

26-07-14, 19:02

Don't know if it helps or not, but the ship's manifest says that she is going to her sister in Scranton, PA (Pennsylvania). The street looks like W. Washington something-or-other. Can anyone make out the sister's first name? I can't say I really see Bridget. Did she have another sister over here?

EDIT: Or it could be 20 Washington rather than W. Washington.

sandramudd

26-07-14, 20:43

Yes. My grandfather was born in Georgia in the US.

The only information I have on her birth family is a sister named Bridget from the ship's manifest & her father's name of Martin Walsh from her death certificate.

Mary from Italy

26-07-14, 21:37

Can anyone make out the sister's first name? I can't say I really see Bridget.

It looks like it's been abbreviated to B/dgt.

Mary from Italy

26-07-14, 21:50

Do you have her marriage certificate? That should have both parents' names (at least it does in other states; I'm not familiar with Missouri records).

sandramudd

26-07-14, 21:55

No. I just looked it up on the internet to order a copy & I have to go the St. Louis City Hall. Didn't know it would have the parents names on it, just wanted a copy for my records. I will go there next Friday when I'm off work. It seems that in St. Louis you have to go in person to get it.

Mary from Italy

26-07-14, 22:05

Her death cert's here if anyone wants to see it:

http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/deathcertificates/Results.asp?type=advance&tLName=griffith&tFName=sara&sCounty=St.%20Louis%20City&tYear=1957&radSearch=Starts&radFNSearch=Starts&sMonth=all

Mary from Italy

26-07-14, 22:11

No. I just looked it up on the internet to order a copy & I have to go the St. Louis City Hall. Didn't know it would have the parents names on it, just wanted a copy for my records.

I think it should be useful if you're not too far from St Louis to call in to City Hall.

This page tells you about the information you can find in Missouri marriage certs:

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1171

I have tried searching for Sarah's marriages on Ancestry and familysearch, but I haven't found anything so far. Familysearch doesn't seem to have St Louis records yet, but Ancestry does.

sandramudd

26-07-14, 22:55

St. Louis is not very generous about sharing & not always easy to work with. I was hoping to buy it online, but you have to go in person. They don't accept credit cards or personal, just cash, money order or cashiers check. Also I will have to go through their index & find the exact date of the marriage.

I had to go 2 years ago to get a copy of my marriage license, his death certificate & my 2nd marriage license in order to renew my driver's license That was a fun day.

sandramudd

26-07-14, 23:01

Most of the counties in Missouri let you order online or by phone. St. Louis City is an independent city, not part of any county & they don't allow phone or online inquiries. I already tried. Reason? Because they don't take credit cards or personal checks & you can't give them cash or money order by phone or online.

Mary from Italy

26-07-14, 23:09

How annoying!

sandramudd

26-07-14, 23:21

For some reason on the 1900-1910 US census, my grandfather (or whoever gave the information) said he was born in Canada & that his parents were born in Ireland. On his death certifica my grandmother said that he was born in Canada & that his parents were born in England & that their names were Robert Cottingham & Mary Edwards. That was what I went by for 34 years searching for his family. Not too long ago, I was looking at the death certificates for their four sons & saw that one of them the only one with information given by my grandmother) said that he was born in Waycross Georgia. One other one said he was born in Georgia. One said he was born in Canada & one sad he was born in Ireland. A couple of months ago I found him & his, his parents & siblings living in Waycross, Georgia. He was there in the 1880 census & in St. Louis in the 1900 census; the 1890 census reports all burned so nothing is available for that year. I have no idea why there were all the lies. Since she was actually from Ireland, she would have known that he wasn't & apparently 7 years after his death, she knew he was born in Waycross, Georgia. A lot of questions, but so far no answers.

sandramudd

26-07-14, 23:24

During World War I, all residents who were not born in the US had to register with the federal government. I have sent for her file hoping that it will provide some answers. It is supposed to have been filled out by her & should supply the names of her parents & other family members, her date & place of birth & other information. It has been 4 weeks but the government doesn't get in much of a hurry. Hope they can find her file.

Merry

27-07-14, 07:49

I had been wondering about those census entries stating Canada for your grandfather!

I agree it's most disconcerting when what appears to be complete misinformation is given and the reasons for it are completely unclear.

I hope you get that file soon and the picture clears a little when you read the content!!!

When you found your grandfather in Waycross in 1880 did he have parents Robert and Mary as suggested by your grandmother?

sandramudd

27-07-14, 09:00

His father was Robert T. Cottingham, but his mother was Angelina L. Davis. Robert was born in South Carolina & Angelina was born in Florida.

Shona

27-07-14, 11:07

Janet

27-07-14, 12:03

In Cathedral Cemetery on findagrave, only one Naughton comes up and she is a woman with apparent maiden name Naughton: Helen Naughton Hopkins, b. unknown d. Dec. 16, 2010. Findagrave says she was 101 years old.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Nau&GSiman=1&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=40&GScnty=2275&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=63042684&df=all&

There are several other Naughtons in the same county.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSfn=&GSmn=&GSln=Nau&GSiman=1&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSby=&GSdyrel=all&GSdy=&GScntry=4&GSst=40&GScnty=2275&GSgrid=&df=all&GSob=n

There is one Caviston in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSob=c&GSsr=601&GScid=44535&GRid=83832665&

There are a lot of other Cavistons in other cemeteries in the same county.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSln=Cav&GSiman=1&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=40&GScnty=2275&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GSsr=81&df=all&

FYI, what looks like "Sack" on that death cert must be "Lack" and stands for Lackawanna County.

kiterunner

27-07-14, 15:56

FamilySearch has the birth of a Michael Walshe 10 Apr 1880 at Glenadagh, Ireland, parents Martin Walshe and Anne Caviston Walshe. Glenadagh also seems to be in County Mayo. Of course he can't be Sarah's brother if her date of birth is correct. Nor Bridget's brother if she was born in 1880 (unless they were twins). But it could be that some of the birthdates are wrong.

sandramudd

27-07-14, 18:24

I have looked for Bridget in Scranton on a very limited basis. That was before I found my grandfather's birth family. Now I'm back to my grandmother, Sarah.

It seems like there were a lot of women named Bridget Walsh in Scranton, several with father listed as Martin.

Shona, just out of curiosity, why did you pick this woman? Thought I might pick up a hint from you.

I will check into the Naughton family & see what I can find. I'll let you know.

Thanks to all of you.

Shona

27-07-14, 19:04

I was curious about that particular Bridget Walsh because I couldn't eliminate her. I'll find the notes I made earlier and do a recap as to why I felt others could be eliminated.

Merry

28-07-14, 09:41

Could Sarah's sister, Bridget, provide any clues?

I was intrigued by this death record in Scranton, PA, in 1920 for Bridget Naughton. She was 40 and had been born in Ireland. Father named as Martin Walsh
, b Ireland, and mother as Ann, also b Ireland. The surname is unclear...Ancestry have it as Caristin.

http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/5164/41381_2421406260_0614-00334/932609?backurl=http%253a%252f%252fsearch.ancestry. co.uk%252fcgi-bin%252fsse.dll%253findiv%253d1%2526db%253dpadeath collection%2526rank%253d1%2526new%253d1%2526MSAV%2 53d1%2526msT%253d1%2526gss%253dangs-d%2526gsfn%253dAnn%2526gsfn_x%253dNN%2526gsln%253d Caristin%2526gsln_x%253dNN%2526cpxt%253d1%2526catB ucket%253drstp%2526uidh%253dfpy%2526cp%253d12%2526 pcat%253d34%2526fh%253d0%2526h%253d932609%2526reco ff%253d44%252b45%2526ml_rpos%253d1&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord

That would be this lady:

NAUGHTON, MICHAEL, MRS.

Mrs. Michael Naughton, 40, 534 Ferdinand at, yesterday, husband Michael, ch- Ella, John, James, Michael and Mary Naughton. Funeral Thursday, services Holy Rosary, burial Cathedral cemetery

- excerpt, Scranton Times, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1920

I can see them on the 1910 and 1920 census but I can't view the pages as I don't have any sub covering the US.

Mary from Italy

28-07-14, 11:51

That Bridget does look like a possibility.

1910:
Michael Naughton, head, 45, born Ireland, immigrated 1890, coal miner, married 9 years
Bridget A Naughton, 30, wife, born Ireland, both parents born Ireland, immigrated 1896, married 9 years
Children John J, James P, Michael F, Helen, Mary and Catherine, all born Pennsylvania and aged between 3 months and 8 yrs.
Living at 354 Ferdinand Street, Scranton.

1920:
Michael Naughton, head, 46, born Ireland, immigration date illegible but could be 1867 or 1887, coal miner
Bridget A Naughton, 39?, wife, born Ireland, both parents born Ireland, immigration date hard to read, but probably 1896, alien (ie. not naturalised)
Children Helen, John, James, Michael and Mary, all born Pennsylvania and aged between 10 and 18.
Living at same address.

Shona

28-07-14, 11:58

1910

Michael Naughton, 45, coal miner
Bridget, 30,
John, 7
James, 5
Michael, 2
Helen, 8
Mary, 1
Catherine 3 months

Michael and Bridget were both born in Ireland, had been married nine years and had six of their seven children alive. His immigration year was 1890 while hers was 1896.

1920

Michael Naughton, 46, coal miner,
Bridget, 39
Helen, 18
John, 16
James, 15
Michael,12
Mary, 10

EDIT: Snap, Mary!

Mary from Italy

28-07-14, 12:01

I can't find a marriage for Michael and Bridget on familysearch, although there is a marriage in 1946 for their son James, same address as above, giving Bridget's maiden name as Walsh:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12381-35837-98

Shona

28-07-14, 12:11

I've been playing around with the free index searches on Roots Ireland.

Sarah Walsh

- 535 births/baptisms.
- 102 in Co Mayo.
- 4 hits for Sarahs with Martin registered as the father.
- The 4 hits break down as follows...one born in 1823, a civil registration and baptism in 1869, a birth in 1872

If I just look birth registrations for Sarah Walsh in Newport, there are three - 1872, 1876 and 1877 - but none with a father named Martin.

Shona

28-07-14, 12:12

Mary from Italy

28-07-14, 12:16

I tried similar searches of Irish records a couple of days ago, and didn't find anything for Sarah in Co. Mayo, although there are one or two Bridget Walshes with father Martin born around the right time.

I can't find an obvious candidate for Bridget in 1900.

Shona

28-07-14, 12:25

This is also from the index search on Roots Ireland.

Bridget Walsh
17 birth registrations for Bridget Walsh in Newport. However, none have a father named Martin.

Shona

28-07-14, 12:38

OK. The Bridget who married Michael Naughton was the daughter of Martin Walsh and Ann Caviston, according to her death cert.

I've found the following birth registrations in Mayo - none in Newport, though, to Michael Walsh and Ann nee Cavsiton:

Jame - 1871
Ellen - 1876
Patrick - 1877
Michael - 1880
Maria - 1882
Peter - 1884

I found an Ann Cavsiton marrying in 1875 in Co Mayo. There are a number of marriages for men named Martin Walsh. However, one of those registrations is also for 1875.

Doesn't tie in with the 1871 birth above (unless there is a transcription mistake). There is also a distinct lack of daughters named Sarah or Bridget!

Shona

28-07-14, 13:40

When Sarah entered the USA in 1898, she gave officials the name of her sister, Bridget, in Scranton, PA. Therefore, she is more likely to be in Scranton for the 1900 census than later ones.

There are two Irish-born women named Bridget Walsh in Scranton in 1900 - both boarders at the same address. Both had been in the USA for four years. Both give 1896 as their year of immigration. One is a cook and the other a laundress. The only difference is that one was 23 and born in June 1896 and the other was 25 and born in February 1875.

Merry

28-07-14, 15:11

There's another Bridget, servant to Samuel T Jones in 1900 and 1910. She's b abt 1869 Ireland.

Shona

28-07-14, 15:27

There's another Bridget, servant to Samuel T Jones in 1900 and 1910. She's b abt 1869 Ireland.

That Bridget states that she has been in the USA for 15 years in 1900.

Merry

28-07-14, 15:44

I didn't know that mattered! Do we know how long Bridget was supposed to have been in the US?

Shona

28-07-14, 18:15

Do we know for certain that she was born in Newport? It is listed as her last known residence when she went to the USA.

Merry

28-07-14, 18:38

I keep looking at the Ann and Martin Walsh who are from Mayo and living in Newport, Shopshire!!!

kiterunner

28-07-14, 19:17

The 1899 city directory for Scranton has a Bridget Walsh, liquors, at 919 N Washington av. (The address for Bridget when Sarah arrived in the US is something Washington something, Scranton.) But the 1900 US census doesn't have an address search on ancestry and it would take me too long to find it with my mobile broadband connection on holiday.