Researching Ireland has been, by far, the most difficult endeavor to date. Access to records in this Country are either restricted or simply missing. Many Parish and census records were reportedly lost to fires or deliberately destroyed. However, I have begun to experience some success.
Of the 4 GG grandparents known to have come from Ireland, I have finally found actual data belonging to one; Alice Gregory McGreevy. Alice is known to have lived in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York. I knew her parents had emigrated, too, and lived in Watertown.
Alice's parents were John and Ann(neé Bellew) Gregory. I have learned this couple had 8 children born in Ireland. All but the oldest emigrated to New York. The oldest child, named Alice, had reportedly died in Ireland at 8 yrs of age. There are differing records of actual emigration dates. And until i locate actual passenger manifests i will have to say some time around 1853-1855. Researching this group remains fluid and changes and updates are sure to come. But this much i know to be true:
John and Ann Gregory are found in the 1821 Ireland census living in Nevinstown townsland, Donaghmore Parish, in County Meath. Also in the home are their 3 oldest children; Alice, Christopher and Mary. John is listed as a linen weaver and a tenant.
Of the 4 GG grandparents known to have come from Ireland, I have finally found actual data belonging to one; Alice Gregory McGreevy. Alice is known to have lived in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York. I knew her parents had emigrated, too, and lived in Watertown.
Alice's parents were John and Ann(neé Bellew) Gregory. I have learned this couple had 8 children born in Ireland. All but the oldest emigrated to New York. The oldest child, named Alice, had reportedly died in Ireland at 8 yrs of age. There are differing records of actual emigration dates. And until i locate actual passenger manifests i will have to say some time around 1853-1855. Researching this group remains fluid and changes and updates are sure to come. But this much i know to be true:
John and Ann Gregory are found in the 1821 Ireland census living in Nevinstown townsland, Donaghmore Parish, in County Meath. Also in the home are their 3 oldest children; Alice, Christopher and Mary. John is listed as a linen weaver and a tenant.
The family is listed under house #13 in the census above.
John Gregory is then found in 1825 on a tithing record in the neighboring Parish of Martry, show in the above record as #54.
While reading history books about Jefferson County, New York, I came across this gold mine shown below.
Based on the sources from Ireland and New York, we know the following:
John Gregory b. 1783 in County Meath/d. 1867 Watertown, New York
Ann Bellew b. 1792 in County Meath/d. 1879 Watertown, New York Both buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Watertown, New York; section 1, lot 61.
the children of John and Ann Gregory:
1: Alice b. 1814/d. 1822 County Meath, Ireland
2: Christopher b. 1817 County Meath/d. 1895 Watertown, New York.
He married Eliza Gleason and had 7 children in Watertown.
3: Mary b. 21, November 1818 County Meath/d. 1, January 1897 Battle Creek, Michigan
She was married twice: first to David Smith, with whom she had 2 children. Then to Patrick Hickey.
4: Samuel b. 1826 County Meath/d. 14, January 1889 Watertown, New York
He was married to Bridget Flannigan. I cannot confirm children.
5: George W b. 1828 County Meath/d. 10, April 1915 Watertown, New York
He was married to Ellen Crawford and had 7 children.
6: Sarah b. October 1831 County Meath/d. 16, October 1910 New Boston, Lewis County, New York
She was married to John Kelley and had 6 children. This family lived in Lewis County, New York.
7: Alice b. 1832 County Meath/d. 21, March 1909 Adams, Mower County, Minnesota
She married Martin McGreevy and had 7 boys. This family moved to Adams, Minnesota.
8: Charles b. 12, December County Meath/d. 5, May 1910 Carthage, New York
He married Margaret Monaghan and had 5 children.
John Gregory b. 1783 in County Meath/d. 1867 Watertown, New York
Ann Bellew b. 1792 in County Meath/d. 1879 Watertown, New York Both buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Watertown, New York; section 1, lot 61.
the children of John and Ann Gregory:
1: Alice b. 1814/d. 1822 County Meath, Ireland
2: Christopher b. 1817 County Meath/d. 1895 Watertown, New York.
He married Eliza Gleason and had 7 children in Watertown.
3: Mary b. 21, November 1818 County Meath/d. 1, January 1897 Battle Creek, Michigan
She was married twice: first to David Smith, with whom she had 2 children. Then to Patrick Hickey.
4: Samuel b. 1826 County Meath/d. 14, January 1889 Watertown, New York
He was married to Bridget Flannigan. I cannot confirm children.
5: George W b. 1828 County Meath/d. 10, April 1915 Watertown, New York
He was married to Ellen Crawford and had 7 children.
6: Sarah b. October 1831 County Meath/d. 16, October 1910 New Boston, Lewis County, New York
She was married to John Kelley and had 6 children. This family lived in Lewis County, New York.
7: Alice b. 1832 County Meath/d. 21, March 1909 Adams, Mower County, Minnesota
She married Martin McGreevy and had 7 boys. This family moved to Adams, Minnesota.
8: Charles b. 12, December County Meath/d. 5, May 1910 Carthage, New York
He married Margaret Monaghan and had 5 children.
