We have had a productive couple of days in Dublin and enjoying the Republic of Ireland’s bustling capital.
Today we head Northeast of Dublin to Longford where we will continue our search for Michael E.
My wife, Lisa, and I are heading to Aghamore Upper in County Longford hoping we find the property and cemetery for James & Bridget Lee (Michael E’s parents).
Finding exact locations, addresses or coordinates have been a challenge. We are getting closer.
It seems a part of our journey is realizing that the Irish are great story tellers and the stories are not always factual. It depends on what story the story teller heard or how much Guinness they’ve consumed when telling the story.
Record keeping is similar and sketchy due to merged family names and terrible penmanship. Again, it may be the Guinness.
From what we have gathered so far, it appears that Michael E’s grandfather may have been Patt who worked the farm in Aghamore Upper before his son James bought a portion of it. Any clarity on that will be welcomed. All we have to this point is Lot 14B on a Valuation map.
From County Longford we plan to head southwest through County Roscommon. Somewhere in this region is the home of Mary Gallagher who Michael Edward Sexton married in Lower Manhattan years later.
The biggest challenge thus far is identifying where to find accurate records; properties, cemeteries, church name and locations for marriages and baptisms, etc.
From Roscommon we head to Cobh (formerly Queenstown) to see what sailing records we can find. We are assuming that Mary Gallagher (who sailed in 1888) and Michael Edward (1891) went to Castle Gardens in NY from Queenstown rather than from Galway.
Queenstown is where the majority of journeys to America began for millions of Irish men and women.
(Continue on to In Search of Michael E – Part 3)
As we head out of Dublin later this morning, please send up any prayers since this will be my first time driving on the left side of the road. Pray for the others on the road (and sidewalks) as well
MikeSextonNC 