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This is just a rough draft. In the very near future, a more complete and detailed family tree will be posted for the O'Mara line.
Johanna Quinn & Michael O'Mara were married on September 8, 1845 in Tipperary, Ireland. Their first child, John Joseph O'Mara was born in October of the following year.
Family oral history (from two sides of the family) dictates that Michael travelled to America with a cousin, Clarence Mackey, a few years later. Johanna and little John, then about 3 years old, followed a few months later.
According to the 1900 census, they arrived in New York City in 1850.
Only one Passenger List that I have found in 5 years of research contains a Johanna O'Mara and a child, John O'Mara.
It is the List of Passengers travelling on the "Niagara" which arrived in New York Harbor on September 12, 1850. And yet, a few months earlier, the "Baron Vey" arrived in New York on July 12, 1850. On board was a Michael O'Mara, who was travelling with several O'Mara's, but not a "Mackey".
If the Niagara is the correct ship or even if it isn't, can you imagine the voyage? In 1850, the trip across the Atlantic took weeks, even months. Johanna was with her son, who was almost 4 years old.
According to a tape of Johanna's granddaughter, who has since passed away, Johanna's father was a squire, "of the gentry." Her parents were not too pleased with her marriage to Michael.
How did she feel leaving her home? Her parents and family? Not knowing if she would ever see them again? Was she frightened at the thought of travelling with her little boy, by herself? Would life be better in America? Would her family in Ireland survive the Famine?
Imagine arriving in New York City in 1850. Only 4 days after your 5th wedding anniversary. Imagine the relief of finding your husband, whom you haven't seen in months, in a crowd of people, after travelling the open ocean as steerage....
These two people gave rise to tens of people, of which I am only one. In each of us you can find a little of Johanna's spirit. To face what frightens us, and overcome the difficult. And that she did.....
Michael died of pneumonia in May, 1864, after serving two years in the Union Army. Johanna was a widow for almost 40 years. She died on June 11, 1903 in Brooklyn. John also served in the Union during the Civil War.
This page is not nearly what it should be...only so far a meager attempt to share what I have found with family and friends.
If you are a fellow researcher and you see a coincidence or two....I am more than willing to share. If you are Jim C. (of Hicksville), I've been trying to contact you....please email me!
If you're family and want something added or removed, just let me know....remember, this is just a draft (and I have two young kids!)
In the future, you will also find more trees here....including Fitzroy and Ganley (Brooklyn, NY), Martin (Mississppi), and Engle/Ingle(s) (Louisiana).
Many thanks to fellow researchers who have contributed in many ways. Special thanks to my Grand-Aunts, Alice & Eunice (who are like my surrogate Grandmas)
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