Note to the Reader: Under the photos division of this memorial are two (2) maps, one displays a highlighted outline of civil parishes mentioned on 2 sheets, the other a part copy of a Dublin City Street Map with a red star by each address mentioned herein on 1 sheet with a cut & paste add-in. In brief, these maps are intended as an adjunct in geographically associating the names and places identified within this real-life narrative. It may be best to open the maps in order and in the lower righthand corner select “View Original”, this will cause a new tab to open of a larger copy; clicking on it again will enlarge it further. Then, when reading the memorial, it would simply be a matter of clicking a map tab to see the referenced locale. The highlighted parishes were accessed at Townlands.ie from Ireland Reaching Out. The street map is from GeoHive.ie accessed through the great site of John Grenham, a wealth of information. Finally, a debt of gratitude and appreciation goes to Clare Cullen of Dublin City, who was able to access and cheerfully provide certain clips of birth, baptismal, marriage and or death documents the writer could not readily find available or access here in the U.S. Sláinte agus sonas!

ANCESTRAL BEGINNINGS IN IRELAND
GREAT-GRANDPARENTS
Mary Louisa’s great-grandparents were James (Latin: Jacobus) and Catherine Haskins and maternally John and Mary Duff who were residing at 100 Thomas Street in Dublin City at the time of her grandfather’s birth [say, c.1835-41, (p) 1839].

Thomas St. is in the parish of St. Catherine’s and Francis St, an address that appears later within this memorial, is in the adjoining parish of St. Nicholas Without, which generally extends N-S along St. Catherine’s eastside. Francis St. runs NNW starting from The Coombe up to and ending at Thomas St.. Nos. 1 to 149 are in St. Nicholas’, while 150 to 158 are in St. Catherine’s. (Refer to Thom’s Almanac and Official Directory for the Year Ended 1862, see: https://www.libraryireland.com/Dublin-Street-Directory-1862/Home.php). For clarification: there is a St. Nicholas Within, which was inside the old city walls, and the one herein, which was outside Dublin city walls, i.e., St. Nicholas Without. Up until 1707, St. Nicholas Without and St. Luke’s were included under the St. Nicholas Within parish.

Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO) has a terse, easy read about the metes and bounds of St. Catherine’s parish. “St. Catherine’s Dublin represents the civil district area, as historically apportioned, located over approximately the same boundaries of the St. Catherine's (Church of Ireland) parish and the St. Catherine's (Roman Catholic) parish. An area similar to that known as The Liberties (previously just outside the walls to the west of Dublin) now covering an area approximately from Thomas St. in the north to Rathmines southeasterly.”

Its’ history is summarized as “St. Catherine’s Dublin is a triple parish district, encompassing a diverse history which includes the peoples of St. Catherine’s (Church of Ireland), St. Catherine's (Roman Catholic), and the St. Catherine’s civil parish designation. The area was also home to an independent minded diversity, part of The Liberties, being located just outside the ancient city wall of Dublin, which included many Flemish, Lutheran, and Jewish trades persons, with early industries including silk weaving, woolens, brewing, and international trade. Banking concerns under the Earl of Meath provided the first loans to women and minors. Jameson’s early distillery was in the district, as well as many of the original family brewers which were consolidated into the Guinness brand. Robert Emmet is associated with the area, as was part of the greater St. James' parish, canal enterprises, and military recruiting grounds.”

I have, so far, not been able to find the place of birth of her great-grandparents. But, after hours of research, I sensed possibly they may have genetic roots around the regional area where lower Co. Monaghan melds into Co. Louth, by the corners of Cavan and Meath. I was thinking particularly at or around the vicinity of Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, specifically at or around the triangular area of Counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath, extending a short distance into Co. Louth around the general area of Ardee. And, a lower possibility down to greater historic Navan toward Dublin. IF not, that would leave Counties Monaghan and Louth. Just an instinctual sensing during mid-year 2020.

Here’s an analysis toward investigating this hypothesis. My Ancestry DNA testing, besides a general Central Ireland community with a sole lower tier breakdown of “Leinster & Connacht”, indicates 3 lower tier communities within their general “Ulster” community: 1. Monaghan, 2. South Monaghan and 3. Monaghan & Louth. My mother’s side, McElroy, has long ancestral roots around Cornanure, NW of Ballybay and, her Markey & Prunty side, further NE around Annayalla, Co. Monaghan. The Ancestry mapped oblong curve/loop for “3. Monaghan & Louth”, captures the South Monaghan circle, the NE half of the Monaghan circle (outside that half which encircles Cavan towns near their common border); and, it fully encapsulates the triangular area and its appendage described in the foregoing paragraph, and extends down to Julianstown, just north of Balbriggan. My test results, even for my Central Ireland community loop. do not extend down to Dublin, going southeasterly only as far as around Julianstown in Co. Dublin, a few miles south of the border with Louth. So, for the time being, that rules out Dublin. Julianstown and the Cullen surname is a discussion, which I have, for another place and time.

Mary Louisa’s great-grandfather James Haskins likely had at least one brother, William, possibly another named Matthew who, in turn, may have been named after their father, and maybe a sister named Catherine.

1821 CENSUS OF IRELAND
In pursuit of the Haskins and Duffs, I did a search of the 1821 Census of Ireland. The records available for the 1821 Census of Ireland are of Counties Antrim, Carlow, Cavan, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kilkenny, King’s, Limerick, Mayo and Meath. A search of these records for Haskins yielded no returns. By itself, we may be able to deduce – by simply noting that the enumerated counties do not include Louth and Monaghan and, on the face of it, exclude Counties Cavan and Dublin as they were included. Thus, likely best to take this as a soft rather than a hard deduction.

A search for “Duff” (pronounced as Duffy), Mary Louisa’s other paternal great-grandmother, yielded 111 results. Of these, 2 were in Kings County (Co. Offaly today) a duplication of the same record, 28 were in Co. Cavan, while all of the remaining 81 were in Co. Meath.

Of Cavan’s 28, this number was halved by duplicates. There were 5 families, 1 of just 1 person, another 3 & the 2 remaining each comprised of 5 people. These were in 3 Civil Parishes: 4 people in Kilmore outside Cavan town to the WSW, 5 people in Munterconnaught outside of Virginia to the SE, and 5 people in Mullagh outside Virginia to the NE. I have an analysis for the Cullen surname around Virginia, Mt. Nugent and Arvagh, all around the SE area of Co. Cavan, under Edward Cullen’s memorial (No. 19874448), the father of Mary Louisa’s husband Frank Cullen. Recent Ancestry DNA testing of my nephew Patrick Lawrence, my dear late brother Larry’s son, shows this area outside of his Irish DNA.

As to Co. Meath, with the exception of one 5-year-old Bridget living with her two Murray uncles (pig jobbers) & aunt in Donaghmore (c.
At first read, this exercise may appear to have been for naught. To the contrary. By indication, for finding ancestral roots, it places Counties Cavan and Meath results of the 1821 Census in abeyance for the Duff & Haskins side of our family, i.e., that side of our paternal grandmother, Mary Louisa. However, as noted at the start of this section, the available 1821 Census does not have enumerations for Counties Monaghan and Louth, and other counties within the Provinces of Leinster, Munster and Connacht. Thus, further search attention will be directed in that direction. As an aside, there are Duffs in our mother’s side of the family – County Monaghan. Also, her maternal grandmother (Prunty) and great-grandmother (Markey) may possibly have some roots to Counties Meath and Louth. Similarly, Duff-Haskins may have roots to Louth and Monaghan.

IRELAND TITHE APPLOTMENT BOOKS, 1814-1855
The noted genealogic historian John Grenham provides a great summary of the Tithe Applotment Books: “The Composition Act (1823) specified that tithes due to the Established Church, the Church of Ireland, which had hitherto been payable in kind, should now be paid in money. As a result, it was necessary to carry out a valuation of the entire country, civil parish by civil parish, to determine how much would be payable by each landholder. This was done over the ensuing fifteen years, up to the suspension of tithe payments in 1838. Not surprisingly, those who were not members of the Church of Ireland fiercely resented tithes, all the more so because the tax was not payable on all land; the exemptions produced spectacular inequalities. In parts of Munster, for instance, tithes were payable on potato patches but not on grassland, with the result that the poorest had to pay most. The exemptions also mean that the Tithe Books are not comprehensive. Apart from the fact that they omit entirely anyone not in occupation of land, certain categories of land, varying from area to area, are simply passed over in silence. They are emphatically not a full list of householders. Nonetheless, they do constitute the only countrywide survey for the period, and are valuable precisely because the heaviest burden of tithes fell on the poorest, for whom few other records survive.”

So, with that in mind, let’s see what we find for the surname of Haskins and the name John Duff. Haskins. A search of the Tithe Applotment Books limited to the counties Dublin, Louth, Meath, Cavan & Monaghan for Haskins returned only one result - William Haskins in Newtown Park, an area now commonly known as Newtown Castlebyrn, in the Civil Parish of Monkstown. He was on a 5+ acre parcel by the corner of Mail Coach Road. Ironically, the next listed townland is Whitehall with a John Cullen the only entry, on just over 3 acres. The Monkstown Applotment assessment is dated 6 October 1826. There were no returns among searched counties for a James/Jacob and or a Catherine Haskins.

Duff. A search of the Tithe Applotment Books limited to the counties Dublin, Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan for Duff returned 78 results: 35 Dublin, 7 Louth, 19 Meath, 7 Cavan and 10 Monaghan. Among these results, the name John Duff appears only thrice – 2 in Dublin and 1 in the Civil Parish of Magheracloone, Monaghan. Magheracloone is outside of & lies SE of Shercock, NE of Kingscourt and SW of Carrickmacross. Of the 2 in Dublin, one John Duff was in the townland Lanestown in the Civil Parish of Donabate, with slightly over 6 acres, this is the 8th entry for the parish. Interesting to note, that the 13th & 14th entries on this 1st page for Donabate is Thomas Duff with two parcels, one of some 8 acres, the other of 6 acres. I wonder if this is John’s father. This Applotment book is undated. However, in paging through a few pages more I saw a note with a date of April, 1829. The second Dublin result, is in the town land of Balstrawen within the Civil Parish of Santry, I believe the spelling is now Ballystruan; it’s c.4 miles north of the center of Dublin City. This result is coupled with a Rose Duff recorded as “to presentation of” John Duff of a 41-acre parcel. I’m not sure, but I take this as meaning something along the line of a trust by Rose to John; e.g., a mom to a son. The year of this Applotment is 1830. Note, there were no results for St. Catherine’s parish, nor St. Nicholas Without.

THE ORDINANCE AND GRIFFITH’S VALUATIONS
As stated in far greater detail within the memorial for Edward Cullen, father of Mary Louisa’s husband Frank, these valuations were conducted under the direction of Sir Richard Griffith. While commonly referred to as Griffith’s Valuations the proper name of each volume was titled General Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland. First referred to as the Townland Valuation, passed 1826 under provisions of an Act of Parliament, 7 Geo. IV. cap. 62. Griffith was appointed Commissioner of Valuation in 1827 and he set out about his tasks in 1830. A second valuation by townlands was called for by an 1836 amendment to the Valuation Act. The third valuation is known as The Ordnance or, more commonly, Griffith's Valuation that officially begun in the year 1852. However, Griffith was already conducting his valuations as enacted by this legislation. Valuations were released by County when they became available.

Haskins. A search for the surname Haskins yielded 59 records: 36 Wicklow,15 Cork, 3 Dublin, 2 in each Laois & Tipperary and 1 in Carlow. Of the 3 in Dublin, one was a Charles on 10+ acres with no buildings leased by Rev. John Shea in the townland of Kill on the Grange in the Civil Parish of Kill. The townland of Kill on the Grange keys seamlessly southeasterly to the Tithe Applotment Books’ Civil Parish of Monkstown townland Newtown Park (Newtown Castlebyrn) at its northwesterly portion. Both townlands are westerly of Monkstown & SSW of the larger town of Blackrock. The second Dublin result is a 75-acre parcel, over the Kill line into Newtown, is also for Charles, leased by a Mrs. Sandy. Additionally, Charles is shown as the immediate lessor of a 50-acre parcel to James Wilkinson, Esq. This later parcel is the third result. associated with the Haskins surname. These two parcels are identified in the field book as numbers 15 & 16. Both parcels are described as house, offices & yard.

Duff. A search of Griffith’s for Duff yielded 629 results of which 108 were in County Dublin, 10 of these were associated with a John Duff. One was in the parish of Monkstown, listed as the 1st tenement of a house & yard on Kelly’s Avenue with Thomas Kelly being the lessor with John Duff “& another” being the lessee. There are 2 in St. Peter’s parish, where Whitefriar lane intersects Aungier Street, lists a Sarah Price leasing a house & small yard from a David C. Latouche and John Duff; and a John Duff as a lodger in a house & small yard on Bride St. from a Francis Doyle. In St. Thomas’ parish, Mountjoy Ward, a John Duff as a lodger on Taaffe’s Place leasing from a Richard B. Taaffe. In Balrothery parish, Town of Balbriggan, on Dublin Street, was John Duff leasing a house and yard from James Comerford. In the parish of Holmpatrick, Town Parks of Sherries, a John Duff leasing 17+ acres from James Hamilton II. The parish of Garristown, Lower Commons, has an entry “Jno. Duff, or Bernd. Duff” leasing a house and land on parcel “a.”, just over an acre from a R.Q. Alexander, Esq. On parcel “b.” John Duff, Esq. and R.Q. Alexander, Esq. are the lessors to William Matthews So, these count as another 2 of the 10. The parish of Clontarf, on Green Lanes, a John Duff leasing a tenement consisting of a house, offices & garage, from a Richard Kinsey, Esq. Finally, in the parish of Booterstown, on Merrion Ave., at the Merrion House, was a John Duff leasing from Michael Connor, Esq.

Note, there were no results for St. Catherine’s parish. However, nota bene the John Duff on Bride Street leasing from a Francis Doyle (ironically, the name of my son’s father-in-law). Because he was in St. Peter’s civil parish, this John was actually living on New Bride Street, 1 to 3 blocks away from what would be a Haskins residence in 1890, several decades on, at 40 Bride St.

GRANDPARENTS
Now as to Mary Louisa’s grandparents, Matthew, a son of James’ & Catherine’s, married Teresa Mary Duff on 11th November 1860, My guesstimate is that they were both around, say, 18 to 27 in age, I’m using 21, for an approximate birth year of 1839 with a +2, -4 (1835-41) to increase probability confidence. That would roughly indicate their parents birth years, say, somewhere in the range of 1810 to 1815, using ages of c.45-50 at time of wedding. Note that while they were living on Francis St., within the narrow width parish of St. Nicholas Without, they were married in St. Catherine’s at Meath Street, the bride’s parish, as Teresa Mary’s family residence was on Thomas St..

Matthew & Teresa were living at 49 Francis St. in Dublin City and, a year later, at that address their first child was born, James, on August 25th, 1861. James was baptized the next day, at St. Nicholas Without, his Godparents are William & Catherine Haskins. On the 29th of April 1863 their second son, John was born. He was baptized at St. Nicholas (of Myra, built 1829-1834, dedicated 1835), with Godparents John Day and Mary Sullivan. A couple of years later, on the 9th of May 1865, their daughter Catherine was born and baptized on the next day by Father O'Sullivan. At this time the family was residing at 53 Francis St. Her Godparents are Francis Cook & Catherine Day. Note John Day as Godfather for John and Catherine Day for Catherine. I suspect that the surname Day is the maiden name of either Catherine Haskins or Mary Duff and Cooke the maiden name of the other. Another two years after that, at the same address, on May 22rd, 1867, daughter Mary Louisa was brought into this world. Fr. John Behan at St. Nicholas performed the baptismal the next day, Her Godparents are Francis Jos. Cooke and Sarah Cooke. Her birth was then recorded at Christchurch Cathedral (The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity) of the United Dioceses.

Unfortunately, all of these births were not without tragedy. John Haskins passed on at the age of 4 on July 3rd, 1867. Catherine passed on shortly after her birth. Mary Louisa was blind and spent her life with the Sisters of Charity on Merrion Road by the areas of Pembroke East & Donnybrook, in the Civil Parish of Donnybrook, southeasterly from the city’s center, just setback westward from the South Dublin Bay. The 1901 census records her as a border, age 34, and a knitter. She passed on the 27th of June 1948, at the same asylum. She is recorded as age 78 (vs. 81).

On the 5th of November 1868 Teresa Mary (Duff) Haskins passed on from double pneumonia and tuberculosis at the young age of 29. The family was residing at 11 Engine Alley, still in St. Catherine’s parish. I did find that on page 248 of Wills and Administrations 1871, she is shown as having passed on 11/08/1868, noting Matthew as a slater & house repairman.

Family Unit Re-Start
On October 14th, 1871 the widower Matthew was married to Helen Walsh by Father Joseph Whelan of St. Nicholas Without. Helen was residing at 43 Francis St. while Matthew was still at 53 Francis St. Helen was the daughter of Patrick & Bridget. The marriage was witnessed by Jacobus (James), possibly another brother of Matthew’s as his son would be 10-years-old, and Maria (Mary) Carney.

They were about 28 years from the turn of the century. Ironically, 28 years after the turn of the century, Matthew’s grandson and namesake, Matthew Haskins, having immigrated to New York, would record as a vocalist, accompanied with a violin, Mary Carney from Killarney on April 9th, 1928 at Manhattan’s upper eastside Liederkranz Hall. Refer to Matthew James Haskins memorial no. 107852260.

On the 28th of September 1872 Matthew & Helen welcomed into this world baby Sarah and her twin brother Michael. Michael sadly passed on in the 1870s. Soon, Matthew himself will have parted; I believe between July – September 1879, at age 41. Just over 50 years later, in August 1930, his grandson Matthew would pass on a month and a half shy of his 44th birthday.

PARENTS
Matthew’s & Teresa’s first born and still surviving child James was 19 when he married MaryAnne McDermott on February 20th, 1881 at St. Audeon's Church, Dublin City by Father Patrick Jones, witnesses were Patrick Ralph and Catherine Rowland. Sadly, James dad, Matthew, had already passed on [c.1879, (p) listed as Askins]. MaryAnne’s dad, William, was still living and was a car owner. James would turn 20 in 6 months’ time. James was residing at 3 St. Kevin’s St., while Mary Anne was at 53 Cook St., literally around the corner from the chapel and likely the McDermott residence. St. Audeon’s is a complex of the Church of Ireland, The Roman Catholic and a Polish Catholic chapel, on High St., just pass where Cornmarket ends, around the corner from Cook St.. While in James’ St. Peter’s parish, 3 St. Kevin’s is now 3 Kevin Street Lower, east of where The Coombe becomes Kevin Street Upper, just west of Aungier St., a few blocks west of St. Stephen’s Green.

Along its’ northside, St. Audeon’s civil parish runs along the west to east flowing historic River Liffey. Along its’ south side, it fits like a puzzle piece atop St. Catherine’s civil parish, with St. Audeon’s and St. Catherine’s parishes flanked along their eastsides by St. Nicholas (of Myra) Without parish. So, the McDermott family were residing around the same immediate vicinity as the Duffs. Watling St. runs N-S along St. Audeon’s westside from Usher’s Island down to Bonham St. Watling runs outside along the east side of Guinness Brewery of St. James Gate.

Their first born was William Matthew on the 28th of November 1881. He was baptized on the 6th of December at St. Audeon’s, as the young family was residing at 32 Cook St. As of mid-August 2020, I don’t have the particulars as to Godparents. Unfortunately, William Matthew would lose his life as a slater at the age of 19 on October 30th, 1900 causal to a base of skull fracture. Note that he was named after his mom’s dad and his father’s dad.

Their next child is James, regularly called by the nickname of Jamisey, was born in 1883; named after his father. More on James in the next section. On May 31st, 1885 they were blessed with the birth of Teresa at their 51 Bishop St. residence in St. Peter’s parish. However, she would return to heaven on the 18th that November. Their residence was on the northside of Kevin Street Lower and around the block on Bishop street (across from the Technological University) on the parish’s northern border. In September 1886, Matthew James was born; named after his paternal grandfather and father. More on Matthew in the next section.

Next, we come to the birth of this memorial’s Mary Louisa on September 11th, 1888 at 45 Harty Place, still in St. Peter’s civil parish. More on this at the start of the next section “Early Family Years in Dublin, Ireland”. It seems obvious that Mary Louisa was named after her dad’s blind sister.

On November 17, 1890, Michael Christopher arrived. Sadly, he would return to heaven about 6 months later on the 1st of May 1891. The family residence was now at 40 Bride St. in St. Bridget’s civil parish, across the street from the St. Patrick’s Cathedral complex, next door today to The National Archives.

The eastside of the top segment, above The Coombe, of St. Nicholas Without parish runs northward, for the most part, along Patrick St. with an upper segment crossing Patrick St. northwesterly to Ross St., forming a little stub-out. It is at this line where the top NW of St. Bridget’s parish fits in as a puzzle piece from just above Ross street, down through Bride Road along Patrick street’s eastside (adjoining St. Nicholas Without) to Bull Alley street where its border goes eastward to Bride street then down Bride St. to the corner of The National Archives with Bishop St., which it continues eastward. The fitting of these two puzzle pieces at their sides along Patrick St. of their top segments, leaves a void between Patrick St. on the westside and Bride street on the eastside from Bull Alley street down to Kevin Street Upper - - when going easterly, The Coombe becomes Kevin Street Upper when crossing Patrick street. The piece that fills this void is the civil parish of St. Patrick’s.

About two years later, still at 40 Bride, on April 16, 1893, the family had twins. First was Thomas Leo. But he returned 4 months later to heaven on the 16 of August. The second twin, Christopher Joseph would lead the way back to heaven, three months earlier, on the 3rd of May 1893. Both were not healthy since time of birth.

June 26, 1894 was the birth date for Peter. The family was still at 40 Bride St. Tragically, his earthly visit lasted only until January 21, 1900, still a child, not yet 6-years-of-age.

August 3rd, 1897 saw the birth of their last baby, Hubert. But his stay here was very brief just 2 months and 4 days. His birth was registered on September 16th, 1897 and records the family’s address at 12 Wexford St., a block down from where Kevin Street Lower turns into Cuffe St. on today’s R114, just WSW form St. Stephen’s Green, in St. Peter’s parish

So, out of ten children, only Jamisey, Matthew & Mary Louisa survived into the 20th Century, with the exception of Peter who passed on at the outset of the century. As this memorial will show, Mary Louisa “Mae” was indeed a survivor for all of her years here on earth.

EARLY FAMILY YEARS IN DUBLIN, IRELAND
As noted, Mary Louisa was born September 11th, 1888 to James & Mary Anne (McDermott) Haskins. At the time the family was residing at 45 Harty Place, Dublin City. She was Baptized a week later, on the 18th, at St. Kevin’s, 8 Harrington St., Dublin city, Dublin County. The priest was Father Matthew McEntee, the pastor, and a family surname she’ll be positively linked throughout her earthly life. Father McEntee was born in Dublin c.1850. He served at St. Kevin’s 1882-1892. Mary Louisa’s Godparents were James & Teresa Malone. She was named after her paternal aunt who, as mentioned, was blind but still living. This act must have brought her aunt a great positive internal feeling.

As stated in the previous section, St. Kevin’s Roman Catholic Parish is within the greater St. Peter’s Civil Parish. When Mary Louisa was baptized, St. Kevin’s was relatively new, having opened in 1872. Up until 1855, it was under the RC Parish of St. Catherine’s in The Liberties section of the city, up on Meath St., south of Thomas St., where the second church, dedicated 1858, at the location still stands (as of 2020). St. Kevin’s is setback from Harrington St., between Synge St. & Heytesbury St. on its westside. It is home to the Dublin Latin Mass Chaplaincy. When my brothers and I were children all masses were in Latin. It is known for its large grisaille (overlain translucent oil colors) stained glass. Three blocks north on Heytesbury, on Camden Row, with Liberty Lane on its eastside is where the Church of Ireland (COI) St. Kevin’s Church was sited. Originally a Roman Catholic church location going back, before the Protestant Reformation, to the 1200s, the last (COI) one built was mid-18th century, which was closed in 1912. It is now in ruins and is identified as a park area.

The 1901 Census of Ireland, return Form A, as of March 31st, 1901, shows the Haskins Family living at house number 42.3 on Cuffe St. of the Mansion House Ward in Dublin City, Dublin. Nos. 42 thru 44 Cuffe St. were tenements, west of the intersection of St. Stephen’s Green west and Harcourt Street, by the NE corner of Montague Place’s intersection with Cuffe Street. James, a slater, was 34 with wife Mary Anne 31. At home were sons Jamisey 18, also a slater, Matthew 15, an apprentice, and May age 12. All are recorded as being born in Dublin.

May's age fits to her 1888 birth year. However, this census indicates Matthew's birth year as 1885 or 1886 if his birthday is between January & the 31st of March; yet, we know it was in Sept. of ’86. Living with the Haskins were Mary Anne's unmarried sister Ellen age 25, a "factory girl" with her 16-18-month-old baby son Jos. McDermott. I suspect that Mary Louisa took Ellen as her Confirmation name after her mom’s sister Ellen, i.e., Aunt Ellen. I venture to guess that Aunt Ellen may well have been her Confirmation sponsor. Refer to Mattie Haskins’ memorial (no. 107852260) for an explanation of her brother’s name “Jamisey” v. “Jannisey”.

The McDermott- Haskins residence was across the street from where James, age 24, and Susan M. Cullen, age 23, resided with their 1-year old daughter Mary F.; it is recorded that Mary could not read or write yet – she was probably just being humble. John H. Daly, 38, was boarding with them. The Cullen residence was at 13 Cuffe Street, of Mansion House Ward, St. Peter’s Parish, in the South Dublin section of the City of Dublin. Nos. 13 thru 17 were tenements east of where Upper Mercer St. intersects & by the SW corner of the Cuffe Lane intersection.

Further crossing Montague Place from the McDermott-Haskins residence, going west, walking down toward the corner of Wexford St. with Cuffe, was the first family - 52 Cuffe, a 50 year old Anne Cullen, a dressmaker, with her 14 year old daughter Annie, living with their sister & Aunt Mary O’Reilly, a fish dealer, 52, her baker son Joseph, 19, and daughter Mary, 20, with her husband Thomas White, 25, a van driver. Both Anne and Mary are noted as widows.

FAMILY EMIGRATIONS TO NEW YORK AND DISCUSSION OF HER FORENAMES
Mary Louisa emigrated as Mary Ellen from her last residency in Dublin, Ireland (not the Irish Free State until 1922), to the U.S.A. in 1905. Correctly listed as being 17, she arrived at the Port of New York May 25th via the S.S. Teutonic, which sailed from Queenstown on May 18th, 1905. Her passage was paid for by her Aunt Mrs. McElroy who she listed as being at 320 West 40th St. in Manhattan, NYC, NY (refer to memorial 108280788). She arrived with $50, which was a considerable amount of money back then.

In going thru some census microfilm reels, I discovered this Aunt Mrs. McElroy is Teresa, wife of Lawrence McElroy. As well as living just blocks away from each other, I suspect that this Lawrence McElroy is a paternal 1st cousin of our maternal grandfather Michael Jas. McElroy and his siblings, noting especially his oldest brother by some 19 years, Larry (Lawrence) husband to Annie McElroy. Maybe both were named after their father’s father, id est, their paternal grandfather. I address this in detail within his referenced memorial.

The Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the 5th Election District, of the 13th Assembly District, of the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, State of New York on June 1st, 1905, records the 17-year-old May Haskins residing with Lawrence & Teresa McElroy, at their 320 W.40th St. address, as their niece. Although this enumeration was taken no less than 6 days after her arrival, she was reported as an alien having been in the U.S. for 2 years.

I’ve been able to document Mae’s use of Mary Ellen as a double forename, as well as her departure from Ireland and immigration to New York, and have passed same on to my brother Jimmy, as he’s been searching for a familial relationship among McElroys and Haskins’ and or Cullens. The finding out that the Aunt Mrs. McElroy she was going to in 1905 is Teresa, & not Annie, provides a bit of a twist as to suspected family relations, which may clear up some other findings that were appearing dissonant. Teresa’s maiden name could be Haskins or McDermott or Duff (Duffy) or even Malone. My first guess would be Haskins as I recall having come across a number of Teresa Haskins during searches. For more on this most fascinating aunt, with a heart of gold, refer to her memorial - Teresa "Aunt Teresa" McElroy (#127548713). Similarly, during these Haskins searches, I frequently came across the names James and Matthew; but no McElroy maiden names yet. However, now knowing that Aunt Mrs. McElroy is actually Teresa, I’m inclined to think that Teresa may have been a Haskins; but this remains to be seen. To this end, I need to find a recorded birth, Christening and or a marriage registration. Ideally a marriage record where names of spouse’s parents is provided, while birth and or Christening might provide an earlier parentage line. In furtherance of this connection, refer to Larry McElroy’s memorial (104660597) of Larry & Annie.

The use of Mary Ellen, rather than Mary Louisa, also makes me equally think she could be a McDermott. Further, successful research may tie the Haskins ancestral roots to Co. Monaghan. As mentioned, her maternal great grandparents were John and Mary Duff. There are also Duffs on the McElroy side so that also appears quite viable. Jumping ahead of this memorial’s timeline for the moment, Mae’s sister-in-law, Tessie McEntee Haskins, her brother Mattie’s wife, had her niece, a 20-year-old Mary Duffy, living and working with her at the 1334 3rd Avenue (E.77th St.) living quarters and Irish Import Shop address during the 1st week of April, 1940. At that time, Mary Duff had her “First Papers” toward citizenship and noted as having still residing in the Irish Free State as of April 1st, 1935.

The "Ireland, Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958" has recorded a Mary Louisa having been born within the quarter of Jul - Sep 1888 in Dublin South, which as noted at the outset is where the Haskins lived. On 12/20/17, I finally located and accessed the Parish Registry of her birth, the details of which I have noted at the beginning of this memorial. This clearly records her name as Mary Louisa, leaving me to think that Ellen was likely her Confirmation name, as mentioned OR she just used Ellen with Aunt Teresa, for whatever reason.

As to migrations to the U.S., I came across a James Haskins who arrived here Apr 07, 1909, Age 25, from Swinford, County Mayo, with red hair and blue eyes. So, his estimated birth year would be c. 1883-1884. Possibly Nana’s older brother Jamisey b.1882-1883? I note from the manifest (line 25) that he sailed out of Queenstown (Cove of Cork) on his way to visit his sister, Mary Haskins, residing at 1452 2nd Ave, NYC - this is by the corner with 76th Street. If this was her brother James he returned to Ireland as he’s recorded in the 1911 Census. It may have been just a visit by a paternal first cousin.

As providence would have it, weeks later, I came across an October 10th, 1913 manifest listing a 9-year-old Mary Haskins, 5’3”, fair haired, light blue eyes, going to her sister Delia Haskins at 355 West 145th Street. Her listed contact at the motherland is her father James Haskins in Swinford, Co. Mayo (Up Mayo!). Side note: The Callow lakes and the lakes of Conn and Cullin are among the lakes known for fishing in Swinford. This Delia would show up in other searches as her address is in “North New York”, which is that area of the Bronx where our Aunt Mae, and our father were born. Uncle Frankie was born in Manhattan.

I came across a World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Card for Matthew James Haskins, an alien, blonde hair and blue eyes, age 30 at June 5th, 1917, born 09/27/1886, working as a waiter at a hotel in Allenhurst, NJ, while residing at 169 East 77th Street, NYC, NY. I think to myself that possibly this is where our Aunt Mae (Mary) got her blonde hair form & from where our father, Jas. Edwd., got his light red hair, and where I got the dirty blonde hair as a young child, as my son also had. As an aside, Allenhurst was in “boom” at this time with many, now classic, Queen Anne & Mediterranean style homes and its own well known “Jersey shore” line, just a 45-minute commute to NYC. Subsequently, in creating a memorial for Mattie Haskins, I connected this to most probably (near certainty) indeed being Mattie Haskins. Refer to Mattie’s memorial 107852260.

Our father’s Uncle Mattie and Aunt Tessie Haskins, are recorded within the 1920 Census, with estimated birth years of 1895 and 1897, respectively. Their residence at the time was 25 East 105th Street. Mattie was 25 and immigrated in 1913, while Tessie was 23 and emigrated Ireland in 1912. Mattie’s regular occupation at this time was as an engineer – steamfitter; Rose Marntee, recorded as a sister-in-law, was staying with them. I take it that she’s sister-in-law to Mattie and thus a sister of Tessie’s; hence, I strongly believe that her name should probably read Rose McEntee. I address this fully within Mattie’s memorial. McEntee is also the surname of the priest that Baptized “Mae” at St. Kevin’s in Dublin city.

As stated within Mae’s husband Frank’s memorial in referring to their daughter Mary (Mae): “May's maternal uncle was Mattie Haskins, a popular Irish tenor broadcasted over NYC radio air waves, with several recordings to his credit, during the middle of the "roaring twenties".” Mattie died in 1930 from pneumonia – this is curious, as pneumonia, whether from virus or bacteria, is a typical cause of death among either very young children where the immune system hasn’t fully developed or the elderly sick where the immune system has started breaking down or those with weakened immune systems from a disease. According to the “1862-1948 New York City Death Index” (aka NYC Vital Records), Mattie was a 39-year-old male (d. Aug. 10th, 1930). So, the 1920 Census, as well as his WWI Registration, reported age has a 4-year discrepancy in age with this record. Unless there’s another Mattie & Tessie Haskins of comparable ages, having emigrated from Ireland and living in NYC at these same times. This is more unique than the two Larry McElroys as their wives have different names. He was 44 years old at time of death and would have turned 45 the next month.

Getting back to searching historic records, they indicate that from the 1910 census, Mary L. Haskins was living in the 61 West 74th Street household of Eliza A Pease, census family 108, sheet 7A of enumeration district 1302, as recorded 27 April 1910, in Manhattan's 22nd Ward (West 40th St. up to W. 86th St., 6th Ave across to the North (Hudson) River). I accessed the actual microfilm roll and found this to be an incorrect presentation.

Upon going through the microfilm reel and inspection of the actual Population Schedule, she was residing as a servant at the luxury San Remo Hotel at 164 Central Park West. Specifically, she was a chambermaid. She is indeed recorded as "Mary L.". I suspect the enumerator wrote all workers’ and guests’ names directly from the hotel’s registers. She is recorded as age 20 (actually 21 and would turn 22 that September) with a correct year of immigration of 1905. This enumeration sheet 8A is dated the 30th of April 1910. Note that this 74th Street location on the westside is directly across town from where Jas. Haskins was going to his sister’s Mary on 2nd Ave. off east 76th Street, after arriving in the U.S.A., almost exactly a year earlier. So, I’m inclined to think that this may have been where Delia had lived before moving up to the Bronx. This certainly fits with the development of mass transit northward across the Harlem River, i.e., elevated roadways, specifically the 3rd Avenue El, among others.

Mary Louisa was at the original 10 story San Remo Hotel with two pyramid towers overlooking the park. Central Park was developed in the 1860s, north-south commuter rail transport was also being further developed, the eastside already had its mansions, and from the turn of the 19th century, the westside experienced a great boom. The continuation of 8th Avenue along the park was already Central Park West, Broadway replaced the “Boulevard”, and 10th Avenue became Amsterdam Avenue. The American Museum of History covering some four blocks up to 81st, as well as the landmark The Dakota at 72nd, had already been built during the period of c. 1874-1880. The area would experience boom times until the start of World War I, at which time it would ‘freeze” in place. This San Remo was then replaced c.1924 with the newer San Remo designed by a legendary architect of his time, particularly for the westside of Manhattan, Emery Roth. A write-up on this newer San Remo can be found at Wikipedia. To this day, 2013, still at the top of the highest way of living.

To get a snapshot of the prosperity of this time, the country was in boom. This was the era where America’s middle-class was formed. Affordable cars were being produced by Henry Ford, there was gas street lamps, Rockefeller was already providing standard kerosene for lighting, his petroleum would fuel America’s cars and trucks, trans-continental rail systems were in-place for efficient movement of goods from source places to points of demand, Carnegie had his steel mills producing for stronger, higher buildings, like the Woolworth building in NYC. Think art deco. Government regulations were at a minimum; we would never again be at such a state of libertarianism. Soon electric lighting will be the newest technological miracle. So, here was a nineteen year old immigrant from a country not as prosperous, Mary Louisa Haskins, in this setting and level in life, already in the U.S. for 5 years courtesy of her Aunt Tessie, not knowing what trials and tribulations lay in front of her for the next years through 1918, the years after that through 1925, and the years from 1928 and thirty-five years thereafter until her passing a week after her birthday.

Coincidentally, nearly a score of years after this noted tenure of May’s at the San Remo, and almost directly across town from this location, would be Mattie Haskins’ Irish Imports store, which, was located at 1334 Third Avenue between 76th and 77th Streets and then at 205 East 75th street (having moved from the original 1923 established store in Brooklyn). This eastside area was a Haskins neighborhood during this period, bounded northward by Cullens since at least a quarter of century before 1900 and at least some fifteen years thereafter. This apparently led to co-mingling.

To wit, the 1920 Census shows an address of 25 East 105th Street for Matthew and Tessie Haskins. Afterwards, a Sept. 1928 manifest reflects a then reported 37-year-old Matthew Haskins, now a U.S. citizen for 6 mos., returning back to his 1334 3rd Ave., between 76th & 77th Sts., from Ireland, having sailed out of Cobh (think Queenstown - Cove of Cork). On board were also 28-year-old Rose Cullen of Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, a citizen of the I.F.S., with her U.S. born sons James, age 5, and Thomas, age 3-1/2+; they were residing literally a few doors down toward 76th St. at 1376 3rd Avenue. This is further documented and laid out in detail within Aunt Tessie Haskins memorial (no. 107938338).

MARRIAGE, OFFSPRING AND TRAGEDY - 1
Getting back to Mae, she met, fell in love with and married Frank J. Cullen. They applied for and received their license (No. 32660) to marry and did so on Friday, the 19th of December, 1913. It was the day Jim Johnson challenged Jack Johnson for the Heavy Weight Boxing Championship that resulted in a 10-round draw & considerable controversy because Jack Johnson, as the fight went on, was predominantly using only his righthand to box. He later claimed his left arm was broken. However, there was no evidence of that and he did retain his title.

From these early 1910s, my brother Jimmy informed me that they lived on Winchester Avenue in the Bronx until Frank's sudden death from the Spanish Flu (word of mouth family history); but it certainly fits within the more severe “second wave” time period of the pandemic. While on the phone together, Jimmy subsequently came across Frank J.’s 1918 Draft Card that records their correct address as 578 Westchester Avenue. Subsequently, I tsearched for various directories & street maps of the time – anything I could find or uncover. I have since documented their exact geographic location, as well as a considerable number of other family members living within the same section of the Bronx’s Morrisania area known as Mott Haven & Woodstock. Ironic as I did go to the Woodstock concert during mid-August 1969 in upstate New York during my “hippie” days. Muddy Good!!!! Refer to the Susan M Cullen Dorgan memorial no. 19874347 for where family members lived in this section of what was at one time all a part of Morrisania.

In June of 1915, we find Frank and Mary at their Westchester Ave. residence with their first-born Mary C. who was 8 months old at the time. Mary was already carrying their second child who would enter our world in just over six months’ time. He would be born on the 29th of December that year, two years after their marriage, and would be baptized as James Edward Cullen in January of 1916.

*As discussed with my brother Jimmy, as noted above, Mae's dad is Jas. Haskins. Frank's dad is Edward. Thus, their first son, Jas. Edwd. I, was named after these two grandfathers. This is Jimmy’s call, any suggestions otherwise are up to him. As an aside, "James" is the Anglicized name of the popular Irish and Scotch Gaelic "Séamus", which itself is a transliteration on the Old French Late Latin “Jacomus” name for the Latin "Jacobus", id est., Jacob. Irish Baptisms had always recorded the name in Latin.

So, things appeared to be off to a good start. Frank J. was gainfully employed as a steamfitter, there was a building demand for such trade skills, and the young couple had two toddlers. A third child would come into the world the day before the ides of March of 1918, the first quarter of their fifth year of marriage. Unfortunately, in just eight (8) months’ time, a few days before the ides of November, this blissful scene will be shattered.

After Frank's sudden death on Nov. 10th, 1918 from, as related down through the years, the Spanish Flu, Mae was left with two young children, one just 4, the other 3 in a month, and a not yet 8-month-old infant. Certainly, a situation that could be despairing. Mother Mae would later be interred in 2nd Calvary on Saturday, 21 September 1963 some fifty-five (55) years later, joining her husband Frank (see spouse link below).

In sum, with her husband Frank, she is the mother of Mary C. (Mae, also "May"; 09/02/1914 - 02/08/1975, memorial 104085460), James Edwd. (12-29-15 to 12-29-1964 3rd Calvary, memorial link below) *, and Frank J. Cullen [(Jr.) 03-14-1918 to 01-24-1979 Calverton, memorial 542646]. Refer to Mae’s spouse Francis J. Cullen (Sr.) memorial 102083959 link below for further information. As things turn out they would be joined by other brothers and sisters over the years to come.

So, shortly thereafter she retrenched down to where members of Frank J.’s family were still living in the upper eastside, near where the Cullen Family Homestead at 110 East 97th St. was at the turn of the century. Her new residence was at nearby 133 East 97th St. At this time, mother-in-law Sarah Jane Hickinson Cullen was 69 living at 122 East 98th St., along with daughter Elizabeth, age 49 and son Edward Jr. age 39. Sarah Jane would depart the family in six (6) years, in 1925. Refer to Sarah Jane’s memorial (no. 18796415) for a picture of her, daughter-in-law Mary and grandchildren Mary and James Edward, which I estimate to have been taken early September 1917, possibly around Mae’s birthday.

MARRIAGE, OFFSPRING AND TRAGEDY - 2
The Haskins-Cullen clan turned Mary’s dilemma into a united solution. I suspect that through Mae’s aunt Teresa McElroy (memorial no. 127548713), wife of Larry, she and Johnny McElroy were introduced to each other. Near the outset of the fall of 1919, Mae married Johnny McElroy (1895 – 1924, refer to Johnny’s memorial for details), son of Larry and Annie (Prunty) McElroy. They married at the Church of St. Francis de Sales, at 135 East 96th St., Manhattan, down the block from her residence.

I’ve been able to track down their marriage certificate number 27274 which is on FHL roll no. 1643454. They were married September 14th, 1919. It shows Mary L. Cullen as bride and John McElroy as groom. Mae and Johnny were wed by Assistant Pastor O’Donnell as witnessed by William McCollum and Florence McGowan. As a side note, Johnny’s older brother by 4 years, James, married Rita McGowan, two years earlier, almost to the date (11/07/1917); and their baby Rita would turn 1 that November.

I accessed and went through Trow’s General Directory of Manhattan and Bronx for 1917 in search for the addresses of Wm. McCollum and Florence McGowan. I found a Florence E. listed, as well as a Jean S., both showing an address of “h1A, 5th Av”. I know the ‘h” is for home, but I can’t get a read on the rest of their address. However, after the name of each is listed, there is in parenthesis “(The Thistle)”. So, I flipped through the pages to “Therese” and “Thrifty”, page 1913, and found under the broader “Thistle” this listing: “… The (RTN) (Florence E McGowan, Lucie McCleary) restr 180 Mad av”. This location is between 34th and 33rd Streets in Manhattan’s Murray Hill section.

Now, onto William McCollum, in order of estimated likeliness. I did find a William McCollum who, in the first week of June, 1917, was residing at 435 West 33rd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, directly across town from The Thistle Restaurant (RTN). He was about 5 blocks from Jonny’s and Mae’s 35th St. address between 7th & 8th Aves. – east to 9th Ave., then a left at 8th Ave. up 2 blocks to 35th St., make a right & walk down the block toward 7th Ave. William was born in County Tyrone of Ulster Province, Ireland on Sept. 15th, 1891, which places him between Mae (1888) and Johnny (1895). Tyrone borders Co. Fermanagh to its southwest, Co. Armagh to its southeast with the triangular shaped portion of Co. Monaghan extending into Tyrone. Co. Monaghan is home to the McElroys, William was tall of medium build with brown eyes & hair. He worked as a tinsmith (colloquially a Tin-knocker) at William Jaeger’s down at 390 Hudson S.

A second possibility was a William McCullum of 451 West 46th St. who would have been c.36 years of age, at the time of their marriage, born around the same year as William Monroe McCollum. And, Larry and Teresa McElroy, Mae’s very close aunt did reside at 508 West 44th, 320 West 40th, and 413 West 40th Streets in the early 1900s and at 457 West 44th Street (closer to 10th than 9th Avenue) at the time of their 1919 marriage. In 1910, he was residing with his widowed mother Catherine, a native daughter of Ireland, who was than 53. But this William has a different spelling for his surname; at least, that’s how it was spelt in their respective 1910 Census enumeration sheet. However, it’s worth noting these records. Similarly, it should be well noted what a special person and good Soul Aunt Theresa McElroy was. Her memorial number is 127548713.

Lastly, I did find a William Monroe McCollum, born April 1st, 1883, residing up at 76 West 85th Street with his mother. Similar to Frank Joseph, he was a pipe fitter but worked for Standard Oil over in Linden, Union County, NJ. Although his age fits, being the oldest by 5 years, I discounted him because he uses his full double name to wit, he signed his WW I draft card as such. Also, he was a little too south and cross-town for proximity to a Hickinson-Cullen & too far north for the McElroys.

Mae had two (2) sons with Johnny: the oldest child Johnny Jr. (b. 07/17/1920 - d. 11/30/1991, memorial# 103754692) & Eugene (b.07/13/1924 - d.01/26/1997, memorial #975215) the youngest child of three, probably named after Johnny Sr.'s older brother Owen who passed on in 1921; the middle child is daughter Anna T. (1922- 06/17/1934, memorial no. 103722901), probably named after Johnny Sr.'s mom Annie. Anna T. is interred at the same grave site as her mom Mae was some 29 years later. Her name is inscribed as Anna T. The “T” is for Theresa. I am inclined to think that the “Theresa” may well be for her mother’s dear Aunt Theresa McElroy who paid her fare and expenses to emigrate Ireland, as addressed foregoing.

A 1920 U.S. Census enumeration taken on the 9th and 10th of February records Johnny Jr., their first child together, as an infant of 5 months. At this time, he was enumerated, along with his mother, as being at the Caroline Rest School for Mothers on Hartsdale Road, Greenburgh Town in Westchester County. His mom is recorded as May McElroy and only age 22 vs. 32. She was working as a servant, more specifically as a Kitchen Maid, he’s recorded as a “Boarder”. Note that information given was to be based on a 1 January date.

This side of the McElroy clan pronounces their surname as "Mic" Elroy. Refer to Michael McElroy Memorial 102159944 for the "Mac" Elroy pronunciation. As to other genealogy, when I first started checking into our ancestry my brother Jimmy, who had been doing it for years, informed me that Johnny Sr. was the third child of Michael McElroy's oldest brother Larry (Memorial # 104660597). Larry's children were Ellen/Helen/Nellie, James, Johnny, and Owen (Eugene). The name "Eugene" is from the Anglicized "Owen" of the Welsh (Celts) "Owain" from related Irish and Scotch (also Celts) Gaelic name "Eoghan" (earlier "Eóġan").

Johnny and Mae lived at 449 West 35th St. in Manhattan. This address is in what is commonly referred to as "Hell's Kitchen". A descriptive phrase said to have been coined by Davey Crockett after visiting Five Points, down in Manhattan’s lower eastside, a neighborhood largely built over a high-water table area, at a time of undeveloped sanitary systems, closely spaced and overly populated residential housing. The phrase was picked up in the vernacular of the times & applied to the west side of Manhattan between the streets of the lower thirties and upper fifties. This writer was born in Hell’s Kitchen at St. Clare’s Hospital, which was on 51st St. between 9th & 10th Aves.

Records I've researched show that Johnny's parents Larry & Annie lived in this bounded neighborhood, at least up until the NYS 1915 Census, after which time they were already living "out in Long Island City" (LIC), Queens County, a borough of NYC, at the time of Johnny’s and May’s wedding. Johnny’s parents had resided at 455 West 35th St.

The New York State Census of 1925 does show Johnny Sr. as residing at the address of parents Larry and Annie McElroy in LIC. However, Johnny had passed away on the 28th of Oct. 1924, less than four months after the birth of Uncle Eugene. Refer to his memorial for further details.

Rays of sunshine scattered throughout the clouds and rains of her trials & tribulations had to be times spent with her brother Mattie (d.1930), sister-in-law Tessie nee McEntee (d.1966), Tessie’s sister Rose and her husband James Cullen, along with Frank Cullen’s mother Sarah Jane nee Hickinson (d.1925), Larry (d.1922) and Annie (d.1925) McElroy, and Larry (d.1924) and Teresa McElroy (d.1945) – the aunt that paid her trip over (1905) from the mother land – The Emerald Isle – the land of 40 shades of green. There’s also that special, deep feeling of love that grows among her children and her enduring all these times of hardship.

A ray of light for sure had to be the Sept. 9th,1927 recording with her brother Mattie of “Maloney’s Christening”, released Nov. 1st, 1928, on the Regal 8000 label. This was a ten-inch shellac record to be played at 78 revolutions per minute – a 78 rpm shellac record. It’s my understanding that the majority of Mattie’s recordings under the Regal label were at A&R Recording, 799 Seventh Ave., by 7th Ave & 52 St., near where the writer of this memorial was born (St. Clare’s) and 4 blocks or so west of the investment banking firm where his son would be working.

MARRIAGE, OFFSPRING AND SOME STABILITY - 3
Subsequent to Johnny's death, Mae married Tom Corrigan, April 8th, 1928, and had one child by him: Joan Corrigan Walker (b.07/04/31 - d. 03/27/1990 Oceanside, L.I., NY), our dear aunt Joan. I’ve been able to track down their marriage certificate number 8356 which is on FHL roll no. 1653340. It shows Mary McElroy as bride and Thomas Corrigan as groom. At time of marriage Tom was employed by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) company as a Markman. Tom Corrigan b. 11/25/1903 d. 07/10/1955, reportedly emigrated Ireland to U.S.A. in 1923. He was from Duleek, County Meath, Ireland..

After their marriage, they and their brood of 6 children resided at 1380 3rd Ave, between 76th and 77th Sts. in Manhattan’s upper eastside until c.1930. They were on the same block as Mattie & Tessie Haskins and Jim & Rose Cullen. Refer to Aunt Tessie’s memorial (No. 107938338) for an annotated 1921 street map pointing out their addresses.

While here, the children attended St. Ignatius Loyola School at 84th St. It was from this address that our father graduated and went on for a while to the prestigious Xavier High School down at 16th St, as they would soon move out of Manhattan and, I believe, continued intermittent, entropic home conditions.

The extended family then moved to 50-42 46th St. in the Woodside neighborhood of Queens County. Their residence was just across the 50th Ave. postal border with Sunnyside. They had bought it for $9,500. Realize that the Great Depression started Oct. of 1929. There was also the passing on of Mae’s brother Mattie on Aug. 10, 1930. I don’t know if he was a source of part, most or all of the money toward purchasing the house and how much money was put down by time of closure. Possibly, Mae had some good earnings from the 1927-28 release of the recording with her brother.

In 1930 Tom reported being the proprietor of a Music Shop. Bear in mind that radio, the big band sound, sheet music and, the latest rage, recordings, were in their "hey day" during this era. However, I suspect he was referring to Mattie Haskins Irish Imports, which sold a considerable amount of music related products. Keep in mind that Mattie was Mae’s older brother. As mentioned, I also wonder if Mae’s brother Mattie and his wife Tessie helped them out in buying the house or if Mattie had given her an interest in the business. Mattie & Tessie had no children.

As to Tom, as recounted by our late Aunt Mae (Cullen-Napoleon), Mary Louisa’s oldest child, Tom was injured from a tunnel explosion during his tenure as a Markman with the IRT and had a steel plate implanted in his skull. He was prone to fits of anger & physical abuse to his wife and the Cullen-McElroy children. There was speculation that it may have lent to the early death of their sister Anna. Knowing this now provides me empathetic insight to Uncle Gene whenever he mentioned Anna to me as I had always sensed a deep feeling from him about her. He was almost 10 years old at the time of the death of his older sister by 2 years in 1934. I make mention of what I had sensed in his memorial, now I know why I sensed something more. Further, when the boys were mostly in their late teens, they squared up, to a degree, with Tom for his physical abuse by putting a beating on him and throwing him out of the house in the snow. This was provoked when they found their mother, our grandmother, under the bed in fear and bleeding from her head. Tom does not show as a family member in the 1940 Census.

Eventually, as the story goes, Tom got himself together and made amends with Nana, which she discussed first with her brood. She subsequently took him back in. But some of the boys would never step foot in the house again or only when Tom was not there. It has also been related down to me that Tom did stay true to his word as he actually started serving our grandmother to make amends. As a twist of fate, while the family were on an outing at Lake Hopatcong, in Morris & Sussex counties in NJ, Tom was going up & down a hill getting our grandmother lunch and had a massive heart attack causing him to die immediately. As noted within Tom’s memorial (link below), Tom did own a saloon by the 1940s, by 45th and Lexington, known as Corrigan Bar & Grill. It fits that he may have gotten the monies for this causal to his transit accident. Tom too is interred within the same grave site at Section 55 of 2nd Calvary.

LOOKING THROUGH IT ALL
Realize that May attained "sweet sixteen" in 1904 after the "turn of the century", and a year later, emigrated to the U.S.A. as a 17-year-old teen; it was the time of Teddy Roosevelt and the appearance of the Progressive Party on a national level, which devolved into the socialist progressive party of the start of the 21st Century. She experienced the creation of The Federal Reserve Bank in 1913, as well as the ratification of the 16th Amendment and the Revenue Act of 1913 permitting taxation of income from property, stock, bonds and the like, which had been unconstitutional. The Act also enacted a 2% Income Tax, the first ever non-war time income tax (during times of war it was constitutional in defence). At the start of World War I (07/28/14) she had her first child. She was a young 30-year-old woman and single mother of two children ages c. 4, 3 and an 8-month-old infant at the end of WW I (11/11/18) during which time she lost her husband Frank to the Spanish Flu pandemic. She experienced Women's Suffrage with the right to vote (19th Amendment 1920) and the Prohibition (1920-1933). In 1925, with 6 youths 11 and under, she lost her husband Johnny in the middle of the "roaring twenties". In 1928 she married Tom Corrigan. The year after, she experienced the Stock Market Crash of 1929. A year later, in August, the lost of her dear brother Mattie. Contrary to national economic adversities, by the start of the "Great Depression", they purchased a house out in the suburbs - Queens! Mary had her seventh child as the claws of the depression were taking hold in 1931 nearing the age of 43 (nearing the time of ratification of the 21st Amendment repealing Prohibition). She suffered through an abusive relationship both verbally and physically. In the 1940's she saw her 4 boys off to World War II and subsequently all returned. In the 1950s, her grandchildren got to know her as children do.

Her death was one of many experienced by the Cullen-McElroy-Corrigan family during the early sixties. She passed away 75 years to the day after her September 18, 1888 Baptismal. Oddly, within the NYC Vital Stats registry she is correctly shown as Mary Corrigan but her age is recorded as 70 at time of death, with the correct death date in Queens county, Death Certificate No. 12037 and has a Medical Examiner’s case number 3718. There is also a May Corrigan recorded right after her record, certificate no. 23189 with a death date of 11/10/63 in Kings County (borough of Brooklyn), recorded as age 75.