GENERAL NOTES:

Note that the above specific birth date varies from the general, approximated 1881 year originally posted. His birth date is discussed in further detail below.

This branch of the McElroy clan pronounces their surname as the Gaelic "Mac" Elroy. Michael's nephew Johnny (his oldest brother Larry's son) was instructed at school to pronounce it as the Anglicized "Mic" Elroy.

"Bally" denotes a small division of land, which is commonly referred to as a townland. It is anglicized from the Irish Gaelic "baile fearainn", pl. "bailte fearainn". Thus, in Irish records, such as in Censuses, we come across a house identified as being a number within a townland.

Immigration of the Michael J. McElroy family from County Monaghan, Ireland to the United States is commemorated on Panel 691 of The American Immigrant Wall of Honor on Ellis Island in the New York Harbor. This memorialization was arranged and effected by our Cousins Ursula and husband Carl J. Clarke.

FAMILY IN IRELAND:

Michael was born to parents James and Mary nee Ford McElroy in Cornanure, outside of Ballybay town, Monaghan. This is documented within "Ireland, Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881". The town name, Ballybay, derives from Béal Átha Beithe meaning "the mouth of or approach to the ford of the birches". Thus, it's that shallow point (a ford) of the Dromore River, suitable for crossing, identified by birches. So, it's quite natural that his father James married a Ford woman! Ah, Bejayzus!

The county name Monaghan is from the Irish language referring to a hilly, overgrown area, likely of ferns, known as a "brake". The Irish word being "muine". The diminutive plural, i.e., many small hills with such flora, being Muineachán, i.e., Monaghan.

Michael was Baptized the day of his birth in the parish of Tulleycorbet, Diocese of Clogher. His Godparents were Patrick and Mary McElroy. I don't know if this was Michael's older siblings by 4 to 6 years. Michael and brother Patrick were both born on the 9th of April. His Baptismal was registered by Rev. Bernard M. Boylan. His Baptismal record was provided by Maria Smyth. Maria's great grandparents were Jas. and Mary Anne (Casey) O'Connor. Mary Anne being the older sister of Rose Casey who married Michael's older brother Patrick in 1908.

Over the 1980s 1990s and the 1st decade of 2000, our brother Jimmy sought out detailed information and records concerning Michael's family over in Ireland. He has informed me that our grandfather was the baby of the family. He's the youngest brother of Bridgette, Margaret, Lawrence (b. 1860 – d. 1922, memorial 104660597), John (b. 1861), James (Rosalie's grandfather), Ann Jane, Maria (Peter Daly's mom) and Patrick (d. 1951 Ireland). John with his wife Kate Elizabeth had 6 children: Mary Elizabeth (1899), Patrick James (1901), Edward Joseph (1903), Kitty Anne (1905), Bridgette Agnes (1909) and Teresa (1909). The writer has found that John had seven (7) children; the youngest being Rose Alice (b.1911).

In 1901 we find his father James, now 75, living with the family of Michael's older brother John. At this time, John was 40 (b. ≈1861) and the oldest brother in Ireland as Larry had already emigrated. John was already married to Kate Eliz, age 26, and their first child, Mary Lizzie, was 1. Their residence is recorded as house 3 in Clare Oghill, Cremartin in County Monaghan and James shows as the land owner. This is within the Parish of Clontibret, all within the greater "Poor Law Union" of Castleblayney. Their father James is reported as a widow; however, this may have been reported as a matter of convenience as will be seen within the paragraph after next. Also consider that John had gotten up in his years and an arrangement may have been made that John and his wife would tend to him at their farmstead in Clare Oghill. They do show a Maggie Connor living with them as a servant; she was more likely a domestic servant rather than a farmstead servant. Their neighbors at house 1 and 2 were Cormick McElroy and Francis Duffy, respectively. We have Duffys in the family.

The 1901 Census records the parents of John's wife, Kate Eliz, as residing at house 8 in Stradeen, Ballymackney in County Monaghan. Her father Patrick Murray was 64, mom Elizabeth 50, sons Michael and Thomas were 20 and 18 respectively. The family also had Peter Finn, age 16, as a boarder. Kate Eliza's name is a conflation of her grandmothers' forenames.

At this same time in 1901 we find our Michael, age 21, along with his brother Patrick, 25, and sisters Anne Jane, age 30, and Mary, age 27, residing at house 1 in Cornanure in Tullycorbet and Parish of same name. This is Michael's place of birth. Cornanure is just outside Ballybay town to the north, while Bally Bay town is just to the west of Castleblayney (R183 East-West Road connects both). This residence is within Ballybay of the Constabulary of Clones. Living with the two brothers and two sisters was their mother Mary, age 60. As to reading and writing, Mary is reported as being able to read. She too is reported as a widow, which may have been reported more for a matter of convenience, say, i.a., pension eligibility and/or land taxes. The property, along with the residence and all 6 out buildings, is shown to be in the name of Mary.

Moving forward 10 years in time to 1911, at the same residence, we find Mary now 70, being reported now as "cannot read", with son Patrick, 36, his wife Rose (nee Casey), 35, with Mary their 2-year-old daughter and infant James, age 1; apparently the children are named after Patrick's parents. Their servant is Patrick Duffy, age 19. "Servant" is used in the sense as a hand around the farmstead. Their 7 outhouses consisted of a stable, coach house, cow house, calf house, a piggery, a fowl house and a barn. Observe that Michael is noticeably absent as he has by this time emigrated Ireland.

At the same time in 1911, over in Clareoghill, is son John, reported as now being 52, his wife Kate Eliza, as 37, with children Mary Lizzie 12, Patrick James 10, Edward Joe 8, Ketty Anne 6, Bridget Agnes 4 and Teresa 2. Rose Alice, although born in 1911, was not yet born. Their servant is Jas. Flanagan, age 20. By his noticeable absence, it appears that father James may have passed on. The landowner of the residence and 6 out-offices and farm steadings is now being shown as John. Although they haven't moved, their residence is recorded as house 5 in Clare Oghill, Cremartin in Monaghan. This house number may simply be the order the constable collected the census data or additional residential development, in this case farm sub-division, as these were farms. Two of their neighbors are Francis McElroy at house 2 and Francis Duffy at house 3.

Staying in the same time and year, brother James, 44, was with wife Susan (nee McCabe), 39, and their offspring John 4, Anne Jane 2 and James a 4-month-old infant. They were residing at house 4 in Cornamucklagh South in Castleblayney, County Monaghan.

TRIPS TO THE U.S.A. AND IMMIGRATION:

Prior to migrating permanently to New York in 1909, Michael visited New York City thrice, once in 1901 and again in 1903 and yet again in 1905.

His first time over was as a recorded 22-year-old in late May 1901, arriving in New York on June 6, headed to his brother Larry's at 464 West 33rd Street in Manhattan. This is the only time that his name is shown as Mick McElroy, all the other times his name shows as Michael. This may seem like a very minor issue but it piqued my mind as it provided insight as to why I was referred to as Mickey when I was a child. My mom had told me I was to be named after Poppa but that she had some trouble with my birth and her doctor that helped her through it was Dr. Daniel Crowley (sp); hence the Irish double first name of Daniel Michael. But as stated, as a kid, I was Mickey. I remember that at this time a friend of our Dad's, a Dan Weiss (sp), had made up little white heavy stock strips, maybe ¾" high, with Mick and Mickey printed in deep black on that slightly shiny finish – maybe a ½ dozen of them! Wow, was that cool. I don't know what I did with them, except to show them off, but that was really cool. Cool enough to remember more than fifty years later.

In 1905, Michael again left his residence in Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland. He sailed from Liverpool, England on Wednesday, 30 August via The Majestic (sister ship to The Teutonic) and arrived New York Sep 06 (possibly Wed., the 7th). He's listed at line 11 of the manifest. As fate would have it, the most favorite daughter of the middle son, of his middle daughter, was born some 83 years the day after his departing Ireland at this time, she herself being born with green eyes. The significance of 83 years is shown at the end of this memorial.

At this time Michael reported his age as 25. A final note in re this 1905 manifest, is that accuracy of one's tracking age has been shown in large part to be related to whatever the prevailing educational levels of a population were at the time; that is, people had a tendency to think in fives and tens. This has been shown to hold among different cultures.

Upon his 1905 arrival, he again stayed at his eldest brother Larry's 455 West 33rd Street, New York City, NY residence. This residence had to be next door to St. Michael's Academy, which was established in 1874 by Irish nuns. It closed in 2010 and was at the top of college preparatory schools. Brother Larry was about a score of years Michael's senior. By this time Larry and Annie had three (3) young sons (Jas., Jno., Owen) and a daughter (Ellen). For further on James refer to memorial no. 107941594, for Johnny see memorial no. 104661347, Owen's memorial is no. 107941467. A memorial for Helen/Ellen has not been written up yet.

Michael emigrated finally in 1909, arriving on September 26th in New York. He had $27 and was once again going to stay with his brother Larry's at 445 West 33rd Street in the "Hell's Kitchen" area of Manhattan. In 1905 he had the address as 455 West 33rd Street. He listed his mother in Cornanure, Bally Bay as the nearest relative in Ireland.

It appears that the finding of these manifests also lays to rest the anecdotal history that Michael, a farrier (blacksmith), who had strong forearms, upon missing his ship, lifted himself up at the buttocks and proceeded to carry himself across the Atlantic. Then again, possibly this happened on an earlier trip over. Hence, there may well be no manifest for such a feat; itself being a manifestation. Ah, the very act itself being carried out by none other than he himself! Imagine the view he had of New York Harbor while above the shimmering water and the devilish smile he must have been wearing, none the worse from his journey. His reddish-brown hair waving, his ruddy complexion aglow, his blue eyes twinkling! Now, a true American, wearing the red, white and blue.

FAMILY MEMBERS - TRIPS TO THE U.S.A.:

The 1900 census records that his older brother James, born 1866, was staying with the Larry McElroy family, as of June 7th, at 500 West 33rd Street in Manhattan as a boarder. Like Larry, he too was a "Dealer in Potatoes". The record shows that James had been in the U.S. for seven (7) years, since 1893. After applying a manifest search criteria for James, the only result was for a Feb. 24th, 1893 arrival, reported as being age 19 (infers b. ≈1874), who last resided in Londonderry. This is an 8-year spread. I have no record of James returning to Ireland, which he had to do at some time as he's Rosaleen's grandfather.

In re James' birth, I subsequently uncovered within the Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881 that James (III) was born July 27, 1866 to James (II) and Mary Ford McElroy in Castleshane, Monaghan. Castleshane is just over 10 miles northwest, less than 4 miles outside of Monaghan town and only a couple of miles from Monaghan's border with County Armagh in Northern Ireland. Castleshane derives from Caisléan an tSiáin, i.e., fortress of the fairies. So, there should be no doubt that there was merriment within the James and Mary McElroy house that day with the fairy dust floating and lighting up the skies with the wee people taking a break from cobbling to do a jig or two. In the years to come, James III would marry Susan McCabe and go on to sire James IV, who sired Rosaleen who gave birth to Killian Connolly.

As to other family, I have a manifest for Bridget McElroy, age 20 (vs.23 for sister), of Ballybay via the S.S. Campania out of Liverpool, which arrived in New York on July 7th, 1900. Bridget was on her way to her older brother James' resident. Under the premise that this is their sister, it indicates that she was born around 1880 (vs.1877) and that James had gotten his own apartment between the second week of June and the first week of July. There's also an October 7th, 1904 arrival of paternal cousin Bridget McElroy, again from Ballybay out of Liverpool via the S.S. Cedric, reported as age 30 and a servant. She was on her way to her brother Patrick at 241 East 32nd St, NYC, NY. The manifest brackets her as travelling together with Catherine McCabe, a cook, who was going to her cousin Bridget Kelly up at 165 W. 82 St. in the Upper West Side section of Manhattan.

Thus, the McCabes and the Kellys are directly related. With that in place, note that Michael's sister Bridget McElroy married Patrick Kelly, here in the States, on June 25, 1905. Further, Bridget's brother James (III) married in the first quarter of 1898, and together raised a family with, Susan McCabe in Ireland. The 1904 manifest also provides a link to paternal cousin Bridget's brother Patrick here in the States. I subsequently tracked down Michael's sister Bridget's birth through the "Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881" as being 28 March 1877. So, in re the manifests, in 1900 she was age 23 (v. 20) and in 1904 age 27 (v. 30).

As to her Patrick, Trow's General Directory for the Boroughs of Manhattan and Bronx for the Year Ending July 1, 1903 has Patrick listed as being in the ice business at 228 East 32nd Street, Manhattan. Bridget is also listed as "bdgh" (boardinghouse), at the same address. That's what Bridget and Patrick Kelly did. Michael's brother Patrick was born 04/09/1875 and married Rose Casey, 02/13/1908, in Ireland where they raised their family.

As to the McCabes, an Oct. 2nd, 1897 Cunard Line arrival manifest records a Mary A. McElroy, age 23 (b. ≈1874) with Cousin Mary A McCabe, age 22, both travelling together out of Ballybay, again out of Liverpool, respectively to their cousin and father McCabe in New York (no street address is provided). So, this furthers McElroy-McCabe family relationships. This may well have been Michael's sister Mary A., born 07/16/1873, who would go on to marry Edward "Ned" Daly.

Another manifest shows on a Nov. 10th, 1898 arrival manifest paternal cousin Mary McElroy, age 34 (b. ≈1864), a servant on her way to her cousin Mrs. Murphy at 449 8th Avenue in Manhattan. This address is around 31st & 8th Avenue, which is certainly around Larry's & Annie's and Frank & Emily and that of Patrick stated within a foregoing paragraph. She too is from Ballybay and left via Liverpool via the S.S. Majestic.

On May 15th, 1899, John, age 23, and Alice, age 20, McElroy of Castleblayney arrived on their way to their brother James'. They stated that their final destination was New Bedford, Mass.; however, I believe I found them some six (6) years later residing at 318 East 22nd Street, off 2nd Avenue, in Manhattan, as of June 1st, 1905. The record shows their McElroy family as being headed by Mary, age 57, James – 33, John – 29, Michael – 23, Alice – 25, Patrick – 20 (cross ref Bridget's 10/07/1904 arrival to brother Patrick's) and Francis at age 17. I would be remiss if I didn't note that their next-door neighbors in the same building were the McDermotts (maiden name of our paternal grandmother's mother) Their family was headed by John – 41, wife Mary – 35, son George – 10, daughters Agnes – 9, Mary C. – 7, Susan – 5, and Margaret – 3.

Lastly, I have an Oct. 10th, 1903 New York arrival manifest for Mary McElroy, age 28 (b. ≈1875) on her way to Larry McElroy's at 464 West 33rd Street in Manhattan. So, this is definitely their sister Mary, it establishes her birth year +/- 1 and strongly correlates to the Mary that came over in 1897 foregoing with her cousin Mary A. McCabe. This manifest also shows that she sailed over with a John Duffy who was going to his brother Pat. I suspect this is the same John Duffy that Uncle Johnny McElroy Jr. and then our brother Larry tended to from time to time over at his place in Tudor City. Larry had told me that his birthday is Feb. 28, the same as mine. He had c. 75 acres in Mahopac that Larry took care of the sale; and, from whom Larry acquired the pastel drawing of a standing Mary Anne McDermott by the harp; refer to Memorial # 102161743 for Mary Louisa Ellen "Mae" Haskins Cullen McElroy Corrigan – paternal grandmother of the five Cullen boys. My Note in re Tudor City, see: https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/what-tudor-city-tells-us-about-an-older-east-side/ (Last checked link Sept. 2021).

A side note to the Duffys, along with other ancestors that may tie-in to both our paternal and maternal families, is a Port of New York manifest dating back to May 16, 1836 for the Britannia, which sailed out of Liverpool. Note that the ship is not an SS. Names of passengers of family note that disembarked are: John and Mary Conlon, John McCabe, four Duffys: Michael - 30, Anna – 30, Anna – infant and Ellen – 9. Additionally, there's a Thomas Cullen age 25. No viable returns for Thomas Cullen, born in Ireland, between 1808 and 1816, in the U.S. Censuses of 1840, 1850 and 1860 were found.

I also came across a 25-year-old John McElroy out of Monaghan via Londonderry who arrived in NY on Sept. 13th, 1897 (b. ≈1872). This is simply as a matter of note as he may be a cousin – he's about 11 years younger than Michael's brother John.

As mentioned under the "Family in Ireland" section above, in 1911 Michael's brother John had a 6-year-old daughter named Ketty Anne. At the age of 18, Ketty Anne had planned and booked passage on the S.S. Tuscania sailing out of Londonderry on April 21st, 1923. Booked as Kitty Anne, she had listed her mother, Mrs. Kate McElroy in Clareoghill, Castleblayney as her nearest relative in Ireland. Although she did not depart, it is noted as a matter of record and possible future reference that her destination in New York City was her cousin Anna Murray who was residing at 159 West 33rd St., this is by Larry and Annie McElroy's (where her paternal aunt Mary went to 6 months earlier), as well as Frank and Emily McElroy's and Patrick McElroy's. This aborted planned trip to her cousin leads me to suspect that her mother Kate's maiden name may well have been Murray.

On October 30th, 1927, John McElroy's second youngest daughter Teresa, now 18, arrived at the Port of The City of New York on her way to Cousin Mary Walsh residing at 37-46 92 Street, Elmhurst, Queens County, Long Island. At this point, Mary Walsh's maiden name is an unknown. As a side note, in the 1930 Census, there is a Theresa McElroy, age 20, reporting a 1928 immigration year (vs. end of 1927), working as a maid in the household of Dr. Edward L. Keyes at 21 East 90th Street in Manhattan. Dr. Keyes was paying a monthly rent of $315. The enumeration date was April 22, 1930.

Two years later on September 13, 1929 John's youngest daughter Rose Alice, age 17, arrived in New York. She was travelling with 18-year-old cousin Ann Elizabeth McGinnity, daughter of Patrick McGinnity of Ballybay. Both cousins were of fair hair and complexion, with Ann Elizabeth being 5 ft. 2 in., with blue eyes and the younger Rose Alice being 5 ft. with grey eyes. They were met at disembarkment by cousin and sister Theresa who would then take them to Aunt Mrs. Mary Walsh at the same Elmhurst address as in 1927.

Aunt Mary was the wife of Michael J. Walsh (b.09/03/1869 – d.09/20/1933), son of Michael and Nora (nee Burke). The "Ireland, Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881" has the record of a Michael Walsh being born and Christened to a Michael Walsh and Honora Burke on September 10, 1869 in the village of Ballyduff in County Waterford. The name Ballyduff is from the Gaelic Baile Dubh translated as black village. Michael owned his own taxi service business. Shortly after his 64th birthday, he passed on from Queens County on September 20, 1933 and interred three days later in Calvary. Michael is interred at Section 18, Range 20, Grave AA, Plot 7, which he had bought 11/28/1905; there are a total of 4 interments at this gravesite, the most recent in 1950.

On April 21st, 1910, the Walsh family consisted of Michael, age 40, Mary A., age 38, both married 5 years, with Jos., age 3 (b. March 25,1907, Manhattan Cert. 5331), and John A. was 1-6/12 years-old (b. Sept. 08, 1908, Manhattan Cert. 53162). They were residing at 328 East 70th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Here, they both reported having immigrated in 1890 with Michael having been naturalized. Michael was then a coachman for a private family. They are reported in the 1915 New York State Census as House 106, now having been in the U.S. for 9 years and living in Queens County with reported ages as Michael 46, Mary 40, Joseph 9, Jack 7, Francis 4 and Vincent 1. Both Mary and Michael reported in 1920 having immigrated in 1902, while residing at 81 Ithaca Street in Elmhurst; in the 1925 New York State Census, they had moved to the 37-46 92nd Street residence (page 33, A.D. 03, E.D. 58, Queens). In the 1930 Census, they were at the same address; both reported an immigration year of 1889. Mary is reported as having been born in Northern Ireland. In the 1930 Census, on April 9th, Michael reported age 62 and age 35 when married, while Mary reported age 58 and age 31 at marriage. Thus, both had been married for 27 years. Therefore, they appear to have been married around 1902-03.

Their children were Joseph F. (b.1907), John (b.1908), Francis (b.1911) and Vincent (b.1914). They may have had an oldest child, maybe born circa 1902, given that they bought the gravesite in 1905. Aunt Mary's maiden name remained a mystery to be solved, maybe it was Murray like Teresa's and Rose Alice's mom. Subsequently, the writer uncovered a birth record from the New York City Births, 1846-1909 showing a Joseph Walsh being born in Manhattan on 25 August 1906 to a Michael and Mary, nee Murray, Walsh. So, Aunt Mary Walsh was sister to John McElroy's wife Kate Elizabeth, nee Murray, Kate born c.1874.

It was thought, Aunt Mary may have passed 11/18/1946 at age 74 (b.≈1872), Queens County death certificate 9264 (FHL roll 2194492). However, this has been found to not work out because of the location of the grave and its' owner. This death was tracked down to Calvary Cemetery to a grave location of Section 28, Range 15, Plot E-, Grave 21, with an 11/22/1946 interment. It is owned by a John Walsh who had bought it on 07/05/1906. There are 4 internments with Mary being the last. She was age 74 years, 10 months and 24 days. With this not working out, a search of the 1940 Census was undertaken.

No records were returned that were a good fit for Mary from a screen of the 1940 Census. It appears youngest son Frank, age 27 (vs.29), was married to a Catherine, age 30, born in Northern Ireland. They were residing at 142-02 Franklin Avenue in Flushing, Queens County. Frank was still a clerk in advertising. In the 1940 Census there is a Vincent, age 26, married to Virginia, age 26, born in Illinois, with 1 year old baby Michael, residing down at 471 Warren Street, Brooklyn, a couple of blocks from the inland end of the Gowanus Canal. He was a retail grocery clerk. Similarly, in the same census, there was a John, age 32, post office clerk, and wife Anna, age 30, Walsh with daughter Anna 6 and son John 1. They were residing at 45-28 Smart Street, in Flushing; this is about 5 blocks north along Bowne Street to the 142-02 Franklin Avenue residence of Frank. So, it appears that their mom, Mary A., passed on sometime after the 1930 Census and before the 1940 Census. No viable results were returned from a FamilySearch criteria of: Name: Mary Walsh Birthplace: Ireland Birth Year (Range): 1868 - 1875 Death place: New York Death Year (Range): 1935 - 1935 Spouse name: Michael Country: United States State or Province: New York.

Returning back to John's daughter Theresa, she appears to have visited the motherland in 1934, arriving back in New York on November 30th, 1934. The manifest notes that she had been in the U.S. before for 6-1/2 years with her earlier Oct. 1927 arrival date penciled in and is now age 25. Closest relative to contact are her parents in Clareoghill, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. On this arrival she was going to her sister Rose at 496 West 136th Street. This would be Rose Alice. On April 14th in the 1930 Census, Rose shows as age 19, being a servant in the household of Oscar, a buyer of furs, and Jeanne Rosner at 106 Fort Washington Avenue (by 164th Street between the Harlem and Hudson Rivers) in Washington Heights.

Here's a couple of interesting tidbits. I happened across a Michael and Ann McElroy with son Owen, ages 24, 24 and 1 respectively in the 1850 Census. At this time, I have no direct familial link to this McElroy family, it caught my eye because of the familial forenames, as well as this Michael's occupation: Black Smith.

Moving forward nearly 100 years, I have a 1942 record of a Charles J. McElroy, age 53 (b. 09/08/1888), that was residing at 31-18 Crescent Street in Astoria. He was also enumerated in the 1925 New York State Census, as age 37, residing at Long Island City, A.D. 01, E.D. 18 and appears as born in the U.S., as was his wife Hattie, age 37. They're listed as house 121 on Page 1. Besides the commonality of his name with Michael's second youngest child and youngest son, Chas. Jos. McElroy, this Chas. J.'s contact was a Mr. J. Batty (sp. Could be Beatty) residing at 35A Jane Street in downtown Manhattan. Michael's daughter Anne was born at Jane Street.

There's also an historical note to the place of employment of this Chas. J. He was employed at the Brewster Aeronautical Company that was manufacturing the Brewster F2A during WWII. However, the building name's "The Brewster Building" gets its name from the Brewster Cars known for its 1915 Brewster Knight. Subsequent to this, Rolls Royce utilized the 400,000 SF edifice to receive Rolls-Royce Phantom II chasses. The building is currently being used by JetBlue. Long Island City has a much-storied history.

DATE OF BIRTH CORRECTNESS:

The following is provided to account for variances as to Michael's birth year. The 1920 Census has his reported age as 39 and thus estimates his birth year as 1881. He was actually 40 and would turn 41 that April. For the record: "Federal census takers were asked to record information about all those who were in each household on the census day, which was 1 January for the 1920 census."

Now the 1930 and 1940 U.S. Census, both enumerated as of April 1st. of those years, report Michael's age, "at last birthday", as 48 and 58, respectively. This indicates his birth year as either 1882 (if born Jan., Feb. or Mar.) or 1881 (if born after April 1st). Contrast this with the earlier mentioned ship's manifest that, initiated at the end of August 1905, and which information we can essentially take for granted that he reported first-hand, shows his age as being 25, indicating an 1880 birth year. The September 1909 ship's manifests shows his age as 30, properly reflecting his 1879 birth year.

Further, the more detailed specific legal, earlier document as recorded at time of birth within "Ireland, Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881" expressly states that Michael was born the 9th of April, 1879. This in turn was subsequently documented within the more general quarterly roll-up level of population filings, i.e., "Ireland, Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958", explicitly stating the quarter of year in which his birth occurred (Apr-Jun 1879), as well as the filing regional district of Monaghan, among other things. In sum, this addresses Michael's actual birth date and any subsequently reported and recorded variances. My brother Jimmy has the same 04/09/1879 date. Further, this date agrees with his age 32 as recorded on his marriage Certificate.

MARRIAGE, FAMILY, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS:

1910 THROUGH 1919

Shortly after his 1909 emigration, during mid-April of 1910, Michael was living with his sister Bridget and her husband Patrick who married June 25, 1905. They were residing at 347 West 45th Street on Manhattan Island, New York City, New York. Their household was filled out by boarders 28-year-old Thomas Lennon, Patrick Daly, 23 and 16-year-old Bridget Sheridan. Michael and brother-in-law Patrick were farriers, while Thomas was a truck driver and Patrick Daly a U.S. Mail driver. Michael is recorded as being 23, while he actually had just turned 31, so there's either a speaking, hearing or writing miscue here. Similarly, Bridget is shown as 25, in contrast to her March 28th, 1877 birth recorded within Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881; thus, she had just turned 33 a couple of weeks before. Must have been that darn "New Math".

On Monday, August 28, 1911, at the age of 32, the reddish-brown haired Michael married the 25-year-old Catherine Prunty (b. 1886 c. – d. 12/25/1960, interred 12/27/1960). He was some 7 years her senior. This was certainly not uncommon, as a matter of fact it was more the norm of this epoch – affords a long stream of children increasing survival odds, many hands to help, sow one's seed (saying applicable to both before and after the connubial fact), establish a foundation to better build a family upon, among other clichés. They both became U.S. citizens in 1914.

At the time of their marriage Michael was residing at 407 West 49th Street while Sarah Catherine was residing at 107 East 60th Street. Michael notes his parents as James and Mary Ford; Sarah Catherine's parents are stated as James and Mary Markey. Sarah Catherine went by the name Catherine.

The Roman Catholic rites of their marriage were administered by Father P.A. Maher O.P. (St. Dominic's Ordo Praedicatorum) at St. Vincent Ferrer's Church at Lexington Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets in Manhattan. They were married in the second church. The first was a Dominican chapel where the first mass was offered September 8th, 1867. Construction on the second church began that December and continued for just over a dozen years to December of 1879. This second church, which lasted until 1914, is the one they were married in. Their marriage vows were witnessed by James E. McElroy and May E. McElroy. At first, I took it that these are Michael's brother and sister. However, Michael's sister Mary had married Ned Daly in 1899. Based upon the aforementioned Cunard Line October 2nd, 1897 manifest she's not Mary A. McElroy. Thus, I suspect that May could have been Mary Elizabeth McElroy the Godmother of Mary "May" Cecelia Cullen, Baptized three years later on 09/06/1914. Further, that this Mary E. may be the daughter of Thomas and Catherine Cullen, brother and sister-in-law of Edward Cullen, Mary Cecelia Cullen's paternal grandfather. Mary Cecelia's mom is the aforementioned Mary "May" Haskins Cullen.

Note that Catherine's beloved paternal aunt, Annie Prunty, married Michael's oldest brother Larry; their children are in order of birth: James, Helen or Ellen, Johnny and Owen (Eugene). For clarification, note that Catherine's father is Jas. Prunty Sr. The father of Annie Prunty is Owen Prunty. I suspect that James Sr. and Owen may be cousins. Further, James named a daughter after Annie, i.e., another Annie Prunty.

As a snapshot back to the early 1900s, specifically its' first and second decades shows that after consolidation of the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens boroughs as the Greater New York City at the start of 1898 and the migration surge from Manhattan to the Bronx, the eastern portion of Queens County, i.e., Queens Borough, experienced rapid development and population growth. It was literally bridged by the Queensborough Bridge, more commonly referred to as the 59th Street Bridge.

Besides extensive building efforts, various train lines were constructed, including among others, the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit) line to various Queens neighborhoods: Hunters Point (1915), Queens Bridge Plaza (1916), Court House Square, Ravenswood, Astoria (1917), Sunnyside (46th Street – Bliss Street Station), Woodside (52nd St. - Lincoln Ave, 69th St. – Fisk Ave.) and so on. Mass transit and improved means of transportation lead to a booming economy. Branching off from the East River, there was significant industrialization along both the Queens and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties shorelines of the Newtown Creek. The north shore of Queens also experienced industrialization with sizable Standard Oil process, storage and transport facilities, similarly there was a Consolidated Edison plant. The remaining eastern portion of Queens became Nassau County. Nevertheless, there were still numerous horses within NYC that required periodic shoeing requiring the services of an experienced blacksmith.

In the New York State Census of 1915, they are recorded as still in Manhattan (part of New York County) at House 16, page 14. On line 34 is Michael shown as age 35, in the U.S. for 12 years, with line 35 his wife Katie, as age 29, daughter Mary, line 36, age 2, and daughter Katherine, line 37, age 1. Line 38 shows that they had a boarder, John O'Brien, age 39. This census was as of June 1st, 1915. So, any child born after June 1st would not be recorded. Later that year, their first son, named after Michael's oldest brother, Lawrence Vincent McElroy. was born.

Sometime around or after the summer of 1917, Michael's oldest brother Larry and his family moved to 580 Hunters Point Avenue now in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens. Their address was just outside the northeast corner of Blissville and is technically located along the southwest corner of Sunnyside. On July 8th, 1917, Michael's and Katie's third daughter would be born, and named after Michael's sister Ann Jane. She was baptized on July 22nd at St. Joseph's, near where the family was residing at 105 Christopher Street down in the West Village.

By 1918 the family had moved out of Manhattan eastward to Queens County, residing at 108 3rd Street in Long Island City. It was here that their second son, Michael (Jr.) was born in September 18th, 1918 and would tragically return to Heaven, 14 months later, on November 15th, 1919. Baby Michael had contracted diphtheria, a bacterial infection, known as the "Strangling Angel of Children". In depth details are provided within baby Michael's memorial.

So, the 1919 residence of 108 3rd St., was between Vernon and East Avenues, in Hunters Point, which had become part of Long Island City on May 4th, 1870. Long Island City in turn gave itself up in 1898 when Queens became a borough of New York City. Their tenement was of brick construction. It was the third tenement in from Jackson Avenue on the south side of Third Street. This is where the southwest-northeast diagonal of Jackson Avenue intersects with Third Street. Today, Jackson Avenue becomes Northern Boulevard (Route 25A). They were one block north of Borden Avenue and two blocks south of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church situated at the southeast corner of the intersection of Vernon and Jackson Avenues. Today, Third Street is 51st Avenue. The buildings along Third Street were demolished and the area today is a triangular shaped NYC park named Old Hickory Park after Andrew Jackson, our seventh president of the U.S. The park is a by-product of the Queens side of the Queens Midtown Tunnel under the East River (86 ft. max. depth). It's the triangular remnant at the northwest ground level corner where the tunnel leads right into the Queens Midtown Tunnel Plaza.

Their residence was about a mile or so eastward along Hunters Point Avenue, across the Dutch Kills Basin, to just off Old Calvary Cemetery to brother Larry's house. Hunters Point itself is actually a peninsula in the southwest corner by the Newtown Creek and the East River. Hunters Point borders around Dutch Kills, Blissville (think 1st Calvary Cemetery area), Laurel Hill, Sunnyside (where The 5 Cullen Boys were raised during childhood, where Larry and Annie's house was technically located and by the house that Michael and Catherine would buy), Ravenswood, Astoria (where daughters Mary and Kay would live once married) and up to Bowery Bay (today's LaGuardia Airport area). However, to this day, this part of LIC where they were living is still referred to as Hunters Point, as well as Long Island City. There is also a national register Hunters Point Historic District on 45th Avenue between 21st and 23rd Streets.

The first born at this Long Island City residence was their fourth daughter, Margaret Veronica, named after another of Michael's sisters. She is also the Godmother of this memorial's writer. She was born 09/21/1919, nearly two (2) months before the passing of baby Michael.

1920 THROUGH 1929

On January 9th, 1920, the reported family consisted of his wife Catherine, age 31, daughters Mary age 6, Catherine (later known as Kay) age 5, toddler Anna (later known as Annie) 2 years 6 months old and 3-month-old infant Margaret. Their sole living son at the time, Lawrence, was age 4. As noted, they had lost their 14-month-old son and brother, Michael, the November before, a dozen days before the first Thanksgiving Holiday. The Census records their address as 109, with another family, that of Jas. & Eliz. O'Brien, residing at 108 3rd Street.

As Michael and Catherine's oldest son Larry was named after Michael's oldest brother Larry. In turn, Ann Jane's second oldest son was named Lawrence (Larry) Vincent. As my oldest brother Jimmy initially told me, the elder Larry was an importer/exporter and owner of fruit and vegetable markets (refer to memorial 104660597). Records I've come across documents this.

In going through some 1920 U.S. Census reels, I came across a Grace McElroy (Reel 1228 Frame 0781), age 48, apparently a single (widowed?) mother of John 24, George 20, Joseph 18, Hugh 16, Catherine 13 and Grace 10, all at a rented residence at 147 4th Street, in Hunterspoint. This is about a block or so away from The Michael McElroy Family at the time. Grace emigrated in 1894 and, like Michael and Catherine, her native language tongue is Irish. This Population Schedule is Sheet 9B within Enumeration District 6 of Supervisor's District 4, enumerated 12th January, 1920. Noted here as possibly a wife of one of Larry's and Michael's paternal cousins.

At the same time, on the next sheet, 10-A, there was another Michael McElroy, age 33, who was a "roomer" in the rented residence of 40-year-old Jane Hagan, a 1909 immigrant who became a citizen in 1916; both spoke Irish. Also staying with her was her niece Mary E., age 30, and nephew, Frank, age 25, McQuade; both were born in Long Island City. Offspring of a sister? Possibly this Michael was a first cousin of Larry's and Michael's (?).

On March 3rd, 1922, their third son, Charles, was born. The family was residing at 123 50th Ave. off of Vernon Boulevard and Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. Charley became to be called their "Buddy"; refer to memorial no. 102918551. In just a few years' time, their last child and fifth daughter Virginia entered this world from Heaven on June 12th, 1925; refer to memorial no. 4068187. The family was not found within a search of the 1925 New York State Census.

Although his family would grow during the 1920s, the decade must have been a rather sad and trying time for Michael. Of the family I know, he and Catherine lost their 1-year-old baby son Michael Jr. and at the same time Michael Sr.'s oldest brother Larry in May 1922 (memorial 104660597). My brother Jimmy informed me recalling that their house was quarantined at around this time because of a fatal contagion that was going around. Michael lost his nephews, Larry's sons James, Johnny and Owen in 1920, 1921 and 1925 respectively, his 2-1/2-year-old grandniece Rita in April 1921, the death of first cousin Larry McElroy ("Teresa's Larry", memorial 108280788) in 1924 and toward the end of the decade Larry's wife Annie, nee Prunty (Catherine's cherished aunt, see memorial 106433775), in August of 1929. Bear in mind that these are just the ones that I can readily list.

1930 THROUGH 1939

By 1930 the family was still at 123 50th Avenue, still in the Hunter's Point area of Long Island City (LIC). This residence is between Jackson and Vernon Avenues, a block north and in westerly around the middle of the 50th Avenue block. They were closer to St. Mary's – all they had to do was walk the half block or so west to Vernon Avenue and up the block is St. Mary's. On April 22nd, the enumerated family and reported ages were Michael 48, wife Catherine 39, Mary, Catherine, Anna, Margie and newest daughter Virginia (later known as Jeanie) ages were 17, 16, 12, 10 and 4-11/12 respectively. Brother Lawrence now 14 was joined by younger brother Charles (family called and known as Buddy) age 8. They were part of Enumeration Block D.

This was a prime time in their lives. Michael and Catherine were still relatively young with a full family of 7 children ranging in age from 17+ to almost 5. Yet this was the time when the claws of the "Great Depression" were on the verge of digging into the fabric of economic life in the United States, which eventually spread throughout the developed world. While the stock market had bounced back from Black Tuesday (10/29/1929), consumers were cutting back on spending due to losses suffered and, equally important, if not more so, the American Heartland "Bread Basket" was about to be totally devastated by a most severe and unforgiving drought. By 1935 the family would have moved up to the Queens neighborhood of Ravenswood (Broadway and 34th Street).

1940S RECAP

In 1940 the family was residing at 34-07 Broadway in the Queensborough area (Ravenswood hamlet absorbed by the Village of Astoria) of Queens. Michael reported being 58, Catherine 49, Mary 26 (see memorial 103772843), Lawrence 24 (memorial 103515933), Anne 21 (our mom, memorial 102008195), Margie 20, Charles 18 (memorial 102918551) and Virginia 14 (memorial 104309258). Daughter Catherine (memorial 103993951) was not living at home, having married James Horan.

In the early 1940s, Michael and Catherine saw their two surviving sons enter the military service for World War II. Refer to the memorial of each for further details. Links are below. They also saw their daughters off to marriage and the start of families of their own. Wow, how time flies!

To recap, Michael and Catherine brought eight children into this world (7 are shown within the picture to the right): Mary Murphy (b. Sun. 03/09/1913 - d. 07/18/2001), Katherine Horan (b. Mon. 02/02/1914 - d. 11/24/1993), Lawrence McElroy (b. 1916 - d. 1970), Ann Jane Cullen (formally, Anna Jeanette, commonly called Annie, named after Catherine's sister and aunt below mentioned, b. 07/09/1917 - d. 06/29/1962), Margaret (09/21/1919 - 12/07/2013), Michael McElroy (d. 14 month. old infant buried 05/19/1922, memorial 104337442), Charles Jos. "their Buddy" (03/03/1922-11/05/2010) and Virginia "Jeannie" O'Keefe (b. 06/12/1925 - d. 08/30/82).

OCCUPATION AND WORLD WAR II

Michael was a farrier (blacksmith), working mostly on horse shoeing, early on. Bear in mind that the main means of transportation during the turn of the century and through the 1910s was horses, where teamsters actually drove teams of horses. Similarly, police were either "pounding a beat" or were on horses and fire vehicles were still, in large part, horse drawn. As automobiles started becoming somewhat more widespread in the "roaring 1920s", the blacksmithing job market branched into construction as welders, metal lathers, and associated trades, as roads and bridges were being constructed on a large scale. The then latest "boom" if you will.

Michael's 1942 United States Registration – World War II - records that he was employed at the Department of Borough Works within their Bureau of Highways, which was down at the Municipal Building in the borough of New York City. The impression is received that in his mind at the time, as well as that of his generational cohorts, is that he may have maintained a view that Manhattan Island and other islands comprising the county of New York, and possibly its' annexed districts from Westchester was New York City and his 34-07 Broadway residence, as written, being in "Astoria, L.I., Queens, NY"; probably still holding the view that he resided just outside "Long Island City". There was also the "City of Brooklyn", until 01/01/1898.

Within this registration document, he scribes his birth date as June 27, 1883 and being age 59. It does make one think of the relevancy of this 06/27/1883 date, eh? Maybe he stated age 59 to convey "youth" as still being in his fifties? I then thought that perhaps he said 27 June as that was the very day he was reporting. Who wouldn't offer him a salute on that day? However, I found out that this was an announced "three day signing" spanning the 25th through the 27th of April, 1942. For a little family folklore, one can view his reporting age 59 when he registered – that he, in fact, truly added depth to the phrase "the Fighting Irish" - a multi-dimensional man indeed, if ever there was one.

MEMORIES:

When I think of Poppa McElroy, I recall him calling me Mickey, small talking with me, that beautiful aroma from his cherry wood bowl pipe with that chewed up black stem; how he would softly ask me to go over to a chair cushion to get a screw on capped glass pint bottle with some gold scrolled black label on it, containing a dark reddish liquid, that he believed ended up behind the chair's cushion, which lo and behold was, telling me I'm a good boy, I think he referred to it as his medicine; being of help to grandpa like this really made this boy feel good. I beamed inside to myself. I was proud to be of help, knowing he knew I was with him.

I clearly see his reading that long newspaper with both arms angled out, sitting in a Queen Anne style wing chair, made of a pine like wood (I recall the grain, the finishing and what appeared as ½ - ¾" wood dowel fasteners), with small floral design off-white back and seat cushions, the pipe in his mouth and oh that aroma; him talking to me while just tinkering on something, anything, down in the basement at the back of the house, which, if memory serves, was actually under the front of the house!

And, of course, Nana always seemed to be in the kitchen, the sagging skin arms, rather thinned body with bent posture, the pleasant winkled face with small smile rounds of each cheek below thick glass spectacles, that talked to and showed me things as in a huddle, with occasional short statements and directions to Poppa.

I also remember a big black heavy horse shoe that was at Nana's and Poppa's. I never did find out if Poppa smithed that with fire and hammer or that he formed it with his hands. Probably the latter as in my eyes he could do anything. Just some memories from my wonder years.

There was also playing outside the rear of the house, around the garage, the bird bath in the side yard, Uncle Larry partially opening the green, wood door made of 1" x 6's, with spaces, to his bedroom downstairs telling us he was trying to sleep, his eyes, facial looks and his head of receding black "wire" hair, …….

I recall going through the front door a couple of times when we were already over there and being told not to. I guess there was something special about that front door. I wonder how much it was worth, probably a fortune.

PASSING ON AND INTERMENT:

Michael passed on just before his 83rd birthday, right after having duly given St. Patrick his day, probably just to be in Heaven amply in advance of the devil finding out. It is what it is.

Michael is (interred 03/22/1962) with his wife, their 1-year-old infant son Michael (d. 11/15/1919, re-interred 1922), their oldest son Lawrence V. (d. 10/09/1970), Catherine's beloved sister Annie Prunty (b. 1876 d. 1905) and their daughter Margie (b. 09/21/1919 -d. 12/07/2013) and her beloved husband Jack Lincks (d. 06/13/2007). Annie was 29 years old at time of death in 1905, some 11 years older than Catherine who was about 14 at the time. As providence would have it and as stated 1905 was also the year that Catherine's future husband would visit New York. I'm sure they are all in eternal bliss.