THE SEARCH FOR MISSING FRIENDS
Irish Immigrant Advertisements
BOSTON PILOT
With the wave of Irish immigration to North America during and after the famine years, thousands of Irish families were lost or separated from their relatives on their journey to the States. Tens of thousands of advertisements were placed in hopes of finding lost loved ones. Very sad. I have copied the following advertisements as they appeared in the BOSTON PILOT.
NOTE: Reference to MS. is Massachusetts.
VOL. II 1851-1853
(Ruth-Ann M. Harris and Emer O’Keefe, Editors)
15/MAR/1851, PG. 34
Michael McGaugh from County Monaghan, parish Aghnamullan, wants to find
his brother, James and his sister Nancy, who came to this country
about five years since. When last heard from they were in Sherburne, Ms. Address
to Alien Commissioner, Long Wharf Boston, Ms.
08/OCT/1853, PG. 478
By Patrick McGough residing in Johnstown, Cambria Co., PA, of his brother
James McGeough, blacksmith. James was in Pittsburg, PA, when last
heard from a year ago.
25/OCT/1851, PG. 129
Of Patrick Sherry from near Carrickmacross Co. Monaghan. He left Lowell,
MS., December, 1846, for Albany,
NY; accounts have been since received that he
was working in the state of Maine. If this note meets his eye or anyone knowing
him, they will confer a favor on his wife and child by letting them know his
residence – care of Matthew McQuade, William St., Lowell, MS., for
Bridget Sherry.
VOL. III 1854-1856
(Ruth-Ann M. Harris and Emer O’Keefe, Editors)
18/MAR/1854, PG. 52
Of Edward Donahoe, baker by trade, who left Ireland about seven years
ago, and never heard from since; he is a native of Cootehill, Co. Cavan.
Information of him will be re-ceived by his nephew (sic) Ann McGough,
care of John Lally, Newton Lower Falls, MA.
VOL. IV 1857-1860
(Ruth-Ann M. Harris and Donald M. Jacobs, Editors)
14/APR/1860, PG. 514
Of Michael McGough, aged 12 years, who left his parents on the 2nd
of January 1859, and has not been seen since. He wore a gray coat and cap, and
was rather thin featured. Any information will be thankfully received by his
distraught mother, Mary, care of John O'Connor, Peoria, Ill.
24/JUL/1860, PG. 274
Of James Sherry, a native of County Monaghan, who left Port Richard 2 ˝
years ago, and was last heard of about 1 ˝ years ago, living near Sippodock, in
Louisianna, aged about 35 years. His wife and children are anxious to hear from
him. Please address Mrs. Rose Sherry, Port Richmond, Philadelphia.
VOL. VI 1866-1870
(Emer O’Keefe, Editor)
09/JUL/1870, PG. 629
Of Thomas McGough, a native of the County Monaghan, when last heard
of was in Carbondale, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Information of his
whereabouts will be received by his brother, Peter McGeough, No. Woburn
PO Massachusetts.
29/JAN/1870, PG. 561
Of Michael and Catherine Dugan, natives of the Co. Galway,
Ireland, children of Henry and Catherine Dugan
(maiden name Griffin)
who came to this country about five or six years ago. Any information of them
will be thankfully received by their brother-in-law, John McGoff, who
married their sister Kate in England, care of Patrick Higgins,
Malden, MA
12/DEC/1868, PG. 415
Of Patrick and Edward
McGough of Killenay parish, County Monaghan, Ireland, who came to this
country in June 1859, when last heard from they were working for Thomas Hoye,
Boston, in May 1860. They will hear of something to their advantage by writing
to Andrew McGough, Delevan,
Tazewell County, Illinois.
12/DEC/1868, PG. 277
Thomas McGah, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who left South
Amboy, NJ about ten years ago, and went to California. He was advertised in
this paper about two years ago, but never heard anything of him. Any
information of him will be thankfully received by his sister Alice McGah,
Pawtucket,
Rhode Island.
22/AUG/1868, PG. 377
Of Patrick Grey, a native of the parish of Kill, County Waterford,
Ireland. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his brother,
Michael Grey. Direct in care of Mr. Henry McGough, Morrissania, West.
Chester County,
New York.Wisconsin papers please copy.
VOL. VII
1871-1876 (Emer
O’Keefe, Editor)
03/FEB/1872, PG. 125
Of Margaret
Murnighan, County Monaghan, when last heard of she was living with Rev.
Father Anthony McGough, Waterfleet Centre near Schenectady, in 1852. She
will hear
of something to her advantage by addressing her brother Patrick Murnighan,
Bloomington, Illinois.
02/AUG/1873, PG.
287
Of Lackwell Kearney a native of Stockport, England, when last heard of
was living in Providence, Rhode Island, fourteen years ago, he immigrated in
1852. Should this meet his eye I should be glad to hear from him. Address his
brother-in-law John McGough, 41 Fifth St., Fall River, Massachusetts.
02/MAR/1872, PG.
135
Of Thomas McGough a native of the parish of Inniskeen, County Monaghan,
who left Leeds, England about six years ago, when last heard he was in Scranton,
Pennsylvania. Information of him will be received by his brother, Peter
McGough, No. 9 Division St., Troy, New York.
24/AUG/1872, PG. 180
Of Patrick, Michael, Bridget McGuff, formerly of the parish of Killene,
near Ballygar, County Monaghan, by their sister and niece, Mary McGuff,
whose father’s and mother’s names were Edward McGuff and Mary Carroll.
Any information concerning them from friends will be kindly received. Address
Rev. P. Bardon, Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
18/OCT/1873, PG.
315
Of William McGaugh, a native of the parish of Teynor, County Armagh, who
came to this country three years ago. When last heard of he was in New
Orleans. Information of him will be received by his sister Catherine McGaugh,
Box 193, Seymour, Connecticut.
VOL. VIII 1877-1920
(Emer O'Keefe, Editor)
15/MAR/1884, PG.
283
Of John McGeough when last heard of three years ago this time was in
Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas. Any information of him will be
thankfully received by his brother Frank McGeough, Rossville, Alamakee,
Co. Iowa.