Re: Michael James O'Rourke of Rostrevor b. 1877
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In reply to:
Re: Michael James O'Rourke of Rostrevor b. 1878
Deirdre McEvoy 8/31/04
Hi Deidre,
Thank you for all the information.I went back to some old letters that I have. The last known information that I have for my great grandmother Margaret O'Rourke is that she lived at Bay View House, Ballyneddon, Killowen.This information is in a letter from 1919.Michael O'Rourke (my grandfather) married Mary McNall(e)y and the marriage certificate states that Michael's mother's name was Margaret McVeigh O'Rourke.
I also have a picture post card of Rostrevor that was sent from an M. Sloan to Michael's daughter Laurette in Cleveland.The post card from M. Sloan says that she lives in the part of Rostrevor near the churches in the square of Rostrevor.The postcard looks to be early 1900's, but I can't be sure.There is no date documentation.
From the public records here in Cleveland, Ohio, I have found that Michael emigrated in 1890 and apparently came to live with his aunt Anna Farran and her husband Thomas.At the time of his death (1919)Michael had a sister living at 5603 Princeton Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.There are very few pieces of correspondence, and none of them mention this sister's name.She is simply referred to as sister.It seems that through the years, relations broke off between Michael's wife Mary and his sister in Chicago.Michael's wife Mary died in 1946, four years before I was born.
Whatever information you have about the O'Rourkes in Kilbroney parish would be welcome.My own father Michael James O'Rourke, Jr. (d. 1979) didn't know much about his relatives in Ireland.He would be surprised to hear that there were other children of Margaret and William who remained in Ireland.
Thank you.It has been a pleasure to read about my family.
Patricia