Deedy.com Blog

I have been searching for other McDonough families in Worcester to see if Thomas McDonough might have had some siblings immigrate with him (who I could then track to see if I can trace them back to Ireland - I am hoping for a more unique first name). In the 1932 Worcester Directory, I see 9 McDonough's listed. Unfortunately the majority are women (it is easier to trace men) and the men's names are very common.

I will have to see if I can find some earlier versions of the directories. Thomas McDonough immigrated in 1873 and before 1900 was naturalized. However, I was not able to find his naturalization paperwork at the National Archive. If I can find that paperwork it would list his village or city in Ireland.

Labels: McDonough

Jack Barry's registration records for WWI and WWII have been found and provide a couple of interesting tidbits. In the WWI Registration Card, Jack Barry lists his address as 1 View Street - so he and his wife Margaret were living with Mary Loftus McDonough. He indicates in the registration card that he is seeking a deferment for service due to his need to support his wife. He must have changed his mind later - since he enlisted in WWI, interupting his baseball career.

In the WWII Draft Card a scar is noted. This would be the famous scar Jack Barry obtained when Ty Cobb spiked him.

Labels: Jack_Barry

Worcester Telegram
June 10, 1953

His Home Wiped Out; 'We Start Again' Today
By Agnes M. Drummond

"It defies description...fantastic. ... I arrived home to find my home in what was apparently a bombed-out area... my wife was gone, the baby, too. People were talking hysterically going around dazed."

This is the way John G. Deedy Jr., of 16 Hapgood way described the disaster, as he saw it upon returning to his Shrewsbury home from his Catholic Free Press editor's office at The Chancery.

"I saw my house, one wall standing. Neighbors said my wife was at the first aid station. I finally found her at the top of the street... a strange man was carrying the baby. Both were cut, had black eyes, but thank God they are safe.

Wife Ran To Save Baby

"My wife ran to get the baby and threw her on the floor and lay on top of her, when the storm struck. That's all she remembers. She was hit by a window casing, and blacked out. When she came to, she walked right through the rubble to the lawn, through what was once a wall. She's aged ten years in twenty minutes.

"People kept walking around looking for members of their families," when I arrived, Mr. Deedy explained. He had run from the foot of Shewsbury hill to his home, when traffic was jammed.

All Homes on 'Flats' Gone

"I was on my way home when it struck. All the homes on the 'flats' - from Jack Barry's house to the Shrewsbury Post Office are levelled... gone. Barry's is partially gone. On the left side of the road there was a wooded area on and beyond the Brewer estate. Now it is flat, nothing shows but a few sticks...wires are down..."

"The storm cut a path about 250 yards wide right down through the town. Autos were 100 yards from the neighbors home, either upside down, on their sides or crushed...there's not a tree, nor a chimney standing," he added.

Sticks Driven Into Wall

"I went in to the house after I had done what I could for my family. There were sticks driven six inches deep into the one wall standing...if they had stuck anyone they would have been fatal. Every window casing in the house was ripped out. I had more than 2000 books. The pages were completely ripped out...the covers remained...some on the shelves. It was unbelievable.

Painting Undamaged

"A choice oil painting by the 17th Century Italian artist, Correggio's Holy Family, was ripped from its frame over the fireplace...and lay face down on the floor...undamaged. The frame was in a thousand splinters. I saw the tomato patch in the back yard...there was nothing there...it looked as though it had been smoothed out with a fine tooth comb...cleaned out, it was smooth as skin."

"We went to the Warren Smith's on Oak avenue. Their house wasn't touched. The Army is down there now, trying to help people. The baby cries for her doll, but there will be no dolls for her tonight."

"Men coming home to supper were frantic looking for their families, thankful when they found them. They looked at the ruins of homes and cried. What else could you do? Or say?"

"I saw Steve Donohue (city editor of The Evening Gazette) who is a neighbor. He had not worked and was away for the day. He and his family drove up to see what was left of their home...less than two feet from the ground...there was nothing...nothing."

'We Start Again In Morning'

"We are completely wiped out, I can't realize it yet. But we are together. We start again in the morning to rebuild the efforts of years...wiped out in a few minutes," Mr. Deedy declared.

The Deedy's are staying with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Deedy of 12 Wabash avenue.

= Original newspaper article can be downloaded here.

Labels: Deedy

I am still trying to track down the Loftus line to see if I can find out where in England the family once lived. This 1915 Passport application by James J Loftus caught my eye. The photo is not very clear, but he has a bit of the same look as Mary Loftus McDonough. Could he be a younger brother or a cousin? Here is the information he provided in the application:

Bureau of Citizenship
Issued Jan 5, 1915
Dept of State

State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester

I, James J. Loftus, a Naturalized and Loyal Citizen of The United States, hereby apply to the Department of State at Washington, for a passport for myself.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Manchester England on or about the 12th day of July, 1869, that my father emigrated to the United States, sailing on board of the (name of ship not known) from Liverpool England on or about 10 of February, 1880; that he resided 32 years, uninterruptedly, in the United States, from 1880 to 1912 at Worcester, Massachusetts; that he was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the Central District Court of Worcester Country at Worcester, on Oct 4, 1887 as shown by the accompanying Certificate of Naturalization; that I am the son of the person described in said Certificate; that I have resided in the United States, uninterruptedly, for 34 years, from 1880 to 1914 at Worcester; that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Worcester, 30 Myrtle St in the State of Massachusetts where I follow the occupation of ?? Machinist Laborer?; that I am about to go abroad temporarily; and intend to return to the United States within six months with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and that I desire a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purpose:

England - To sell Machinery
France - To sell Machinery (Consumer Business)
Russia - '' '' ''

He then signs an oath of allegiance on January 4, 1915

[2nd page]

Description of applicant

Age: 45 years Mouth: small
Stature: 5 feet, 6 inches, Eng. Chin: Round + full
Forehead: slightly sloping Hair: Brown
Eyes: Gray Complexion: Medium
Nose: Slightly irregular Face: Oval

Identification.

Worcester Jan 4, 1915

I, James F. Healy solemnly swear that I am a native citizen of the United States; that I reside at Worcester, Mass that I have known the above named James J. Loftus personally for ten years and know him to be son of the person referred to in the within-described certificate of naturalization; and that the facts stated in his affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signed: James J. Healy
368 Main St. Worcester

Applicant desires passport sent to the following address:

James J. Loftus
30 Myrtle St.
Worcester, Mass

Unfortunately the application does not contain the mentioned naturalization certificate nor does it name James J Loftus' father. In the 1900 census, Patrick Loftus is listed as having immigrated to the US in 1879 from England and was listed as a resident alien. So those two pieces of data seem to rule out James J Loftus as a brother to Mary Loftus McDonough. However, he could still be a cousin. I should see if I can track down the Loftus naturalization record issued on Oct 4, 1887 - that document might provide more answers.

Labels: Loftus

Growing up I always knew I was named after my Great-Aunt Jane Austin Sullivan. As a young child I spent many happy days with her (she was a frequent baby sitter). She never married or had children of her own, but she was great with me. My fondest memory is from a rainy day when I was about 5 and she was in her late 70's. I must have been unhappy being stuck indoors and when she asked me what I would do if I was outside I said I would play hop scotch. Aunt Jane then proceeded to hike up her skirt, kneel down on her oriental carpet, and with a thick piece of sidewalk chalk outlined a hopscotch grid. I can still pictured us today in my mind, hopping around in her living room screeching with laughter at playing an outdoor game indoors. Breaking the rules was so much fun and her complete willingness to draw on her carpet - knowing chalk can just be vacuumed up - was pure genius.

But it was only when I started researching my family history that I realized who my Great-Aunt Jane was named after - her Grandmother, Jane Brady Sullivan. So it is really that Jane that I have to thank for my name (and who my niece Annika Jane has to thank for her middle name). I wish I knew more about Jane Brady Sullivan, or had a photo of her. Here is what I do know:

Jane Brady was born in June 1830 in County Sligo, Ireland. Her father was Maurice Brady and her Mother was Margaret Caraway, both of the Town of Sligo, County Sligo, Ireland. By 1847 both of Jane's parents were dead and Ireland was in the grip of the Great Potato Famine. By 1850 one million people would have perished in the famine and another million immigrated. Jane was one of the lucky who was able to escape the fate of her parents and immigrate. In June 1847 she sailed in the Brig. General Tailor commanded by Capt. Lilly of South Warren. Family lore has it that Jane was able to work as a nursemaid to Capt. Lilly's children to pay for her passage. This meant she was able to make the crossing in relative comfort, unlike the poor souls who traveled to North America in Coffin Ships.

By 1850 we find Jane Brady living in Thomaston, Maine according to the census record. She is living in the household of William Stetson who is a shipbuilder. Since the family has young children, I am going to assume she is still working as a nanny or as a domestic. On August 18, 1851 Jane Brady married Patrick Sullivan, who was a fellow Irishman (from Waterford Ireland). She was 21 years old and he was 31. Together they had six children:

Ellen Sullivan
1855 - 1943

Jane Sullivan
Jan. 26, 1858 - Jan. 23, 1859

Margaret Sullivan
July 1, 1860 - May 19, 1886

Patrick Henry Sullivan
July 21, 1861 - Jan. 4, 1888

Maurice Sullivan
1862 - 1933

Daniel Sullivan
Sept. 18, 1867 - Feb. 27, 1887

But only two of those children outlived her and her husband. Ellen who never married or had children and Maurice who went on to give Jane nine grandchildren.

Jane Brady Sullivan died at age 83 on Oct. 7, 1913 in Thomaston, Maine with her daughter Ellen by her side.

Labels: Sullivan

Some more searching in newspaper archives revealed this interesting article about Mary O'Leary (eldest daughter of Thomas and Mary McDonough). The car pictured below is what I guess the coupe mentioned in the article may have looked like - it is a 1907 Cadillac 10-Horse Power Coupe - however, I can't confirm this is the automobile.

Boston Daily Globe
Sep 21, 1907

Family Auto "Went Crazy."

Mrs M. Thomas O'Leary of Worcester and Her Baby Rescued After a Most Exciting Ride.

WORCESTER, Sept 20 - A runaway electric auto of the closed coupe style containing Mrs M. Thomas O'Leary, wife of the manager of the Pond auto garage, and her baby boy, M. Thomas O'Leary Jr. cut up some high jinks on Main st in front of city hall today.

The crazy car was started on its wild career by the crossing of wires in its internal mechanism when the chauffeur threw over the lever to leave the city hall branch of the Worcester Trust company. The machine began operations by bucking into a horse attached to a carriage and the horse started on the run. The wheels of his carriage became locked with those of a wagon and the whole outfit was pushed across Main st to the city hall plaza, where the horses freed themselves and started on a run down Main st. They were caught near the corner of Main and Park sts, one by John S. Holt and the other by S. I. Howard, the contractor who jumped from his own wagon to grab the bridle of one of the runaways. Left without a guardian, Mr. Howard's horse cut loose and added to the excitement for a few minutes until he was captured.

In the meantime, the electric coupe was darting in and out among the other vehicles on Main st, beyond all control of the chauffeur, and only quick work on the part of the drivers of horses prevented further runaways and collisions. The police officers on duty at Harrington corner and at the corner of Main and Park sts joined in a chase of the auto, but there was nothing they could hold onto, and it slid away from them every time they grabbed it.

Mrs. O'Leary and her baby boy were prisoners, as she could not open the door, and her shreiks of fear attracted crowds from blocks around. In one of the crazy gyrations of the machine it ran close to the curb of the city hall plaza and Mrs O'Leary saw on the sidewalk a man holding out his hands. As the machine bucked back from the curb, she tossed the baby from the window and the man caught the child. Back again across Main st the auto flew, and on the return trip it ran into the curb, where the wheels whizzed around in an effort to climb up onto the sidewalk. During the brief interval that the coupe was standing still, men in the street rushed to the door of the coupe and opened it and dragged Mrs O'Leary to safety.

She had scarcely been removed from the auto than it gathered headway and started down Main st, turning into Allen ct, where it banged up against the curbstone and went out of business, as something weakened and a wire snapped.

Labels: OLeary

I am very excited to announce that I have my first volunteer presenter for the Worcester gathering! Clare T. has done some amazing research into the Deedy (or more properly Deady) branch of the family. My Great-Grandfather and her Grandmother were first cousins and we share the common direct line ancestors Edmund Deady and Bridget Thompson.

I am still looking for volunteers - you can pick any person or topic you think would be of interest to the group (and it can be short). My Father and I will speak as well, but we are waiting to pick our topics until all of the reply cards are back.

On another note, I am still looking for more information about the Loftus and McDonough families - preferably something that can help me trace them back to specific cities or towns in England and Ireland. I am also looking for the location of Patrick Loftus (Mary Loftus McDonough's Father) grave site or headstone. I know he was in Worcester in 1900 living with Mary, but I have not been able to track him after that - so any additional information or clues would be helpful.

Labels: Deedy, Gathering

Another Jack Barry article found - this one also mentions the O'Leary's.

Boston Daily Globe
November 28, 1911

PUTS PRIZE MONEY IN AUTO

Jack Barry of the Athletics Drives With His Wife to Worcester in New Machine - Is to Run a Garage.

WORCESTER, Nov 1 - In a new automobile, which he purchased with part of his share of the prize money resulting from the World's Series of baseball games, "Jack" Barry shortstop of the Philadelphia Athletics arrived in Worcester tonight with Mrs Barry to take up their home in a new flat on Vernon St.

So sure was Barry that the Athletics would win the series that he placed the order for the auto before the games were started and the day after the final game, which gave his team the championship, he had the machine delivered.

Coming to Worcester with Mrs Barry the couple made a short stay in Barry's old home in Meriden, Conn. They left there this forenoon and arrived tonight about 8 at the home of Mrs M.T. O'Leary, Mrs Barry's sister, with whom they will stay until their own home is ready.

Barry has invested money in a garage to which he will devote his time until ordered to report to Connie Mack next Spring.

I wonder if that Vernon street apartment was in the home owned by Thomas and Mary McDonough?

Labels: Jack_Barry, OLeary

My niece Priscilla has been very helpful in translating the recently discovered baptismal record for my great-grandmother, Suzanne (Susie) Austin Sullivan. Here is her transcription of the original french and the translation:

French rewritten so you can actually read it:

Le vingt deux Septembre...je prêtre souligné ai baptisé Suzanne, née le dix neuf (en courant ( ?) ) le légitime mariage de William Austin...et Margaret Françoise ( ?) ...Parrain Patrick Maloney, qui n'a pas signé, Marraine Margaret Hoare (?)...avec le père.

Which roughly translates to:

The 22 September...(probably something to do with where the parish is, judging by contemporary baptismal entries, which you should know by where you got it from...) ...I, the undersigned priest, baptized Suzanna, born the 19th (as a result of (?) something like that) the legitimate/legal marriage of William Austin...(probably his occupation)......and Margaret Françoise (not sure about this name)...(probably something to do with being a witness?)...the Godfather Patrick Maloney, who didn't sign, Godmother Margaret Hoare (?) (signed (?) ) with the father.

Then comes the godmother and the father's signatures...the last signature is probably the priest's...

As you can see in the image (click on image to see larger) of the baptism record, it is very difficult to read. But Suzanne's parents are William Austin and Margaret Corrigan (not Francoise). I wish we could make out William's occupation. If anyone else knows french and can make it out, I would appreciate further help with the translation!

Labels: Austin

While looking up articles about Jack Barry, I came across this 1912 piece.

Boston Daily Globe
November 19, 1912

FATAL HURTS IN ACCIDENT

Mrs A. J. Ahern Dying in Hartford Hospital - Sister-in-Law of Jack Barry of Philadelphia Athletics.

WORCESTER, Nov 18 - According to information which reached Worcester today, Mrs. Albert J. Ahern of East Windsor Hill, Conn, who is known to a host of Worcester folks as Sadie McDonough, who was the first bride to be married in the new Church of the Ascension on Aug 18, is lying at the point of death in St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, as the result of an auto accident last night.

Her husband, Albert J. Ahern is in the same hospital suffering from a broken leg, a broken arm, a broken nose and two deep cuts across the face. Mrs Ahern's injury consists of a fracture of the skull at the base of the brain and the hospital physicians hold out no hope for her recovery.

Alfred Crickmore of East Windsor Hill suffored a broken leg and Miss Isabel Mulligan and Miss May Mulligan of Springfield escaped with body bruises in the same accident. The party had been to Hartford for dinner and was returning to the Ahern home when one of the front wheels of the auto snapped off, causing the rear wheel on the left side to break and overturning the heavy machine. The Mulligan girls were thrown clear of the machine but the others were caught under the wreckage.

Mrs Ahern is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas McDonough of 1 View st and sister-in-law of "Jack" Barry, shortstop of the Philadelphia Athletics. Previously to her marriage to Mr Ahern she was a nurse in St Francis Hospital in Hartford. Her wedding, the first in the new Church of the Ascension, was a notable event and in recognition of it she and her husband presented the parish the sanctuary bench.

Sadie Ahern was Margaret Barry's twin sister. She would have been about 27 years old at the time of the accident. Did she survive the head injuries? The church mentioned in the piece - was that in Worcester or in Hartford? Does that bench still exist? How common was it for cars to just fall apart in 1912?

Labels: McDonough

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Labels: Deedy

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Labels: Deedy

I know that I am horribly late getting the invitations out for the Sept. 7, 2008 gathering in Worcester. But I am printing them out now and working on them - I promise! They should be in the mail very soon.

I have finally picked the venue - we will be meeting in the DCU Center in Worcester. They have smaller meeting rooms on the 3rd floor of the center (accessible via elevators) so we will be up there - not on the main exhibit hall. There will be a brunch buffet served and hopefully that will work for all who are planning on attending.

More details will be in the invitations.

Labels: Gathering