Old King John's Castle

Old King John's Castle
A view of King John's Castle from the River Shannon. Behind the castle turret is the end of Convent Street where Bridget and John's daughter, Mary, was born in 1865, just before Bridget left for America to join her husband John. Photo July 2011.

About John Thompson (Thomas) and Bridget Reidy

About John Thompson/Thomas and Bridget Reidy

John Thompson/Thomas was born in Ireland c 1831 and married Bridget Reidy (Riedy/Ready) c1851 in Ireland. Bridget was born in Ireland c1831. They used the Thompson and Thomas surnames interchangeably, but settled on Thomas prior to coming to America. In 1866 the family immigrated from County Limerick, Ireland, to Chicago, Illinois. They had eight known children, six born in Ireland and two born in Illinois. Bridget [Madigan/Thompson Genealogy] the oldest was born 1852 in or near Limerick City, County Limerick and died in Chicago in 1935. The other children born in Limerick include: Mary Ellen (c1855-1906); Patrick (1857-b1866); James (1860-1932); Martin (1862-1898); and Marian/Mary (1865-b1866). The two youngest children John (c1867-1879) and Lillian Marie (1869-1928) were born in Illinois, most likely, Chicago. The mother, Bridget, died of heart failure and pneumonia on May 3, 1900. Father, John, died of pneumonia three years later on May 21, 1904. They are both buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Lillian Thomas and George Davis, Marriage, 1903


Lillian Thomas married George Davis on June 27, 1903.  They were married by a Justice of the Peace in Chicago.   This further goes to confirm that Lillian and her first husband were divorced.

On her death certificate she is listed as a widow, so George died prior to her death.

Image courtesy: Elaine M. Beaudoin

Lillian Thompson and John Vallely, Marriage, 1886


Lillian, the eigthth child of John and Bridget (Reidy) Thomas married John Vallely on December 26, 1886.  They were married by a Rev. J. M. Castan (sp?), a Catholic Priest, however, no church name is provided.  Note on this document, Lillian's last name is spelled Thompson.

Document image: Courtesy Elaine M. Beaudoin

Lillian Thomas Davis, 1869-1928, Death Certificate


Lillian died at her residence, 7838 S. Union, Chicago.  Her son, William Vallely is the informant and his address is the same as hers.  Her mother's last name is listed as "Ready" but I think this was just a misspelling and it should be Reidy, which is a much more common way of spelling the name.  She died of a heart attack.  Of note is the name of her doctor, J. Linton Vallely.  The same name as her first husband. Since she is one year old in the 1870 US Census, she was born in 1869, not 1872 as reported on the death certificate.

Document image: Courtesy Elaine M. Beaudoin