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

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Mary Thomas, born 1865

Bridget Reidy and John Thomas (Thompson) appear to have an additional daughter, Mary/Marion.  She is registered as born on September 12, 1865 while her mother was living on Convent Street in Limerick City and her father was in America.  Mary and her mother were living in the district of St. Munchin's at the time of her registration.  It is noted that Bridget Reidy could not sign her name on the registration as it shows an "X" and states "mark" where Biddy Thomas' name is entered as mother.

Second entry is Mary Thomas' birth registration.  Click on image to enlarge.

Source: Irish Birth Records, St. Munchin's, County Limerick, Ireland, vol 20, page 393, no. 29.  FHL# 101119.