James Thomas baptismal record, 1860

Transcription:

February A. D. 1860

[Entry:] 10, 081

28th
Rev. Wm.(?) Shanahan [baptizing priest]
James of John Thomas and Bridget Reedy
Sponsor Catherine Maher

Notes:
1. This is the first time I see Bridget's name spelled Reedy
2. Catherine Maher was also the sponsor of Patrick Thomas, b1857

Source: St. Mary's Church, Diocese of Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland; National Library of Ireland, accessed online at registers.nli.ie, microfilm: 02413/02; record coverage: 06 Jan 1837 to 24 June 1862; http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000635019#page/321/mode/1up
Accessed January 2, 2017

Patrick Thomas baptismal record, 1857

Transcribed from original text:

August A. D. 1857

[Entry:] 9328

Rev. Wm Fitzgerald [baptizing priest]
Patrick of John Thomas and Bridget Riedy
Sponsor: Catherine Maher

Source: St. Mary's Church, Diocese of Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland; National Library of Ireland, accessed online at registers.nli.ie, microfilm: 02413/02; record coverage: 06 Jan. 1837 to 24 June 1862; http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000635019#page/294/mode/1up
Accessed January 2, 2017.

(Mary) Ellen Thomas baptismal record, 1855

Translated/transcribed from the Latin:

April 1855
29
Rev Daniel O'Connor baptized
Ellen, legitimate daughter [of]
John Thomas and Bridget Riedy,
Anna Madigan, godmother

Notes:
1. "fil. legit." is an abbreviation for either legitimate son or daughter. Son = filium/filius; Daughter = filia/filiam.
2. Helenam or Helena is Latin for the following names: Helen, Ellen, Nell, Aileen, Eileen
3. Thanks to Dan Moore for locating this document in the Parish of Parteen.

Source: Parteen Parish, Diocese of Limerick, Counties Clare and Limerick, Ireland; National Library of Ireland; accessed online at registers.nil.ie; microfilm 021410/03; record coverage: 26 Sep 1831 to 14 Feb 1877; http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000634992#page/123/mode/1up
Accessed January 2, 2017.

Bridget Thompson's baptismal record, 1852

Transcription:
October A. D,. 1852
[Entry] 7747:
10th
Rev. Wm. O'Brien [Assumed to be priest that baptized Bridget]
Bap[tism]
Bridget of John Thompson and Bridget Riedy [Note spelling of Riedy]
Sponsor Ellen Forrest (spelling of last name not clear)

Source: St. Mary's Church, Diocese of Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland; National Library of Ireland, accessed online at registers.nli.ie, microfilm: 02412/02; record coverage: 06 Jan. 1837 to 24 June 1862; http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000635019#page/238/mode/1up
Accessed January 2, 2017.

James Thomas Becomes a Naturalized U. S. Citizen

On October 6, 1886, at the age of 26, 21 years after arriving as a small child in the U. S., James Thomas became a U. S. Citizen. He filed his naturalization papers in the Superior Court of Cook County, Illinois.

In 1886, naturalization was still being coordinated at the local level and, unfortunately, the papers do not provide much genealogical information.

This document is from a Superior Court docket book.

Thanks to Dan Moore for identifying the existence of this document and providing me with the information to locate it.

Source: Cook County Archives, Superior Court, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 13, page 219. Date of naturalization, October 6, 1886.

Martin Thomas' Naturalization Paper

On March 27, 1894, Martin Thomas, third son of John and Bridget (Reidy) Thomas/Thompson, became an American citizen. He was approximately 32 years old when he was granted his citizenship. On the document, he states he was a native of Ireland and he arrived in the United States as a minor. This is confirmed on the passenger list where he is listed as traveling with his Mother and siblings, arriving in New York City on September 8, 1866 at the recorded age of 3. It is sad to think, within 4 years from becoming a U. S. citizen, he would die of tuberculosis on May 7, 1898.

James E. Gillan, 5805 S. Carpenter, Chicago, signed Martin's naturalization papers as a witness to his "good moral character." At this point, James E. Gillan is not a known family associate.

Thanks to Dan Moore for locating in the U. S. Department of Labor, Immigration and Naturalization Service index the information that allowed location of Martin's naturalization papers.

Source: Circuit Court, Cook County, Illinois; Certificate no. R 47 P 10 Minor.

John and Bridget Thomas Gravestone, Mt. Olivet Cemetery

In an earlier post, I noted there was no grave stone on the John/Bridget Thomas grave at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chicago. My gift for my birthday this year from my husband was a stone that lists all the individuals buried in Lot S 112; Block/Section 41.

Buried in the same set of graves:

• John Thomas (Thompson) born c 1831 in County Limerick, Ireland; died March 21, 1904 in Chicago, Illinois. Married Bridget Reidy in Ireland c 1851.
• Bridget (Reidy) Thomas born c 1831 in County Limerick, Ireland; died May 3, 1900 in Chicago, Illinois.
• Martin Thomas baptized November 11, 1862 at St. Mary's Church, Limerick City, County Limerick, Ireland; died May 7, 1898 in Chicago, Illinois. Never married.
• Ellen (Thomas) Halloran/Hallaran baptized April 29, 1855 Parteen and Meelick Church, St. Patrick Civil Parish, County Clare, Ireland; died January 10, 1906 in Chicago, Illinois. Married Charles Hallaran on December 2, 1877 at St. John's Church, Chicago, Illinois (Charles was born c April, 1855 in Canada; died December 2, 1902 in Chicago, Illinois; buried in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois)
• John L. Valley born January 8, 1868 in Newry, County Down, Ireland; died August 7, 1941. He married Lillian Thomas on December 26, 1886 and they divorced prior to March, 1892 when he married Edyth Beder who died in the Iroquois Theatre fire of 1903.
• Lillian Thomas (Vallely) Davis born June 11, 1869 in Chicago, Illinois; died July 22, 1928 in Chicago. Married first John L. Valley in 1886 and then George Davis on June 27, 1903. George was born c 1873 and died before 1920. 
• William Vallely, grandson of John L. Vallely and Lillian Thomas Vallely Davis; son of William Vallely and Bernice Cunningham, was born December 28, 1918 and died on September 20, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois.

Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin inspecting the new gravestone, December 7, 2015.