James Thomas and Bridget Kennedy, Marriage, 1893, etc.

John and Bridget's fourth child, James, born c1860, and Bridget Kennedy, born c1864, applied for a marriage license on October 14, 1893 in Chicago.  James is listed as being 30 years old and Bridget is listed as being 29.

On October 22, 1893 they were married by Rev. P. O'Dwyer of St. Marry's Catholic Church in Chicago.

On page 412-413 of the Marriage Register of St. Mary's Church it lists James Condon and Annie Kennedy as witnesses to the marriage.

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.

Convent Street, Limerick City

When Bridget Reidy Thompson gave birth to Mary/Marian Thompson, her sixth child, in Limerick City, she was living on Convent Street per the birth registration for Mary/Marian.  In July 2011 I took a video of Convent Street.  It had been revitalized in 1996, but as you look around the area, older buildings from the 18th century and earlier can be viewed.






The plaque that is on the far wall of the new housing complex:

A view down Convent Street as it appears in 2011:

Older buildings surrounding Convent Street, in particular St. John's Castle:

A view of St. John's Castle from the river, note the modern entrance way in the rear of the photo that was also seen at the end of Convent Street in the video above:

Photos: Elaine Beaudoin, July 2011, Limerick City, Ireland

Bridget Reidy Thomas and Family, Passenger List, 1866

Bridget Reidy Thomas and her children, Bridget, Ellen, James and Martin sailed from Queenstown, Ireland arriving at Castle Garden, New York City, New York on September 8, 1866.  It is believed that two other children, Patrick and Marian/Mary Thomas died in Ireland prior to the family's immigration.  Bridget's husband, John Thomas, is not on the passenger list.  On the 1900 US Census, it states he immigrated in 1865, possibly to establish a home in the US prior to the rest of the family arriving. 

Passenger List Heading from September 8, 1866, page 1

On page three of the 13 page passenger manifest, the Thomas Family is listed:

SS Virginia, September 8, 1866, page 3

The ship they sailed on was the SS Virginia, part of the National Shipping Line.  It was built by Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Co., Newcastle, England.  The ship had three masts and one funnel, an iron hull and a clipper bow.  In 1872, the ship was renamed Greece.  The following is a photo of the ship from 1863 with the name it would eventually get in 1872.

The entire passenger list of approximately 630 passengers on the sail that arrived in New York harbor on September 8, 1866, was steerage.  About one quarter were Irish and the rest were mostly English citizens.

If you double click on any of the images, they will open in a larger window.  Click again and they will be full size.

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