Tracing Your Annaghdown Ancestors: Talk on 22/11/2016

Slides from my talk, Tracing Your Annaghdown Ancestors, on 22 November 2016 at Scoil Naomh Breandán, Annaghdown.

Nicholas Burke, Uileann Piper - Annaghdown and New York

Nicholas Burke was born in October 1837 in Annaghdown Parish, son of James Burke and Margaret Glynn [1]. An older sister, Mary, was born in 1835. In July 1858 he married Mary Forde of Tonamace, Annaghdown; the witnesses were Patrick and Bridget Forde [2]. They emigrated to Brooklyn, New York shortly after their marriage, where Nicholas worked first as a carpenter and eventually became a successful builder.

Writing in his book [3], Cork-born Chicago police officer Francis O'Neill (1848-1946), Irish traditional music collector, gave most of the credit for his success in collection to Burke:

In fact the gleanings were so disappointingly incomplete that this work may never have been undertaken but for the fortuitous discovery in Brooklyn, New York, of Mr. Nicholas Burke who knew and remembered the Irish pipers of his generation as well as Arthur O’Neill knew the harpers of his day.

The accompanying description of Burke places him at the centre of Irish traditional music in America, a focal point for traditional musicians arriving from Ireland:

...Being a music lover and musician, hospitable and helpful to those of similar tastes. Every piper and fiddler of prominence who crossed the Atlantic since the middle of the nineteenth century made his acquaintance.

 O'Neill's account includes a fine photograph of Burke, aged 75, with his uileann pipes, probably made by Drogheda-born pipemaker William Taylor (c. 1830-1901), based in Philadephia.

Based on available census and civil records, it is known that Nicholas and Mary had at least seven children:

1.  Margaret Burke was born about 1860.
2. Richard Burke was born about 1862 and worked as a cigar-maker in Brooklyn. He did not marry and died aged 46 on 28 March 1908 [4]. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Brooklyn.
3.  Patrick Burke was born on 15 March 1865 and worked as an iron-moulder in Brooklyn. He married and was predeceased by his wife. He died aged 49 on 15 August 1913 [5] and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn. Patrick and Ellen had three sons:
1. Nicholas Burke, born about 1892 in Brooklyn.
2. George Burke, born about 1893 in Brooklyn.
3. Francis Burke, born about 1898 Brooklyn.
4. Nora Burke was born about 1868.
5. Mary Burke was born about 1869.
6. John Burke was born about 1874.
7. Francis Burke was  born about 1875.

Mary Burke died on 29 September 1916 [6] and Nicholas died on 5 June 1919 [7]; they are buried in Calvary Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Nicholas Burke, aged 75, c. 1912 [3]

Notes

1. Because of his first name, and his mother's surname, it seems likely that Nicholas was from the townland of Cluidrevagh (Cluide). There were several marriages in the 19th century between various Burke and Glynn families of the villages of Cluide and Parkmore, respectively, and the forename Nicholas appears almost uniquely in the Glynn family in this area. Indeed, there are only two baptisms recorded in Annaghdown parish for this forename between 1834 and 1880. Anecdotally, the Burke and Glynn families in this area are known for their musical abilities, and descendants include the well-known sisters Sarah and Rita Keane, famous for their traditional unaccompanied singing (they descend from the Glynn family via their mother Mary Costello, daughter of Mary Glynn of Parkmore).
2. While no records of their transit from Galway to New York are forthcoming, it is certain that this occurred between their marriage in July 1858 and the birth of Margaret in New York c. 1860.

References

[1] Baptism Register for Annaghdown Parish, 1834-1880, microfilm, National Library of Ireland (http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000631988#page/19/mode/1up : accessed 10 April 2016), Nicholas of Jas. Burke and Margt. Glyn, 16 October 1837.

[2] Marriage Register for Annaghdown Parish, 1834-1880, microfilm, National Library of Ireland (http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000631988#page/175/mode/1up : accessed 10 April 2016), Nicholas Burke and Mary Foard, July 1858.

[3] Francis O'Neill: Irish Minstrels and Musicians : with Numerous Dissertations on Related Subjects, Chicago: Regan Printing House, 1913, p. 280. (available online at http://billhaneman.ie/IMM/IMM-XXII.html : accessed 10 April 2016).

[4] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WY2-3GF : accessed 10 April 2016), Richard Burke, 28 Mar 1908.

[5] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WNC-TTT : accessed 10 April 2016), Patrick Burke, 15 Aug 1913.

[6] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WNJ-44P : accessed 10 April 2016), Mary Burke, 29 Sep 1916.

[7] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WNR-3GT : accessed 10 April 2016), Nicholas Burke, 05 Jun 1919.

Paul Greaney

Last Updated:  10 April 2016

1928 - Death of Rev. Michael Hannon, Parish Priest of Annaghdown

HANNON (Annaghdown) - August 16, 1928, Rev. Michael Hannon, P.P., Annaghdown, Galway. R.I.P. Obsequies, 11 o'clock, to-morrow (Saturday), 18th inst. Interment immediately afterwards.

Irish Independent, August 17, 1928

  
A full obituary from the Connacht Tribune is given below, together with some further notices.

1920 - Death of Miss Margaret Hosty, Annaghdown, sister of Fr Thomas Hosty, P.P.

DEATH OF MISS MARGARET HOSTY.

We learn with regret of the death of Miss Margaret Hosty, sister of the Rev. Thomas Hosty, P.P., of Annaghdown. She died in St. Bride's Home, Galway, after a short illness, fortified by the rites of holy Church. The remains were taken to the church in Corrandulla, and after High Mass on the 21st ult. were conveyed by motor to the family burial ground at Granlahan, Ballinlough. Her loss to the parish of Annaghdown will be very much felt by all the parishioners, as her simple, edifying life, her unfailing kindness, and her great charity were admired and appreciated by them all. We heartily extend to Father Hosty, the venerable P.P., our deepest sympathy in his very sad bereavement, as this good sister of his devoted her life most faithfully to his service for nearly forty years. - R.I.P.

Western People, June 12, 1920

1920 - Death of Fr Thomas Hosty, Parish Priest of Annaghdown, and Auction

HOSTY (Annaghdown) - November 18, 1920, Rev. Thomas Hosty, P.P. Funeral on to-morrow (Saturday) after High Mass at 11 o'clock.

Freeman's Journal, November 19, 1920.

Full obituary and Notice of Auction:

1877 - Death of Rev. Peter Waldron, Parish Priest of Annaghdown

DEATH OF REV. PETER WALDRON, P.P., ANNADOWN.

We deeply regret to announce the decease of this estimable priest which sad event recently took place. On this day week High Mass de requiem was celebrated in the parish Church of Annadown. There was a numerous attendance of the pious parishioners. The celebrant was the Very Rev James Canon Waldron, P.P., Ballyhaunis; deacon, Rev P Kilkenny, St. Jarlath's College; Sub-deacon, Rev James Killeen, and master of ceremonies, Rev R Prendergast. In the choir were - The Most Rev Dr MacEvilly, Rev Thos McDonagh, P.P.; Very Rev Canon U J Bourke, Rev Patrick Ryan, P.P.; Rev Austin O'Dwyer, P.P.; Rev Peter Dooly, P.P., V.G., Galway; Rev John Charles, C.C.; Rev. James Ronayne, C.C.; Rev. John Flatley, C.C.; Rev. Thomas Hosty, C.C.; Rev. John McGreal, and Rev Martin Commins, C.C.

Tuam Herald, January 27, 1877

1910 - Death of Rev. Laurence Ansbro, Parish Priest of Annaghdown, and Auction

 ANSBRO - March 22, 1910, at Parochial House, Drumgriffin, Galway. Rev. Laurence Ansbro, P.P., aged 79 years. High Mass this day (Wednesday), 11 o'clock. Funeral immediately after.

Irish Independent, March 23, 1910

Full obituary and Notice of Auction: