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Permalink Reply by Ray McKenna on March 25, 2014 at 5:31pm

Mike, my goal is what it has been for a long time: to tell the story of the nineteenth century Irish immigrants in Rhode Island, especially the generation that came before the famine and the famine generation itself. You can see it in my last two essays. I am now woriking on one about a fellow named Henry J. Duff, perhaps Rhode Island's greatest Irish leader in the years before the famine.

There are more stories in the pipeline, and hope to find more leads. Studying and writing on our family will not get me far. But I learned awhile back that if I want to know about the McKennas, Duggans, Mullens, Fannings, Carsons, Strokers and Kilroes, the answers are in understanding the society in which they lived.

Providence is a fairly easy place to do research. Studying people in smaller towns like Harrisville is more difficult. But I am hopeful that I will learn more about the Carsons, Strokers and Kilroes. I certainly know a great deal about our Strokers in Roscommon (including their descendants living there today). 

I talked with Scott Molloy yesterday. We may join forces in two years and research and write together. 

Do you know Paul Campbell? He's a great resource. Pat Conley has been helpful, as well.

Ray

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Permalink Reply by Tim Larkin on March 25, 2014 at 7:33pm

Hi Ray,

I live in Portsmouth, and host a Celtic music radio show... 'Celtic Stew' airs from the campus of the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth and is on every Sunday from noon 'til 3 on FM 89.3 WUMD, and streaming live at www.893wumd.org!

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Permalink Reply by Ray McKenna on March 26, 2014 at 7:10am

Tim, do you do interviews on the radio? I would be very happy to talk about the Irish on Federal Hill and elsewhere.

Ray

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Permalink Reply by Edward F. Shevlin on March 26, 2014 at 12:05pm

Tim,

Are you familiar with the stories about bachelor and spinster siblings Tim and Julia Sullivan who owned much of the land in downtown Newport and owned a home on Bellevue Avenue next to Mrs. Peyton J. Van Rensselaer (one of the storied "400" of Newport society).  As I recall the story, Tim would pick up sticks and other trash on his many walks around town.  After the Sullivans were snubbed by the VanRensselaers, Tim made a practice of collecting wood scraps and tossing them all over his property to spite his snooty neighbor; hence he was dubbed "Timmy the Woodhooker".   Mrs. VanRensselaer eventually sued to force him to end this practice, however in their wills the Sullivans stipulated that their dillapidated dwelling and grounds should remain in the same condition as they left it.   It was not until the mid 20th century after many legal battles that the Preservation Society of Newport successfully broke the will and the site was demolished.  There are many stories of the Irish in Newport, particularly involving Sullivans, a name as familiar in Newport as Smith anywhere else.  Many Irish stonemasons came to Newport to help build the mansions along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive.  Back in 1957-1965 I lived in what was unofficially known as "The Fifth Ward", a highly impacted Irish neighborhood where it seemed everyone knew everyone as much as in any Irish townland.  I've been away from there many years, but it's a great place to mine the locals for many legendary stories.   As for the many Sullivans, you had to know the local moniker to know which Sullivan you were referring to, e.g. "the Wrestler  Sullivans" referred to a relative of "Jimmy the Wrestler" Sullivan.   Other family relationships extended back to "Cuppa Tea Mary" Sullivan or "Big Eddie" Sullivan (legendary Chief of Police).   More recently "Shoes Burke" referred to the owner of a shoe store.  I'm sure you could elicit some great stories from Newport area locals, perhaps starting with the local Division of the AOH, the library and local newspaper archives.  Probably some good interview prospects for your show!

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Permalink Reply by Ann Finneran on March 30, 2014 at 11:42am

My greatX2 Grandfather William Finneran (Fineran) and great x2 Grandmother Hannah "Gene" Tierney lived in Rhode Island and Falls River, MA before moving to Columbus Ohio in 1851. Married in NE May 5, 1850. I think they came in in 1847 and met on the boat. She was from Galway and he was from Galway/Roscommon border somewhere. Can't for the life find his parents who were named in his obit: Cornelius and Catherine.

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Permalink Reply by Ray McKenna on March 30, 2014 at 12:30pm

Ann, I'm not sure very many Galway folk came to Rhode Island (there were some) but nearby Sligo and Roscommon supplied quite a few. Rhode Island was a hub and final residence for a great many Irish.

Thank you for your message, Ann.

Ray

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Permalink Reply by Geraldine Callaghan on March 30, 2014 at 7:02pm

Very impressive Memorial, love reading all these historical stories. Thanks for sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Ray McKenna on April 1, 2014 at 7:01am

Geraldine, there are Callaghan connections in my family. Frank Carson, my grandmother's brother, married Katherine Callahan in 1906. She must have been from Fall River because they got married both in Fall River and in RI (Providence, I believe).

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