Thanks to Declan O’Connor for sending this on.
NORTH KILDARE Area, “Missing Friends” Notices
in The Boston Pilot Newspaper, 1831-1865
The Pilot is the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston and claims the title of “America’s Oldest Catholic Newspaper” having been founded in 1829 under a different title by Bishop Benedict Joseph Fenwick, at a time of increased Irish immigration to the United States and rising anti-Catholic feeling towards the newcomer’s church. In 1834 Bishop Fenwick sold the publication to two laymen – Henry Devereux and Patrick Donahoe. During much of the 19th Century the Boston Pilot acquired the reputation of being an Irish – American Cultural Newspaper. Donahoe had changed the title of the Newspaper from “The Jesuit, the Literary and Catholic Sentinel” to “The Boston Pilot” in 1836 in tribute to “The Pilot” which was the newspaper of Daniel O’Connell’s Repeal movement.
Between 1831 and 1916 some 45,000 “Missing Friends” advertisements were placed in the Newspaper by friends and relatives in attempts to locate loved ones lost during emigration. These Notices were not cheap costing the price of a daily wage and more ($1) for an ad that would run three times.
Details for the Notices may have been “lost in translation” between the person giving them and the Newspaper Clerks receiving them. This accounts for variations in the spellings of surnames, places and the variations of “Rathcoffey” and other areas.
OF EDWARD CAFFERY, a native of Clane, County Kildare Ireland; when last heard of he was in Fall River Mass. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his sister and uncle. Address Christy Caffery, Lakeville, Con.
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OF JOHN FLOOD, Parish of Rathcoffey, Co. Kildare; when last heard from about three years ago, left Keokuk, Iowa, Wa. to return to Ireland where he is heir to a property left him by his mother. Any person knowing anything of his whereabouts please communicate with B.Hanway, Memphis, Tennessee.
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OF JOHN ROONEY, or any of his heirs, who left Courttown, Killkock, County Kildare about 20 years ago; when last heard from he was in Pottsville, Schuilkill County, Pennsylvania. His brother William is anxious to hear from him. William advertised him in the Pilot about 18 years ago, and he was in York State, and wrote me (William) a letter, and I wrote back, but never got an answer. If this should meet the eye of John Rooney, or any of his heirs or neighbours, they would confer a favour by writing to William Rooney, North Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana.
OF ELLEN RAYNOLDS, who left Dunadea Parish Stapletown (Co. Kildare) 5th August 1850 and landed in New York; when last heard from (20th Oct 1850) was at Mr. John Baker Roche’s, 69 Oliver St. New York. Any information respecting her will be thankfully received by her brother, JOHN RAYNOLDS, in care of Mr. George Welles, Waylusing, Bradford County. Pa.
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OF JOHN CONWAY, native of Parish Newtown (Co. Kildare); last heard from was at Wolves Cave, Quebec; working in Gilmore’s Shipyard. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his brother DENNIS CONWAY, West Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio.
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OF JOHN DEALY, native of Co. Kildare, Parish of Maynooth who left Ireland in 1837. He is about 35 years of age. When last heard from he was in the employ of Hugh Dillon, at or near Savannah, Georgia. Should this meet the eye of anyone knowing his whereabouts, they will confer a great favour on his brother Edward Dealy, by addressing him at Rimersburg, Clarion County, Pa.
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OF MICHAEL DEMPSEY, native of Clean, Co Kildare, left home August 8th 1850 – landed Sept 17th last account of him he lived at 217 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. Any information of him would be thankfully received by Margaret Kittrick, Claremont, New Hampshire.
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OF CHRISEN LOSEDY, Loughanewer Parish Clane (Co Kildare) who arrived in this country in March, 1851; supposed to be now in some part of Illinois. Any information respecting her will be thankfully received by her friend Daniel McDonnell, Plymouth, Connecticut.
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OF JAMES PAINE from Ballindolin, (Co.Kildare) Landed in New York in May 1851; when last heard of he was in Monmouth, Co. New Jersey; information of him will be thankfully received by JOHN TYRRELL, Old Cambridge, Ms.
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OF JAMES FARRELL, a native of Kilcock (Co. Kildare) who last worked in Ireland with Mr. Coasts of Newtown, and parted with his brother, Thomas, 9 years ago in Jersey City. Address Thomas Farrell, Bloomfield, Conn.
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OF PETER FENNELL, native of Mainhen, Parish of Clone, Co. Kildare who came to this country, August 19th 1852 in the Princeton, and landed in New York and worked there as a Carpenter. Information of him will be received by his brother James Fennell, 104 Jackson-Street, Lawrence, Mass.
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OF RICHARD WHITE, of Parish Prosperess (Co. Kildare) who advertised for his brother Nicholas in the Boston Pilot of September 13th last stating that he lived in Buffalo. The address given not being sufficient to find him out. Recourse is had to the Pilot again. Information given by his brother Nicholas Laboro near Kingston, Canada West.
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OF JOHN BYRNE of the Parish of Rathcoffee, Co. Kildare who last heard from 12 month ago was in London, Rome Co. County. East Tennessee. Informatin of the said John Byrne will be received by his father and mother James and Catherine Byrne, South Salem, Ross Co. Ohio.
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OF NICHOLAS WHITE of Parish Prosperass (Co Kildare) who landed in Quebec 7 years ago; when last heard from he was working on Sackets Harbor Railroad, 3 years ago. Information received by his brother, Richard White, Buffalo, N.Y.
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OF ELLEN MANGAM of Parish Staplestown Co Kildare who left Ireland 2 years and 4 months ago and when last heard of was at 2 Concord Place, Philadelphia. Information will be received by her mother Ester Mangam, 16 Pine St. Pittsburgh.
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OF JOHN LEARY, a native of Dunyday Co Kildare who landed in the United States three or four years ago and when last heard from was in Berlin, Conn. Information received by his brother Michael, Melpomene St. between Maunsel & Solis Sts. New Orleans, La.
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OF PATRICK KEOUGH, of Cleane, Co’y Kildare who left Cambridge, Mass. about a year ago and was at that time bound for the West. Information received by his parents James and Mary Keough, care of John Gannon South Danvers, Mass.
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OF JAMES HUTCHINSON of Threhood, Parish of Carbrey Co. Kildare is a married man; when last seen about 10 years ago he lived in Nagatuck, Conn. Information of him will be received by his brother Patrick Hutchinson, Franklin, Venango Co. Pa,
Ohio and Eastern papers please copy.
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OF THOMAS and Owen O’Brien, sons of Thomas and Julia O’Brien, Parish of Broadford, Townland Ballinderry (Co.Kildare). Thomas was last seen in Hartford, Conn. and Owen in New Jersey. There was a report, three years ago, that Owen was at Petersburg, VA. If they should see this, or any person knowing their whereabouts will confer a great favour by writing to their brother Michael O’Brien, Sheffield Bureau County. Illinois.
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