Thomas Joseph Donovan
Week 12 of 52 ancestors in 52 weeks. This post is from the week of St. Patrick's Day so here's my most recent Irish immigrant ancestor, Thomas Joseph Donovan.
When Thomas Joseph Donovan was born on September 1, 1880 in Drimoleague, Cork, Ireland, his father, Daniel, was 39, and his mother, Mary Miller (or Millard), was 38. He was their 9th child but only 3 of his siblings were still living when he was born. We have not located a birth certificate but Thomas is listed as being baptized on September 7 1880 in the parish register in Drimoleague.
According to the 1900 United States Census the family immigrated in 1882. It was likely 1883 or 1884 as Thomas' younger brother, Jeremiah was born in Ireland in 1883.
In 1900 Thomas is living with his brother Patrick and his wife, and their children. Also living with them was Thomas' younger brother. They were at 4764 S. Shields in Chicago. Thomas' father had been killed by a freight train on the Rock Island line in September of 1885. Thomas' mother was alive at the time of the census (June 5), living with her daughter Minnie, but died in August of that year by suicide. In 1904 Jeremiah died at 21. Thomas' older brother Daniel died in 1905 at age 34.
In February 1906 Thomas and Margaret Curtin welcomed their first child, a daughter Bernice. Later that same month they were married at St. Cecilia Church in Chicago. In 1907 they welcomed another daughter, Marcella. In 1909 Thomas and Margaret had their first son, Daniel. They all appear in the 1910 census at 4749 S. Princeton, along with Margaret's mother Catherine.
In 1911 and 1913 2 more sons were born (Patrick and Thomas). In 1917 Thomas registered for the draft. This gives us a peek at his writing because the card is signed by him. It also gives his description.
The 1920 census shows them living in a house at 7254 S. Morgan. Thomas was working as a drain layer. In May Thomas and Margaret's last child, Hazel, was born.
In 1930 they are still living on Morgan. Thomas is working as a drain layer. In 1933 Margaret's mother died. The only change in 1940 is that Thomas was employed as a street laborer as part of the WPA work program.
In 1942 Thomas had to register for the draft at age 59.
The only picture I have of Thomas Donovan.
Thomas died at the age of 73 on May 8, 1954. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.
When Thomas Joseph Donovan was born on September 1, 1880 in Drimoleague, Cork, Ireland, his father, Daniel, was 39, and his mother, Mary Miller (or Millard), was 38. He was their 9th child but only 3 of his siblings were still living when he was born. We have not located a birth certificate but Thomas is listed as being baptized on September 7 1880 in the parish register in Drimoleague.
According to the 1900 United States Census the family immigrated in 1882. It was likely 1883 or 1884 as Thomas' younger brother, Jeremiah was born in Ireland in 1883.
In 1900 Thomas is living with his brother Patrick and his wife, and their children. Also living with them was Thomas' younger brother. They were at 4764 S. Shields in Chicago. Thomas' father had been killed by a freight train on the Rock Island line in September of 1885. Thomas' mother was alive at the time of the census (June 5), living with her daughter Minnie, but died in August of that year by suicide. In 1904 Jeremiah died at 21. Thomas' older brother Daniel died in 1905 at age 34.
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| Thomas and Margaret marriage license |
In February 1906 Thomas and Margaret Curtin welcomed their first child, a daughter Bernice. Later that same month they were married at St. Cecilia Church in Chicago. In 1907 they welcomed another daughter, Marcella. In 1909 Thomas and Margaret had their first son, Daniel. They all appear in the 1910 census at 4749 S. Princeton, along with Margaret's mother Catherine.
In 1911 and 1913 2 more sons were born (Patrick and Thomas). In 1917 Thomas registered for the draft. This gives us a peek at his writing because the card is signed by him. It also gives his description.
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| WW I draft registration card |
In 1930 they are still living on Morgan. Thomas is working as a drain layer. In 1933 Margaret's mother died. The only change in 1940 is that Thomas was employed as a street laborer as part of the WPA work program.
In 1942 Thomas had to register for the draft at age 59.
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| WW II draft card |
Thomas died at the age of 73 on May 8, 1954. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.
Labels: 52 weeks 52 Ancestors
posted by Melanie | 11:14 PM
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