Re: Richard Halfpenny & Anna Ryder

Bob,
I am a recent recruit to Ancestry.co.uk but some years ago when learning how to use the internet at our local Public Library I picked up your message but failed to note the web site address. However I am back on course now!

My interest in the halfpenny name stems from my maternal grandfather James Halpin. He was born in 1880 the son of Patrick and Elizabeth Halfpenny.
The 1881 UK Census has the following entry for 289, West Street, Cornsay Colliery, Durham:-
Patrick Halfpenny (miner) b.Ireland circa1844
Elizabeth Halfpenny (nee Jackson)b.Durham 1850
Children all born Durham-Joseph(1869),Richard(1871),John(1873),Anne(1874),Mary(1876),Lawrence(1878),James(1880), Elizabeth Jane (1883)
Although all of the children were born and registered as Halfpenny, some adopted the name Halpin later. Joseph emigrated to America in the late 1800's. I understand that the family kept in touch but when my grandmother died in 1943(she was the family letter writer) all contact was lost.
I also that my grandfather travelled to the USA after world War 1 but couldn't settle and returned home.
The 1920 USA census produced only one Joseph Halfpenny, an individual born in Missouri. The Joseph Halpin name produced a number of hits, many born in Ireland,but only one born in England. In 1920 this family lived at 701, Park street North, in Streator, Lasalle County, Illinois.
Joseph Halpin,head, age51, arrived USA1886,b.England,fatherb.Ireland,motherb,England,occ.labourer.
Johanna Halpin,wife,age46 b.Illinois.
Jeremiah Halpin,son,age28, b.Illinois,occ.labourer.
Steven Halpin,lodger,age20,b.Illinois, occ.Theatre musician.Pauline Halpin,wife, age20,b.Illinois
USA Social Security Records have an entry for Jeremiah Joseph Halpin Born October 11, 1892 at Streator but apart from that the trail goes cold.
I believe that my gggrandfather's name was Richard and family folk lore suggests that they came from Co. Louth. Also family traditions at that time very often meant that first names were passed down through the generations.
Do you think we might have a connection