McVEIGH, McAREAVEY, BRANNIFF, KENNEDY, IRE > LA > IL > New Orleans, LA -
Looking for information about my G GM Mary McVEIGH, b. Feb 1845 -1849 in Ireland (I think in Co. Antrim or Co. Down Northern Ireland).
Mary MCVEIGH's parents were:Samuel McVeigh and Margaret (Rogan or Kogan) McVeigh. * McVeigh can be spelled different ways; McVey, McVea, McVay, etc.)
She immigrated to the U.S. ~ 1865.Maybe came to the port of New York or Boston (not sure).
She married her first husband, James BRANIFF ~ 1867. They lived in Chalmers, Co. McDonough, Illinois according to the 1870 IL U.S. Census. Braniff is misspelled as "Brenniff."
They had 2 children:
Mary (b. ~1868) and
Thomas (b. ~1869)
James Braniff died b/w 1870 - 1875.
Mary McVeigh (Braniff) moved to Baton Rouge, LA.She married her 2nd husband, (my G GF) James KENNEDY.
James KENNEDY, B. ~ 1835 in Ireland (don't know what county).His parents were: Patrick Kennedy and Ellen (Dorsey) Kennedy, both born in Ireland.
Mary McVEIGH (Braniff) and James KENNEDY were married in Baton Rouge, LA on 27 Aug 1876 in St. Joseph's Catholic church in Baton Rouge.
They are listed in the 1880 census (Baton Rouge, LA) as:
James Kennedy - Laborer - age 45 - B. IRE
Mary (McVeigh) Kennedy - age 40 - b. IRE
Thomas Braniff (son of Mary & James Braniff - 1st marriage age 10 b. in IL)
Mary Braniff (daughter of Mary & James Braniff - 1st mar age 11 b. in IL)
and Mary (McVeigh) Kennedy and James Kennedy's child:
J. William Kennedy (my GF b. 1879 in Baton Rouge, LA) * although his name at birth was J. William he was (renamed?) William Patrick Kennedy and called "Pat" for his entire life.
Mary (McVeigh) Kennedy moved to New Orleans, LA sometime after 1880. I don't know when James Kennedy died or where (could be Baton Rouge or New Orleans, LA).
Mary (McVeigh) Kennedy is next found in the 1900 census living in New Orleans (as a widow) with her son (my GF) William "Pat" Kennedy.
She also is listed in the 1910 census with her daughter (from her first marriage) Mary Braniff and her son (my GF) William "Pat" Kennedy.
Also in the 1910 census "John McAREAVEY" who is listed as her nephew from Ireland.
She is also listed in the 1920 census living w/ her daughter Mary Braniff.
Mary McVeigh (Braniff) Kennedy died on 18 Jan 1926 in New Orleans, LA. She is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery in New Orleans, LA.
Her son (my GF) Pat Kennedy married my GM Sarah Jane COONEY.
If anyone has any info I would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Mary Dalton