Flags of Ireland  Genealogy - Irish Heritage

Anyone doing Irish research knows well the challenge faced by our family - LYNCH is a fairly common Irish name.
To make things more challenging for us, it seems our ancestors favored a few names (Patrick, Mary, Daniel, and others).

The LYNCH family from Waterbury (New Haven County) Connecticut dates back to about 1870. Although the exact timing and route of their trip to America has not yet been determined, this family has been traced to the town and parish of Killarney (County Kerry) Ireland (formerly the Magunihy Barony).

In the parish records for the Killarney Roman Catholic Church, we find baptism records for: After searching over 300 baptism records (courtesy of the LDS Microfilm), there were no males named Eugene born to parents Patrick (or Pat.) Lynch and Mary Cournane (or Courtney). My current theory is that "Eugene" was actually "Patrick Eugene", but was known as "Eugene" to friends and family in later years. This recent discovery has yet to be proven, but a search is now underway through passenger records between 1863 (the last known christening) and 1876 (the first known documentation for this family living in the U.S.).

From the combination of known records, it would appear that the mother, Mary, came to America with some of her children, likely after the death of her husband. Daughter Catherine, as well as sons Jerimiah and David appear to have remained in Ireland. They may have married in Ireland or may have predeceased their mother. Still searching to find more specific on this theory. It is also possible that Catherine was Catherine Bridget since we find a Bridge, but no Catherine. Again - this is speculation at this point and still needs proof.

What is known for certain is the listing that appears in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census (dated June 1st)     (View Page)


In addition to the U.S. Census, there was a Centennial Census taken for the then city of Waterbury. The exceptional detail of this source tells us the following:
Knowing that daughters Mary and Bridget were living with the family in 1876, but not in 1880, a search was conducted of both Death and Marriage records in Waterbury city hall. Unfortunately, the family had endured the loss of both daughters just 9 days apart in September 1876, just a few months after the census. Both died of Typhoid Fever. The older daughter, Mary, died on the 5th, then Bridget died on the 14th. Since the practice of issuing death certificates did not start until January 1886, only the scant information in the ledgers record their loss. As of this writing, no obituaries or death notices could be found in any city newspaper. Funeral home records have not yet been searched either to help determine any additional family information. Stay Tuned

It is not yet known what became of Mary or her daughter Ellen or son Daniel.
Two years after the 1880 census, son Eugene wed in the city of Waterbury. The marriage was on 25 June 1882 between Eugene Lynch (28) & Elizabeth Rourke (25) - the first marriage for each.

Note: Although today's standard expects us to keep close track of our exact date of birth, this was not the case 100 or more years ago. You'll notice that in the 4 years between the city and federal census, Mary - the head of household - was able to slow the aging process and had only matured 2 years. It is not uncommon to see a 1 year difference, since the month of birth may have been before or after the census enumeration. For this reason, year of birth based on census are noted as 'Approximate Year of Birth'.

Now - Let's take a closer look at what we know about Eugene Lynch

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