Bridget's Trip to Ireland (1895)
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:16 pm
Bridget Sullivan sailed for Ireland aboard the Lucania on May 18, 1895, arriving in Queenstown, Cork on May 24, 1895.
What was her reason for returning and why at that particular time? It's always been a mystery.
One possible reason may have been a simple and, ultimately, a sad one. There was illness and death in the Sullivan family in Billeragh, Bridget's home in Ireland.
According to O'Dwyer, the Irish genealogist, Bridget had a sister named Helena Sullivan. In the church record, her name is recorded as "Ellen" born May 31, 1867 and her parents as Eugene Sullivan & Margaret Leary.
The civil record records her name as "Helena," and her parents are recorded as Owen Sullivan, farmer, and Margaret Sullivan, formerly Leary. Helena's birth was officially registered on July 7, 1867. (In Ireland, births were required to be registered within three months of the actual birthdate.)
There's no discrepancy in the father's given names. The names of Eugene & Owen are interchangeable in Ireland. Eugene is the saint's name given at baptism; Owen is the name commonly used. (My own great-grandfather was baptized Eugene but was referred to as Owen throughout his life).
Helena Sullivan, spinster, age 20, a farmer's daughter, died on December 20, 1895 in Billeragh of phthisis (tuberculosis). The duration of illness was approximately six months, but she likely showed symptoms prior to June. The informant was Denis Sullivan who was present at the death.
Helena would have been 28 years old, not 20, when she died. But it's unlikely the family knew the exact year of Helena's birth. From her testimony in the Borden case, her sister Bridget, who was born on March 28, 1864, didn't know her own age. She testified that she was told she was 26 when she was actually 28. When she married in 1905, Bridget claimed to be 35. She was actually 41.
The informant, Denis Sullivan, was most likely Helena and Bridget's brother. Denis was the oldest child in the Sullivan family. It would make sense that Helena, who was unmarried, would reside in his household, as their parents, Owen (Eugene) and Margaret, may have both died in 1890. (Ironically, Margaret Sullivan also died of phthisis):
The same register recording Helena's death also notes the death three weeks later of 12-month old Denis Sullivan on Jan. 14, 1896, who was born Jan. 10, 1895. His parents are recorded as Denis Sullivan & Hannah(sic) Sullivan of Billeragh. The informant was an uncle, Daniel Sullivan, residing in Canalmore. Daniel's sister was Honora, wife of Denis Sullivan. Honora was originally from Canalmore.
The little boy may have been Bridget & Helena's nephew.
Bridget spent nine months in Ireland, returning to the U.S. on Feb. 28, 1896, possibly following a significant period of mourning in Billeragh.
Other Sources:
Stefani Koorey: https://lizzieandrewborden.com/HatchetO ... avels.html
The Hatchet (Bridget's genealogy): https://archive.org/details/lizzieborde ... q=sullivan
What was her reason for returning and why at that particular time? It's always been a mystery.
One possible reason may have been a simple and, ultimately, a sad one. There was illness and death in the Sullivan family in Billeragh, Bridget's home in Ireland.
According to O'Dwyer, the Irish genealogist, Bridget had a sister named Helena Sullivan. In the church record, her name is recorded as "Ellen" born May 31, 1867 and her parents as Eugene Sullivan & Margaret Leary.
The civil record records her name as "Helena," and her parents are recorded as Owen Sullivan, farmer, and Margaret Sullivan, formerly Leary. Helena's birth was officially registered on July 7, 1867. (In Ireland, births were required to be registered within three months of the actual birthdate.)
There's no discrepancy in the father's given names. The names of Eugene & Owen are interchangeable in Ireland. Eugene is the saint's name given at baptism; Owen is the name commonly used. (My own great-grandfather was baptized Eugene but was referred to as Owen throughout his life).
Helena Sullivan, spinster, age 20, a farmer's daughter, died on December 20, 1895 in Billeragh of phthisis (tuberculosis). The duration of illness was approximately six months, but she likely showed symptoms prior to June. The informant was Denis Sullivan who was present at the death.
Helena would have been 28 years old, not 20, when she died. But it's unlikely the family knew the exact year of Helena's birth. From her testimony in the Borden case, her sister Bridget, who was born on March 28, 1864, didn't know her own age. She testified that she was told she was 26 when she was actually 28. When she married in 1905, Bridget claimed to be 35. She was actually 41.
The informant, Denis Sullivan, was most likely Helena and Bridget's brother. Denis was the oldest child in the Sullivan family. It would make sense that Helena, who was unmarried, would reside in his household, as their parents, Owen (Eugene) and Margaret, may have both died in 1890. (Ironically, Margaret Sullivan also died of phthisis):
The same register recording Helena's death also notes the death three weeks later of 12-month old Denis Sullivan on Jan. 14, 1896, who was born Jan. 10, 1895. His parents are recorded as Denis Sullivan & Hannah(sic) Sullivan of Billeragh. The informant was an uncle, Daniel Sullivan, residing in Canalmore. Daniel's sister was Honora, wife of Denis Sullivan. Honora was originally from Canalmore.
The little boy may have been Bridget & Helena's nephew.
Bridget spent nine months in Ireland, returning to the U.S. on Feb. 28, 1896, possibly following a significant period of mourning in Billeragh.
Other Sources:
Stefani Koorey: https://lizzieandrewborden.com/HatchetO ... avels.html
The Hatchet (Bridget's genealogy): https://archive.org/details/lizzieborde ... q=sullivan