COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (JUNE 9 EDITION)
Eileen Erbeck and her husband are hoping to find long-lost relatives in Ballyhaunis when they arrive later this month. The couple are visiting Ireland for the first time later this month, flying to Shannon from their New Jersey home.
“My grandmother, Maria Sweeney was baptised in Ballyhaunis April 11,1886 and came to the US in 1912,” she explained. “I have her baptismal certificate from St Patrick’s Church and see her listed in the 1901 Census as age 15 - housekeeper - as well as her father, John Sweeney, age 61 -widower.”
In the census, their address is listed as ‘61 South Side Main Street Ballyhaunis’.
“Since she left 112 years ago - actually, I believe she left in 1909 to go to Wales where my uncle was born in Carnarvon - it’s probably doubtful that there would be any relatives left there. I believe that at least three sisters came to the US but I think there was a brother, Thomas, born 1871, Patrick (born 1878) and John (born 1876) who might have gone to Canada. I have no idea if Thomas or Patrick survived or left Ireland.”
Eileen is hoping to find local documentary sources and registers where she might see the signatures or listing of her grandmother and her father.
Anyone who’d like to contact her can send an email to: notes@westernpeople.ie
