100 of Ireland’s World War One American Women in Pictures: Part 1– The Database

Over recent months the Midleton Archaeology & Heritage Project has been engaged in its largest undertaking to date. By systematically assessing United States passport applications from the end of World War One, we have been exploring some of the stories of Irish women who married U.S. servicemen based in Ireland during the conflict. In Part 1 of a series of posts, which will include both analytical discussion and mapping, we present our initial all-island database, which provides biographical details– and photographs– of almost 100 Irish women who were married to American servicemen, the vast bulk of them in Ireland. 

2017 will mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of American troops in Ireland to partake in World War One. The American military presence here is one of the least familiar stories from the period. Of the thousands who arrived, the majority were naval servicemen. The greater number were attached to the U.S. vessels operating out of Cork Harbour, but many were also stationed around the country, such as those at the United States Naval Air Service bases in Cork, Wexford, Dublin and Lough Foyle. The arrival of large numbers of foreign men from across the Atlantic had a major impact on the social environments where they were quartered. Many romances blossomed with local women, a form of interaction that was not always welcomed by the local community, most notably in Cork. For some, either out of love or necessity, marriage followed. Trying to ascertain detail on some of these Irish women’s individual stories is challenging. In an attempt to do so, we have trawled through thousands of  passport applications to identify those made by Irish women who had married American servicemen and were seeking to enter the United States.

In order to compile the database below, we carried out a detailed programme of analysis based around the United States passport applications held in the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA) in Washington, D.C. Using the http://www.ancestry.com U.S. passport application database as a starting point, we sought to identify all passports relating to Irish-born women born between 1885 and 1895 who made applications in 1917, 1918 and 1919. These included women recorded in passport sets such as the Passport Applications, January 2, 1906- March 31, 1925; Emergency Passport Applications, Argentina thru Venezuela, 1906-1925; and Applications of Wives of Members of the AEF in Europe. In addition we also searched for Irish women in Applications of Wives of Members of the AEF in Europe for 1920 and 1921. Of the thousands of results, we then examined the original passport scans of each, in order to extract those women with a direct connection to an American serviceman. Where we identified a relevant passport, we transcribed the information into a narrative paragraph, and saved an image of the passport photograph. In order to reveal the maiden names of as many of the Irish women as we could, we cross-referenced the majority with the Irish Marriages database on http://www.findmypast.ie, and also examined a number of World War One related records of U.S. military personnel. The results of this extensive project can be explored in the database of names below.

The women we identified have been separated into three categories, and within each they are divided by county of origin. The first two are those for the wives of U.S. Naval personnel and the wives of U.S. Army personnel, the bulk of which are applications made through consuls in Ireland and Britain by Irish women who had never been outside of Ireland but were seeking to travel to America. A small number also relate to Irish women who were married to an Irish emigrant who had entered United States service. A third category includes those Irish women in America who were seeking to perform service or to reside in France during the conflict (the latter is undoubtedly far from comprehensive). In the majority of instances only those passports where there was a confirmed military connection were included. Though it is likely we have identified many (if not most) of the applications of Irish women who married U.S. servicemen in Ireland or Britain during the conflict, there are undoubtedly more out there.

This post is the first in a series relating to these women, and is intended to present our initial database of individuals and something of their details. We will be seeking to map this information, and follow-on posts will examine what we can learn from them– just as some appear to be heartwarming stories of love, others hint at sadness and separation. We are eager to tell something of their stories, and to imagine what it must have been like for so many of them to leave all they knew behind as they set off for new lives across the Atlantic. Surely though the most compelling aspect of the compilation is the images of the women themselves. In these often haunting pictures we see a range not only of expressions and emotions, but also of hairstyles, fashion-sense and photographic settings. Some of the shots include their children, while one even includes the family dog. We hope you enjoy the information below, and we are eager to hear from readers who may be able add names or detail to this list.

The Wives of United States Navy by County

Co. Cork

Kathleen Yeager, 23, Greenmount, Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 7th July 1919.

Kathleen Dorney was born in Greenmount on 5th October 1895 to Thomas Dorney of Crosshaven and Kathleen (Crowley) Dorney of “Kilbuthry” (Kilbarry?), Co. Cork. She had lived in Cork all her life. On 11th February 1919 she had married Jasper Weeks Yeager, a native of Mississippi and a Chief Commissary Steward in the U.S. Navy at the Church of St. Finbar’s West in Cork. He had entered the service in St. Louis, Missouri on 5th April 1913. At the time of her application Jasper was living at 23 Upper Mount Street in Dublin, and was attached the U.S. depot on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in the city. On emigration Kathleen intended to make her home at No. 1 West 129th Street in New York; she intended to sail on the SS Harrisburg on 10th July 1919.

Margaret Butcher, 22, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in U.S. Navy. Plymouth Consulate. Passport issued 3rd May 1920.

Margaret Reynolds was born in Queenstown on 8th March 1898 to William Reynolds of Kinsale and Minnie (Power) Reynolds of Queenstown. On 12th March 1919 in Plymouth she married Marion Butcher, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Coxswain in the U.S.N.R.F. Margaret had moved to Plymouth when a baby in 1898, living there ever since. Marion had served in the Navy from 17th July 1917 to 14th July 1919. His discharge was apparently due to his “inability to support wife on naval pay.” At the time of Margaret’s application Marion was living at 151 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, where she hoped to join him, sailing in May.

Elizabeth Mary Morrison, 22, Cork, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 7th June 1918.

Elizabeth Mary Jones had been born in Cork on 9th October 1895. On 16th February 1918 she had married Stephen C. Morrison in Cork; he was an Electrician First Class in the U.S. Navy. Stephen had been born in Lenoir, Caldwell County, North Carolina. At the time of her application on 6th March 1918 she was “temporarily sojourning” at 3 Victoria Street on Military Road, and her husband had been transferred back to the United States. Elizabeth had never been to America, and her new home was to be in Eufola, North Carolina.

Kathleen Quinn, 19, Cork, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 26th July 1918.

Kathleen Hoskins was born in Cork on 7th March 1899. On 31st December 1917 she had married Chief Boatswain’s Mate James H. Quinn at the Church of S. S. Mary and Anne in Shandon, Cork. He had been born in Philadelphia and was serving in the U.S. Navy. Kathleen had never been to America before. She was going to live at 2905 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, and at the time of her application on 24th July 1918 was “temporarily sojourning” at 9 De Vesci Place, Monkstown, Co. Cork.

Margaret Daisy Atkins, 19, Queenstown (Cobh), Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 30th April 1919.

Margaret Daisy Brierly was born in Queenstown on 14th August 1899. In the last quarter of 1918 she married Harold Atkins of Binnewater, New York while he was serving with the U.S. Navy; Harold was stationed in the U.S. Training Barracks in Passage. Margaret, who had never been outside of Ireland before, planned to live with her husband at 29 Staple Street in Kingston, New York.

Mary Ellen Balschi, 34, Cork City, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 30th May 1919.

Mary Ellen O’Sullivan was born in Cork City on 13th July 1885. She had lived in Ireland all her life, and never been to the United States. She had married Thomas A. Balschi of Mount Carmel in Pennsylvania in the last quarter of 1917 while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. The couple planned to make their home in Catawissa, Pennsylvania.

Letitia Becker, 22, Youghal, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 4th June 1919.

Letitia Collins was born in Youghal on 21st July 1896, and had lived in Ireland all her life and had never been to the United States. Letitia married Joseph Leonard Becker, a member of the U.S. Navy. The date of their marriage is not given, though Letitia’s application to become an American citizen had been approved on 8th October 1918 and the Civil Registration index suggests they had married in the first three months of 1918. The couple’s son John Arthur was born in Youghal on 14th January 1919. The young family planned to live at 5 Ernst Street in Rochester, New York. The oath taken to confirm Letitia’s identity was taken by Ann Bingham, also from Youghal, who had known Letitia since childhood; Ann had also married a U.S. sailor.

Ann Bingham, 22, Youghal, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 2nd June 1919.

Ann Cronin was born in Youghal on 4th September 1896. She had known Letitia Becker (above) for 20 years. She had lived in Ireland all her life and ever been to the United States. Ann had married U.S. Navy man Edward Ross Bingham, and the couple planned to make their home at 715 East Seminary Street in Danville, Illinois. Although the date of their marriage is not provided, Ann’s application to become an American citizen had been approved on 8th July 1918, and the Civil Registration index suggests they had married in the first three months of 1918. Their son John Patrick was born in Youghal on 24th December 1918. Letitia Becker took the oath to confirm Ann’s identity on the application.

Mary Esther Blanton, 21, Cork City, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 5th August 1919.

Mary was born in Cork on 23rd February 1898. Her maiden name was Blackshields; her father George was originally from Colchester in England, while her mother Catherine (née Donovan) was from Bandon. Mary had lived in Ireland from 1898 to 1901, then in England until 1908, before returning to Ireland. Mary had never been to the United States, but was now going because of her marriage to Carpenter’s Mate 1st Class Marion J. Blanton of the U.S. Navy. Marion had enlisted in Charleston, South Carolina on 2nd December 1915, and was serving aboard the USS Panther. The couple had married in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown on 17th February 1918; their daughter Florence was born in the same town on 23rd December that year. The family planned to make their home in Charleston.

Josephine Buckingham, 22, Queenstown, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 28th February 1919.

Josephine Donovan was born in Queenstown on 14th December 1896. She had never been to the United States, and had never been outside of Ireland. She married Elbert Ray Buckingham of the U.S. Navy in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown on an unspecified date in the last quarter of 1917. Elbert was a native of Pensacola, Florida, though the newlyweds intended to make their home at 506 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.

Gertrude Caruso, 18, Queenstown, Co. Cork, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 20th June 1919.

Gertrude Clifford was born in Queenstown on 19th September 1900. Her father George was from Cork City, while her mother Mary (née Brown) was from Queenstown. She had lived in Ireland all her life, and had never been to America. She met and married James Caruso of Higginsville, New York at St. Colman’s Cathedral on 11th March 1919. He was then serving as a Fireman 1st Class on the USS Corsair. She planned to make her home at 730 Lansing Street in Utica, New York. 

Mary Josephine Clark, 19, Youghal, Co. Cork, Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Application submitted 19th March 1919.

Mary Josephine Dea was born in Youghal on 14th March 1900. She met and married Eugene Henry Clark from Floyd County, Iowa; according to the register of Irish Marriages their wedding took place in the first three months of 1918. Their daughter Mary Josephine Gene Clark was born in Cork on 21st October 1918. Mary’s application does not state if her husband was in the armed forces, but it did state that he was dead. The answer may lie in the U.S. Navy Casualty Reports. It records the fate of a Gunner’s First Mate Eugene Henry Clark on 7th October 1918:

U.S.S. SHAW

At about 6:45 a.m. while attempting to secure after bill board which was torn loose by the seas, the following man was washed overboard. An extremely heavy sea was running and was sweeping the deck and bridge:-

CLARK, Eugene Henry  Gunner’s Mate 1c

It would seem almost certain that this was Mary’s husband, given that the USS Shaw‘s home port was Queenstown. Mary stated that she had lived in Ireland all her life, and that she planned to live at 110 Linden Avenue in Waterloo, Iowa.

Catherine Friend, 20, Cork City, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 28th February 1919.

Catherine McCarthy was born in Margaret Street, Cork City on 30th October 1898. She had lived in Ireland all her life, and had never been in the United States. She married George F. Friend of New York, who was then serving in the U.S. Navy in the last quarter of 1917. They planned to make their home at 52 Morris Street in New Jersey.

Norah Fry, 22, Blackrock, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 30th April 1919.

Norah Mehegan was born in Blackrock on 27th January 1897. She had never been to the United States, and had lived in Ireland all her life. She married American Ralph Henry Fry who was serving in the U.S. Navy in the last quarter of 1918. Norah planned to make her home at 287 East 136th Street in New York.

Nellie Fuller, 21, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 17th June 1919.

Nellie Crowley was born in Cork on 8th March 1898. She had lived in Ireland all her life. She married U.S. Navy man Alton Howard Fuller of Boston, Massachusetts at the Roman Catholic Church in Monkstown, Co. Cork on 19th April 1919. Their new home was to be Livermore Falls in Maine.

Veronica Harris, 21, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork. Husband in U.S. Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 7th August 1919.

Veronica Dillon was born in Castlemartyr on 3rd February 1898 to Thomas Dillon (a native of Monaghan) and Norah Dillon (née Ryan, from Tipperary). Veronica, who had never been in the United States, married New Yorker Francis Cody Harris in Aghada, Co. Cork on 8th April 1918. Francis was then serving as a Chief Electrician aboard the Receiving Ship New York. He had entered the service in San Francisco in 1906. By the time of her application Francis was back in the United States; Veronica hoped to join her husband in Brooklyn via the SS Plattsburg on 15th August 1919.

Kathleen Hawk, 22, Passage West, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 21st July 1919.

Kathleen Collins was born in Passage West on 18th July 1896 to James Collins and Mary (Harding) Collins, both also of Passage West. In the Church of St. Marys, Passage West on 16th January 1919 she married Ray Clifton Hawk, a Chief Boatswain’s Mate aboard the USS Imperator. Ray had been in the service since 1910. On arrival in the United States she intended to make her home at 1021 West Jacks St., St. Kokomo, Indiana.

Margaret Kowalski, 20, Midleton. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport Issued 3rd September 1919

Margaret had been born in Midleton on 12th September 1899 and had lived in Ireland “all my life” and had “never been in U.S.” She applied to the U.S. Consulate in Queenstown for a passport, as she had married Wenceslaus Kowalski of the United States Navy in Midleton on 15th March 1919. He was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he lived at 914 11th Avenue. By the time Margaret applied, Wenceslaus had been moved on to Liverpool.

Mary Josephine Horn, 17, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 29th August 1919.

Mary Josephine Donovan was born in Queenstown on 23rd February 1902 to Eugene Donovan of Queenstown and Mary (Keating) Donovan of Cork. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. On 13th April 1919 she married Chief Quartermaster Irwin Robert Horn of the USS Corsair in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown. Irwin had been born in Reading, Pennsylvania on 4th May 1897. Her husband having already returned to America, Mary Josephine intended to join him there at 13 North 13th Street in Newark, New Jersey. She hoped to sail on the SS President Grant on 3rd September.

Violet Mary Hynes, 20, Haulbowline, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 29th January 1919.

Violet Mary Irwin was born in Haulbowline on 13th December 1897. Her husband Thomas Nicholas Hynes had been born in St. John’s, Newfoundland in May 1895, and that November the family had emigrated to Summerville, Massachusetts. In 1918 he had joined the U.S. Navy at Boston and was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Aghada, Co. Cork. The couple were married in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown on 13th November 1918. Violet was making her temporary home at Lakeview, Carrignafoy in Queenstown while she awaited news on her application, which was complicated by the fact that her husband was not a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Margaret Lapenta, 24, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 7th August 1919.

Margaret Ring was born in Cork on 7th April 1895. On 13th April 1919 she married Anthony Elia Lapenta (Carmine Antonio Lapenta) of the U.S. Navy at St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel in Harwich, Essex, England. Anthony had been born in New York on 1st March 1890. Margaret applied from Cork, and intended to live at 126 North Elliot Place in Brooklyn, having never been to the United States before.

Elizabeth Johns, 19, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 18th July 1919.

Elizabeth O’Regan was born in Cork on 10th November 1899. She had never been outside Ireland before. She married U.S. Navy man John Johns in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown on 19th February 1919. John had been born in Scot Haven, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania in 1893 and had spent his life in Homestead, Pennsylvania. The couple’s son John T. Johns was born in Cork on 24th November 1918. When Elizabeth went to the United States she planned to live in Boston.

Hannah Luckett, 23, Castlelyons, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 24th February 1919.

Hannah Noonan was born in Castlelyons on 3rd October 1895. She married Charles R. Luckett of the U.S. Navy at St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown on 6th April 1918. She had never been to the United States, and had lived in Ireland all her life. Hannah intended to make her home at 516 Fifth Street, S.E., Washington D.C.

Bridget Mary Mahony, 22, Midleton, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 9th May 1919.

Bridget Mary Lynch was born in Midleton on 7th May 1897 to Thomas Lynch and Mary (Geary) Lynch, both also of Midleton. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. On 1st January 1919 she married George Daniel Mahony in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown– he was a Cook aboard the USS Imperator. George had been born in the U.S. and had enlisted in 1915; Bridget intended to make her home with him in New York City.

Mary Josephine Moore, 23, Youghal, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 31st May 1919.

Mary Josephine Doran was born in Youghal on 15th February 1896 to William Doran of Killeagh and Mary (Broderick) Doran of Youghal. She had never been to the United States and had lived in Ireland all her life. On 11th October 1917 she married William Thompson Moore, a Coxswain in the U.S. Navy at St. Colman’s Cathedral in Queenstown. He had entered service at Great Lakes on 11th February 1916 and at the time of Mary’s application was still in the Navy, at New York. Their son John William Moore was born in Queenstown on 14th January 1919. Mary hoped to sail with her son around 15th June 1919, and intended to make her home at 925 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, Illinois.

Euphrosyne Posey, 26, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 23rd June 1919.

Euphrosyne Cain was born in Queenstown on 20th May 1893. In the middle of the 1918 she married William Alton Posey, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana and a member of the U.S. Navy. Euphrosyne had never been in the United States, and never been outside of Ireland. The couple planned to make their home in Birmingham, Alabama.

Alice Maud Pranis, 22, Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 2nd June 1919.

Alice Maud Pain was born in Cork on 12th July 1896. She married Joseph Pranis from Cleveland, Ohio, in Cork during the last quarter of 1917. Joseph, from Cleveland, Ohio, was serving in the U.S. Navy. Alice had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. On 17th October 1918 the couple celebrated the birth of their son Joseph Arthur Pranis in Cork. Cissie Pain, a relative of Alice who swore to her identification lived at 5 Langford Terrace in Cork.

Hanora Riffle, 22, Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 2nd June 1919.

Hanora Pearson was born in Cork on 29th November 1897. She married James Mathule Riffle of the United States Navy in Cork during the last quarter of 1918. Hanora had spent during her life in Ireland, India, Malta and England during her life, as her father was in the British Army. She had never been to the United States.

Helena Swann, 21, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 25th August 1919.

Helena Cotter was born in Carrigtwohill on 1st January 1898 to Batholomew Cotter and Elizabeth (O’Brien) Cotter, both also of Carrigtwohill. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. On 22nd July 1918 she had married James Swann in the Church of St. Aloysius, Carrigtwohill, a native of Baltimore, Maryland and a 1st Class Baker aboard USS Melville. James had entered the service around 1914, was discharged in 1918, and at the time of Helena’s application was serving in the Mercantile Marine. She hoped to join her husband at 4 South Street in New York City, sailing on 5th September.

Mary Thomas, 21, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 4th April 1919.

Mary Murphy was born in Cork on 16th January 1897. On 10th February 1918 she married Robert Lee Thomas, a native of Manhattan, Kansas, in the Roman Catholic Church of S.S. Mary & Anne in Shandon, Cork City. Mary had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. The couple’s daughter Elsa Irene was born in Cork on 27th December 1918.

Margaret Thompson, 19, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 5th June 1919.

Margaret was born in Cork on 14th July 1900. She married Forest Thompson, a native of Gainesville, Missouri in 1918. Forest was then serving in the U.S. Navy. Margaret had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. At the time of her application Forest was at Knottyash Camp in Liverpool. She intended her home to be Gainesville, Missouri R.F.D.#2 following emigration.

Mary Turner, 21, Kilworth, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 18th June 1919.

Mary O’Keefe was born in Kilworth on 26th February 1897. She had lived in Ireland all her life and had never been to the United States. In St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown on 20th October 1917 she had married Edward Chester Turner, a Fireman in the U.S. Navy and native of Meyers, California. Mary did not know where Edward had enlisted, and at the time of her application he had been discharged and was back in America. Mary hoped to make her home with him at 525 Main Street in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. She intended to sail on 8th July 1919 aboard the SS Plattsburg. 

Mary Turner, 23, Kilworth, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 19th October 1920 (See Above)

Mary O’Keeffe again applied for the passport, an indication that just because Irish women received one they did not always travel. In her second application she said her husband was discharged “recently in the U.S. I do not know when or where” and when asked her husband was she said “I do not know as I have not heard from him for twelve months.” Mary now intended to make her home at 130 Tildon Street, Lowell, Massachusetts and hoped to sail on 4th November 1920 on the SS Baltic. 

Hannah Coakley Vassar, 33, Ballywilliam, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 4th April 1919.

Hannah Coakley was born in Ballywilliam on 31st December 1885. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. She married Addison Vassar, a native of Napoleon, Indiana and member of the U.S. Navy in Cork during the first quarter of 1918. Their son John Addison was born in Ballywilliam on 5th October 1918. Hannah intended to make her home at 124 West 13th Street in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Bridget Mary Wallace, 21, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 1st July 1919.

Bridget Mary Carroll was born in Queenstown on 6th May 1898 to Richard Carroll of Co. Kerry and Bridget (Sheedy) Carroll of Castle Oliver, Co. Limerick. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. On 22nd April 1919 she married Kenneth Rueben Wallace in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown. Kenneth was a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, having entered the service in Annapolis in 1909. Following her emigration she planned to make her home at 7000 Eggleston Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

Margaret Wells, 21, Aghada, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 21st January 1919.

Margaret Smyth was born in Aghada on 25th March 1897. She married Roy Augustus Wells, a native of Huron, South Dakota in the Roman Catholic Church in Aghada on 3rd November 1918. He was a Chief Quartermaster based at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Aghada. Margaret had never been to the United States before and had lived in Ireland all her life. She intended to make her home at R.R.#3, Hudson, Michigan.

Norah White, 20, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 10th April 1919.

Norah Hennessy was born in Cork on 17th March 1899. She had lived in Ireland all her life. She married Charles Samuel White, a native of Fairhaven, Massachusetts and member of the U.S. Navy in Cork in the second quarter of 1918. Norah intended to make her home at 61 Alvoid Avenue, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Mary Kate Wilder, 22, Donoughmore, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 16th April 1919. 

Mary Kate Magill was born in Donoughmore on 8th May 1896. She had lived in Ireland all her life. On 22nd December 1918 she married Edwin Vernon Wilder, a native of Kansas and member of the U.S. Navy, in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown. Edwin, who had been born in Osborne on 13th May 1889, was a Junior Grade Lieutenant at U.S.N.T. Barracks Base 6. Mary Kate planned to live in Osborne, Kansas.

Madge Weed, 25, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 17th March 1919.

Madge Linehan was born in Cork on 25th September 1894 to Thomas and Bridget Linehan of Cork. She had never been in the United States. She married Harry Alonzo Weed of Erie, Pennsylvania on 29th September 1917 in St. Patrick’s Church, Cork. He was then serving as a water-tender aboard USS Allen, having joined the service in 1899. At the time of Madge’s application Harry was back in New York. In the United States she intended to make her home on Route #5 in Waterford, Pennsylvania, and hoped to sail on 21st March 1919.

Ellen Woodson, 19, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 25th February 1919.

Ellen Ring was born in Cork on 4th January 1900. She married Russell Micklem Woodson, a native of Rockfish, Nelson County, Virginia in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown on 2nd June 1918, while Russell was serving in the U.S. Navy. Ellen had lived in Ireland all her life. Mary Cooney who provided her identification in Queenstown, had known her for only eight months.

Nellie Anderson, 23, Queenstown. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 2nd December 1920.

Nellie Burns was born in Queenstown in March 1897 to John Burns of Cork City and Hannah Burns of Queenstown. She married Charles D. Anderson, of Green County, Pennsylvania on 9th February 1918 in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown. At the time Charles was serving as a Seaman in the U.S. Navy. He initially enlisted in August 1916, was discharged in August 1920 and had since rejoined. Charles had been born on 21st February 1896. The couple’s son Patrick was born in Queenstown a month after they were married, on 17th March 1918. Nellie had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. As part of her application Nellie produced a letter from her husband showing that he wished her to join him in America. At the time of her application her husband was in Mexico. Upon emigration Nellie intended to live at 115 Murton Avenue in Mountville, West Virginia. She hoped to sail on the SS Baltic on 9th December 1920.

Johanna Dealy, 19, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 30th September 1920.

Johanna Twomey was born in Cork on 28th January 1901 to Patrick and Mary Frances Twomey of Cork. On 11th March 1918 she married Richard Edgar Dealy, of Boston, Massachusetts at the Church of S.S. Peter and Paul in Cork. Richard was then a Chief Machinist in the U.S. Navy, and he had been born on 7th April 1892. Their daughter Ellen was born in Cork on 18th February 1919. At the time of Johanna’s application Richard was still in the Navy, and was at Chelsea Street in Charlestown, Massachusetts. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. Johanna hoped to join her husband by sailing on 8th August from Antwerp.

Annie Wilkinson, 18, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 5th August 1920.

Annie Burke was born in Queenstown on 3rd July 1902 to John and Mary Ellen Burke of the town. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. On 5th April 1919 she married Ira Martin Wilkinson of Chillicothe, Ohio, in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown. Ira was a U.S. Navy Cook, and was at the time of Annie’s application in the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. He had been born on 27th August 1894. Following her emigration Annie intended to live at 58 Warren Street, Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Katherine Odgers, 27, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 7th January 1921.

Katherine Hegarty was born in Queenstown on 26th April 1893 to Patrick and Mary Hegarty both of the town. On 29th December 1918 she married Harry Morton Odgers, a Chief Yeoman in the U.S. Navy in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown. Katherine had lived in Ireland until 1916, before spending the following two years in England and returning to Ireland in 1918. She spent another five months in England between June and December 1920. At the time of her application Harry was on a receiving ship in New York. She didn’t know what her permanent address in the United States would be, but hoped to sail on 9th January 1921 aboard the SS St Mehiel.

Annie Frances Emery, 19, Passage West, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 26th May 1919.

Annie Frances Kennedy was born in Passage West on 8th August 1898. Her father Edward and Mary were also both Irish. Annie had lived in Ireland all her life, and had never been to the United States. On 8th May 1919 Annie married Eugene J. Emery in the Church of St. Mary in Passage West. Eugene was a Gunner in the U.S. Navy, and had enlisted in San Francisco, California in September 1903. At the time of her application, Eugene was in the Knotty Ash Rest Camp in Liverpool. Annie hoped to travel aboard the SS Plattsburg on 2nd June, with the intention of living in 238 Monteray Avenue in Ontario, California.

Elizabeth Janke, 21, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 23rd June 1919.

Elizabeth Hawkins was born in Queenstown on 24th August 1897 to William Hawkins and Annie (O’Halloran) Hawkins, both natives of the town. She had never been to the United States, but had lived in Plymouth, England from September 1909 to November 1914. Elizabeth married Seaman William Edward Janke on 20th November 1918 in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Queenstown. William had entered the U.S. service some eight years previously. Elizabeth would make her home with him at 3518 Riverside Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. She hoped to sail on the SS Plattsburg on 3rd July 1919.

Phillis Audrey Tarbutton, 19, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 9th August 1919.

Phillis Audrey Scogings was born in Queenstown on 29th November 1899 to Thomas William Scogings of Queenstown and Mary Elizabeth Scogings of Liverpool. She had lived in Ireland, England and Wales from her birth to 1919, and had never been to the United States. She had married William Edward Tarbutton, a native of Crumpton, Maryland on 12th July 1919 in Queenstown. William a Junior Grade Lieutenant aboard USS Greene, where he was still serving at the time of Phillis’s application. Phillis was staying at Rhianfa in Bull Bay, Anglesey, Wales when she applied. She hoped to stay in the Biltmore Hotel in New York after her emigration, intended to leave on the SS Plattsburg on 15th August 1919.

Bridie Comerford, 19, Bantry, Co. Cork. Husband in U.S. Navy. London Consulate. Passport issued 29th May 1919.

Bridie Sullivan was born in Bantry on 3rd June 1900. Her father Donald and mother Margaret were both also Irish. Bridie entered into a relationship with Walter Earl Comerford, a Chief Stoker aboard the USS Bushnell. She was already a number of months pregnant when they married in Forest Hill, London in December 1918; their son Robert was born in London on 20th March 1919. Bridie had never been to the United States before. At the time of her application Walter was already back in America, at Norfolk, Virginia. It was there that Bridie intended to make her home, at 735 West 35th Street. She hoped to sail on the SS Plattsburg on 2nd June 1919.

Margaret Sullivan Roberson, 20, Bantry, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. London Consulate. Passport issued 11th November 1919.

Margaret Sullivan was born in Bantry on 14th July 1899 to Daniel Francis Sullivan of Bantry and Margaret Sullivan of Schull. She had never been to the United States. On 2nd August 1919 she married Robert Fulton Roberson, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Robert was a Junior Grade Lieutenant in the United States Navy. A few months before their marriage they had celebrated the birth of a son, Dannie, who was born in Liverpool on 9th April 1919. Margaret and her son intended to make their home at 3155 Broadway in New York following emigration.

Nora C. Shoen, 20, Queenstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Navy. London Consulate. Passport issued 28th May 1919.

Nora Coughlan was born in Queenstown on 4th August 1888 to John and Kate Coughlan. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. Nora married Zina Ray Shoen in Queenstown on 6th August 1918. At the time of Nora’s application Zina was in New York. She hoped to join him at 78 North Main Street, Messene, New York via the SS Harrisburg, sailing on 8th June 1919. Nora later sought a passport to return to Ireland which was granted on 4th April 1921. She was living in Norfolk, Virginia at the time, and sought to come back to Europe citing “ill health.” She hoped to leave from New York on the same date as her application.

Marguerite Joyce Ginns, 19, Cork City. Husband in United States Navy. Southampton Consulate. Passport issued 2nd June 1919.

Marguerite Joyce Callan was born in Cork on 13th November 1899 to Daniel and Mary Callan, both of that city. Marguerite married Michael J. Ginns of Pennsylvania in Queenstown on 12th December 1917, while he was a First Class Machinist on the USS Shaw. She had never been to the United States before. At the time of her application Michael was already on his way back to America. Marguerite, who at the time was living at 79 Malins Road in Southampton, hoped to sail aboard the SS Louisville on 15th June 1919 in order to join him in her new home at Roseville, California.

Co. Donegal

Margaret Smith, 22, Iskaheen, Co. Donegal. Husband in United States Navy. Londonderry Consulate. Passport issued 14th October 1919.

Margaret Gallagher was born in Iskaheen on 18th January 1897 to James Gallagher of Killdrum, Co. Donegal and Rose Ann Mullan of Iskaheen. She had lived in Ireland all her life and never been to the United States. On 25th November 1918 she married Benjamin James Smith at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Eugene in Londonderry.  A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Benjamin was then serving as an Ordinary Seaman in the United States Navy, and was a member of the United States Naval Air Station based on Lough Foyle. He had enlisted in St. Louis on 25th May 1917.On the 28th August 1919 the couple’s first child, Rose Ann, was born. At the time of Margaret’s application had been discharged and was living at 2555 Maiden Lane Street in St. Louis, where Margaret hoped to join him.

Sarah Christina Stephens, 21, Castlecar, Moville, Co. Donegal. Husband in United States Navy. Londonderry Consulate. Passport issued 14th October 1919.

Sarah Christina McSheffrey was born in Castlecar on 27th March 1898 to James McSheffrey of Moville and Mary Doherty. She lad lived in Moville all her life and never been to the United States. On 25th December 1918 she had married Milton J. Stephens in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Columba in Drung, Co. Donegal. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Milton was an Electrician 1st Class in the United States Navy, serving at the United States Naval Air Station base in Lough Foyle. He entered the service on 24th May 1917 in St. Louis, and was discharged on 7th August 1919. At the time of Sarah’s application Milton was back in St. Louis, where Sarah hoped to join him at 4036 Rabade? Avenue.

Mary Josephine Gabis, 21, Shrove, Moville, Co. Donegal. Husband in United States Navy. Londonderry Consulate. Passport issued 20th January 1920.

Mary Josephine Richardson was born in Shrove on 6th July 1900 to Hugh Richardson of Londonderry and Marianne (Hegarty) Richardson of Shrove. She married Stephen Gabis of Schenectady, New York on 27th March 1919 in St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Londonderry. She had lived all her life in Ireland and never been to the United States. Stephen had served as a Seaman in the U.S. Navy from August 1917 to July 1919, had been based at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Lough Foyle, and was discharged on the cessation of hostilities. He was in Brooklyn, New York at the time of her application. Mary intended to join him there, at 77 Pacific Street in Brooklyn.

Co. Dublin

Lily Iris Sumner, 21, Dublin, Husband in United States Navy. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 16th October 1918.

Lily Iris Bleakley was born in Dublin on 15th September 1897. She married Blancharde M. Sumner, a native of California in St. Stephen’s Church, Dublin in 1918. He was then serving aboard the USS Ophir. She had never lived in America, and took the Oath of Allegiance on 11th September 1918.

Josephine E. Buchno, 27, Dublin, Husband in United States Navy. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 7th June 1919.

Josephine Cleary was born in Dublin on 1st July 1891. Her father James Cleary was also a Dublin native, while her mother Ellen (née Egan) was from Killarney, Co. Kerry. Josephine had never been outside Ireland before she met John Buchno, a native of Buffalo, New York. John was serving as a Boatswain’s Mate with the United States Naval Air Force at the United States Naval Air Shipping Station in Dublin. He had enlisted on 15th March 1917 in Buffalo. The couple married at St. Kevin’s Church in Dublin on 30th November 1918. When they arrived in America they planned to make their home at 15 Roebling Avenue in Buffalo.

Mabel Davis, 20, Dublin. Husband in United States Navy. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 11th July 1919.

Mabel Dowzard was born in Dublin on 8th April 1899. Her father Edward had also been born in Dublin, while her mother Mary A. Cotterill Dowzard was from Stockport in England. She had lived in Ireland all her life, and had never been to America. Mabel met Paul W. Davis from Kennebunk, Maine, a Pharmacist’s Mate in the United States Navy, and married him at the North Strand Church in Dublin on 8th January 1919. Paul had enlisted at Chelsea, Massachusetts on 2nd April 1917 and at the time of Mabel’s application was in Liverpool awaiting embarkation to the United States. The couple hoped to make their home at 199 Auburn Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Mary Skelly, 29, Dublin. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 20th November 1918.

Mary was born in Dublin on 19th November 1889. She married James Skelly at St. Michan’s in Dublin on 10th November 1915. Mary had lived in Dublin from her birth until November 1915, since which date she had resided in Liverpool. By the time of her application on 18th November 1918 James was a member of the U.S. Navy, serving aboard USS Leviathan. He had been born in New York, and the couple intended to live at 473 West 21st Street. Mary, who had never been in America before, was to be accompanied by her daughter Kathleen who had been born in Liverpool on 24th April 1917.

Mary Ellen Reynolds, 22, Dublin. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 1st September 1919.

Mary Ellen O’Rourke was born in Dublin on 25th January 1897 to Andrew O’Rourke of Liverpool and Ellen O’Rourke of Dublin. She had lived in Dublin from her birth until 1917, when she moved to Liverpool. On 16th May 1919 she married Edward Reynolds, a native of Crystal, North Dakota and a seaman in the U.S. Navy. Edward had entered the service on 14th May 1918 in Grafton, North Dakota. When Mary Ellen applied Edward was staying at the Criterion Hotel in Liverpool. She hoped to make her home in Grafton, and intended to sail on the USS President Grant on 3rd September 1919.

Kathleen T. Sowder, 18, Ballard? Co. Dublin. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 9th July 1919.

Kathleen Kennedy was born in Brighton?, Ireland on 25th September 1900 to Terence Kennedy of Ballard and Alice Kennedy of Brighton?, Ireland. She had lived in Ireland all her life, and had never been to the United States. She moved to Liverpool on 4th July 1919 and at the time of her application was residing at St. John’s Hotel in that city. On 16th October 1918 Kathleen had married Jerome B. Sowder in Chapelizod, Dublin. They would celebrate the birth of their daughter Kathleen P. in Dublin a little over five months later on 2nd March 1919. Jerome was then serving as a Machinist 1st Class on USS Harrisburg. A native of Dearborn, Missouri, he had enlisted on 26th July 1917 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was still in the Navy at the time of Kathleen’s application, and was residing at the Criterion Hotel in Liverpool. Kathleen intended to sail on the USS Harrisburg on 8th July 1919.

Bridgie W. Phillips, 22, Esker, Co. Dublin? Husband in United States Navy. London Consulate. Passport issued 11th August 1919.

Bridget Whyte was born in Esker on 30th January 1897 to Thomas and Mary Whyte. She married Harold O. Phillips, a Chief Machinist Mate in the U.S. Navy in Rathdown, Co. Dublin on 26th June 1919. She had never been in the United States and had lived in Ireland all her life. She hoped to sail on 15th August 1919 on the SS Plattsburg, and intended to make her home in Mankato, Kansas.

Co. Kerry

Elizabeth Mary Glasky, 22, Tralee, Co. Kerry. Husband in U.S. Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 25th March 1919.

Elizabeth Mary Lyons was born in Tralee on 9th August 1896. Her husband John Francis Glasky had emigrated to the United States around 1890, where he had made his home in Steubenville, Ohio. The couple had married in the first three months of 1918 in Cork, where Glasky was serving as a U.S.  Naval Rating. Elizabeth was making her temporary home at 1 Kerry Hall Terrace, St. Mary’s Road in Cork while she waiting to hear on her application.

Co. Kildare

Norah Henderson, 20, Kildare. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 16th January 1919.

Norah Jones was born in Kildare on 3rd November 1898. She had lived in Ireland all her life and had never been to the United States. She married John Walter Henderson of the U.S. Navy, a native of North Bend, Pennsylvania, in Cork during the first months of 1918. Their new home was to be Renovo, Pennsylvania.

Eileen Vokes-Mackey Richardson, 23, Kildare. Husband in United States Navy. London Consulate. Passport issued 6th December 1918.

Eileen was born on 27th January 1895. She had married William Augustus Richardson, a native of Johnson City, Tennessee and a Lieutenant-Commander in the U.S. Navy. Eileen had never been to the United States. She applied for her passport on 6th December 1918.

Co. Limerick

Margaret Burton, 24, Glin, Co. Limerick, Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 30th June 1919.

Margaret Reidy was born in Killeaney, Glin on 15th April 1895. Her father Thomas Reidy was from Killeaney, while her mother Margaret was from Cloncowley in Drumlish, Co. Longford. Margaret had never been to the United States. It was while in Liverpool that Margaret met and married Harry Chambers Burton of Ohio, who had been born in 1888. Harry was a Chief Carpenter’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, and the two had married in Liverpool on 12th April 1919. While Margaret awaited a determination on her passport she was at the American Red Cross Hospital in Liverpool; Harry had gone back to the United States, and was at the B.17 U.S. Receiving Ship in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Margaret hoped to sail to America on 3rd July 1919 aboard the SS Plattsburg. There the couple hoped to make their home at 17 East South Street in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Co. Mayo

Mary Florence Burck, 28, Westport. Husband in United States Navy? Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 25th March 1919.

Mary Florence Glynn was born in Westport, Co. Mayo on 26th September 1890. She had lived in Ireland all her life, but married New York native Frank Burck in Queenstown Church of Ireland church on 30th November 1918. Although it is not stated if Frank had a military role, it may well have been World War One that brought him to Cork. The couple intended to make their home at 226 Winthrop Street in Brooklyn.

Catherine Weiss, 27, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 28th July 1919.

Catherine Kearney was born in Castlebar on 16th January 1892 to Peter and Norah Kearney, also of Castlebar. She lived in Castlebar until 1915, when she moved to Liverpool. On 26th July 1919 she married Otto Weiss, a native of Chicago, Illinois, in Liverpool. Otto was a 2nd Class Engineman aboard USS Louisville. At the time of her application Otto was staying at 13 Knowsley Road in Liverpool.

Co. Roscommon

Elizabeth Kane, 30, Co. Roscommon. Husband in United States Navy. Belfast Consulate. Passport issued 12th August 1919.

Elizabeth Breen was born in Co. Roscommon on 24th February 1886 to Thomas Breen of Co. Wexford and Marie (Kearns) Breen of Co. Roscommon. Her husband Owen Kane was a native of Co. Louth and had emigrated to the U.S. from Liverpool around 1900, spending the next 18 years in Boston. He entered the U.S. Navy there around 1907, and the couple had been married in St. Alexander’s Church in Bootle, Liverpool, England on 20th July 1911. By the time of her application, Owen was a Chief Petty Officer serving in the engineroom of U.S. vessels. The couple had four children; Katharine and James were born in Boston on 4th April 1912 and 22nd June 1915 respectively, while Eileen and Leo were born in Omeath, Co. Louth on 28th April 1916 and 16th November 1918. Elizabeth had last arrived in Omeath (presumably to her in-laws home) from Boston on 5th November 1916. She intended to live at 7 Seaver Street in East Boston, and hoped to sail on the SS Plattsburg on 15th August 1919.

Co. Tipperary

May Colkitt, 21, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 17th January 1919.

May English was born in Clonmel on 19th November 1896. At the age of two she had moved to Liverpool, where she remained afterwards. There she met and married Mathew Stanley Colkitt of Medford, New Jersey. He was then serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Davis. The England and Wales Marriage Index suggests the wedding took place between July and September 1918; as the couple’s daughter Margaret L. Colkitt was born in Liverpool on 22nd July 1918, May was pregnant during the ceremony. At the time of her application May was still in Liverpool, but Mathew was already at 131 South Lord Street, Philadelphia, where she hoped to join him. May had never been to the City of Brotherly Love before.

Co. Waterford

Christina Heise, 17, Waterford City. Husband in United States Navy. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 29th May 1919.

Christina Collins was born in Waterford City on 2nd June 1901 to Michael Collins (from Dublin) and Nannie (Dolan) Collins from Waterford. Christina had never been to the United States, and never been outside of Ireland. On 19th March 1919 she married Chief Machinist’s Mate Wilner Frank Heise, a native of Washington D.C. in St. Colman’s Cathedral in Queenstown. Wilner had entered the service around 1915. In the United States, Christina intended to make her home at 523 Pacific Street in Brooklyn.

Elizabeth Jizmejian, 22, Piltown, Co. Waterford. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 18th November 1918.

Elizabeth had been born in Piltown on 10th May 1896. In 1912 she moved to Cardiff, and since 1914 had made her home in Liverpool– she had never been to America. Her husband Joseph Arthur Jizmejian had initially emigrated to the United States from Le Havre on the 11th November 1912, and has been naturalised in New York on 11th June 1918. The couple had married in Liverpool on 24th March 1918, Joseph being in the U.K. with the United States Navy. Their home address was to be 200 East 27th Street in that city.

Co. Westmeath

Mary Anne Robb, 24, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Husband in United States Navy. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 6th June 1919.

Mary Anne Bennett was born in Mullingar on 27th December 1894 t0 James Bennett of Martinstown, Mullingar and Anne Bennett of Mullingar (Mary Anne’s mother had passed away by the time of her application). She had lived in Mullingar all her life and never been to the United States. On 22nd December 1918 she married George Francis Robb, a native of Brooklyn, in the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Mullingar. George was then a 1st Class Fireman serving in the U.S. Navy. He had entered the service in New York in March 1911. At the time of her application George was back in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon her emigration Mary Anne intended to make her home at 562 Grand Avenue in Brooklyn, and she hoped to sail on the USS Brooklyn on 15th June 1919.

Co. Wexford

Margaret Josephine Dion, 21, Wexford, Co. Wexford. Husband in United States Navy. Plymouth Consulate. Passport issued 6th August 1919.

Margaret Josephine Hogan was born on 25th March 1898 in Wexford. Her father Patrick was from Limerick, while her mother Margaret had been born in India. She had lived in Ireland and England all her life and had never been to the United States. She met and married 1st Class Storekeeper Chester Dion at St. Michael & St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Plymouth on 30th November 1918. It was noted that Chester had not served in the Plymouth base. He was from Escanaba, Michigan, and had entered the service around 1912. At the time of Margaret’s application Chester was serving aboard USS Parker at New York. The couple intended to make their home at 827 Kellogg Street, Greenbay, Wisconsin.

Co. Wicklow

Catherine (Kattie) McKenna, 19, Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow. Husband in United States Navy. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 28th July 1919.

Catherine Byrne was born in Shillelagh on 15th November 1899 to Simon Byrne and Annie Fallon (both of Hacketstown, Co. Carlow). Catherine was known as Kattie; she had made her home in Shillelagh until 1917, after which she moved to Dublin. Her husband Patrick McKenna had also been born in Ireland, emigrating to America from Queenstown around 1909, and living the next ten years in Philadelphia. He became a naturalised U.S. citizen in San Francisco in 1915. The couple had married at the Church of the Three Patrons, Rathgar, Dublin on 15th June 1919, while Patrick was serving as a 2nd Class Fireman on USS Harrisburg. 

The Wives of United States Army by County

Co. Clare

Dela Culligan, 26, Kilrush, Co. Clare. Husband in United States Army. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 28th July 1919.

Dela Talty was born in Kilrush on 8th February 1893. Her father Michael and mother Margaret (née O’Dea) were also both from Kilrush. She appears to have been in the United States prior to the war, saying she returned to Kilrush in November 1914. She was married to James Culligan Jr. of Philadelphia at St. Senan’s Church in Kilrush on 7th May 1919. At the time of her application James was serving as a Corporal in the American Regulating Station APO #927 in the Moselle Yards at Coblenz, Germany, having entered the service in New York. He was due to return to America and was being sent to Brest for embarkation. Dela intended to live at 500 West 165th Street in New York, and hoped to travel on the SS Harrisburg departing on 29th July 1919.

Co. Cork

Rosina Billing Junghans, 21, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Army. London Consulate. Passport issued 6th June 1919.

Rosina Victoria Billing was born in Co. Cork on 4th July 1897 to Charles Billing of London and Rosina Billing of Winchester. She had lived in Britain and Ireland all her life. On 12th February 1919 she married Engineer Sergeant Paul Junghans Jr. in Winchester, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When she applied Paul was based at the Headquarters Detachment Engineers, A.E.F., London. Rosina intended to live at 312 Roberts Street, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and hoped to sail on 10th June.

Eileen O’Donnell, 19, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. Husband in United States Army. London Consulate. Passport issued 15th August 1919.

Eileen was born in Mitchelstown on 30th June 1901. She had lived in Ireland from her birth to that date, and had never been to the United States. Eileen had arrived in London on 4th August 1919. Her husband Edmund O’Donnell had emigrated to the United States in 1880, and had lived in Ansonia, Connecticut from that date until on, becoming a naturalized citizen there on 19th October 1896. At the time of their marriage Edmund was serving in the A.E.F., and 80 Howard Avenue in Ansonia was to be the couple’s home.

Margaret O’Donoghue Tipton, 27, Cork City. Husband in United States Army. Paris Consulate. Passport issued 29th December 1919?

Margaret Mary O’Donoghue was born in Cork on 26th October 1892. On 7th June 1919 she married Lieutenant Andrew Ralph Tipton in Paris. Andrew was with 141e Aero Squadron of the AEF. He had been born in Tyler, Texas on 11th September 1896 and made his home in Clarkedale, Arizona. He entered the U.S. Army in Los Angeles in 1917.

Co. Dublin

Georgina Scarry, 27, Dublin. Husband in United States Army. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 28th July 1919.

Georgina Sandes was born in Dublin on 22nd October 1891 to Joseph Sandes and Georgina (Durkin) Sandes, both also of Dublin. She had lived in Dublin all her life and never been to the United States. On 22nd May 1919 she married Herbert J. Scarry in Dublin. Herbert, who was also a Dublin native, had emigrated to America via Liverpool around June 1915. He lived in Boston until 5th October 1917, when he enlisted in the United States Army. At the time of their marriage he was a Corporal in the Co. B.P.E.S. of the American Expeditionary Force. At the time of Georgina’s application Herbert was stationed in Bourges, Cherbourg in France. The couple intended to make their home at 12 Haughton Street in Boston.

Sheila Mary Ayers, 19, Dublin, Husband in United States Army. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 18th March 1919.

Sheila (née Brooks) was born in Dublin on 14th February 1900. Her parents James and Christina Brooks were both also born in Dublin. She had lived in Ireland’s capital until 28th April 1914, when she moved to Liverpool. On 26th December 1918 she was married at the Embarkation Camp in Liverpool to Sergeant John W Ayers of the 362nd Infantry, Company L. He had enlisted in El Centro, California on 26th April 1918 and was then stationed at the Embarkation Camp in Knotty Ash. The couple planned to make their home in Seely, California, and Sheila planned to sail on the Aquitania on 21st March 1919. She appears to be the sister of Christine Mary Brice below.

Christine Mary Brice, 25, Dublin, Husband in United States Army. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 18th March 1919.

Christine (née Brooks) was born in Dublin on 10th January 1894. She left Dublin for Liverpool in April 1914, where the war brought her in contact with Private Emmet T. Brice of Knoxville, Iowa. He was serving in Co. 12 Camp, JARD (162nd Infantry), having enlisted in Bentonville, Arkansas on 27th May 1918. The couple married in the Embarkation Camp at Liverpool on 19th January 1919. Christine was the sister on Sheila Mary Ayers above, and had never been to the United States. When Christine applied her husband was in the Embarkation Camp in Knotty Ash, the same location as Sheila’s husband. Like Sheila, she hoped to sail to her new life on the Aquitania on 21st March 1919. There the two sister’s journey together would end; when Christine got to America she was going to make her home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas– a long way from Sheila in California.

Co. Galway

Delia Furey, 33, Craughwell, Co. Galway. Husband in United States Army. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 23rd June 1919.

Delia Connolly was born in Craughwell on 21st April 1886 to Martin and Bridget Connolly. Her husband John J. Furey was from the same town, and both had emigrated to the United States in 1910. John variously made his home in Boston and Perth Amboy, and the couple were married on 6th September 1914 in Brooklyn. She left America on 15th September, only ten days after the wedding. Living first in Craughwell, Delia moved to Sutton, Co. Dublin in March 1915, where the couple’s son John Benedict Furey was born on 27th April 1915. Delia spent the war years as a waitress, moving from Sutton to Arcadia, Howth in June 1918. Meanwhile John J. had enlisted in the army at Syracuse, New York. He became a private in the 11th Company, 3rd Battalion on 31st July 1918 and was demobilised on 15th January 1919. As the wife of a serviceman, Delia was able to secure passage back to the United States for her and her son, which was the purpose of her application. She was to make her home with her husband at 403 Gordon Street in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. They were due to sail on the Army Transport SS Louisville on 24th June 1919.

Co. Kerry

Mary Bridget Mannix, 27, Knockeenduff, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Husband in United States Army. Queenstown Consulate. Passport issued 2nd June 1919.

Mary Bridget O’Connor had been born in Knockeenduff on 8th February 1892 to Michael O’Connor of Loughtetene and Hannah (O’Shea) O’Connor of Kilcummin. She had married Denis Mannix at the Church of S.S. Mary & Anne, Shandon, Cork on 5th April 1913. Her husband was born in Keelclogherane, Co. Kerry, and had emigrated to the United States via Liverpool on 4th July 1914. Mary seems not to have gone with him; she had lived in Liverpool from 1907 to 1908, but the stated she spent the years between 1908 and 1919 in Ireland. Denis had declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen in Boston in 1916, and was due to be naturalized on his return from service in France. He had enlisted as a private in the 338th Infantry in Boston in July 1918 and was demobilised there in April 1919. Mary intended to live with Denis at 235 East Eagle Street in East Boston, and hoped to sail on the SS Plattsburg on 4th June.

Co. Kildare

Mary Agnes Down, 19, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Husband in United States Army. Southampton Consulate. Passport issued 29th May 1919.

Mary Agnes Lally was born in Newbridge on 9th June 1899. Her father John was from Birr, Co. Offaly, while her mother Mary was from Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Mary had lived in England since September 1899. She met and married Ralph Edward Down of Iowa on 23rd December 1918 at St. Peter’s Church in Winchester. Ralph was serving as a private in the Quarter Master Corps, having entered the service in Iowa in April 1917. Mary hoped to make her home at 708 Birch Street, Atlantic, Iowa and hoped to sail aboard the SS Plattsburg on 4th June 1919.

Co. Louth

Mary Carroll, 29, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Husband in the American Expeditionary Force. Belfast Consulate. Passport issued 8th August 1919.

Mary Fitzgerald was born in Drogheda on 3rd May 1889– both her parents John and Annie were also from the town. She married Daniel Carroll of Bessbrook, Co. Armagh in Carrickcruppen (also Co. Armagh) on 25th January 1910. The couple thereafter emigrated to Chicago. Their first child, James, was born there on 17th January 1913; Mary returned to Bessbrook for the birth of their daughter, Mary Patricia, on 23rd July 1914. She remained in Ireland throughout the war, but her husband, still in America, enlisted as a Private in the A.E.F. in New York on 18th April 1918 and was discharged in May 1919. Daniel was now waiting for his wife at 316 East 54th Street in New York. Mary intended to sail with her children on the SS Plattsburg leaving on the 13th August 1919.

Co. Mayo

Anna Gaynard Shearn, 27, Derymore, Hollymount, Co. Mayo. Husband in United States Army. London Consulate. Passport issued 3rd July 1919.

Anna Marie Gaynard was born in Derymore on 21st July 1889 to Michael and Mary Gaynard. She lived in Ireland until 1909,before emigrating to Philadelphia. She returned to Ireland again in 1916 and stayed there until the time of her application. She married Patrick D. Shearn of Centralia, Pennsylvania in Kilcona, Ireland on 1st May 1918. At the time of her application Anna’s husband was at 2944 North Ringgold Street in Philadelphia. Anna hoped to sail to join him on 4th July. It was noted on her application that she had just come to London from Ireland and knew no-one there.

Co. Monaghan

Mary Ellen McCarthy, 24, Monaghan. Husband in United States Army. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 2nd September 1919. 

Mary Ellen Sherlock was born in Monaghan on 25th October 1894. She lived there until March 1919, when she moved to Liverpool. Mary Ellen had never been to the United States. On 23rd August 1919 she married Patrick M. McCarthy, a native of Browning, Montana, at St. Mary’s Church in Bootle, Liverpool. Patrick was then awaiting redeployment to the United States. Mary Ellen intended to make her home with him in Browning.

Co. Offaly

Nora McCabe, 27, Clara, King’s County (Offaly). Husband in United States Army. Dublin Consulate. Passport issued 7th August 1919.

Nora Bergin was born in Clara on 2nd July 1892 to Robert Begin, a native of Tipperary, and Mary (Dempsey) Bergin, of King’s County. She had lived in Ireland all her life. Her husband Joseph McCabe had been born in Dublin, and had emigrated to the United States via Liverpool around 1911. He lived in Jersey City for the next seven years, before enlisting there as a private in the American Army in April 1917. He was demobilised at Camp Upton, New York on 18th June 1919. The couple had been married in Dublin on 21st April 1919. Nora intended to make her home at 272 Hoboken Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, and hoped to sail from Liverpool on 13th August 1919.

Co. Sligo

Elizabeth Scott, 22, Sligo. Husband in United States Army. Cardiff Consulate. Passport issued 21st August 1919.

Elizabeth Whittaker was born in Sligo on 14th April 1897 to John and Bridget Whittaker. She had lived in Britain and Ireland all her life, and gave her present address as 76 Phyllis Street, Barry Island in Wales. Her husband Edward W.J. Scott had been born in Barry, Wales and had emigrated to America from Cardiff in January 1917. He had married Elizabeth at Penarth, Wales prior to his departure, on 13th December 1916. Edward declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen in Brooklyn, and on 28th September 1917 entered the U.S. Army in the same location. At the time of Elizabeth’s application he was a Sergeant on Company B of the 326th Infantry, stationed at Brest and awaiting re-embarkation for America. The couple celebrated the birth of a daughter, Marie, at Penarth on 12th March 1917. Elizabeth intended to make her home at 54 Vandyke Street, Erie Basin, Brooklyn.

Co. Tyrone

Mabel Christina Smith, 25, Strabane, Co. Tyrone. Husband in United States Army. Liverpool Consulate. Passport issued 1st September 1919.

Mabel Christina O’Reilly was born in Strabane on 16th December 1893 to Edward O’Reilly of Strabane and Mary O’Reilly of “Ballybraz.” She had lived in Ireland and England all her life, and had ever been to the United States. Her husband Robert Samuel Smith had also been born Strabane, and had emigrated to America via Liverpool around 1909. He had lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut until 1917, when he entered the U.S. Army. At the time of her application Robert was serving as a Corporal and was in Brest awaiting his return to the United States. Mabel was then living in Mossley House, Liverpool. The couple had married in Laragh, Co. Tyrone? on 20th August 1919. Mabel intended to travel on the SS President Grant on 4th September 1919, and to make her home at 31 Merchant Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Co. Wexford

Eleanor Jane Cassidy, 33, Bannow, Co. Wexford. Husband in United States Army. Paris Consulate. Passport issued 13th June 1919.

Eleanor was born in Bannow on 11th October 1885. She had married John Cassidy, a soldier in the U.S. Army, while in France. It is probable Eleanor was herself serving in some capacity, though this is not stated. John was from Philadelphia, which is where the couple intended to make their home. Eleanor had never been to America before.

Service/Residence in France by County

Co. Donegal

Isabel Wilson Warner, 28, Co. Donegal. Husband in United States Army. Application in United States. Passport issued 25th September 1919.

Isabel was born in Co. Donegal on 11th November 1887. Her husband William E.R. Warner, a New Yorker, was a Major in the A.E.F., and at the time of her application he was stationed in Paris. Isabel intended to travel from New York to join him in France, and hoped to sail as soon as possible in October 1919.

Co. Dublin

 

Constance Ramony Gideon, 28, Dublin, Entertainer with the Soldiers in France. Application in Boston, Massachusetts. Passport issued 18th November 1918. 

Constance, who had been born in Dublin, was married to Kentuckian Henry Louis Gideon. The couple lived at 278 Highland Street, Dedham, Massachusetts. Constance was a musician, and was travelling to France as part of the “Over-There Theatre League under Y.M.C.A.” to entertain the troops. She planned on sailing from New York in November 1918 and intended to return to America when the war was over.

Carmel White, 31, Dublin, Red Cross Hospital Hut Service. Application in New York, New York. Passport issued 22nd October 1918. 

Carmel was born in Dublin on 21st August 1887. Her father Peter had died, and her mother Ann remarried on 18th July 1906 to an American citizen, an act which entitled her to citizenship though her step-father. She had lived in France and Belgium in 1904 and 1905 and between 1908 and 1912. She was now living at 145 West 58th Street New York where she worked as a dressmaker. She applied in September 1918 to go to France and work for the Red Cross Hospital Hut Service.

Evelyn G.N. Purcell, 31, Dublin, Army Nurse. Application in United States. Passport issued 23rd October 1917. 

Evelyn was born in Dublin on 8th October 1886. She emigrated to America from Liverpool aboard the Majestic in May 1900. She lived for the next 17 years in Mount Vernon, New York, and had become naturalized on 7th February 1913. She was now an Army Nurse, stationed with the Army Nurses Corps on Island No. 3, Ellis Island in New York. She required the passport to go to France in that capacity and intended to travel on 1st November 1917.

Ellen Smith Aunkst, 20, Dublin, Army Nurse? Application in France. Passport issued 4th October 1919.

Ellen was applying for her special passport at the U.S. Consulate in Brest, France. She had been born in Dublin on 4th July 1899. On 27th September 1919 she had married Private Thomas A. Aunkst at St. Loubes, France. He had been serving in the Camp Infirmary at Saint Sulpice, France. Thomas was a native of Dewart, Pennsylvania and had joined the U.S. Army on 5th September 1918 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Their new home address would be in Montgomery, Pennsylvania.

Co. Fermanagh

Anne L. Carson, 30, Enniskillen, Nurse in United States Army Reserve Corps. Application in United States. Passport issued 13th July 1917. 

Anne was born in Enniskillen on 12th June 1887. She had emigrated to America from Londonderry aboard the Caledonia in February 1908, and had settled in Winchester, Virginia. She had been naturalized in Harrisonburg on 7th December 1915. Her home was now in Riverton, Virginia, where she worked as a nurse. She left the United States for Europe on 30th June 1917, landing in Liverpool on 9th July. In London when she applied for the emergency passport, it was intended that she would serve in France. The passport was issued on 13th July 1917.

Isabella McNeil Carson, 29, Enniskillen, Nurse in United States Army Reserve Corps. Application in United States. Passport issued 13th July 1917.

Presumably the sister of Anne, Isabella was born in Enniskillen on 25th December 1888. She emigrated with her on the Caldeonia in February 1908, and also settled in Winchester, Virginia. She was naturalized in Richmond on 3rd October 1916. Aside from her time in Virginia, she had also lived in the Philippine Islands. Her home address was now Riverton, Virginia. She had left the United States for Europe at the same time as her sister, and also intended to serve in France. Her passport was issued on 13th July 1917.

Co. Longford

Marcella McCaw, 26, Longford. Army Officer’s Wife. Passport issued 29th August 1919.

Marcella was born in Longford on 29th September 1892. Her husband William McCaw was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Marcella was making the application for her home in 329 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was a housewife. She intended to bring herself and her daughter Peggy (then one year and four months old) to France, where her husband was serving as a Captain in the Medical Corps. She intended to leave the United States from New York on 1st September 1919.

Co. Waterford

Lucy Carolyn Main, 31, Waterford, Y.M.C.A. Entertainer. Application in Chicago, Illinois. Passport issued 20th August 1918. 

Lucy was born in Waterford on 9th September 1886. Her father William Holloway Main had been born in Adams Centre, New York and now lived in Chicago. In the pre-war years Lucy had also lived in England, Scotland and France as well as Chicago. A musician by trade, she had served as a Y.M.C.A. entertainer in France, England and Italy. She planned to return to Europe on 1st August 1918 from New York aboard a French steamer.

References

National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

      Passport Applications, January 2, 1906- March 31, 1925

      Emergency Passport Applications, Argentina thru Venezuela, 1906-1925

      Applications of Wives of Members of the AEF in Europe.

Irish Marriages 1845-1958 Database, Find My Past

U.S. Navy Casualty Reports

http://www.ancestry.com

http://www.findmypast.ie

http://www.fold3.com