Michael L. McSheffrey son of George McSheffrey and Catherine Farren
Michael L. McSheffrey was born in April 1891 in Donegal. He was baptized on 12 April 1891 and the sponsors were John Farren and Cecily Farren
In February 1915, Michael (23) set sail from Liverpool on the ‘Saint Paul’ headed for New York. Joining him were his brothers, George (18) and James (19), along with their cousin James McElgunn(22). Their intended destination was the home of another cousin, George McSheffrey, situated at 109 Heath St., Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts. Their task was to find work, establish themselves and make a new home for the entire family in New York.
The fortunes of the four boys took a tragic turn. On November 3, 1916, cousin James McElgunn, just 24 years old, succumbed to military tuberculosis at the City Hospital in Boston. His funeral was held from the home of his cousin, George McSheffrey, and Catherine McDaid.
Just seven months after the death of James, on June 5, 1917, Michael’s younger brother George dutifully registered for the draft. He then enlisted in the US Navy on November 12, 1917, assuming the role of “Fireman 3/c in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force during World War One—Seaman McSheffrey”. Tragically, just six months later, at the age of 21, he fell victim to cerebrospinal fever, a casualty of the epidemic that swept through Boston. George passed away on March 12, 1918, while receiving care at the US Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Suffolk, Mass.
The consecutive deaths of James and George must have deeply traumatized Michael and his surviving brother James. How could they possibly break the news to their parents?
Thankfully, Michael was not alone in his grief, and two months later, on May 22, 1918, he married Nora Sullivan. In the following month of June – the 29th to be precise, both Michael and Nora became naturalised US citizens.
Children of Michael McSheffrey and Nora F. Sullivan
- 1920 – George McSheffrey and died 1920
- 1921 – James J. McSheffrey
- 1326 – Anna K. McSheffrey
- 1924 – Mary F. McSheffrey
- 1926 – John F. McSheffrey
- 1928 – Helen T. McSheffrey
- 1932 – William McSheffrey
In 1920, Michael applied for his US passport after residing in the country for five years. His brother, James, certified his identity. Michael cited the urgent need to visit his ailing father in Ireland as his primary reason for requiring the passport. His residency for the past five years was documented at 85 Barry St., Dorchester, Massachusetts, with plans to relocate to 55 White St., Haverhill, Massachusetts. Michael’s occupation was listed as that of an automobile worker. He intended to depart for Ireland on October 9 aboard the Colombia. His passport was to be sent to 55 White St., Haverhill, Massachusetts. Also named on his passport is his wife, Nora.
This is Michael’s draft registration card
From May 15, 1918 to 21 April 1921 Michael served in the US Navy Reserve Force.
Between June 1920 and June 1922, Michael and Nora returned to Donegal for reasons that are not entirely clear. It could have been prompted by the tragic loss of their firstborn, named after Michael’s father, George. Alternatively, Nora may have wanted to be closer to her family again, especially considering she became pregnant again around September 1920. The death of baby George, who sadly survived only 20 days, was a traumatic experience, with Nora enduring difficult labor and requiring a caesarean section due to a face presentation. This probably made her desire to be surrounded by family during her subsequent pregnancy even stronger.
It’s uncertain when exactly Michael and Nora arrived in Ireland. but given the considerable cost and time involved in sailing between Ireland and New York, it seems improbable that they would have made the journey twice in the same year with a newborn. On June 10, 1922, Michael, Nora, and their 11-month-old son, James Joseph (born in June 1921 in Donegal), departed from Londonderry aboard the “Columbia,” bound for New York. In the United States, their address was listed as 9 Anoke Place, Lynn, Massachusetts.
1929 – In 1929 Michael was an auto mechanic, unemployed, and lived at 1 Longs Court.
In the April 3, 1930 census, Michael (39) and Nora (40) are listed as tenants of a residence at 1 Long’s Court. Accompanying them are their children: James J. (8), Anna K. (7), Mary F. (6), John F. (4), and Helen (2). Michael’s occupation is noted as that of a metalworker in the automotive sector. However, he is not working and is on the unemployment schedule (don’t know what that is)
In the April 2, 1940 census, Michael (48) and Nora (45) are listed as tenants of a residence at 1 Long’s Court. Accompanying them are their children: James J. (8), Anna K. (17), Mary F. (16), John F. (14), and Helen (12) and a new addition to the family since 1930 is William aged 8 who was born in 1932. Neither Michael nor any of the family is working, nor has been working for the past year. However, Michael has received money that was not wages. QUESTION: what is going on here?
Following are screenshots of the descendants of Michael and Nora – as far as I know them at the moment.
18 Nov 1950 daughter Helen got married in Portland,Oregon
