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My Great-Grandmother, Mary Loftus McDonough, had a brother named John Loftus who immigrated just as she did to Worcester, Massachusetts. Previously, I had found Mary's younger brother's naturalization document which established that he was born in Bradford, Yorkshire County, England. Mary was also born in England, likely also in Bradford. But Mary's parents are not originally from England. They were both born in Ireland. Where in Ireland has been the question.

A John J. Loftus was naturalized in 1894 in Worcester, MA. His paperwork reads as follows:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Worcester, SS.

To the honorable the Justice of the Central District Court of Worcester, holden at Worcester, within the County of Worcester, Respectfully represents John J. Loftus that he is Twenty-three years of age, and by occupation a Laborer that he resides at number 261 on Millbury street, in Worcester in the County of Worcester, in the district of said Court, an alien that he was born at Bellina in the County of Mayo in Ireland on or about the sixth day of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, and is now about Twenty-three years of age; that he arrived at New York in the state of New York, in the United States of America on or about the Twelveth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven that it is his bona fide intention to become a Citizen of the United States of America, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State, and Sovereignty and particularly to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, whose subject he has heretofore been; that such has been his bona fide intention for two years last past and that he was a minor at the time he arrived in the United States and resided therein three years next preceeding his arrival at the age of twenty-one years. And that he has resided in the United States five years last past.

Signed by John J. Loftus on October 17, 1894

Could this be Mary's brother John Loftus? If it is, then we finally know where the family originated in Ireland - Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland.

Labels: Loftus

I have been hard at work trying to untangle the various Loftus connections to see if I can verify all of Mary Loftus McDonough's relatives who immigrated to Worcester, MA. From family stories, I had heard that Mary Loftus McDonough's parents resided in Worcester with her or near her when they were quite old. The story went that Mary helped support her parents toward the end. In the 1900 Census I saw that Mary's Father, Patrick Loftus was living with her - so this supported the family story.

I continued to search for Loftus relatives in Worcester, but realized that the name is not very unique. To aid in my identifying Loftus relatives I paid particular attention to addresses. Mary Loftus McDonough owned a number of properties around Worcester and made a habit of renting to her relatives. In the above map, I have marked the properties I believe Mary Loftus McDonough owned (click on image to view larger). Knowing these addresses has helped me confirm that yes, Mary Loftus McDonough helped support her parents in their later years. As you will read below, her Mother (Mary Morley Loftus) and Father (Patrick Loftus) were living at 25 Esther Street in 1899 when Mary Morley Loftus passed away. By 1900 we know Patrick Loftus was living with Mary Loftus McDonough at 1 View Street. In 1903, Patrick Loftus was waked at 226 Vernon Street where his daughter, Winnifred Loftus Murphy was living.

Obituary of Mary Morley Loftus

LOFTUS -- In this city, July 23 [1899], Mrs. Mary (Morley), wife of Patrick Loftus.
Funeral from her home, 25 Esther street, Tuesday morning at 8:15. Requiem high mass at the Sacred Heart church at 9 o'clock. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.

Death Record

Date of Death: July 23, 1899
Mary (Morley) wife of Patrick Loftus
Female
Married
57 years old
Cause of Death: Shock
City: Worcester
Occupation: Housewife
Birth Place: Ireland
Father: John Morley (Ire.)
Mother: Ellen Moran (Ire.)

Obituary of Patrick Loftus

LOFTUS -- In this city, Dec. 9 [1903], Patrick Loftus, Funeral from the home of his daughter, Mrs. Martin Murphy, 226 Vernon street, Friday morning at 8:15 o'clock. Solemn requiem high mass in Sacred Heart church at 9 o'clock. Relatives and friends are invited to attend, and kindly requested not to send flowers.

Death Record

Patrick Loftus
Worcester City Hospital
December 9, 1903
64 years old
Widowed
Birth place: Ireland
Name of Father: Patrick Loftus (Ireland)
Name of Mother: Mary Morley (Ireland)
Occupation: Laborer
Informant: Patrick Loftus (son)
Primary: Fracture femur - duration 6 days
Contributory: Hypostatic Pneumonia - duration 4 days

Now, Patrick Loftus death record is a bit confusing. I believe the son, young Patrick Loftus, was confused when asked for the information. Perhaps he thought they were asking for his Father and Mother's name. The other theory is young Patrick simply did not know the information and just gave his information. Another thing to note with this information is the ages listed for both Mary Morley Loftus and Patrick Loftus at death. I believe these ages are incorrect. Patrick Loftus was listed as 70 yrs old in the 1900 census - which would mean he was 73 yrs old at death, not 64 (the age young Patrick likely provided - do you see why I don't trust young Patrick's information?) Mary Morley Loftus age of 57 seems far too young. However, I believe her parents names are listed correctly. The death record does not say who provided the information, but likely it was her husband Patrick Loftus, since he would have been alive in 1899.

More to come as I continue to try to untangle these Loftus connections!

Labels: Loftus

I have been searching for Mary Loftus McDonough's siblings and I think I have found some of them. As far as I can tell Mary was one of at least six children of Patrick Loftus (1830 - 1903) and Mary Morley Loftus (? - 1899). I am not yet sure of the birth order, but here are the names:

John Loftus
Mary Loftus McDonough
Annie Loftus McDonough (confusing I know!)
Jane Loftus Goldsmith
Winnifred Loftus Murphy
Patrick Loftus

This week I found Mary's youngest brother Patrick Loftus' naturalization paperwork at the National Archive. Since young Patrick Loftus stated that his address was 226 Vernon Street, and we know that house was owned by Mary Loftus McDonough and her husband Thomas McDonough, I am convinced of the connection.

When you read Patrick's paperwork, you will see that he lists his birth place as Bradford, England. That is exciting since I was unclear just where Mary Loftus McDonough had been born. I had heard York, England. Well, the city of Bradford is in the Yorkshire county of England. So it is very possible Mary was also born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England and over time this was shortened to York. In the time that Mary's family likely lived in Bradford (1850's - 1870's) it was a boomtown of the industrial revolution and a major center for textile manufacturing - in particular wool. Since we know that Mary's parents came from Ireland, it would fit that they first immigrated to Bradford and worked there. As the textile boom petered out, the family then moved on to Worcester, MA in search of new opportunities.

Labels: Loftus

While gathering documents to help me identify various family members, I noticed something a bit strange in the McDonough plot record at St. John's Cemetery in Worcester. The record lists a Robert Murphy buried in the McDonough family grave on August 18, 1906. As only the second occupant of the plot, he must have had a connection to Thomas McDonough or Mary Loftus McDonough, but what that connection might be was unclear. The last name did not ring any bells with my Father. As far as he knew, we are not related to any Murphy's.

To solve the mystery, I combed the Massachusetts Vital Records database and found Robert Murphy"s death certificate. The few pieces of information contained in the record sheds some light on the Murphy-McDonough connection. Robert Murphy was an infant, and his last address was listed at 226 Vernon Street. We know that home was owned by Thomas McDonough. Robert Murphy's mother is listed as Winifred S. Loftus (married to a Martin J. Murphy). Was Winifred S. Loftus a sister of Mary Loftus McDonough? If not a sister, then a cousin or a niece? Obviously there must have been a close family connection for her to be living at 226 Vernon and having her son buried in Mary's plot. It will take more digging to uncover the full nature of the connection, unless someone else can provide me with the answer?

Labels: Loftus, McDonough

I am still trying to track down the Loftus line to see if I can find out where in England the family once lived. This 1915 Passport application by James J Loftus caught my eye. The photo is not very clear, but he has a bit of the same look as Mary Loftus McDonough. Could he be a younger brother or a cousin? Here is the information he provided in the application:

Bureau of Citizenship
Issued Jan 5, 1915
Dept of State

State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester

I, James J. Loftus, a Naturalized and Loyal Citizen of The United States, hereby apply to the Department of State at Washington, for a passport for myself.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Manchester England on or about the 12th day of July, 1869, that my father emigrated to the United States, sailing on board of the (name of ship not known) from Liverpool England on or about 10 of February, 1880; that he resided 32 years, uninterruptedly, in the United States, from 1880 to 1912 at Worcester, Massachusetts; that he was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the Central District Court of Worcester Country at Worcester, on Oct 4, 1887 as shown by the accompanying Certificate of Naturalization; that I am the son of the person described in said Certificate; that I have resided in the United States, uninterruptedly, for 34 years, from 1880 to 1914 at Worcester; that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Worcester, 30 Myrtle St in the State of Massachusetts where I follow the occupation of ?? Machinist Laborer?; that I am about to go abroad temporarily; and intend to return to the United States within six months with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and that I desire a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purpose:

England - To sell Machinery
France - To sell Machinery (Consumer Business)
Russia - '' '' ''

He then signs an oath of allegiance on January 4, 1915

[2nd page]

Description of applicant

Age: 45 years Mouth: small
Stature: 5 feet, 6 inches, Eng. Chin: Round + full
Forehead: slightly sloping Hair: Brown
Eyes: Gray Complexion: Medium
Nose: Slightly irregular Face: Oval

Identification.

Worcester Jan 4, 1915

I, James F. Healy solemnly swear that I am a native citizen of the United States; that I reside at Worcester, Mass that I have known the above named James J. Loftus personally for ten years and know him to be son of the person referred to in the within-described certificate of naturalization; and that the facts stated in his affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signed: James J. Healy
368 Main St. Worcester

Applicant desires passport sent to the following address:

James J. Loftus
30 Myrtle St.
Worcester, Mass

Unfortunately the application does not contain the mentioned naturalization certificate nor does it name James J Loftus' father. In the 1900 census, Patrick Loftus is listed as having immigrated to the US in 1879 from England and was listed as a resident alien. So those two pieces of data seem to rule out James J Loftus as a brother to Mary Loftus McDonough. However, he could still be a cousin. I should see if I can track down the Loftus naturalization record issued on Oct 4, 1887 - that document might provide more answers.

Labels: Loftus

By 1900 Thomas and Mary McDonough are home owners and have progressed from one child in the 1880 census to 9 children by 1900.

1900 United State Federal Census

Address: 226 Vernon Street

McDonough, Thos. (b. Aug 1857) 42
------ , Mary A (b. Aug 1859) 40
------ , Mary E (b. Jul 1878) 21
------ , Patrick T (b. Nov 1880) 19
------ , Catherine J (b. Aug 1882) 17
------ , Margaret (b. Apr 1885) 15
------ , Sarah W (b. Apr 1885) 15
------ , Annie (b. Nov 1888) 12
------ , Louise (b. Mar 1890) 10
------ , Agnes (b. June 1893) 6
------ , Eva (b. Jan 1896) 4
Loftus, Patrick (b. May 1830) 70

Patrick Loftus is noted as "F in law" to Head of House and is marked as a Widower

Thomas McDonough immigrated in 1873, has been in the US for 27 years. He is a naturalized citizen
Mary A. McDonough immigrated in 1874, has been in the US for 26 years.
Patrick Loftus immigrated in 1879, has been in the US for 21 years. He is an alien citizen

Thomas McDonough lists his occupation as "Teamster"
Mary E. McDonough lists her occupation as "Saleswoman"

Patrick Loftus has marked "No" in Can Read and "No" in Can Write and "Yes" in Speaks English

Thomas McDonough owns the home at 226 Vernon Street and holds a mortgage on the home

But the most excited bit of info in this census record is the addition of Patrick Loftus to the McDonough household. Patrick must be Mary A. McDonough's father. His record notes that he immigrated to the US in 1879, just five years after his daughter. Where has Patrick been living all this time? What was he doing? How long did he live with Thomas and Mary McDonough? When did he die? In what city? Where is he buried?

Labels: Loftus, McDonough