The Descendants of Michael Kane and Mary Phillips of Ireland
Who Lived in Holyoke, Massachusetts
First I need to acknowledge that without the help of Maryann Zelenak, I would have embarrassed myself. Michael Kane, the husband of Mary Phillips, was listed as born in Ireland on many of the records, but on his death certificate, his son Patrick said he was born in Clinton, Massachusetts. Patrick’s sister Anne also reported her father was born in Clinton, Massachusetts on her marriage record. And finally, Patrick was the informant on his sister Anne’s death record and said she was born in Clinton, Massachusetts.
Since these were all common names, I was sure there were two Michael Kanes and Mary Phillips living in Holyoke around the same time with children with the same names. The first Michael Kane was born in Clinton, Massachusetts and his children were born in Massachusetts. The second was born in Ireland and his children were born in Ireland.
Full credit goes to Maryann Zelenak for solving the conflict. She discovered that Michael Kane and Mary Phillips married in Holyoke in 1872 and then went back and forth between Holyoke and Ireland. Most of the children were born in the Kilmore Erris Parish, and Zelenak gave me the references for her information.
Again, thank you to Maryann Zelenak for saving part one of the kinship project from disaster.
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