My connection to
Galway is Margaret Shaunessy b. about 1832 in Athenrye. She came to Canada or
Massachusetts by ship to escape the potato famine, and the story goes that she lost her young husband (we think his last name was
Bayer) when he died at sea. She married my gggrandfather Francis
Hall on 18 Nov 1854 - he was betrothed to another lady but fell in love with Margaret when they met in
Milford,
Massachusetts. They had 3 sons (William,
Alden and John), but she died shortly after John was born. She died 3 July 1861 in
Blackstone,
Massachusetts - the baby died in August.
Incidentally, after Margaret's death, Francis married his first fiancee and moved to
Minnesota.
Letters found indicate that Margaret's family also moved to
Milford, siblings were Thomas, Patrick, Michael, and Mary. They were Catholic and when Margaret married a Protestant her family disowned her. In the 1930's or 1940's, my father's aunts found elderly descendants of Margaret's siblings still living in
Massachusetts and were welcomed with open arms. They corresponded for a few years.
I do not have proof but I believe Margaret's parents were Roger and
Bridget Greeley Shaunessy. If anyone is connected to this family and has proof of Margaret's parents and siblings, please contact me. Thanks. Merri Cross
