Crossing to America in 1899

I like knowing about my family's history simply because they are family, clan, tribe, ancestors and, I like to think, good men and women worth knowing about. None, as far as I know, are famous or infamous. Rather they are noble, heroic and inspiring in the way that every day people can be. Based on a clue told to me by my Dad I searched the Ellis Island Foundation website and found a ship's manifest listing passengers Daniel and Fanny O'Donnell making a crossing from Liverpool, England to New York City on The White Star Line's ship "Teutonic" in October 1899. Read on to learn a bit more about them.

Daddy’s grandfather, Daniel, was born in Clindra, near Dunglow in Donegal, Ireland in 1847 to Daniel and Mary O’Donnell. Despite being financially relatively well-off and living in a two story stone house that they owned, life was hard scrabble and uncertain for the offspring of this union. Daniel, the oldest son and namesake, first left for America around 1873 at roughly 26 years of age. The first record of him available to us today is a record from Customs and Immigration at Ellis Island bearing his name on the ship’s manifest and documenting his arrival in New York harbor aboard the SS “Teutonic”. He sailed from Liverpool, England on October 19^th, 1899 with his wife, Fanny (Frances), and arrived in New York City on October 25^th. According to the Ellis Island records, both were 52 years of age. Daniel was further documented as follows: a skilled laborer, not a polygamist, able to read and write, had never been in prison, an almshouse or supported by charity, paid his own fare, was in sound mental and physical health, was in possession of more than $30.00, had no physical deformities, was an American citizen and apparently was returning home.

According to oral family history related by his grandson, my father (Hugh O’Donnell), Daniel arrived in America as an eager and strong young man. He was housed and fed by relatives who had immigrated earlier to Bayonne, New Jersey. There he found work as a laborer building roads alongside other Irish immigrants. Despite the legendary harsh treatment he and other Irish immigrants withstood, he became a proud American citizen. He was enamored of this country, the mix of people, and the wings-wide opportunities available to any man who was willing to work. He returned to Donegal to marry Frances (Fanny) Dugan, also from Clindra, whom he knew since childhood because their families were firm friends for generations. Together they came to Allentown, Pennsylvania where Daniel found work in the iron foundries that were the beginnings of the once great Bethlehem Steel.

His is the immigrant story of many millions who built this country with their backs. He was frugal, intelligent, hard working and shrewd, thus ending up with a row of houses on Liberty Street in Allentown. Daniel continued to work in the steel mills until he was too old to work and became blind.

As is the case for most immigrants who leave their homeland to find opportunity elsewhere and not to escape persecution, ties to home are strong and worthy of maintenance. Daniel and Fanny traveled back and forth to Ireland frequently and retained a life-long love for and loyalty to their native land.

In true Irish Roman Catholic fashion, Daniel and Fanny bore and raised 6 children. Nora, Frances (Fan), Patrick, Jack, Jim and the youngest and my grandfather, Hugh. Jim was born in Donegal while the family was there for a visit. Fanny was Great-Grandfather Dugan’s favorite daughter and, pregnant or not, when he wanted a visit, visit they all did. Also true to the immigrant pattern, these great-grandparents settled near other Irish, did business with other Irish, worked alongside other Irish, married other Irish, ate and drank with other Irish and fought with other Irish.

If you know more about them or others in the family, or have photos and memories, please be a contributor and post to the blog!