Frank McGonigle's Sisters
Old records suggest Frank McGonigle had at least two sisters - Hannah and Ellen. Both sisters lived in Killybegs, County Donegal, Ireland, and we know one sister moved to America. Their brothers were Neil, Peter and Frank. Their parents were Francis McGonigle and Mary O'Donnell.
Hannah McGonigle
Old baptismal records for St. Mary's Church of the Visitation in Killybegs indicates Hannah McGonigle, daughter of Francis McGonigle and Mary O'Donnell, was baptized on September 16, 1857. Her baptismal sponsors were Peter McGonigle and Mary Mulherne. Nothing more is known about this sister, and she may have stayed in Ireland. We assume Hannah's brother, Peter, was her godfather.
Photograph of St. Joseph, Missouri, Eighteen Nineties
Ellen (nee McGonigle) Brady
Ellen McGonigle was born October 8, 1852, in or around Killybegs, Ireland. She died on January 1, 1917, at her home in St. Joseph, Missouri, from Chronic Endocarditis. Endocarditis is an inflamation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. Ellen married James Brady in Killybegs, and raised some of her children in Ireland before moving to America circa 1888. By 1888 three of her brothers already lived in the USA, so she may have been the last McGonigle sibling to leave Ireland.
1900 US Census
Missouri, Buchanan County, Washington Township, 8th Ward, St. Joseph, Page 843, Series T623
According to the 1890 census James Brady immigrated to America in 1884 and the rest of the family followed in 1888. I assume that is just a guesstimate since the census indicates one of the children was born on 1889 in Ireland. Ellen and James' children were as follows:
Mary Brady, born in Ireland on July 1878
Michael Brady, born in Ireland on February 1880
Katie Brady, born in Ireland on June 1886
Maggie Brady, born in Ireland on May 1889
Ella Brady, born in Elwood, Kansas on June 1891
Frank Brady, born in Elwood, Kansas on August 1893
Charles Brady, born in Elwood, Kansas on March 1897
According to the 1900 census James Brady worked as a fireman, Mary Brady worked as a seamstress and Michael Brady worked as bank clerk.
1910 US Census
Missouri, Buchanan County, 8th Ward, Washington Township; St. Joseph, Page 89, Series T624
James worked as a fireman for the Electric Power Plant, Catherine was a stenographer for a Mercantile Agency and Margaret worked as a retail clerk for Block and Company.
Francis J. “Frank” Brady
Every family has its own sad stories to tell, and the Brady family was no exception. The following item appeared during a web search for Ellen McGonigle Brady's children. One of her children, Frank, committed suicide in Brooklyn. He was in the Naval Reserve during World War I. It does not appear Frank left a suicide note, nor was any motive known. No one knew why he checked into the Clarendon Hotel that day. There were so many questions, but the police closed this case and listed it as a suicide.
Officers and Enlisted Men of the United States Navy Who Lost Their Lives During the World War, from April 6, 1917, to November 1, 1918; Volume 1; Heritage Books, January 1, 2007; Government Printing Office; page 128
Several days after Frank's suicide the local St. Joseph newspaper ran the following article. A follow up article said Frank was a good soldier, and asked why German soldiers couldn't have killed themselves in Frank's place instead. Frank's mother, died a year and a half earlier.
The St. Joseph Observer, St. Joseph, Missouri, June 15, 1918, Page 1
1940 US Census
United States Census 1940; Buchanan County, Washington Township; Ward 8 St. Joseph, Missouri
Four Brady siblings lived in the same house. Charles J. Brady died in 1970 at St. Joseph, Missouri (Social Security Administration records). We assume he is buried in St. Joseph’s Catholic cemetery, but do not see his name listed in cemetery records.
DEATH CERTIFICATES
Ellen McGonigle Brady
According to the death certificate below, Ellen's parents were Frank McGonigle and Mary O'Donnell. She died at home on New Years Day 1917, and this document was signed by her husband, James Brady. Unfortunately, we don't know which Townland or parish she was born.
James Brady Death Certificate
James Brady married Ellen McGonigle in Ireland. From this document we know James was born in Killybegs, County Donegal, Ireland, to Charles Brady and Mary Long.
Catherine Brady Death Certificate
Catherine's parents were Charles Brady and Mary McGonigle, and she was 93 years old when she died in 1939. She was born in Killybegs too and lived with Ellen's children, so we assume she was a spinster aunt. She may have also been related to our ancestor, Frank McGonigle, in some form or fashion. Is it possible this Catherine was James Brady's half sister? James' mother was Mary Long, while Catherine's mother was Mary McGonigle.
Ella Brady's Death Certificate
Finally, we look at Ella McGonigle's death certificate. She was born in Elwood, Kansas, which is a suburb of St. Joseph, Missouri. The Missouri River separates both communities.
