James McCourt married Mary McGurren in the mid 1860s in Trillick. I have found seven of their children born in Cabragh, Trillick: Agnes 1868, John 1870, Catherine ‘Cassie’ 1872-1963, James 1875-1944, Anna 1876, Francis 1877 and William 1880-1951.

The next I know of them is that Mary and six of the children turn up in the Chicago 1900 census. At this time Mary is a widow. Records state that they all entered the USA in 1885. Her son John is not there, nor can I find him anywhere in the USA 1900 census…..did he stay in Ireland?

Mary passed away in 1915 in Chicago. Her death record states that she has been in the USA for 30 years but only in the State of Illinois for 20 years….Where did they spend the first ten years? I do not know whether James McCourt died before or after the family emigrated as I have been unable to find a death record?

Mary’s sister Sarah McGurren, who married Patrick Love in Maugheralough RC chapel on 1 Oct 1876, had previously immigrated to Chicago in 1881. They lived close to each other in Chicago until Sarah’s death in 1913. They are both buried at Mount Carmel cemetery.

The parents of Mary and Sarah were John McGurren & Mary McCaughey. There were two other siblings James (1837-1900) and Francis (1838-1897) who lived out their lives in Trillick.

Any assistance with the family of James McCourt and Mary McGuren would be greatly appreciated.

Frank