I'm searching for my great-grandmother, Ellen Tiernan, b. between 1863 and 1870, depending on the source. The date I'm using as my default is 6 Jan 1867, assume in NYC/Manhattan, but have no definite documentation of birth location or date. She died 26 Nov 1927 at St. Vincent's Hospital on Staten Island, NY.

The other information I have about her is:
* She had a sister named Margaret (aka Maisy) b. 1882
* Father was James Tiernan (born Ireland, date?)
* Mother was Margaret Mahon (born Ireland, date?)
* Married abt. 1887 to Andrew J. McGowan
* She had 5 children:
- Joseph (b. 1893),
- Harry (b. 1898),
- Raymond (b. 1900),
- John Walter (b. 1903),
- Helen (b. 1907).

I would like to confirm her birth date and location. Can anyone give me advice about how I could use what I already have to figure out her birth date/location? I've thought about writing to churches in Manhattan to see if they have any baptism records of her.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

Jennifer Schaub