Looking for info on Donegans who emigrated to New Jersey ca 1880. Lived in Bergen county (where my grandfather, James, was born in 1886) then moved to Passaic before 1900. James (1827) and Margaret (1831) came over, probably a couple of years after their son, Jeremiah (1859). Not sure if Jeremiah was married before or after emigrating but his wife was Ellen (1860). Her last name MAY have been either Sullivan or Connolly. According to the 1900 census, Margaret had 11 children and 7 were still living. Margaret and Hannah were born in the 1870's and were living with them. That leaves 8 more children that I don't know. Can anyone help with the other children or with info about them in Ireland? Who were the other children? Did any others emigrate and, if so, where did they live? Who were James', Margaret's and Ellen's ancestors? I've hit a BIG BRICK WALL and haven't been able to get through it for at least 3 years

Would appreciate any help.

Mary

Hello Mary,
I may be able to help. I have also researched the 1900 Census records and found my ancestors, who lived at 159 Pacific Street, Paterson, NJ. Jeremiah Donegan, my great-grandfather, was born 12/1859 in Dublin, Ireland and emigrated to the United States about 1880. His wife, Ellen (and I do not have her forner surname), was born in 5/1860, also in Ireland. Their children were the following, all born in New Jersey:
Name DOB
John 4/1885
Jeremiah 5/1887
James 5/1887
James J. 11/1889 my grandfather, and not shown in census records
Johanna 7/1891
Mary 5/1893
Thomas 12/1894
Michael 3/1896
Patrick 4/1897

The census also shows Jeremiah's parents, James Donegan, born 1/1827 in Ireland, and his wife Margaret, born 3/1831, as living at the same address. Their daughters Margaret and Hannah also lived at the home on Pacific Street. My source of Jeremiah born in Dublin was my father, James J. Donegan Jr., now deceased.
I hope this information helps your research. Please continue to post to this website because I am most interested in any information you find about the Donegan's of New Jersey.

Gerald J. Donegan

Hi Gerald,

I don't know if we have a connection. My great uncle, Thomas Flynn married Elizabeth Donegan on December 19, 1915. He lived in Jersey City, NJ. I believe she lived in Hoboken, NJ. Their marriage certificate states that their marriage sponsors were Anna Flynn and James Donegan. It also states that Elizabeth Donegans parents were Joseph Donegan and Elizabeth Kelly. Elizabeth Donegan Flynn died on March 20, 1928.
You can contact me directly at L_Hardy68@yahoo.com

Please respond,
Lorraine

Mary,
I am directly related to Nettie Widman and remember Uncle Clarence. My Grandfather was Harry Widman married to Hazel Newton. My father was Harold Widman. I just started looking into my family tree and have pictures.
Please reply via e-mail. grammygail@cox.net.
We now live in San diego but grew up in Union, New Jersey.
Hope I can Help.
Gail Widman Hogenbirk

Gerald,

Thank you for the info. For a long time, I thought that these Donegan's in Paterson were mine (all I had at the time was my grandfather James' approx birth date) but, when I went to NJ to do some research, found that they were not. Mine lived in Belleville and Newark.

My James was born in Belleville in 1884. His parents were John (b England abt 1852) and Catherine Sullivan (b England in 1854). According to their marriage cert John's father was Richard (b Ireland abt 1813). It's possible that Richard and Jeremiah's father, James, were related, maybe even brothers but, until I can find a way to trace Richard in Ireland, it's unlikely we'll ever know.

Mary