John Finnigan was born around 1869 in Stockport. Mary Slyman was born around 1868 in Liverpool. They were married in Stockport in 1897 and had at least five children: Ellen, Thomas, May, Lily, John. I think Thomas was a World War I veteran. I'm interested in connecting with any living descendants of those children because I believe they are distant relatives of mine.

My grandmother's grandmother was Kate Slyman, born in Liverpool around 1870. She moved to Ireland and married Michael Corcoran in Hollymount, Co. Mayo. In July of 1894, Mary Slyman put a notice in The Manchester Times requesting information about Kate Slyman, who she had not heard from in five years. At the time, Mary was working at the Barnes Convalescent Hospital in Cheadle. It seems almost certain that the two were sisters. According to the family, one of the Corcorans later spent time in England with the Slymans, so it would seem they did eventually reconnect.

I'm trying to prove that Kate and Mary were sisters, and also trying to figure out why the family split. I may have found them in the 1871 English census and I'm trying to prove that as well. I'd love to hear from anyone with more information.