My great great grandfather was Francis Gerety from County Westmeath. Here is what I have learned about him:
FRANCIS GERETY (1823-1863) was born on 5 February 1823 to Ann (KEOGAN) and John GIRRITY (sic) in Killucan, County Westmeath, Ireland [per Dun na Si Heritage Centre ancestral research report]. His baptism was sponsored by Philip Reilly and Mary Smyth. He appears to be the oldest of five: siblings include Catherine, b. 16 Oct 1826; Peter, b. 9 Jan 1829; Philip, b 22 Feb 1834; and John, b. 7 Aug 1836.
Sometime before 1849 Francis emigrated to New York [Manhattan City Directory 1849-50]. His mother, Ann Gerety also emigrated to New York [last will and testament of Francis Gerety, codicil dated Sept. 13, 1863] as did at least one sibling, his brother Philip Gerety [Kings County Letters of Administration (for in testate Ann Gerety) dated June 2, 1865, liber 15, page 104].
Francis married Ann A. Dunn in New York City on 7 May 1850 at St. Stephen’s Church in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. J.W. Cummings and witnessed by Geoghegan W. Underwood and Eliza Flanagan [St. Stephens Church marriage records: S.M. B.1/5]. The Geretys lived in Brooklyn from the early 1850s until their deaths in 1863. They had four children, Elizabeth Ann, John B., and Joseph L.
If you have any connection to any of these people, please contact me.
Gary Knecht
knechtgary@aol.com