Hi James....this is getting more and more enticing as we get further into the details! Gosh there are a lot of similarities with the names...or were they just common 'family names'!!???
What we need to do is find the entry point into the USA on shipping...if we can find that, there should be mention of parents names...what we need is the name "Mary Ann or Hatherton..or Armagh" The name McVeigh isn't often spelt that way in any records I have found...so our little version of the family name in Armagh is not the usual. Perhaps try shipping with 'McVey or McVeagh' I have a little time this afternoon...I'll see what turns up!
Yes, Lesley and I are related, and we 'found' each other a couple of years ago...we're in constant contact and have a ball. Her ancstor and mine were brother and sister, and both were the children of Sarah McVeigh and James Egan.
We've come too far with this story to quit it now!
Be in touch James....Rosie