Grace O'Donnell was
born in October 1877 in Craghey, Dungloe, Co. Donegal, to Bridget Brennan and Denis O'Donnell.
Grace cannot be found in the 1901 census of Ireland.
Grace emigrated to the US on 26th May 1902, aboard the SS Columbia, to her sister, Madgie O'Donnell, at 31 East 39th St. Bayonne, New Jersey. The ship manifest says that this was Grace’s first trip to the US. She stayed in the US for six years, returning to Ireland in the early part of 1908 to visit her mother in Craghey.
During that visit Grace married James Ward, son of Joseph Ward and Sarah Brennan on 23rd September 1908, in Dungloe. James was born in September 1880 in Meenacross, Dungloe.
Grace cannot be found in the 1901 census of Ireland.
Grace emigrated to the US on 26th May 1902, aboard the SS Columbia, to her sister, Madgie O'Donnell, at 31 East 39th St. Bayonne, New Jersey. The ship manifest says that this was Grace’s first trip to the US. She stayed in the US for six years, returning to Ireland in the early part of 1908 to visit her mother in Craghey.
During that visit Grace married James Ward, son of Joseph Ward and Sarah Brennan on 23rd September 1908, in Dungloe. James was born in September 1880 in Meenacross, Dungloe.
James and Grace arrived back in the US on 5th October 1908. They both stated that they were single and that they would return to separate addresses. James’s brother John travelled with them.
It was recorded that James was returning to friend, Edward Boyle, at 92E 21st Bayonne, New Jersey. Grace stated she was returning home to 87 Danforth Ave, Bayonne. She made the same mistake that Madgie made in 1905 - Danforth Avenue is located in Jersey City. According to Madgie’s step-grandson, Willard Miller, Grace and Madgie shared the Danforth Avenue apartment in Jersey City for a few years thinking all the while that they lived in Bayonne.
James and Grace had the following children:
James and Grace lived in Bayonne when the 1910, 1920 and 1930 censuses were recorded.
James died on 6th January 1949 in Bayonne Hospital, Bayonne, and Grace died on 11th December 1959 in Jersey City. They are buried in Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City, New Jersey.
Notes
- Possible return for Grace in the 1900 US Census
- James was living in Household 8, Meenacross, in 1901.
- The 1910 census states that James’ year of immigration was 1905.