Bridget Kirby 1856 : Short Biography

References

Ireland

Bridget Kirby 1856

County Waterford Kilbarrymeaden (Waterford)

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Place of migration

Migrated to/Born in USA

Bridget was born in Kill Parish, Knockmahon, Waterford, Ireland on 09 March,1856 according to the Waterford Heritage Survey and baptised on 11 March. The priest was Mooney, Sponsors: William Pope & Mary Brien (William Pope was also the witness at her parents wedding). Her parents were Edmund Kirby and Margaret Blake.

I received a letter from Sean Murphy who had written a book called “The Comeraghs Fact and Famine” which he had information on the Kirby’s journey to America. Edward comes to America in 1866 or 1867, leaving Margaret and the 3 children in the Workhouse in Kilmacthomas, Ireland. Edward sends money for passage for Margaret and Michael in Oct of 1868 and they leave Queenstown for New York. Bridget (12) and David (10) are left in the Workhouse for another year until Edward and Margaret, who were living in Mt. Hope, New Jersey were able to get enough money to send for a passage certificate for Bridget and David. In November of 1869, on the ship “England” Bridget and David start their journey to America. They are living in Rockaway Township, Morris County, New Jersey in 1870 where Edward is mining. It is there that family lore says that James Earls came back from the gold rush in 1872 and was visiting some cousins when he met Bridget.

On 10 July, 1872 Bridget marries James Earls by eloping to New York. We have not found official documentation, only family lore and a bible record. They begin life in Austin, Nevada where James is a miner. They evenutally have 10 children, 8 whom live to adulthood. They live in many towns depending on where James is working, which were in Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. He became superintendent of many successful mines and after several years in Butte, where the wash turned grey because of the soot, Bridget decides to set down roots in one city and James moves the family to Salt Lake City, Utah where she finishes raising the children. Bridgt died on February 5, 1925 of Pneumonia and was buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Salt Lake.

Additional Information
Date of Birth	9th Mar 1856
Date of Death	5th Feb 1925
Associated Building (s)	Kilmacthomas Workhouse
Father (First Name/s and Surname)	Edmund/Edward Kirby born around 1820 in Ireland, have no documentation of birth. He was a miner in Bonmahon, Waterford, Ireland and emigrated around 1866 to New York. Was a miner in New Jersey, then Austin, Nevada. Died in 1888.
Mother (First Name/s and Maiden)	Margaret Blake, born 25 November 1832 in Dungarvan, Waterford, Ireland. Emigrated to America in 1868 with youngest son Michael leaving oldest daughter Bridget, and David in Workhouse. They lived in New Hope, Morris County, New Jersey.
Number of Siblings	1857 01 Dec, David born, Kill Parish. 1860 29 Feb, John born, Kill Parish. Died 04 Apr 1865, Knockmahon, Waterford 1863 27 Apr, Catherine Kirby, Kill Parish. Died 07 Nov 1864, Knockmahon, Waterford 1865 09 Sep, Michael Kirby, Kill Parish
Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname)	James Earle/Earls born in Avoca, Wicklow Ireland in March 1845, married Bridget Kirby, 10 July, 1872 in New York, USA. James Earle died 5 July 1909 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was superintendent of mines in Utah, Nevada, Montana and Idaho.
Place & Date of Marriage	10 July, 1872 in New York, USA. No documentation only Bible records.