I am searching for my 2nd great grandfather Richard Kane (Cain, Cane, Kain) I found a record for him in the NY Emigrant's Savings Bank of 1851 with the information that he came from Killelesh (?) near Balinglass. He emigrated in 1847 I believe, from Liverpool. The writing at times on this record is hard to make out. His father's name was William and his mother was Anne Harris. I have 2 questions. How expensive would it have been at the time to travel to Liverpool and then to the US ( steerage)? Also is there any town near Balinglass like the one I gave? Any information on this family would be appreciated.
Sunday 1st Sep 2013, 02:07PM
Message Board Replies
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Maureen:
I can't help with the first question. The townland is likely either Killalish Lower or Killalish Upper which are both in Kilranelagh civil parish which is immediately to the east from Baltinglass civil parish. Both parishes are in the western part of Co. Wicklow. I checked the 1901 census and there were two Kane families in Killalish Lower in 1901.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Wicklow/Talbotstown/Killalish_Lower/1809574/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Wicklow/Talbotstown/Killalish_Lower/1809577/
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Maureen,
With regard to the question about the cost of travelling to Liverpool, the answer is probably that he got that part of the journey free. Liverpool was by far the busiest port for intercontinental voyages and it was often easier to route passengers via Liverpool than directly from Ireland. Far more emigrants left via Liverpool (and some other ports in Britain) than ever left on direct voyages from Ireland. Many ships agents threw passage to England in free, as a part of the overall ticket price.
Here?s a link to a Co Donegal website advertising emigrant voyages in the mid 1800s which should help you. It contains some sample fares.
http://www.finnvalley.ie/history/emigration/index.html
Elwyn
Ahoghill Antrim
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Thank you very much!!
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Dear Maureen,
I have a note that my great-aunt wrote about her family's journey from England to Massachusetts.
She noted that "Uncle John Curley (first to come over) worked with grandfather to bring the others over, $20 in steerage." The Curley's were from County Sligo but had been living in Lancashire before coming to the port of Boston from Liverpool. (This would have been around 1872.) I do have a receipt that another family member kept - she paid the passage for her daugher, son-in-law, and their two children. I attached the file for you to see. I hope you find this useful!
Sincerely,
Patrick Hakes
PChakes1
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thank you very much. really interesting!