"THE SEARCH FOR MISSING FRIENDS"
Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot
From the jacket cover of Volume I:
"…For eighty-five years, from 1831 to 1916, the Missing Friends advertisements in the Boston Pilot, the city's major Irish newspaper, helped bring immigrants and kin together. We do not know how successful these searches were. We do know from these ads, however, the Irish place origins and often the names of relatives in Ireland, for probably 50,000 nineteenth century immigrants. Their descendants today number in the millions…"
Published by NEHGS 1989
Volume I: 1831-1850
ISBN 0-88082-022-5
29 June 1850
Of FELIX McMULLEN, native of East Cambridge, Ma. When last heard from (2 years ago) was in Slieveport, La, steam boating on Red River. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his sister, Mrs. GILLIGAN, East Cambridge, Ma. (p. 493)
20 April 1844
Of PATRICK CONAUGHTY, a native of parish of Derne, county of Cavan, Ireland. His brother Lawrence, having lived in Trenton for a year past, is anxious to hear from him. If by letter, directed to the care of Rev. Mr. GILLIGAN, Trenton, NJ, for Lawrence Conaughty. (p.79)
16 May 1835
Of JOHN GILLIGAN, a native of Ireland, county Westmeath, parish of Finen, and townland of Finen, and also of PATRICK MEGAR, of the county of Tyrone, and parish of Dromon. They both emigrated to New Orleans. Any information respecting them will be kindly received by their sisters, ANNE GILLIGAN and MARY MEGAR, both residing in this city. The Truth Teller and Catholic Herald will please give this insertion. (p. 9)
2 February 1850
Of BRIDGET GILLIGAN, otherwise McGOWN or McGAURAN, a native of Corthuan Gubbagh, near Manor Hamilton, county Leitrim, who sailed from Sligo about 6 or 7 years since. When last heard from she was in West Troy where she got married. Any information respecting her will be thankfully received by her mother and sister, HANNAH and MARGARET GILLIGAN. Address - P. BARRETT, Indianapolis, In. (p. 446)
12 February 1848
Of JOHN BURKE, a native of the county Mayo, parish of Kilcolman, village of Drimminue, who left Ireland in May last for the port of St. John, New Brunswick. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his cousin, LUKE GILLIGAN, or SARAH JENNINGS, corner of 17th street and 10th avenue, New York, care of PETER TOOHY. Boston papers please copy. (p.260)
30 November 1844
Of THOMAS HUSTIS, native of parish of Leaney, co. of Westmeath. When last heard of was in the state of Vermont, co. of Georgia. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his cousin, PATRICK GILLIGAN, who now resides in East Cambridge, Ma.(p.93)
Volume II: 1851-1853
Published by NEHGS Boston 1991
ISBN 0-88082-029-5
2 July 1853
Of JAMES JORDAN, who left Dublin for New York in the beginning of 1850; on landing there he went to live to a Mr. PURS, or PIERCE, of Brooklyn, NY and not heard of since. Any information will be thankfully received by his brother, MOSES JORDAN, care of Mr. ANDREW GILLIGAN, Machias, Me. (p. 423)
21 June 1851
Of JOHN AND EDANS GILLIGAN, natives of Roxbury. Edans left there about 13 years ago for NY city, and John left about 11 years ago for Philadelphia, and not heard of since. Any information respecting them will be thankfully received by their sister, JANE GILLIGAN, of Roxbury, Ma. (p. 75)
22 February 1851
Of THOMAS GILLIGAN, from Ballycumbo, King's co. When last heard from (May, 1847), he was in Thorold, U.C. Any person knowing anything of him will confer a favor by writing to his brother, JOHN GILLIGAN, Clarendon, Vt. (p. 20)
5 November 1853
Of MARTIN GILLIGAN, Knockroe, parish Killimer [co. Galway], who came to this country about 8 years ago; last heard from was in NY. Any information will be thankfully received by his brothers, LAWRENCE AND MICHAEL GILLIGAN, Sandusky, Ohio. (p. 499)
Volume III: 1854-1856
Published by NEHGS 1993
ISBN 0-88082-0330
10 November 1855
Of JOHN GILIGAN, of Drummore, co Sligo, who sailed from Liverpool for New York in Jan '51, with his cousins ANDREW GRAYHAN, and PATK SUMMERS; when last heard of was in Oring co, Meddleton, NY. Please address his sister CATHERINE, Sutton, Mass. (p. 398)
16 June 1855
Of DENIS GILLIGAN, of Kilshanny, co'y Clare, who landed in this country 6 years ago. His mother heard nothing of him for 4 years past; he was then in Boston. Also, of her daughter MARY McNAMARA, who left Ireland 5 years ago, and was in Nova Scotia 3 years since. Information received by their mother CATHERINE GILLIGAN, Newburgh, Orange co., NY (p.320)
22 February 1856
Of JOHN GILLIGAN, a native of parish street, co'y Westmeath, who was last heard of at Evansville, Ind. He is a large man, heavy built, has gray hair, and was about 60 years old at the time which is about 4 years ago. Information received by his brother PATRICK, Fort Madison, Iowa.
Volume IV: 1857-1860
Published by NEHGS 1995
ISBN 0-88082-041-1
13 February 1858
Of BRIDGET GILGAN, a native of county Sligo, who came to the United States about 7 years ago, and when last heard from, about 12 months since, she was in New York city. Information
of her received by her sister, MARY, now Mrs. McLAUGHLIN, St. Peter's street, between Robertson and Claiborne, New Orleans, Louisiana. (p. 209)
5 March 1859
Of BRIDGET GILLIGAN, age 17 years, a native of Monksland, St. Peter's parish, near Athlone, who landed in New York in December last, per ship Albert Gallatin, and is supposed to be now in Pennsylvania. Information will be thankfully received by her sister, Mrs. ANN FALLON, care of her uncle, MICHAEL STANFORD, Old Cambridge, Mass. (ad is placed under "Clare"; ad. Of 3/12/59 corrects to: "county Roscommon" and "Mrs. Annie Fallon"; workding changes slightly)(p. 355)
22 January 1859
Of PETER DEVIN, parish of Croysboyne, county Mayo, who left New York City in October, 1854, for Sidney, Ohio, and has not been heard of since. Any information of him received by his wife, ELLEN DEVIN, maiden name ELLEN GILLIGAN, care of THOMAS KING, Washington, Washington county, Iowa. - Papers throughout the Union copying this notice will confer a great favor upon his wife.
20 March 1858
Of JOHN GILLIGAN, parish of Drum [co. Roscommon], who landed in Boston, April 17th, 1855; when last heard in March, 1857, he was in Middleport, Niagara county, N York. Please address his brother PATRICK, Dorchester, Mass. (p. 224)
23 July 1859
Of OWEN GILLIGAN, native of Aughadunvan, parish of Kinlough, county of Leitrim, who came to American in 1856. His half brother, JAMES DOLON, resides in Shelburg, Wisconsin. Any information of him will be thankfully received by Rev. JOHN SMITH, Pastor of St. John's church, New Haven, Conn.(p.409)
13 June 1857
Of JAMES KENEDY and family, of parish Silbled, Rotemstown [co. Westmeath]; when last heard from, 4 years ago last August, worked at Belis Mills, Blair county, Pennsylvania. Information received by his daughter ANN, wife of PATRICK GILLIGAN, Freeport, Illinois. (p. 87/88)
Volume V: 1861-1865
Published by NEHGS 1996
ISBN 0-088082-055-1
6 February 1864
Of PETER and JOHN GILIGEN, also of MARY and CATHERINE GILIGEN, natives of the parish of Tampleboid, townland of Raglass, county of Sligo, sons and daughters of BRYAN GILIGEN; when last heard from they were in Boston, Mass., about 16 years ago. Any information concerning them will be very thankfully received by their brother, THOMAS GILIGEN, who is most anxious to hear from them. Address THOMAS GILIGEN, Cleveland, Ohio. (p. 285)
Volume VI: 1866-1870
Published by NEHGS 1997
ISBN 0-88082-069-1
10 March 1866
Of MARY, CATHERINE or BESSY GILLIGAN. Their whereabouts is desired to be known by MARGARET GILLIGAN, in care of JB COLT, Hartford, Connecticut. (see GILGAN, MARY, CATHERINE and BESSY, 3/24/66)(p.26)
2 June 1866
Of ANDREW GILIGAN, a native of Enensgrams, parish Killglass, county Sligo. Any information on him will be thankfully received by PATRICK GILIGAN. Direct to MICHAEL CORCORAN, No 14 Front Levee between Broadway and Ludlow street, Cincinnati, Ohio. (p. 62)
Of MARGARET SHANAHAN, and her sons and daughters, namely WILLIAM and MORRIS SHANAHAN, and MARY, ELLEN and ANNE SHANAHAN, natives of parish of Killea, county of Waterford; supposed to have arrived in this country in 1857. Any one knowing their whereabouts will confer a favor by addressing a few lines to THOMAS SHANAHAN, care of REV. FATHER GILLIGAN, Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania. (p. 63)
27 August 1870
Of ANN GILLIGAN, a native of Enniscrone, parish of Kilglass, county Sligo. Information of her will be received by her brother, PATRICK GILLIGAN, No. 14 Public Landing, between Broadway and Ludlow, Cinncinnati, Ohio. (p. 644)
1 February 1868
Of BRIDGET, MARGARET and HELEN GILLIGAN, daughters of BERNARD GILLIGAN, natives of the county Longford, Ireland. Their father was a cooper by trade, who died in Boston some time ago. Any information of them will be thankfully received by their brother, MATTHEW GILLIGAN, Rockport, Mass. (p. 301)
25 September 1869
Of RODGER REGAN and CATY GILIGAN, of West Bars, Glenferne parish, county Leitrim, Ireland. Rodger left Ireland 16 or 17 years ago, and landed in New York; when last heard from was in Brooklyn, N.Y. CATHY GILIGAN left Ireland about four years ago, and when last heard from was in Brooklyn, N.Y., about 18 months ago, at that time she saw RODGER REGAN. Roger is the son of JAMES REGAN and ANN TRAVERS; Caty is a daughter of JOHN GILIGAN and HONORA McDERMOTT. Any information of them will be thankfully received by their cousin, THOMAS O'NEIL, corner of Windsor and Harvard streets, Cambridgeport, Mass. - New York and Brooklyn papers please copy. (p. 518)
9 July 1870
Of MARY GILIGAN, county Sligo, a widow; she had two sons JOHN and JAMES; when last heard of she was in Boston five years ago. Information of her will be received by JAMES CREGG, 45 Broadway, Lawrence, Mass. (p. 628)
1 June 1867
Of JOHN GILLIGAN, son of MICHAEL GILLIGAN, of Limerick, Ireland. He served for sometime in the U.S. Army during the late war. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by P. DIGAN, Delphi, Indiana, on the part of his afflicted parents. (p. 208)
22 August 1868
Of JOHN CAIN, son of JOHN CAIN and JULEY WALSH, who emigrated from the town of Preston, Lancashire, England, about eight years ago, native of the town of Leenaan, Joyce country, county Galway, Ireland; when last heard from he was working in a steamboat on the Mississippi River, about four years ago. There are supposed to be friends of his in St. Louis. Any information of his whereabouts, will be thankfully received by his sisters, SARAH CAIN and ANNE CAIN. Address to JOHN GILLIGAN, West Eaton Post-office, Madison county, New York. (p. 379)
Volume VII: 1871-1876
Published by NEHGS 1999
ISBN 0-88082-091-8
8 June 1872
Of JOHN GILLIGAN, who came to this country from Scotland, about three years ago; when last heard from he left Luzerne county and went to Schuylkill county, Pa. Information of him will be received by his mother, WIDOW GILLIGAN, High Street, Shott's Iron Works, Lanarkshire, Scotland, or by JAMES CAMPBELL, Larimer Station, Westmoreland county, Pa. (p. 161)
13 July 1872
Of MARY, CATHERINE and ELIZA BRENNAN. MARY married WILLIAM DUGGAN (a butcher), CATHERINE married PATRICK GILLIGAN (a pedlar), and ELIZA married PATRICK DOYLE (a blacksmith). They left England about 20 years ago, for Philaelphia, and have not been heard from for the last fourteen years. JULIA BRENNAN (maiden name) landed in Boston, last Good Friday, in search of them. Any person who will give information of them will be rewarded with ten dollars. Direct to CHRISTOPHER GREEN, Amesbury Mills, Mass., where they will find JULIA. (p. 169)
3 February 1872
Of the REV. MICHAEL NELLY, formerly parish priest of Gort, county Galway, who wrote to DR. GILLIGAN from Chicago in 1854. JAMES NELLY, who went to New Orleans in 1849, and is supposed to be in Pittsburg, Pa. Also, JAMES GILLIGAN; when last heard from, in 1860, was then residing in Memphis, Tenn. Address M.G. GILLIGAN, M.D., 184 Nelson Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. (p. 126)
25 October 1873
Of MARK and MARY KILLGALLON, father's name is THOMAS, and mother's maiden name was GILLIGAN, of Hyde Park, Pa.; when last heard of Mark he was at Bergen Point, NJ; when last heard of Mary she was in Orange, N.J. Information of them will be received by their parents THOMAS AND MARY KILLGALLON, Hyde Park, Luzerne county, Pa. (p. 318)
Volume VIII: 1877-1920
Published by NEHGS 1999
10 November 1888
Of CATHARINE GILLIGAN, daughter of LAWRENCE GILLIGAN, native of the parish of Skreen, County Sligo. She emigrated to Montreal in 1845, and went to the New England states to live. Any information of her, whether living or dead, will be thankfully received by her sister MARY. Please address Mrs. Nicholas Hart, 187 St. Denis Street, Montreal, Canada.(p.391,392)
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I've entered all Gilligan individuals listed in the 7 volumes of "Missing Friends". There is much more to these books and I strongly urge you to avail yourselves of the tremendous wealth of information they have to offer. Each advertisement tells its own story - often heartbreaking, occasionally humorous and always informative.
Request your local library to purchase this series of books if it doesn't have them!
