John Shinnick is listed in the 1901 Irish Census as residing in house 5 in Ballycatoo (Ballintemple, East Cork). A farmer and widower, John could not read or write but was proficient in both Irish and English. Living with him were four children, all of whom could read, write, and speak both languages:

• Eliza(beth), 22 years old

• Timothy, 17 years old

• Annie, 16 years old

• Edmond, 15 years old

Here is a note I received from Tom Shinnick on 3 May 2005:

Hi Bill,

I have attached a photo of Michael J. Shinnick's baptismal record (Dec 20, 1873). A note on it says his birthday was two days earlier. Helen had direct contact with many of his brothers and sisters. Michael claimed to be the eldest, and Helen verified many dates in conversations with the individuals and also in diaries, family Bibles, etc. She doesn't say, but I'm sure she arrived at the marriage date for John and Elizabeth by backing off one year from Michael's birthday. As was the custom of the time, Elizabeth was probably between 15 and 25, and John was probably between 25 and 35, having established himself as being able to support a wife and family. Therefore, my guess would put his birth date at about 1853 ± 5 years, not 1841.

I can remember reading parts of my great-uncle Redmond Bansfield's diary and maybe also hearing stories at that time about many people from Ireland stopping at the house on King St. in Gloucester, Massachusetts, en route to their final destination. I'm sure if the Dorgans were close in Ireland, they would look each other up when in the U.S., as anyone would today. If I ever see those diaries again, I will have to check. Looking forward to any new information.

Tom

Here is the breakdown of the residents of house 5 in Ballycatoo (Ballintemple, Cork) according to the 1901 Census of Ireland:

Surname: Shinnick

Forename: John

Age: 56

Sex: Male

Relation to head: Head of Family

Religion: Roman Catholic

Birthplace: County Cork

Occupation: Farmer

Literacy: Cannot read or write

Irish Language: Irish and English

Marital Status: Widower

Specified Illnesses: -

Surname: Shinnick

Forename: Eliza

Age: 22

Sex: Female

Relation to head: Daughter

Religion: Roman Catholic

Birthplace: County Cork

Occupation: Farmer's daughter

Literacy: Read and write

Irish Language: Irish and English

Marital Status: Not married

Specified Illnesses: -

Surname: Shinnick

Forename: Timothy

Age: 17

Sex: Male

Relation to head: Son

Religion: Roman Catholic

Birthplace: County Cork

Occupation: Farmer's son

Literacy: Read and write

Irish Language: Irish and English

Marital Status: Not married

Specified Illnesses: -

Surname: Shinnick

Forename: Annie

Age: 16

Sex: Female

Relation to head: Daughter

Religion: Roman Catholic

Birthplace: County Cork

Occupation: Scholar

Literacy: Read and write

Irish Language: Irish and English

Marital Status: Not married

Specified Illnesses: -

Surname: Shinnick

Forename: Edmond

Age: 15

Sex: Male

Relation to head: Son

Religion: Roman Catholic

Birthplace: County Cork

Occupation: Scholar

Literacy: Read and write

Irish Language: Irish and English

Marital Status: Not married

Specified Illnesses: -

This is the baptism record of Elizabeth (Eliza) Dorgan:

First name(s): Eliza

Last name: Dorgan

Birth year: –

Baptism year: 1842

Baptism date: 11 Feb 1842

Parish: Ballymacoda and Ladysbridge

Alternative parish names: Ballymacoda; Ballymacoda and Lady's Bridge; Lady's Bridge; Ladysbridge; Liscarroll; and Churchtown

Diocese: Cloyne

County: Cork

Country: Ireland

Father's first name(s): Patrick

Father's last name: Dorgan

Mother's first name(s): Nancy

Mother's last name: Flynn

Repository: “Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1740-1900,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KBJ-TX1Y: Thu Nov 21 17:19:15 UTC 2024), entry for Eliza Dorgan and Patrick Dorgan, 11 Feb 1842.

About Dorgan, Elizabeth (Cloyne)

- Birth citation:

- Church Records Ballymacoda 4991/05

- Page: 26

- Date: 11 Feb 1842

- Text: Godparents: Patrick Savage and Bridget Savage; mother: Nancy.

John Shinnick was present at the time of his wife’s death.

Citing this record:

“Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1740-1900,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KBJ-TX1Y: Thu Nov 21 17:19:15 UTC 2024), entry for Eliza Dorgan and Patrick Dorgan, 11 Feb 1842.