BS: Family Potato Famine Stories

Subject: Family Potato Famine Stories
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 11:35 PM

Someone mentioned in another thread there being so few famine stories passed down...I guess it was either to horrible to relate or to hear it being told...the only one I have in my family is my great-grandmother coming over at the age of 7..all alone. She never heard from any family again. She somehow got a job as a maid (at 7?? it doesn't all make sense..) with the Taft family...one of the Tafts wanted to marry her but she married a man working on the railroads...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Family Potato Famine Stories
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 12:39 AM

Incredible to think of, isn't it, mg? At seven being sent off across the ocean all by yourself, no family, etc.? I hope some others' stories will emerge here, they would be well worth hearing, I am sure.

Have you ever done any research on her? Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Family Potato Famine Stories
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 12:43 AM

I have no stories of my own, but 7 was not too young to be put into "service". We think my fathers' family came over then but have nothing to back that up.

Subject: RE: BS: Family Potato Famine Stories
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 12:47 AM

Sorcha, ancestry dot com keeps adding more and more to their resources, everyday. If you ever want me to see what I can find, please don't hesitate to send me an email with whatever you have for names, dates, etc. It's amazing what can be found. I have decided the past year's subscription was well worth it and plan on renewing it for another year. Same goes for you, mg. It might take me some time and I cannot get into in depth, but I try my best to find you something to go on.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Family Potato Famine Stories
From: GUEST,glen2Glen
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 02:40 AM

mg - Any idea which Taft family or when? My Great Grandfather Solomon Taft came to Australia from Onieden(?) in upstate NY in 1856. My cousin has a lot of information on the American Tafts. I doubt if it would extend to the household maids, but you never know...
Sorry, no famine stories. The Irish side of the family arrived in 1840.