Thomas Joseph McShane, Born 15 McDonnell Street, Belfast

Thomas Joseph McShane b.26thFebruary1888 and Mary Ann Agnew

Thomas Joseph McShane was born, 26th February 1888 to Hugh McShane (9) and Teresa McLaughlin (10). Thomas, aged 19 married Mary Ann Agnew, aged 20 on 6 August 1907 in St. Peter's Church, Belfast. They had one son, John Gerard McShane. It is believed that Thomas and Mary went to America in the early 1900's however Mary didn't enjoy America and returned home with her son John Gerard at a very early age. It is though that Thomas Joseph stayed in America and did not return to live in Ireland. Thomas Joseph was one of five children by Hugh(9) and Teresa, they are:-

Thomas Joseph McShane, b. 26 Feb 1888, d. unknown, (7)
Mary Catherine McShane, b.circa 1894, (194)
Joseph McShane, b. 1897, d. unknown, (12)
Teresa McShane, b. Unknown, (14)
Hugh McShane, b. c.1900, d.1946, (15)

An examination of the USA 1910 Census collaborates the story and shows the following information for Waltham Mass, Ward 2, Middlesex, Massachussetts, nr 32:-

Single, McShane, Thomas (Boarder), Male, White, Age 22, Year of Immagration, 1907, Sailorman

Single, McShane, Joseph (Boarder), Male, White, Age 15, Year of Immagration, 1907, None

The age of these two shows that the Thomas was born in 1888 tying in with Thomas Joseph, his brother Joseph would have been born around 1895-7 which again is consistent with the age of Thomases brother Joseph. It would therefore be reasonable to assume that the family stories are correct and that these are the two brothers that emigrated to United States. Within the Manifest for the S.S.Laurentian sailing from Glasgow, 9th Aug 1907 there is a Thomas McShane, aged 19, listed from 15 Gibson Street, Belfast travelling to Mass, Waltham, this would appear to be consistent with the details above. There is also no record of Thomas Joseph or Joseph in the 1911 census in Ireland, indicating that they are again likely to have been in USA in 1911. Can you add anything to the story of Thomas Joseph McShane, let me know.

	Thomas Joseph McShane b.26 Feb 1888 d.Unknown (7)	Mary Ann Agnew b.7 Feb 1887 d.31 Aug 1953 (10)	Marion E Bell b.1896 second Wife m.26Sep1965

		John Gerard McShane b. 22 July 1909 d. 10 Feb 1984, (5)


Thomas Joseph McShane and Mary Ann Agnew had one son, John Gerard McShane. On his birth certificate, the place of birth is listed as 15 McDonnell Street, Belfast. On the Certificate Thomas Joseph is listed as being a Labourer. By 1911 when the census took place in Ireland, there are no McShane's living at this address and no record of a family in Ireland with a Thomas Joseph and John Gerard McShane residing at the same address, so it seems likely that Thomas Joseph has been in America in 1907, he returned to Ireland for the birth of John Gerard and then went back to USA. .It would appear that Thomas set up home in America while Mary Ann returned to Belfast and stayed with her Son. After Mary Ann Agnew passed away records show that a Thomas McShane, aged 78 in 1965 married a Marian E Bell aged 69 on 26 Sept 1965, register details Co-19, page Number 39060, File 94057. Can anyone provide details of Marian, and were there any children?