For James Lavelle, there was no Ellis Island�
In fact, for most of my direct immigrant ancestors, Ellis Island was not an option because it didn't open until 1892. There was no great statue with raised torch welcoming the tired, huddled masses on board the coffin ships of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Instead, ships from ports like Dublin, Londonderry and in England, Liverpool, dropped anchor in Canada and the American port cities of New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia and New York.
The O'Grady's were the earliest immigrants, followed closely by the Lavelle's with the Whalen's following in the 1880s. Further research would show that James Lavelle sailed on the Agenora out of Liverpool on July 10, 1848. She had been sailing since 1823 and her July 10, 1848 trip would be her next to last.
We have no idea how James Lavelle reached Liverpool or why he chose that city from which to emigrate. It may be that he obtained passage on one of the small barque�s plying the route between Killala, County Mayo and Liverpool. These ships built to carry no more than 155 adults were, oftentimes, dangerously overloaded with close to 300 passengers. We do not know if James knew Catherine Sweeney before he left Mayo; whether he met her on the boat or whether they met in America. LIkewise, Daniel and Catherine O'Grady; I've yet to unravel their immigration details. And, as stated previously, Michael Whalen, sailed from Liverpool, with his wife and children following several years later. There is still so much to learn. Typhus was rampant on the many small ships sailing from Ireland to Liverpool; the boarding houses where immigrants slept as many as 20 to a room while awaiting passage were lethal. It�s a wonder that our ancestors avoided contracting the deadly ship fever that took so many. |
