It is always pleasing when someone responds to a blog with a helpful suggestion. In “Irish Pimpernel” I stated that I still have no idea where Patrick was at the time of the (UK & Ireland) 1901 Census. My correspondent suggested that I look at North America.
The 1900 (American) Census records the presence of a Patrick J Stanley in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a boarder, born in Ireland in January 1880 and had arrived in America in 1899. The date of birth is not perfect, but his landlord may have guessed some of the information. My grandfather referred to himself as Patrick Joseph Stanley although his birth certificate only records his first name. (Joseph could have been added as a baptismal name.)
Some immediate questions come to mind. In 1899, (my) Patrick would have 16. How did he afford to travel to America? He was in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, England in 1902. How did he afford to come back? And why would he do so?
I looked for further information in Boston. There is a record of a Patrick J Stanley marrying Bridget Ann Killion on 14 June 1905. There are three children born to the marriage: George F (29 March 1906), Joseph P (24 March 1909) and Anna M (7 December 1912). They appear on the 1920 census still living in Boston.
It is reassuring to see yet another man with the Stanley name marrying a girl called Bridget, but this one cannot be my grandfather. All is not lost though. The marriage certificate records the names of the parents of both bride and groom. The Patrick in Boston was the son of Owen Stanley and Annie Lawless. The name of an Owen Stanley has appeared before (see McCormack & Stanley). Given the fondness for carrying the same names down through the generations, it is just possible that Boston Patrick is part of the Ballyglass Stanley clan. (See “Definitely not related – update”) The common ancestor will be in the early years of the 19th century – at best. Y DNA may yet prove a connection.
(Footnote: Most of the contacts that come through the website are from companies looking to sell their services. Clearly, they have not bothered to read the content. Perhaps Artificial Intelligence can help: even the most cursory examination would reveal that this is a non-commercial website. You cannot boost my income when there is no income to boost!)