My 2nd great-grandfather, Patrick Stafford is the most recent immigrant in my family tree. He arrived in America with his parents, John and Jane (Johnston) Stafford, and siblings in 1848. They arrived on the ship Junior through the port of New Orleans.
I remember Patrick’s Irish heritage being a part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations growing up. It was believed that Patrick’s birthday was also on March 17th, adding to the fun of the day by honoring our Irish ancestor. My Great Aunt Nell’s birthday was also on March 17th, so St. Patrick’s day was always a dual celebration as she shared this special day with her grandfather.
In the abundance of online records today, we now know that Patrick was actually baptized 15 March 1842 in Mellifont, County Louth, Ireland, which means that he was born BEFORE the 15th of the month. So, while there is no evidence for an exact date of birth, in my mind I’ve aligned his birthday with my own, March 12th. Because, why not?
Other cousins have listed Patrick’s father as “Michael,” but this is incorrect. While there is a grave for Michael Stafford in the family plot, there is no proof that he was Patrick’s father. In fact, there are multiple proofs that make it clear that his father’s name was JOHN.
What evidence is there to prove that Patrick’s father was John?
- Patrick’s death certicate listed his father as John.
- Patrick’s mother Jane is listed as a “widow lady” in the 1860 census. In the 1870 census, she is living with her son and Michael Stafford is living elsewhere.
- The 1848 passenger list for the family’s immigration includes John (Sr.), Jane, John (Jr.), Anne, Patrick, and Margaret.
- Irish church records for the John and Jane’s children can be found in County Louth.
The only link of Michael Stafford to Jane is a shared grave marker for Michael Stafford, Ann Stafford, and Jane Stafford in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Ironton, Ohio. It is unknow when the marker was placed, but it’s worth noting that Michael’s inscription contains no mention of his relationship to anyone, while Ann is listed as the “wife of J. Stafford” and Jane is listed as the “mother of J. Stafford,” indicating that John Stafford (Jr.) placed the marker. John’s obituary states that his wife Ann died in a housefire while they were living in Oregon, so it’s almost certain that she is NOT buried here. There is no notation on the grave marker that Michael was Jane’s husband or John’s father. Census records in 1870 and 1880 indicate that Jane was a widow. Michael’s death record notes that he is single.
So who is Michael? While it isn’t clear yet, it’s likely that Michael was John’s brother who followed the family to Ohio.
The only link of Michael Stafford to Jane is a shared grave marker for Michael Stafford, Ann Stafford, and Jane Stafford in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Ironton, Ohio. It is unknow when the marker was placed, but it’s worth noting that Michael’s inscription contains no mention of his relationship to anyone, while Ann is listed as the “wife of J. Stafford” and Jane is listed as the “mother of J. Stafford,” indicating that John Stafford (Jr.) placed the marker. John’s obituary states that his wife Ann died in a housefire while they were living in Oregon, so it’s almost certain that she is NOT buried here. There is no notation on the grave marker that Michael was Jane’s husband or John’s father. Census records in 1870 and 1880 indicate that Jane was a widow. Michael’s death record notes that he is single.
So who is Michael? While it isn’t clear yet, it’s likely that Michael was John’s brother who followed the family to Ohio.
