Connor/Colfer Genealogy: November 2011

About James Connor and Anastasia Colfour (Colfer)

About James Connor and Anastasia Colfer

James Connor (c1818-1897) and Anastasia Colfour (Colfer) (c1821-1884) married in the Parish of Taghmon in 1842 and emigrated from County Wexford, possibly the town of Taghmon, between c1852-1854. History states that James preceded Anna by two years. Shortly after arriving in America, they settled in Evanston, Illinois. They lived and farmed in an area of Evanston now known as Stockham Park until about 1862 when they moved to the corner of Ridge Avenue and Lake Street in Evanston. Several siblings of James' also came to the U.S. around the same time and resided in Evanston. They include his twin siblings Katherine and Thomas, both of whom never married; and, his brother Patrick who married Margaret Welsch. James and Anna had six children, the first five of whom were born in Ireland. They include Ellen (Sullivan) (1843-1919), James C. (1846-1890), Bridget Lucy (Headen/Hayden) (1849-1876); John A. (1852-1932); Mary E. (Haughey) (1854-1934); and, Thomas E. (1857-1929). Anna died of typhoid pneumonia on April 15, 1884. James, lived to be 79, spending the last thirteen years living with his son Thomas. James died on October 2, 1897.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Townlands of Taghmon Parish

Information on the townland of the civil parish of Taghmon, c1853, can be found at this site.

Old Cemetery in Taghmon, Co. Wexford

When we were in Taghmon in August, 2011, we went to the main Catholic Cemetery, but realized it was too new, i.e., started in the 1950s or so. We asked some individuals who were in the cemetery if they knew where the older one was. They directed us to a cemetery behind St. Munn's. St. Munn's is a Church of Ireland, but this section of the cemetery was supposed to be the Catholic section.

It was almost impossible to read any of the stones in the cemetery.

The factory near the church in the video is the Irish Pride Bakery.

Video: Elaine Beaudoin, August 1, 2011

St. Fintan's Church, Taghmon Town

The Connors are supposed to be from Taghmon, Co. Wexford. This has not been proven. If true, However, it is not known if it was the town of Taghmon or the Civil Parish.

The church in Taghmon Town, originally opened in 1872, was totally restored in 2010. It's name is St. Fintan and it is on the main street of Taghmon town.

St. Fintan's Church, Taghmon


Plaque on the wall of church

As can be seen from the commemorative plaque, there was a Catholic church fund raising effort as early as possibly the 1850s. During this time period, I believe the Connors were still in Ireland.

Photos: Elaine M. Beaudoin, August 1, 2011

Evanston City Directory, 1884

Members of the Connor family are listed in the Evanston, Illinois city directories. In the next several posts, I have included pages from directories covering 1884-1937. Since J. C. and Thomas Connor were business people in the community, in some of the directories their advertisements appear and have been included. Also, in 1900 and 1937, a history of the town, as reported in the directory, is provided.

Connor entries from the 1884 Evanston, Illinois city directory.