Downtown Taghmon

Downtown Taghmon
Main Street, Taghmon, County Wexford, 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, March 9, 2014

Thomas Connor - Jennie Colbert Marriage Registration 1885

Thomas Connor, son of James Connor and Anastasia Colfer, married Jennie Colbert, daughter of Edmund and Margaret Colbert, on May 27, 1885 in Racine, Wisconsin.


Of note is the spelling of the last name of Thomas' mother, Anastasia "Coffer."  Other spellings include "Colfour" (in her obituary), "Colfor" (in the family bible), and "Colfer" as the common spelling in County Wexford, Ireland.

1. Full name of husband: Thomas Connor
2. Name of the father of husband: James Connor
3. Name of the mother of husband before marriage: Anastasia Coffer
4. Occupation of husband: Book keeper
5. Resident of husband: Evanston [Illinois]
6. Birthplace of husband: Evanston [Illinois - ditto marks used for birthplace]
7. Full name of wife previous to marriage: Jennie Colbert [indexed as Jonnie]
8. Name of the father of wife: Edmund Colbert
9. Name of the mother of wife before marriage: Margaret Colbert [ditto marks used for last name]
10. Birthplace of wife: Racine [Wisconsin]
11. Time when the marriage was contracted: May 27, 1885
12. The place, town or township and county, where the marriage was contracted: Racine [Wisconsin]
13. The color of the parties: White
14. By what ceremony contracted: Catholic
15: Names of subscribing witnesses: John Connor; Minnie Colbert
16. Name of person pronouncing marriage: Geo W. Mathews
17. Residence of person last named: Racine [Wisconsin]
18 Date of certificate or affidavit of marriage: May 27, 1885
19 Date of registration: June 1, 1885
20 Any additional circumstances: [Blank]

Source: Pre-1907 Wisconsin Marriage Records, Racine County, vol. 3, page 272, microfilm, Wisconsin State Historical Society.