Genealogy research is always evolving as new documents are digitized and more and more people take DNA tests. From time to time I’ll share updates to previous posts or new information as I discover it. This is one of those updates.
But first, I would be remiss if I didn’t offer condolences to our Mattimore cousins in Chicago who recently lost their mom — Ann Mattimore (née Lucey) — on November 20, 2021. She was the beloved wife of my Uncle Richard Mattimore. Our hearts go out to our cousins, who lost both parents in less than a year.
My cousin Kristin Mattimore Burns posted on FaceBook at the time: “This morning Mom joined the love of her life in heaven. Passing away less than a year after our father, she wanted to make sure they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary together next month. At 89, she definitely left her mark on this world: 7 children, 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and another on the way! We have no doubt that she will enjoy eternal peace.”
It is a comfort to know that Rich and Ann are together again, and joined by the rest of the Mattimore clan that have gone before us (I had hoped to be more timely in honoring Aunt Ann, but I was dealing with the loss of my mother-in-law at the time — my husband also lost both parents in less than a year).
Earlier this year, I told the story of our great, great grandfather Cornelius O’Rourke (here) and his early life in Oswego. At the time, I had absolutely no idea where in Ireland Connie’s parents came from. While I’m still not sure about his mother Bridget, I am happy to say that I’ve tracked down our 3rd great grandfather Philip O’Rourke’s family. We can all add County Meath to our list of places in Ireland from where our ancestors hailed. I found Co. Meath to be a hotbed of O’Rourke’s back in that era. It is very likely that our ancestor Philip O’Rourke came from Beauparc Parish near or in Painestown, just east of Navan, Co. Meath.
How did I come to this conclusion? The answer is by researching genetic networks using DNA. We have family members who have identical segments of DNA with several individuals all with O’Rourke lines from Co. Meath, who triangulate with other DNA matches with Oswego ties to O’Rourke families.
For example, I discovered that my mom, Uncle Hank, Uncle Dick, Fr. Jack, Jane Hashey and two of my sisters (Marie and Julie) all have DNA matches with a Dennis O’Rourke currently living in Dublin. I’ve corresponded with him and coordinated on our trees. This Dennis was born in 1943, and is the the son of a Denis (b. 1897), from another Denis (b. 1869) and from his father Denis (b. 1820). So Denis really runs in his line. Other common names in the related O’Rourke lines that I found? Cornelius and Alice. Those names appeared often, and of course are the names of our 2x great grandfather and his sister! I believe that Philip had a sister named Rose and a brother named Denis (the one listed above born about 1820). We also have DNA matches with descendants of the Rose O’Rourke I mention. Unfortunately, I haven’t found Philip’s birth or marriage records. They either don’t exist or aren’t yet digitized. I’m hoping it’s the later. But I feel very confident that I’ve found Philip’s origins in Co. Meath.
For anyone keeping track of where in Ireland our ancestors came from, here’s the list so far, including the families of Jane Long and “Tiny” McMahon, wives of our Mattimore grandfathers:
MATTIMORE SIDE
Mattimore — Mount Allen area, Co. Roscommon
Madden — Dublin City, Co. Dublin
Clark — Dublin City, Co. Dublin
O’ROURKE SIDE
O’Rourke — Beauparc Parish, Co. Meath
King — Ardfert Parish, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Parker — Taulaght, Co. Kerry
Moriarty — Tralee Parish, Co. Kerry
Moore — Tralee Parish, Co. Kerry
JANE LONG SIDE
Long — Moan, Tralee, Co. Kerry
O’Connell — likely North Commons, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Dowling — Lahern, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Talbot — Lahern, Tralee, Co. Kerry
MARY “TINY” McMAHON SIDE
McMahon — Scariff, Co. Clare
Donahoe — Scariff, Co. Clare
Walsh — Ennistymon, Co. Clare
White — Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Hanley — Banteer, Kanturk, Co. Cork
Connell — Mallow or Kanturk, Co. Cork
Lane — Dunmanway, Co. Cork
O’Mahoney — Co. Cork
Remember the story of our great grandmother Mary Mattimore (Harry & Joseph’s mother) who died of tuberculosis in a sanatorium in Tucson? I told of her story in posts here and here. Everything I had heard about where she died (Oracle, near Tucson) and Henry working for the railroad, was handed down from my mother, who presumably heard it from her father. We didn’t have any records to prove the details of her death. I don’t think anyone did. But recently, the newspaper editions for both the Arizona Daily Citizen and the Arizona Daily Star from back in 1901 were digitized. And voilà! We now have the printed documentation from that time.
So we’ve learned that while Henry Mattimore had once worked in Tucson for the Southern Pacific Railroad, at the time of Mary’s death he was working for the Arizona and Southeastern Railroad in Lewis Springs, southeast of Bisbee, Arizona — probably 100 miles or more away. So, sadly Henry was not with Mary when she passed away. He likely heard of her death by telegram, after which he took the first available train back to Tucson.
Now that I know exactly where our great grandmother died, I can report that I saw the very place — or what remains of it. The Mountain View Hotel has quite a storied history. It opened in 1895, and was a luxury resort for many, including people with tuberculosis, and a respite for Tucsonans looking to escape the summer heat. Guests included celebrities, prominent business owners, and foreign dignitaries. One of the most famous patrons was “Buffalo Bill” Cody.
The remains of the hotel are now a Baptist Church, which I saw when I drove around Oracle looking for clues about Mary Mattimore back in 2014. Of course at the time I had no idea of its significance. Next time I’m in Tucson, I’ll take some time and walk the area of the old hotel knowing our great grandmother spent her last days there.
Lastly, wishing Merry Christmas, beautiful holidays and a wonderful New Year to all the Mattimore clan. These cards below from the early 1900s come from a large collection of postcards that belonged to Harry Mattimore, Sr.
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