Thomas French, O'Rourke/Horan, Smith/Leith, Rice Connections

Updated April 17, 2010
Welcome to my Genealogy Web Page. Its purpose is to:
1.) Obtain assistance from you to break through my brick walls; and
2.) Provide you my visitor with information that can assist in your research.

This information is posted free; you do not have permission to sell it to others!

There are many genealogists who will not post their research until it's complete. But how can it ever be complete? Genealogy is a science, you have to start with a theory and then proceed to prove or disprove it. This page contains my theories, proofs and works in progress. With this in mind, use the information on this site prudently.

Seeking O'Rourke Origins: My gg, grandfather, James O'Rourke emigrated from Ireland USA with his brother Patrick, sister-in-law, Mary Frances, and their three small children in the spring of 1860. James and Patrick's parents were John O'Rorke (sic) and Bridget McMahon. I'm seeking their Irish county of origin.

Seeking Horan Origins: James O'Rourke married in 1865 with Catherine Horan, the daughter of James Horan and Mary Brown. The Horan family emigrated from Ireland to Canada and lived in Kingston, Ontario, Canada from 1842-1849 prior to immigrating to America. James may have had brothers Bernard, Martin and Patrick. Where in Ireland did they come from?

Seeking Gray and Gonigal: Great-grandfather married Katherine Gray born in Glasgow, Scotland. Katherine's family emigrated from Scotland in 1881. Her parents were Patrick Gray of Glasgow and Mary McGonigal (per Katherine's birth record but the church record has Mary's name as Gonigal) of Donegal, Ireland.

Seeking Leith, Kilgour & Smith: William Smith, son Alexander Ritchie Smith of Aberdeen, Scotland came to the USA about 1909 joining brothers John, George, & Robert. His sister, Isabella married Alex Forbes and emigrated from Scotland to South Africa. Alexander Ritchie's parents were Robert Smith (Blacksmith) and Elizabeth Leith. I need help with Robert Smith's ancestry: father George, a crofter, from Lonmay, Scotland and with Elizabeth's parents who were Alexander Leith & Elizabeth Kilgour, Stuartfield, Scotland.

Seek help with British Military Records: Paternal grandmother, Jane Bisset (Bissett) Smith, was a Smith by both birth and marriage. Her parents were Peter Barron Smith and Jane Coutts Bissett. Peter Barron Smith was a member of the 22nd Brigade, Royal Artillery. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of John Smith and Jane Barron. Where are his military records?

Seeking Rice and McCorkel: Maternal Great-grandmother was Myrtle Rice born in Weyauwega, Waupaca Co., WI. Her parents were Leonard Rice and Rachel McCorkel. I’m desperately seeking parentage of Leonard Rice. His father was born in MASS and his mother in VT. They moved through NYS to WI about 1832-1850.

The transcribed two volume work of Howard Barclay French's "The Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French" published in 1909 and 1913 is under the reports: Genealogy of the Descendant of Thomas French. I have included all 11 generations but have deleted all dates in relation to any individuals born after 1900 to protect the privacy of anyone still living. The volumes relied heavily upon voluntary submission of information. I have not been able to verify all the information within the volumes. I have verified my own line only. PLEASE VERIFY ANY INFORMATION YOU OBTAIN FROM THIS OR ANY SITE.

Finally, if you see an error, polite enquires and/or requests to correct are always appreciated. If you wish to send an admonishment, save your time and mine and don't.

Thank you for visiting.

Diane
Diane S.
d.niteowls@verizon.net


Edit Your Page

GEDCOM Trees (viewing trees requires 4.0 or later)

  • The Gray Family: Another Irish/Scot Branch (11 KB)
    The Gray line is a small branch intertwined with the O'Rourke line. The family did not survive their emigration to the United States. Except for two daughters, Catherine and Mary Ann, the line appears to have died. The patriach of the family Patrick Gray was born in Glasgow and I think he was in the British military. He met Mary Gonagle, daughter of Daniel, and married her in Ballyshannon, Donegal, Ireland in 1866. They emigrated back to Scotland in or about 1866-67. They are found in the US in 1880. All but the two daughters died within 15 years of their arrival in the US.
  • The Leith Line (24 KB)
    I'm still trying to develop this line. I was in Scotland recently and saw the home that I believe the Leiths lived in 1804 Stuartfield. I doubt if much has changed in the past 200-years. I have been unable to establish the birth, marriage or death dates for the patriach and matriach of this line. If you can help, please write.
  • Horan Family Tree (13 KB)
    The Horans found this new land extremely fertile. They had 3 sets of twins and 5 single births within 9 years. James Horan came to this country by way of Canada and may have come with his brothers Martin, Bernard and Patrick. They are found as early as 1842 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Although, he could not read or write James managed to work and maintain his family into his late 80s. He appears to have worked on both the Rideau Canal and the Erie Canal. The family used the name Horn on some records. Updated 8/12/00.
  • The Smith Sprout (20 KB)
    The Smith line is a long line of Scot blacksmiths. They were big men with very large, stong hands. My father always said his Uncles had hands the size of baseball mits. He also said you never wanted to be spanked by them!
  • The McCorkel Branch (14 KB)
    I've included the McCorkel's as I believe this may be the direct descent for my gg grandmother, Rachel McCorkel. Her father, James, and his connection with his supposed father is theory only at this time. My theory is thinly based on their respective ages and the fact they lived on adjoining plots of land. I've had little time to actively research this branch to verify the theory. I do know that the McCorkel family seems to relate back to at least three brothers, Samuel, Alexander and James {due to the Scots naming pattern these lines are very confused and interlinked}, who came from Scotland to PA in the early to mid 1700s. However, which lineage James descends from is still speculative. A line of this family did emigrate from PA to VA and into the Carolinas and then West while another group went to Ohio. In a late census, Rachel relates her father was born in OHIO; however, she was 2 when he died so her knowledge would not have been first hand. James McCorkle was married to a Sarah or Sally Edwards. Censuses vary listing her birthplace as TN, KY or VA. Edwards seemed to be prominent names in the Carolinas, TN and Ohio so sheds no clue on the correct McCorkle branch for James. If you can assist in verifying this branch, please contact me as I do need the assistance.
  • The O'Rourke Branch (28 KB)
    The O'Rourke branch is one side of my Irish tree. At least two O'Rourke brothers came to the United States, settled in Buffalo, NY and were enumerated in the 1860 Federal census. One brother, Patrick, prospered and fathered a small dynasty. The other brother, my ancestor, James, died of 'paralysis' in the summer of 1870. He lived only a few years after his marriage to Catharine Horan and fathered 3 children only 1 of whom survived infancy. Updated 8/12/05
 

Family Photos

  • Alexander Ritchie Smith circa 1885 (51 KB)
    Alexander Ritchie Smith was a successful blacksmith in Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland. All his living sons immigrated to the United States. His daughter and son-in-law immigrated to South Africa.
  • Isabella Andrew Smith about 1885 (60 KB)
    Isabella's picture was taken when she was an older woman. However, notice the wonderful detail to her dress which was most likely hand sewn.
  • Christiana Slim French - Ancestress at 95 (43 KB)
    This picture of Christiana was taken on her 95th birthday. She was a few weeks shy of 104 when she died. She was both amused and amazed when the local townsfolk held a parade in her honor in celebration of her 100th birthday.
 

Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees

 

Related Links

 
Created with Family Tree Maker

The content shown on this page has been submitted by a Genealogy.com customer, and is not subject to verification by Genealogy.com. Neither Genealogy.com nor its affiliates are responsible for the accuracy of any information contained on this page. The opinions expressed on this page are the author's alone and not the opinions of Genealogy.com.

Home | Help | About Us | Site Index | Terms of Service | PRIVACY
© 2009 Ancestry.com