I don't want to hijack your thread. If this should be in a new post, please accept my apologies and move it. I'm one of the clumsy Americans behind whose backs I'm sure you laugh. I mean no offense and hope none is taken.
New post created from this topic on the Frain Family
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=474524.0I was told most of my life that my grandfather, Thomas Joseph Frain, was born in Connecticut in 1877. I have learned (or so I'm led to believe) that he was actually born in Mayo, baptized in Tobercurrie, Sligo, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1896. If what I've heard is correct, his parents were Dominick and Mary Roper Frain. I'm only saying what I was told. I'm not sure of any of it.
He moved to Minnesota and raised his family there. The anti-Irish sentiments of the day may have led him to say he was born in the U.S. In 1937, times were hard in Minnesota and they moved to Corpus Christi, TX, where he lived out the rest of his days, and where I was born & raised.
I can see the need to tell such a tale if people won't hire Irish fresh off the boat.
We were in Ireland about a year ago, and I learned how very little I knew of my family's history. I met a very kind man at a family history center and was asked questions to which I didn't know any answers.
A lady at the tourist office in Cong was also helpful, such as she could be. Frain is not a common name in south Mayo, more in the east part of the country and in Roscommon. I needed a map to learn that it really wasn't far away.
If anyone can fill in any of the large blank spots, I'll be very grateful. If you're a kindly amateur, I'll have my son look you up and buy you a pint when he's in Ireland next month.
Well, I'll ask him to do. He's his own man, young and hardheaded, much like his father, and his. I can't promise that he'll get to Mayo; he'll be two nights in Dublin, two in NI, and a few more on the road. Thankfully, the fires should be out by the time he gets to NI.
I'm thinking I'd like to revisit Ireland, probably next April. Yes, I know the significance. One of my uncles was named Robert Emmet Frain.
I'll definitely visit Mayo. I want to top Croagh Patrick. I tried and failed last time. I'd like to visit the chapel and go to Mass. If you'd like to walk with me, please keep in touch.
Thanks for letting me ramble. Have a great day today and a better day tomorrow.
God bless.
Dan