New Topic - finding gggrandparents - Higgins

[higginsag]

My ggrandfather, Michael Higgins, born in 1836 in Kings County, Ireland, emigrated to NZ via South Africa in 1865. While working in South Africa he married Margaret Hawley from Queens County. His death certificate in 1900 in NZ does not have the christian names of his parents. His son is also Michael Higgins born in NZ in 1874, my grandfather. 
I would like to find the names of the parents of my ggrandfather. This would help to find the name of a sibling of my grandfather who emigrated to the USA about the same time, 1860s. 
I would be delighted for suggestions of where to search next.
Thank you
higginsag

[amondg]

Kings County Ireland became Offaly in 1920.
There is this family you could explore
Paul Higgins and Margaret Madden/Medden have children christened -found so far.
Mary 23 September 1832 sponsor John Carroll and Mary Madden
Michael  27 September 1835 sponsors John and Anne Higgins
Hugh 16 May 1838 sponsors Hugh Madden and Margaret G----?
James 18 April 1845 sponsors   ----? and Catherine Keating.

There is a Hugh Higgins born Ireland who arrives New York 31 October 1860 age 22. Perhaps the Ellis Island and Castle Garden records will give you more information. Entry points for immigration.

[higginsag]

Thank you so much amondg.  I now have something to work on.  Very, very grateful.
higginsag.

[higginsag]

I have followed through on Hugh Higgins emigrating to USA but cannot find any marriage or death records for him.  I have searched many New York records as there was a communication on his behalf from New York when he died.  Do you have any suggestions please.  Thank you.

[chempat]

Have you found him in any censuses?

Do you believe he died in New York and, if so, approximately when if known?

[higginsag]

There are several Hugh Higgins in the various census papers.  However I am trying to find a Hugh which ticks the boxes.
 I believe he died in New York because family lore tells us a communication arrived from New York (and mention was made of a place in NY with a funny name?)
I believe he had no children (well, definitely no son).  I have found a possible wife, Catherine Kelly Higgins and she and Hugh Higgins had William born and died in 1886 and a daughter Catherine born and died in 1886. I thought they were twins but another reference has Catherine born and died in 1888.  Both in Manhattan. Then there is a Mary Ellen Higgins born about 1888 died 18 Nov 1889 age 1. 
Hugh, born in 1838 in Ireland, would have been a first time father at 48 years of age.
NY census 1925 has a Catherine Higgins, maiden name Kelly, widow, est. birth 1843, widow age 82.
My Higgins aunt in NZ remembers the letter arriving from NY when she was a young girl, and she was born in 1914, so I believe Hugh must have died some time after 1914.  But I can't find a death certificate between 1914 and say, 1928.  (They do have a gene which encourages longevity). I could not find a marriage certificate either but I don't have access to all the big guns.
Any further ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you
 

[Neale1961]

I have found this site useful when searching in New York
https://italiangen.org/search-databases-2/?db=all

[higginsag]

Thank you for your time.  No luck so far.  Hoping for more replies. 

[Ruskie]

Do you have Michael and Margaret’s South African marriage certificate? I have no knowledge of SA records, but am wondering if that might give father or parent’s names, as they do in many other countries.

Have you looked in NZ newspapers for an obituary or death announcement for Michael? (in case names of family are mentioned)