Fitzpatrick/Sullivan Genealogy

My last blog post talked about my mother, Margaret Ann Fitzpatrick Coughlin. In this posting, I will sketch out what I know about Mom's genealogy. I realize that most people find it easier to follow a genealogical chart or tree. At some point I'll try to link to something like that, but for now, it's a genealogical narrative.

Her Parents . . .
and my maternal grandparents were John Francis Fitzpatrick (whose middle name is rendered "Fenton" on some documents, after his father, and whose name is sometimes rendered FitzPatrick, with the "P" capitalized), and Margaret Ann Sullivan. John was born January 3, 1880, in Bluestone, Ohio. Bluestone was a quarry village on the Euclid Creek, where the current cities of Euclid and South Euclid, Ohio now exist. Local bluestone, a siltstone or fine sandstone of a bluish-gray hue, was quarried along the Euclid Creek and in a couple neighborhing areas. The product was used primarily for building foundations and sidewalks. The name "Bluestone" persists in street names in South Euclid and Cleveland Heights, but the Bluestone post office is long gone. The quarry must have employed hundreds of Irish, Slovenian, and other ethnic immigrants in its heyday. John died in 1949, in South Amherst, Ohio and is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, about a mile out of town, near his inlaws and some of his wife Margaret's relatives. He remarried after his wife Margaret died--Hilma Hunt, not-so-affectionately known as "Chicken." Hilma was left widowed by John's death in 1949. It is thought that Hilma got our grandfather's papers, photos, much of the Fitzpatrick memorabilia. It is so strange that John is buried near his in-laws, about 40 miles from our grandmother, his first wife, Margaret. Margaret Ann Sullivan Fitzpatrick is buried at St. Paul's, Chardon Road, in Euclid.

John F. Fitzpatrick's parents were Fenton Fitzpatrick, born in Ireland just after the famine, in 1852, and died in Euclid in 1897. His wife was Julia Broughan, born 1857 in Euclid, and died 1936--possibly also in Euclid. Fenton and Julia are buried at S. Paul's Cemetery in Euclid, near Margart Ann Sullivan Fitzpatrick. Julia's parents were Michael Broughan, born 1828 in Kildare, Ireland, died 1898, possibly in Euclid. His wife was Mary Sweeney, born 1834 in Donegal, Ireland, died 1901, possibly in Euclid. Michael and Mary are buried at St. Paul's. Mary's parents were Michael Sweeney and Bridget. Michael was probably born in Donegal. We don't have any information on Bridget.

Many of the names I've mentioned repeat throughout the generations. Great Grandfather Fenton Fitzpatrick's son is listed as John Fenton in some sources (John Francis in most sources). John had a son named Fenton Robert (known as "Skip")--this Fenton was my Uncle Skip; Skip had a son named Fenton (also known to many as "Skip")---this Fenton is my first cousin; and he in turn has a son named Fenton. My mother, Margaret Ann Fitzpatrick Coughlin, named her youngest son James Fenton. So the name clearly runs strong in the family.

The name Julia goes back at least to my great grandmother, Julia Broughan Fitzpatrick, and also appears again in John's daughter Julia Fitzpatrick Brock (known as "Dudie" from a child's mispronunciation of "Julie"), and in my own daughter Julia Rose Coughlin. There is another Julia, I believe. Aunt Julia (Dudie) Fitzpatrick Brock's son Luke has a daughter named Julia. The names keep repeating as a way to honor beloved elders and beloved deceased.

Margaret Ann Sullivan Fitzpatrick, my grandmother, was born in 1880 in Brownhelm Township, Lorain County, Ohio, also near quarries. The famous quarries around Amherst and South Amherst mined the beautiful "Berea Sandstone." And they too employed hundreds of Irish, German, and other ethnic immigrants. Her parents were . . . [will continue]