James Joseph Sherry and Margareta Sweeney
My father was born on 26th April 1900 at 30 Demesne Street, Poulton-cum-Seacombe, Cheshire, England. This was a public house called The Revenue Hotel of which my grandfather was the landlord. He lived there till 1904 when my grandfather took over the Canada Hotel at 82/84 Old Bidston Road, Birkenhead and then moved to 1 Birkenhead Road, Seacombe, The Marine Hotel, in 1908.The family remained there till 1912 when they all emigrated to America. They sailed from Liverpool on 11th April 1912, arriving at Ellis Island on 20th April. They were met by a Joseph Roper, Superior State Bank, Wisconsin. I have yet to find out who he was and what the conection was. Listed in the Log Book at Ellis Island was Michael Sherry, (my grandfather) Mary (wife), (my grandmother) James (my father) John (my uncle) and Dora. Now who was Dora? The only information I have about her is in the log book which says her next of kin was her grandfather. I suppose he could have been my grandfather’s brother. That would make her my father’s cousin. From 1912 to 1939 I have no information of my parents except for their marriage certificate and the last address where they lived, 20145 Omira Avenue, Detroit. He died on 23rd December 1976.
Many years ago I seem to remember my father talking about how cold it was in Winnipeg, and also the time he was driving a car in Chicago. He was a toolmaker by trade and again, Ford's car factory in Detroit comes to mind.
My mother was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, on 10th February 1898 and died on 2nd April 1985. Again, I know a little about my mother. She was eldest of 13 children, (12 girls and 1 boy). Her parents were Charles Sweeney (1873-1928) and Ellen Muise. Her grandparents were Edward Sweeney (1836-1912) and Martha O'Connor (1843). Her great grandparents were Hugh Jeremiah Sweeney (1786-1894) and Elizabeth MacLaughlin (1811-1882).
They were married at St Reta's Church, on 3rd September 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The picture above shows them on their wedding day with Best Man, John Aloysious Sherry, Dad’s brother, and Bridesmaid Kathleen Mary Sherry, Dad’s cousin. They had five children while living in Detroit. There was Margaret Mary (10/04/1929 - 7/06/2005), Rita Marie (31/01/1931), Mary Colette (16/10/1932), and Michael James (16/07/1935) and Paul Joseph (17/5/37)
On 10th August1939 James Sherry, Rita Sherry (nee Sweeney) Margaret Sherry, Marie Sherry, Colette Sherry, Michael Sherry and Paul Sherry (that’s me) arrived in England having sailed on the SS President Harding from New York to Southampton.
There is a possibility that someone out there is part of this SHERRY family. I would love to hear from you.
Contact me
email pj.sherry@googlemail.com.