 1857 - UNKNOWN
-
| Name |
Joanna (Jane Ann\Jennie) McKernam |
| Birth |
18 Mar 1857 |
Somerset County, Pennsylvania  |
| Gender |
Female |
| Death |
UNKNOWN |
| Notes |
- From Vince Haas, January, 2013. Ed. Note: This branch is still a work in progress.
Mike,
Thanks again for the additional info you’ve provided. This particular point of my family tree has been frustrating me for years, and your information is the first new information I’ve had in a long time. Here are the basic facts I’m working with regarding Mary Katherine Burke / Brennan, beginning with Jane Anne (aka “Jennie”) Clarke / Brennan, my great-grandmother.
•Jane Ann (Jennie) Clarke / Brennan was born in Somerset County, PA in on March 18, 1857. Jane’s year of birth makes it unlikely (but not impossible) that she is the daughter of Philip and Catherine Clarke as is suggested in some sources (particularly newspaper obituaries.) Philip and Catherine were not married until 1862. Again, it is possible that Jane is the child of Philip and Catherine and was simply born prior to their marriage, but I can’t imagine why they would wait almost 5 years before getting married after her birth. Also, Philip’s obituary indicates that he lived in Cumberland since arriving there from Ireland around 1840. As noted previously, Jane Ann was apparently born in Somerset County, PA.
•It is also possible that Jane Ann (Jennie) is the daughter of Catherine and is the product of a marriage that took place prior to her marriage to Philip Clarke. As I noted in an earlier message, the baptismal record for Aloysius Clarke Miltenberger – one of Philip and Catherine’s daughters – lists the parents as Philip Clarke and Catherine W. Kernan (nee Shannon.) So it appears Catherine Shannon did have a previous marriage. As I also noted, the name “Kernan” is very similar to the name “McKernam” that has been posted on some trees as the name of the mother of Mary Katherine Burke. I believe there is some connection there. One final note on this – in the baptismal record of another of Philip and Catherine’s children, the godfather is listed as “Andrew Burke.” I have been unable to find any other references to him, however.
•Back to Jane Ann (aka Jenny) At some point between her birth in 1857 and 1870, Jane comes to live with Philip and Catherine Clarke in Cumberland at their house on Wineow Street. Jane is living there with them in the 1870 Census, and is listed under the name “Virginia,” age 12. That particular census did not include information regarding each person’s relationship to the head of household so there is no indication of how she is related to Philip Clarke.
•Jane Anne (Jennie / Virginia) is still living with the Clarke family in 1880 according to the census. In this census, she is listed as “Jenny” Clark, age 23, and is listed as the daughter of the head of household (Philip Clarke. She is also listed as being married. This is consistent with a later census record where Jane indicates that she was first married at age 20, or around 1877 (close to the time that Mary Katherine Burke / Clarke / Brennan / Edenhart was born.)
• Also listed in the Clarke household in the 1880 census is a Catherine Burk, age 4, listed as the granddaughter of the head of household. (Note – Philip’s name is spelled “CLARK” in this census - no final ‘e’.) I believe this 4-year old child is the person we know as Mary Katherine Burke / Clarke / Brennan / Edenhart. I also have some handwritten notes that someone created many years ago listing the people who are buried in the Clarke family plot at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Cumberland. Included in the notes is “Mary Catherine Edenhart” who is noted as the wife of John Edenhart and the granddaughter of Philip and Catherine Clarke. John (her husband) is also referenced in these notes, along with their children Elizabeth, John P. and Helen. I’d be happy to send you a copy for your records.
•This is where family legend has to fill in the gap as I do not have documented facts to tell the story. Sometime after the 1880 census, Jane Ann (Jenny) makes her way to Philadelphia. Mary Katherine Burke / Clarke / Brennan apparently remains behind with the Clarke family in Cumberland. In Philadelphia, Jane Ann (Jenny) marries my great-grandfather, John F. Brennan. This marriage produces two children: Genevieve (called “Eva”) in 1892, and John Edward in 1894. Genevieve / Eva is my grandmother. These two children eventually moved to Cumberland and were raised in the Clarke home. Genevieve returned to Philadelphia later and married my grandfather. John remained in Cumberland, eventually becoming the Fire Chief for the city.
•So, given the information above, I am concluding that my grandmother (Genevieve / Eva) and her brother (John Edward) are the half-siblings of Mary Katherine Clarke / Burke / Brennan / Edenhart, and that Jane Ann (aka Jenny) McKernam / Burke / Clarke / Brennan is the mother of all three children. If you see anything in these facts that point to a different conclusion, please let me know.
Mike I have a couple of Edenhart pictures that I will share with you once I get them scanned, and I would very much like to see the pictures you have. Again, your information has been extremely helpful.
Best,
Vince Haas
|
| Person ID |
I00573 |
McKenzie Genealogy |
| Last Modified |
29 Oct 2021 |
| Family 2 |
Andrew Burke, b. Ireland d. UNKNOWN |
| Marriage |
15 Dec 1875 |
Allegany County, Maryland |
| Children |
| | 1. Mary Catherine Burke, b. 25 Jan 1877, Maryland d. 23 Sep 1918, Ridgely, Mineral County, West Virginia (Age 41 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] |
|
| Family ID |
F00076 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
29 Oct 2021 |
|
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