John, Cath (Murray) Tougher Family. Tipp, Belmullet to Grosvenordale, Connecticut. SS Phoenician 1883
by ionaddeirbhile
Richard and Dyan Rook, Massachusetts, at Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre.
On Friday 27th April 1883 John and Cath (Murray) Tougher with their family, left Tipp, Belmullet, to set out on a life changing journey. The Tougher family boarded the SS Phoenician at Blacksod Bay for Boston. On arrival, John, Cath and children journeyed onwards, to Grosvenordale Textile Mills in Connecticut. The Tougher family, were especially mentioned in the Tuke Report, referring to the arrival of the Phoenician, featured in the Boston Daily Advertiser. By 1900 the Toughers were in Cumberland Town, Rhode Island working in the Textile Mills, with younger children being educated at school. The name Tougher also became known as Tucker in the United States.
Tom, Richard and Dyan
Richard, Rosemarie (researcher) and Dyan
Richard Rook, wife Dyan and friends from Boston, Massachusetts, visited Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre in Eachleim, Blacksod. Richard’s grandfather Thomas, was age seven on leaving his home in Tipp with his parents and siblings.
Local man Tom Keane, was also at the Heritage Centre to meet with Richard and Dyan. Tom is a descendant of the Murray family. Thank you to Ms. Phil McIntyre for making this connection and also being with us at the Heritage Centre.
Max Leighton a descendant of another Tipp family, Frank and Sarah Tougher, who emigrated onboard the SS Scandinavian, was also visiting the Centre.
Richard, Dyan and Max also attended a Tougher Family Re-union, organized by Anna Lynskey and held in Cartron, at Turas Siar Irish Language, Culture Research and Genealogy Centre ran by Pap and Catherine Murphy
In April 1883 two families left from the same townland, on different ships, one to the United States and another to Canada. On a weekend in October 2016 a descendant of each of those families met up on the Mullet Peninsula, where it all began.
Max Leighton, Anna Lynskey, Richard and Dyan Rook , visiting Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre, Eachléim
Descendants sharing a common history.
“Thank you to descendants of other families, also on this sailing of SS Phoenician who have connected with Blacksod Bay Emigration”.
It was my pleasure to have met Richard Rook and Max Leighton when they visited Aughalasheen, Tipp, Belmullet.
Max’s Ancestors: were Frank Togher / Tougher / Tucker & Sarah Mc Keon, Who lived next door to the Old Tipp School. Before they emigrated to Canada. 1883.
Richard’s Ancestors: John Togher / Tougher / Tucker & Catherine Murray, who lived on the What is now known as Coyle’s Road. Tipp, Aughalasheen. Bordering Blind Harbour. Before they emigrated to Connecticut, 1883. Richard was accompanied by his wife Dyan & friends from Boston.
Before, we got to the original old homesteads of Max & Richard, Tom Keane. Tipp, invited Richard & Max to his home, where his wife Dorothy had Coffee & Drinks ready for us. Tom Keane is a direct relation of Richard Rook through the Murray’s. Rosemarie Geraghty (researcher: Ionad Deirbhile, Aughleam) and I also had the pleasure of being invited to Tom’s home. What a lovely time we all had. A true Irish Welcome Indeed.