Why a Corcoran website?
I am pleased that you have taken the time to visit the Corcoran Family History website. My research has traced my family's Corcoran lineage back to Crissard Townland, Rathaspick Civil Parish, County Laois (formerly Queen's), Ireland. My great-grandfather William Corcoran and two of his sisters, Frances (Corcoran) O'Brien and Margaret (Corcoran) Knowles, all from Crissard, emigrated to the U.S. between 1849 and 1851 during the Irish Potato Famine or "Great Hunger." Frances was first to emigrate, landing in New York City in 1849, marrying a couple of years later, and remaining in NYC until her death in 1895. William was next, having arrived in New York City in 1850, before relocating to the mining community of Black Brook in Clinton County. In 1863 he purchased land and began farming in the town of Beekmantown, also in Clinton County, about 25 miles northeast of Black Brook. Margaret, her husband Dennis Knowles and their two young children Mary and Michael Knowles arrived in New York City one year after William, in April, 1851. Margaret and her family would stay in New York City for six months; a tragic period which would see the death of both of their children. They then relocated to Beekmantown in late 1851 or early 1852, where they would have four children. Both the Corcoran and Knowles' families would live out the remainder of their lives in Beekmantown, where they operated farms and lived on the northern end of what is now Agnew Road. There is evidence, admittedly a bit flimsy, that points to another sister, Honora Corcoran, emigrating to NY City in 1852. Significant research has yet to confirm that the Honora Corcoran who landed in NY City in 1852 was the "correct" Honora Corcoran.
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The primary aim of this website is to maintain and make available, in one location, information on our Corcoran ancestors. Ideally, this website will also provide a forum for the sharing of family stories, photos and documentation, thereby adding to the understanding of our ancestors. For those who might be interested in digging deeper into their own particular branch of the extended Corcoran family tree, I would be happy to assist.
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A detailed, readable publication on the history of my Corcoran family can be found as a PDF on the next page of his website (Corcoran Family History PUBLICATION).
Kevin Corcoran
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