New York, Ground Zero. Support generous but careful immigration with followup.

Ground Zero.
9/11/2001  New York City.

I. A remembrance; and
II. Search for immigrant family roots in NY

I.  New York to many is the place of 9/11.  That is appropriate, for strangers.  Ground Zero.  We share our remembrance for that first, then go back, to roots. Where did first family arrivals settle in NY.

Ground Zero, and the dust.  NYC.

Ground Zero: One foot at a time forward after. NYC.

NYC skyline, after.  Only a crane there. 9/11 aftershock.

II.  Immigrants on both sides. The hurdles are lower for white northern European origins, no question. Doors must always be open with care and followup, however, for all comers, rather than shut based on attributes of race or religion, gender, ethnicity.

We go back when we can to Ground Zero and still have a bucket list of addresses to look up for our own:

1.  Addresses to find:

• 318 West 21st Street, residence of Robert McClure McConaghy age 28 as of August 3, 1904, recent arrival (perhaps in 19 from County Tyrone, Ireland (date not known), son of Robert McConaghy and mother Sidney Torrens

• 301 East 26th Street, residence of Louise Lucinda Hilliard Brien age 26 as of August 3, 1904, recent arrival from County Tyrone, Ireland (date not sure, perhaps 1899?), father William Brien, kept his secret, and mother Margaret Hilliard who had no choice apparently.

• 24 University Place, Manhattan, church of marriage, Louise Lucinda (sometimes Lucinda Louise) presided: Ralph K. Hickok, see marriage certificate.

Northern European types can blend in easier.  All the more reason to extend helping hands to those demonized for other appearances. 

Immigrants: Count us in. McConaghy, Hilliard. To the Bronx, New York.  My mother, Marjorie, youngest of the surviving 5.

B. Places already enjoyed.

•   Woodlawn Cemetery

SW Pt 13158
Aster Plot Sec. 206
Lot Owners:  Robert McConaghy and Louise McConaghy, his wife, marrired as in section 1
Deed No. 18502

Record of Interments:
Lot 1.  Robert McConaghy 7 years 84903 (or 84843) 5/10/13
Lot 2.  Margaret Hilliard, 76 years 156623 2/13/38; Louise McConaghy 87 years 222038 2/11/63
Lot 3.  James Hilliard, 16 years, 83962 1/1/13; Frances Hilliard, 54 years 113872 2/7/24

Surrounding family areas:  Forman, Niebert, Youngling, Mauser, Peter, Pinzisa, Ahnen.  6 from Filbert Ave, 5 from North Border Ave.

Family spirit.  Former Mayor Giuliani was wrong when he said that the purpose behind 9/11 was to break our spirit.  No, as the letter (see Guardian, search online for Osama bin Laden) written to all of us afterwards is clear.  After centuries of colonialism, us invading by corporation and army for oil and turf, read Lawrence in Arabia,  the view of those who hit us was simple retaliation and to get us out of their lands.  Perhaps we should try that. The corporations and those who profit will not let us, is that so?  Our people have plenty of spirit, Mayor Giulini.  What we need is to try to unwind our own history of exploitation. Who said that?  This is a simple blog. For pleasure. Digression.

And the other side:  Canada.  Dad, naturalized in the 1930's; also New York. Immigrants Scotland-Ireland to Canada, Dad to the US: Proud of them. They also adjusted name spellings so the post office would not go nuts keeping the farms straight. No "exact match" possible for years.

Are naturalized persons considered immigrants? Here, Dad and family. Scharfe, Canada.