The John McCafferty and Julia Mulligan Family of South Bend, Indiana: An Analysis of Their Journey from Ireland to South Bend, Indiana in Census, Church and Other Records

John McCafferty and Julia Mulligan were in Indiana at least as early as 1863 when Mary was born and possibly earlier. Jno McCafferty is listed as a Head of Household in the St Joseph Church 1874 Lowell Census but the entry appears to be crossed out. I didn't see them in the 1876 census but they reappear in the 1880 St Joseph Church Census with their three children Mary, Rosa and James.

I believe that their daughter Mary McCafferty married Peter Frain on April 23, 1890 in St Joseph's Church in South Bend. Mary appears to die on July 10, 1891 (about 4 months after the birth of their son John Joseph, who also dies one month later in August of 1891). I have created pages on all of the Frain children that can be linked to from the Frains in South Bend page. John McCafferty, husband of Julia clearly dies sometime before 1899 when the South Bend City Directory was compiled (it indicates that Julia is a widow (her two children Rose and James live with her).

Of note: There was a Confirmation record at Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame on May 30, 1878 for a Joannus McCafferty. There is a Cedar Grove Cemetery record that shows a McCaffrey not McCafferty lot #41.

It is clear after the research I have done thus far in the South Bend Irish Community, that there are familial connections between many of these families, not just good friends witnessing each other's baptisms and marriages. There is clear evidence that some St Joseph Church Irish immigrant young adults traveled together out west to at least as far as Omaha, Nebraska (Frains, McNultys, Gormans and Brennans).

My objective is to try to determine if these South Bend, Portage Township Irish families shared common migration trails from Ireland, to England, aboard ships, to the various ports of entry, on train lines and on to South Bend. I intend to gather as much data as I can from census, church and other records, but the success of this project depends on the collaborative effort of other South Bend Irish descendents like myself. If we all put our pieces of the puzzle together the picture of their migration trails just may be a bit clearer allowing us all to get closer to our Irish roots.

Please contact me if you feel your are a descendent of this or other South Bend Irish Family so that we can work together to determine their origins!

Census, Church or other Record Date Born, Baptized, Married or Census conducted Father/ Husband/ Head of Household Mother/ Wife Child; other Occupation; Misc.
1870 US Census South Bend, Portage Township, St Joseph County, IN Census Conducted July 8, 1870 McCafferty, John, age 40 born in Ireland McCafferty, Julia age 43 Ireland McCafferty, Mary Ann 8 born in Indiana John is a Laborer; Real Estate Value $4000, Personal Property $150
" " " " McCafferty, Rosa, 2 born in Indiana  
" " " " McCafferty, James A, age 4 born in Indiana  
1874 St Joseph Church Heads of Families East South Bend   McCafferty, Jno (though this appears to be crossed out)      
1880 St Joseph Church Census, South Bend, IN 1880 McCafferty, John, age 54 Mulligan, Julia age 55    
" " " " McCafferty, Mary, age 18  
" " " " McCafferty, Rosa age 16  
" " " " McCafferty, James age 14  
1880 US Census for South Bend, Ward 4, St Joseph County, IN Census conducted June 3, 1880 McCafferty, John, age 54 born in Ireland; parents born in Ireland McCafferty, Julia, wife age 55 born in Ireland; parents born in Ireland McCafferty, Mary, 18 yr old daughter John was unemployed 3 mos during the past year he is a Laborer; Mary works at Mitten Factory- unemployed 8 mos in the past year;
" " " " McCafferty, Rose 16 yr old daughter born in Indiana; parents in Ireland; Works in a Paper Mill; unemployed 12 mos in past year.
" " " " McCafferty, James, 14 yr old son born in Indiana; parents in Ireland works in a Woolen Mill; unemployed 2 mos in the past year
South Bend, Indiana City Directory 1899 1899   McCafferty, Mrs Julia (wid John)   residence 120 N Francis (daughter Miss Rose McCafferty lives with her at 120 N St Francis). Rose works at the South Bend Woolen Co. son James works at Singer Mfg Company and resides there as well.
1900 US Census for South Bend, Portage Twp, St Joseph County, IN; residence at 120 N Francis Street Census conducted June 5, 19900 McCafferty, James, Head age 33 born April 1867 in Indiana; parents in Ireland; he is single (I believe this is the son of John and Julia)   McCafferty, Rose, Sister, single, age 36 born December 1863 Indiana; parents in Ireland (I believe this is the daughter of John and Julia) James is a Hardwood Finisher; Rose is a Housekeeper
" "     Costello, Mary, aunt, 70 yr old widow, born March 1830 in Ireland, parents born in Ireland Mary immigrated to the US in 1860; here 40 yrs.
1910 US Census for South Bend, Ward 4 St Joseph County, IN Residence at 120 ? no street listed Census Conducted April 15-29 McCafferty, James A, Head 44 born in Indiana; parents born in Ireland-he is single (this is the son of John and Julia McCafferty)   McCafferty, Rosa E, Sister 27 yr old single born in Indiana; parents in Ireland James is a Finisher at Singer Mfg Company;
" "     Costello, Mary, 89 yr old widowed aunt born in Ireland; parents born in Ireland  
1920 US Census for South Bend, Portage Twp, St Joseph County, IN 120 N St Francis St. Census conducted on January 8, 1920 McCafferty, Rosa, Head 57 yr old single born in Indiana; parents in Ireland (Daughter of John and Julia McCafferty)   Costello, Mary, Aunt, 90 yr old widowed aunt born in Ireland; parents born in Ireland ho occupation
1930 US Census for South Bend City, Portage Twp, St Joseph County, C 120 N St Francis St. Census conducted on April 17, 1930 McCafferty, Rose, Head 66 single born in Indiana; parents in Ireland (Daughter of John and Julia McCafferty)     Own Home; $5500 value; no occupation