I have been working on the Martin Claffey family tree below since 1998 along with researchers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, Germany and Ireland.  Hundreds of hours and hundreds of dollars have been spent on research by interested descendents.
       Because so many people are working on this tree I wanted to share what we have so far and ask for corrections and additional information.  Please email [email protected]

There is a slim indication that Martin may have been in Rochester
(Monroe Co.) NY prior to homesteading in Wisconsin in 1843.  His sister Bridget Claffey Fleming (#79) is the source of this hunch.  On 23 Sep 1838 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Rochester, NY Michael Fleming (born 14 Sep 1838) was baptized.  He was the son of Bridget Claffey and John Fleming.  Is this the same Michael Fleming as #84 below?  Rochester was the home of Peter, Daniel, and James Claffey at that time.   Peter was from Co. Westmeath and documents show that Daniel and James were brothers--could Martin be another brother?

                                     Click on Photo for larger view       Photo courtesy of Dale Hammerschmidt

 

Here is a picture of James George Claffey -- my Great GF and the son of the original immigrants (Martin Claffey and Ellen nee Martin -- with his wife, Catherine nee Sullivan, and their five children.  A recent find in an attic.

01 Martin Claffey b @ 1815 Co. Westmeath d 9 Feb 1888
02 +Ellen Martin b 1826, d 20 June 1900
03-----James George Claffey, Sr. b 19 May 1847 d 16 Dec 1916
04-----+Catherine Sullivan b Aug 1857 d 31 Mar 1933
05----------Martin Edward Claffey b 02 Oct 1882 , d 19 Apr 1931
06----------Nellie (Helen) Loretta Claffey b 21 Sep 1880 d 20 Feb 1971
07----------Thomas Joseph Claffey b 19 Aug 1884
08----------Mary Loretta Claffey Dawson b 21 Jun 1879 d 10 Jun 1903
09----------+George (Charley) Dawson
10-----------------Raymond (died in infancy)
11----------James George Claffey Jr. b. 23 June 1894, d. Dec 1980
12----------+Margaret Lidia Sherar (1st) b. 12 Dec 1894
13-----------------Helen Loretta (Nellie) Claffey b. 5 Mar 1922
14-----------------June Charlotte Claffey Hammerschmidt b 5 Jun 1914
15-----------------Mae Claffey Landman
16-----------------+Louis Charles Landman
17----------+Adelaide Sovde Claffey (2nd)b 4 Sep 1901 d 24 Sep 1995
18-----------------James Alan (Allen) Claffey b. St. Paul, MN
19-----Katharine (Kate) Claffey b 18 Feb 1856 in WI
20-----+Paul Steinke
21-----Charles S. Claffey b 24 Dec 1853 d 27 Mar 1905
22-----+ Mary (Marey) Dooley b @ 1859 d 7 Jul 1959
23----------Mary Ellen (Mae) Claffey b. 25 Apr 1883 d 15 Feb 1969
24----------Margaret Agnes Claffey b 6 Mar 1882 in WI
25----------Charles Herbert Claffey b. 13 Apr 1888 MN d 15 Jan 1963
26----------Irene Claffey Keogh b 22 May 1890 d Feb 1967
27----------George Claffey b. @ 1895 in MN
28----------Edmund J. Claffey b. 7 Sep 1896 in MN, d 7 Sep 1966
29----------+Marcella C. O'Malley b 09 Oct 1905, d 27 Apr 1997
30---------------Frances Lillian Claffey b. 27 Jul 1885
31----------Francis E. Claffey b 16 Sep 1899 MN d 28 Jun 1961
32----------+Grace Doyle Claffey b 7 Apr 1899 d Dec 1978
33----------------Clayton (died in auto accident)
34----------Gertrude Claffey Repp b. 05 Sep 1892 d Aug 1986
35----------+Edward Repp
36-----Thomas Claffey b 1850 d 02 or 28 Nov 1881 in accident
37-----+Ellen F. Helen Donnelly married 25 Sep 1881, d 1 Nov 1890
38-----Bridget Claffey Kelly b13 May 1859 in WI, single on 1880 cen.
39-----+ Matthew Kelley married 3 Oct 1880
40----------Matthew Daniel Kelly b 28 Aug 1881, baptized 31 Aug1881
41----------Loretta Kelly b 28 Jan 1884, baptized 3 Jan 1884
42----------Helen Pearl Kelly b 9 Sep 1886, baptized 18 Sep 1886
43----------Walter John Kelly b 2 Mar 1890, baptized 8 Mar 1890
44-----John Martin Claffey b 5 Jul 1861 in WI baptized 14 Jul 1861
45-----+Johanna (Joan) Keneally b @ 1863 d 16 Mar 1917
46----------Thomas J. Claffey b 24 May 1892 d 25 Aug 1964
47----------+Frances G. Trapp
48---------------Francis F. Claffey b. @ 1925
49---------------Vincent J. Claffey b. @ 1928
50---------------Donald G. Claffey b. 15 June 1930
51----------Catherine Bridget Claffey b7 Aug 1893, bap 13 Aug,d 1977
52----------+ Walter T. Flynn married 25 Aug 1920
53---------------Katherine Ann Flynn b. 1931 d 1933
54----------Mary Helen Claffey b 1 Dec 1894, bap 9 Dec
55----------Anna Clara Claffey b. 29 Dec 1896 d. Jan 1977
56----------Margaret Marcella Claffey b 5 Apr 1898, baptized 17 Apr
57----------Frances Magdalena Claffey b. 22 Dec 1899, bap 24 Dec
58----------Martin Jerome b 24 Mar 1901, bap 31 Mar, d June 1968
59----------+Evelyn C. b. 15 Jun 1908 d 11 May 1998
60----------John James Claffey bap 15 Jan 1903, d 1963
61----------+Gayle A. b 1910 d 1992
62----------Vincent Aloysius b 28 Sep 1904, bap 2 Oct, d 1911
63----------Charles Dominic b 20 Oct 1907
64----------+Mathilda Weber
65----------Francis Raphael b. 5 Jun 1909, bap 13 Jun
66-----Martin Claffey (Jr.) b. 8 Oct 1863 bap 18 Oct, d 25 Nov 1906
67-----+Minnie Jennerjohn  married 23 Nov 1892, Milwaukee, WI
68-----Eleanor Claffey b. 16 Sep 1865, bap 24 Sep 1865
69-----Daniel Edward Claffey b 24 Sep 1867 bap 29 Sep
70-----+Gertrude Kern
71----------Martin Edward Claffey b 16 July 1893 bap 23 July
72----------Daniel M. Claffey b 16 July 1893
73----------Bernard Daniel Claffey (Ben)b 30 Apr 1896 d 24 Sep 1977
74----------+Ary C. Reichel b 8 Mar 1896 d 10 Nov 1976
75---------------James Daniel Claffey, Sr b 4 Nov 1922 d 19 Jan 1989
76---------------+Betty Bernower b 19 Nov 1922 d 2 Jan 2001
77---------------Kathlene Claffey Newby b 1920
78---------------+Wayne Newby
79 Bridget Claffey Fleming b @ 1813 married @ 1833 d 1888
80 +John J. Fleming b 1809 (some records say 1812) d 1899
81-----John Fleming d 1887
82-----+ Ann Flynn
83----------Michael Fleming bap 12 Aug 1866 in WI
84-----Michael Fleming b @ 1839 in New York
85-----+Kathryn Riley
86-----Charles Fleming b 27 Dec 1844 in WI d. 16 Aug 1915
87-----+Bridget Elizabeth Dunn b 14 May 1858 d 21 Feb 1907
88-----Catherine Fleming b @ 1848
89-----+Michael Golden
90-----Helen Fleming b 1850
91-----Thomas Fleming b @ 1851 died after 1860

 

NOTES:

01-Martin Claffey-Buried Lake Five Catholic Cemetery, Washington
     Co. WI, some records give 1815 as birth date.  He homesteaded
     land in Lake Five (an Irish settlement) in 1843 and was among the
     first to settle there.  He first attended St. Huberts Catholic Church
     which was established in the German section of the county.   Family
     lore is that his father was also named Martin.  A man named Martin
     Claffey lived on Clara Road, Killeenboylegan townland, Moate, Co.
     Westmeath in 1825 in a small house.
02-Ellen Martin Claffey-Daughter of Thomas and Catherine Martin who
     were WI settlers.  Married 1845 probably at St. Columba's Church in
     Lake Five, Wisconsin; registers too faded to read.  Obit from Hartford
     Times, 28 June 1900, Hartford, WI incorrectly gives birth place as
     Queens Co. Ireland; Grave marker says Kings Co.  She died at her
     home in Richfield, WI.  Her brother's marker says he was from
     Clonsast Parish in Kings Co, Ireland.  She may have been named
  Bridget Ellen Martin.     See Obit page.
03-James George Claffey, Sr. born Wisconsin, d. in St. Paul, MN.
     Had been a resident of Montana at one time.  Birth year may be
     1850
04-Catherine Sullivan Claffey married 26 Aug 1878
05-Martin Edward Claffey born in St. Paul, MN, died at Baptist
      Sanitarium of TB in El Paso, TX, buried St. Paul, MN, Pvt. US
      Marine Corps enlisted 13 Mar 1906 in Deluth.
06-Nellie (Helen) Loretta Claffey born in St. Paul, MN, died Regina
      Nursing Home, Hastings, MN.  In 1890/91 Nellie Claffey worked
      at Minnesota Shoe Co. and boarded at 1012 Fauquier St. in St. Paul.
07-Thomas Joseph Claffey born St. Paul, MN
11-James George Claffey Jr. died Waukesha, WI, some data lists his
   birthplace as Quebec, Canada.  Went by his middle name, George.
   Worked as Civil engineer for Great Northern Railroad.
12-Margaret Lidia Sherar born New Carlisle, Bonaventure Co.,
   Quebec, Canada, 2nd marriage to Lionel Swenson 2 Feb 1927, died
   30 Aug 1964 in Great Falls, Cascade, Montana
19-Katharine (Kate) Claffey resident of Waukesha, WI, single in
   1880, baptized 26 Feb 1856
21-Charles S. Claffey born in Richfield (Washington Co.) WI, lived in
   Shieldsville (Rice Co.) Minnesota, went by nickname "Charley"
   Charles was a single farmer in 1880 in WI.  Married 29 May 1881.
22-Mary Dooley Claffey was b. @ 1859 in WI per 1910 MN census
23-Mary Ellen (Mae) Claffey born Washington Co., WI, baptized 29
   Apr 1883, died Faribault, Rice Co, MN unmarried
24-Margaret Agnes Claffey baptized 12 Mar 1882
25-Charles Herbert Claffey b. MN, d. Waukesha, WI, buried St.
   Joseph's Cemetery, worked as Inspector at Waukesha foundry in
   1920.
26 Irene Claffey Keogh resident of Fairbault Co, Rice, MN
28-Edmund J. Claffey (Edward on some census) born in MN died
     at age 70, buried St. Joseph's Cemetery, Waukesha, WI
29-Marcella C. Claffey was from Waukesha, WI, she died at Le
     Center, Le Sueur, MN
30-Frances Lillian Claffey baptized 3 Aug 1885
31-Francis E. Claffey b 16 Sep 1899
32-Grace Doyle Claffey died at Faribault, Rice, MN
34-Gertrude Claffey Repp lived in Le Center, Le Sueur, MN
36-Thomas Claffey's mother's obit incorrectly says he died in 1871.
      Thomas Claffey died in St. Paul, MN.  Was a single farmer in 1880,
       baptized 15 Feb 1852, married 25 Sep 1881
38-Bridget Claffey Kelly baptized 15 May 1859
44-John Martin Claffey was in Utsalady, Island Co. Washington
      Territory in 1889.
46-Thomas J. Claffey, veterinary surgeon, owned house in Alderly
      Village, Dodge, Ashippun, WI, died in Los Angeles, CA
56 & 57 Magdalena & Marcella Claffey were both single in 1920
      boarding at St. Catherine's Home in Milwaukee and working as
      stenos for the Electric Co.
66-Martin Claffey (Jr.) born in WI, resident of Milwaukee
67-Minnie Jennerjohn was born in New Berlin, WI daughter of
     Christian Jennerjohn and Sophia Wentlin, farmers from
     Mecklenburg, Germany.
68-Mary Ellen Claffey, baptism apparently recorded as Eleanor,
     joined sisterhood in Mantiowoc.  Buried in Mantiowoc Rapids,
     Mantiowoc Co, WI: SR. M./Germaine Claffey d. 3 July 1834.
72-Daniel M. Claffey birthdate same as for his brother Martin Edward
     Claffey.   Have record of Martin Edward's baptism on 23 July 1893,
     but no record of Daniel M.'s baptism.  Did he die before July 23?  Is
     this why the next child was also named Daniel?
73-Bernard D. (Ben) Claffey foundry foreman In Waukesha, moved to
     Dayton, Ohio, died in Montgomery Co, OH
74-Ary C. Claffey died in Montgomery Co. OH  she was named Mary
     by her parents but since name was incorrectly recorded as Ary, she
     went by that name.
75-James D. Claffey, Sr had 8 children, one died at birth, leaving six
     daughters and one son.
76-Betty Bernower Claffey of Canton, OH married 11 Sep 1944
77-Kathleen Claffey Newby had 4 girls and 2 boys.
79-Bridget Claffey Fleming married @ 1834 Tinnymuck, Co.
     Westmeath, Ireland, per some records.  Cannot locate Tinnymuck
     in Co. Westmeath, however Tinamuck is located in Kings Co.,
     Kilcoursey Barony, Kilmanaghan Civil Parish, Tullamore Poor
     Law Union, Leinster Province.  Bridget's brother's monument
     mentions that he was from Parish Clonsast which is in Kings Co.,
     Coolestown Barony, Edenderry Poor Law Union, Leinster Province.
     The Town of Tullamore has been mentioned in family lore.
80-John Fleming lived in Erin township WI on 1860 census.
86-Charles Fleming and Bridget Dunn (daughter of William and
      Rosanna Brady Dunn) married 21 Nov 1876 at St. John's Catholic
      church in Monches, WI.  Their daughter Catherine was baptized 23
      Sep 1877 and Amanda Marie was baptized 16 Aug 1879.  Charles
      Fleming buried at St. Columba Catholic cemetery in Lake Five, WI

QUESTIONS:

??-Patrick Claffey died in Feb 1879 somewhere in Walworth Co., WI.
Who was he?  Was he the husband of Margaret Claffay (spelled that
way on the 1880 census of Elkhorn) b @ 1845 whose children were
named Mary S., Martin, Margaret, Bridget and James. The mother
Margaret later married John Driscoll who was 7 years younger than
she.  Could Patrick be a son of Martin and Ellen Claffey?

A widow named Mary Claffey lived in LaFayette, Walworth Co, in
1880.  Perhaps she was Patrick's widow?  An 18 year old Mary Ann
Claffee worked for the Babcock family in LaFayette in 1880.
Note the various spellings of Claffey on the 1880 WI census.

Need to know the parents and middle names of the following people:

Ellen F. (Ella) Claffey b. 20 June 1901 in Waukesha, WI.

James C. Claffey was born 25 Jan 1897  Milwaukee Co, WI.

John F. Claffey was born 07 Aug 1893  Washington Co, WI.

John J. Claffey b 10 Feb 1894 Waukesha Co, WI

John M. Claffey b 24 Mar 1901 Washington Co, WI

Martin W. Claffey b 19 Aug 1899 Milwaukee Co, WI

Thomas J. Claffey b 24 May 1892  Washington Co, WI

Joseph Calffey b 10 Feb 1894, d Jan 1978 lived in Hartland,
Waukesha, WI.

Neva Claffey b 28 July 1895, d Jan 1969, lived in Waukesha, WI.

Pearl Claffey b 24 July 1892 d July 1978, lived in Waukesha, WI.

Agnes A. Claffey b 15 Feb 1899 d 4 Mar 1988 from PA, lived in
Janesville, Rock Co, WI.

Erna Claffey b 11 Dec 1902 d Jan 1982, Milwaukee, WI

Esther M. Claffey b 26 Jul 1914 d 31 May 1993 from IL, lived in
Milwaukee, WI

Clarence J. Claffey b @ 1898 worked as Laborer in an Aluminum
Plant in Waukesha in 1920 and boarded on White Rock Avenue with
a German cigar maker whose name I can't read and that man's wife,
Catherine.  Who were his parents?

In 1890 Thomas Claffey was living at the Veterans Home in
Milwaukee.  Is this the one who was a drummer in the Civil War,
enlisted at Janesville (Rock Co.) WI, occupation teamster?
Thomas Claffey died 02 Apr 1892 and is buried in Wood National
Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI.  Who were his parents.  This is not the
Thomas (#36) who died in 1881 accident.

I have a few additional details on most of these people and will be
glad to check my files if you have a particular interest in one of
them.
Note that to the best of our knowledge, no living persons are
included.

Home Page..........States Index...... Webmaster...camounts