The William and Bridget Roach (Roche) Family of South Bend, Indiana: An Analysis of this Irish Family's Migration from Ireland to South Bend Indiana and Beyond in South Bend St. Joseph Church and Sacred Heart Church Records, Census and other Resources
William Roach and Bridget Homes (or Holmes) were both born in Ireland (1818 and 1820 respectively according to their obituaries). Bridget's obituary suggests that she first arrived in South Bend from Ohio in 1854. The first evidence I have of them in South Bend is a July? 16, 1856 Baptismal record from Sacred Heart Church for the baptism of Martin Rosch son of Gulielmo Rosch and Birgitta Home. On June 16 of the 1860 South Bend Census William (51) and Bridget (40) were living in Portage Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana with children Ellen (14) and Patrick (12) (all four are documented as being born in Ireland), while son Wm (11) was born in New York and children Martin (3) and Bridget (1) were born in Indiana. That would seem to indicate that they came from Ireland between 1848 and 1849. I believe that they most likely traveled east from New York around 1853 when the train lines opened up from New York to Chicago like my second great Grandparents Martin Brennan and Catherine Corcoran. William and Bridget Roach were clearly in my great grandparents circle of friends as evidenced by them witnessing their children's baptismal records at Sacred Heart Church at Notre Dame. Family lore has it that my great grandparents traveled by train with the McNulty's and Frains around this time. Martin and Catherine's son John was born in Ohio before their arrival in South Bend according to census records so they may have known or become acquainted with the Roach family before their arrival in South Bend as well.
The objective of this compilation is to try to establish the earliest possible evidence of this family in the United States through all available resources. I would love to hear from anyone who believes that they may be a descendent of this family so that we can work together to find their origins in Ireland and migration trail to the U.S. This will most definitely be a work in progress and all findings I speculate on would have to be proven for accuracy with Ireland and U.S. marriage records, church baptismal records and death records among other genealogical resources. Please use this information with that caveat in mind so that nothing is assumed and no stones are left unturned to assure it's your family and the connection is accurate.
Other Roche Family's in Sacred Heart Church Records of Interest: a Petrus Roche, son of Moses Roche and Maria Wheelan was born October 15, 1855 and baptized November 1, 1855
Research Observations and Analysis:
The 1880 St. Joseph Church Census is the first instance where I can see evidence of Bridget's maiden name, which appears to be Homes. Several other Sacred Heart Church records documenting her name are more difficult to decipher (the "H" being clear but the rest is less certain). William Roach's will left their home on Lot Number 4 of Sorin's First Addition in the Town of Lowell (a part of South Bend by January 1888 when the will was signed) to his surviving wife Bridget. Father Sorin from the University of Notre Dame sold land in what was referred to as "Sorin's Tract" to numerous Irish immigrants like my Great Grandfather Martin and the Roach Family. Martin and many of his Irish immigrant friends were laborers that helped build the University of Notre Dame. There was a St Joseph Church burial record for a Julia Roach in May 1881 who died at the age of 21. I don't see a link at this time to this Roach family. It says she was an illegitimate child of Lee Roach?
| Census, Church or other Record | Date Born, Baptized, Married | Father/ Husband | Mother/ Wife | Child | Occupation; Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 US Census for Conajoharie, Montgomery County, New York (probable census record for this Roach family) | July 20, 1850 Census Taken | Roach, Wm (36) born in Ireland | Roach, Bridget (33), Born in Ireland | Roach, Maria (8) born in Ireland | Wm was a Laborer |
| " | " | Roach, Ellen, 5 born in Ireland | |||
| " | " | Roach, Patrick, 2 born in New York | |||
| " | " | Roach, Wm, 4 born in New York | |||
| Sacred Heart Church, South Bend, Indiana Baptismal Record | July? 8, 1856 Born and July 16 Baptized | Rosch, Gulielmo | Home?, Birgitta | Martinus | Patritcius Carmudy? and Margarita O'Dea Sponsors |
| Sacred Heart Church, South Bend, Indiana Baptismal Record | January 11, 1859 Birth; January 21, 1859 Baptism | Rosch, Gulielmo | Owns?, Birgitta | Birgitta | Joannes Comenn and Cath Corkenan Sponsors |
| Sacred Heart Church Confirmation Record | August 15, 1859 | Roche, Gulielmus | |||
| 1860 US Census Record for South Bend, Indiana, Portage Township, St Joseph County | June 16, 1860 census taken | Roach, Wm (age 51) born in Ireland | Roach, Bridget (40) born in Ireland | Wm was a Laborer | |
| " | " | Roach, Ellen (14) born in Ireland | attended school | ||
| " | " | Roach, Patrick (12) born in Ireland | attended school | ||
| " | " | Roach, Wm (11) born in New York | attended school | ||
| " | " | Roach, Martin (3) Born in Indiana | |||
| " | " | Roach, Bridget (1) born in Indiana | |||
| Sacred Heart Church Confirmation Record | June 9, 1867 | Jacobus Martinus Roach (is this Martin born July 1856?) | Microfilm 1617238 item 10 | ||
| 1870 US Census for South Bend, Portage Township, St Joseph County, Indiana | July 9, 1870 Census taken | Roach, William (52?) born in Ireland | Roach, Bridget (45 born in Ireland) | William was a Laborer; value of Real Estate $1500; Value of Personal Estate $100; Bridget- keeps home | |
| " | " | Roach, Patrick (21) born in Mass. | Laborer | ||
| " | " | Roach, Martin, (13) born in Indiana | at home | ||
| " | " | Roach, William (10) born in New York | Sawyer | ||
| " | " | Roach, Bridget (11) born in Indiana | at home | ||
| " | " | Roach, Lizzy (7?) born in Indiana | |||
| St. Joseph Church, South Bend, Indiana Census for 1876 | 1876 | Roach, Wm (63) | Roach, Bridget (53) | ||
| " | " | Roach, Patrick (26) | note says not Pract. | ||
| " | " | Roach, Martin (19) | |||
| " | " | Roach, Bridget (17) | |||
| " | " | Roach, Lizzie (10) | |||
| St. Joseph Church, South Bend Indiana Census for 1883 | 1880 | Roche, William (66) | Homes, Bridget (58) | ||
| " | " | Roche, Lizzie (18) | |||
| " | " | Roche, Martin (23) | |||
| " | " | Roche, Pat (30) | note says they don't know where he is | ||
| " | " | Roche, Willie (28) | Married in Battle Creek | ||
| " | " | Roche, Ellen (32) | in Chicago- Widow? | ||
| " | " | Roche, Mary (32) | Mrs Comer | ||
| 1880 US Census Record South Bend, St Joseph County Indiana | June 2, 1880 Census taken | Roach, William, 56 born in Ireland as were his parents | Roach, Bridget, Wife (60) born in Ireland as were her parents | William has no occupation; family resided on Notre Dame Avenue | |
| " | " | Roach, Martin (22) born in Ireland as were parents | Sawyer? | ||
| " | " | Roach, Bridget (20) born in Indiana and parents in Ireland | at home | ||
| " | " | Roach, Elizabeth (15) born in Indiana and parents in Ireland | at home | ||
| The Register City Directory 1882, South Bend, Indiana page 81 of 117 | 1882 | Roach, William, retired res. cor. Notre Dame Av. and Edwardsburgh Road | |||
| The Register City Directory 1882, South Bend, Indiana Page 81 of 117 | 1882 | Roach, Martin, Wks Notre Dame, Res. cor. Notre Dame Av. and Edwardsburgh Road | |||
| Farr City Directory for South Bend, Indiana 1883 | 1883 | Roach, William, res. 905 South Bend Avenue | Roach, Martin (brickmaker) res 905 South Bend Avenue | ||
| " | " | Roach, Miss Bridget - res 905 South Bend Avenue | |||
| " | " | Roach, Miss Lizzie, res 905 South Bend Avenue | |||
| St. Joseph Church, South Bend, Indiana Burial Records | January 24, 1888 Death and January 31, 1888 Burial | Roache, Guilelmus (born 60-70 yrs?) | Ph. Fallize CSC? | ||
| South Bend Times Obituary (obtained by the South Bend Genealogical Society Irv Morse) | February 3, 1888 | Roach, William died Sunday at his home 905 South Bend Avenue age 60-70 yrs | East Side resident, died of general debilty. Funeral at 0930 Tuesday St Joseph's Church Rev. Father Fallize officiating | ||
| Last Will and Testament of William Roach file March 21, 1888; Will Record #6 pages 43-44, South Bend Archives | Will created November 16, 1886; into Probate (witnessed by Lizzie and Bridget Roach)on January 29, 1888; filed in open court March 21, 1888 | Roach, William of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana | Will states that son Martin stayed with him for several years and was main support of his mother and sisters. To wife Bridget- all real and personal property incl Lot #4 in Sorin's first Addition to Town of Lowell (now S.B.) On death of Bridget left all to son Martin who is the executor of the will as of Nov 16, 1886 | ||
| familysearch.org Michigan Marriages 1868-1921 - marriage record for William J Roach, son of William Roach and Bridget Holmes | June 19, 1889 Marriage in Battlecreek, Calhoun County, Michigan- St Philip's Church with JP McManus Priest | William J Roach age 39 of Battlecreek; born in New York (occupation Moulder) | Moore, Susie E (Susie E Heazelton?) age 31 of Battlecreek; born in Canada | William J was the son of William Roach and Bridget Holmes; witnesses Peter Flynn of Flint Michigan and Bridget Roach of South Bend, IN | |
| 1900 US Census for South Bend, Portage Township, Indiana District 0128 | June 7, 1900; residence 905 South Bend Avenue | Roach, Bridget, Head age 80 born in Ireland as were parents; widow | no occupation | She had 10 kids; 7 are living; unknown month and day for birthday (born about 1820) imigrated to US in 1832; 48 yrs here in US (so arrival here 1852?)owns her own home | |
| " | " | Roach, Martin, Son born November 1856 in Indiana; Parents born in Ireland; single age 43 | Contractor | ||
| " | " | Roach, Lizzie, Daughter born November 1866? in Indiana; parents born in Ireland; age 33 | Stenographer | ||
| Indiana Marriage Collection 1800-1941 WPA Book # 20, Page 505; St Joseph County, IN (possible marriage record for Martin J Roach) | St Joseph County Indiana Marriage Record June 27, 1906 | Martin J Roach married Anna B Millea in St Joseph County Indiana | *a Miss Anna B Millea lived at 262 S Chapin Street with her family Thomas P Millea in the 1899 South Bend (U.S. Directory) that may be her... She is not with he and his wife Maggie in the 1900 census though on 262 Chapin Street. | ||
| 1910 US Census fro South Bend, St Joseph County, IN ward 4; | April 25, 1910 Census taken; residence 906 South Bend Ave. | Roach, Martin J, Head 50 born in Indiana and parents in Ireland | Roach, Anna, Wife, 42 born in Ireland, parents born in Ireland | Roach, William J, Son 2 born in Indiana | Martin is a Contractor; First Marriage for both Martin and Anna, married 4 yrs, 2 kids, 2 living |
| " | " | Roach, Cecelia, Daughter 8/12 born in Indiana | |||
| " | " | Roach, Bridget, Mother age 94 widow, born in Ireland and parents born in Ireland | |||
| St Joseph Church First Communion Record, South Bend, Indiana | May 27, 1917 | Roach, Cecilia | Microfilm 1617236 | ||
| 1920 US Census from South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN ward 4 District 245 | January 2, 1920 census taken; residence 908 South Bend Avenue | Roach, Martin, Head 58 born in Indiana; parents born in Ireland | Roach, Anna or Inna? 42 born in Ireland; parents born in Ireland; she is naturalized citizen | Roach, William, Son 12 born in Indiana | Martin is a Contractor |
| " | " | Roach, Cecelia, Daughter 11 born in Indiana | |||
| " | " | Roach, Helen, Daughter 9 born in Indiana | |||
| Indiana Deaths 1882-1920 Ancestry.com database | July 25, 1912 Death in South Bend, Indiana per City Health Office, South BEnd, Book CH 46 page 256 | Roach, Bridget age 92 died July 25, 19122 | |||
| St. Joseph Church, South Bend, Indiana Death and Burial Record obtained from South Bend Genealogical Society- Irv Morse | Sept? 25, 1912 death adn September 29, 1912 Burial? | Roach, Mrs Wm Bridget died at the age of 92? | |||
| South Bend Tribune Obituary, South Bend, Indiana obtained by South Bend Genealogical Society Irv Morse | September 25, 1912 | Mrs Bridget Roach, widow of the late William Roach of 905 South Bend Avenue died age age 92. | Born in Ireland in 1820; arriving from Ohio 58 yrs prior (abt 1854?) Survived by 7 children: Mrs Mary Comer, Mrs Jacob Mathis? and Martin Roach of South Bend; Patrick Roach of Texas; William Roach of Battle Creek Michigan, Mrs John Logan of Chicago and Mrs Henry Judis? of Whiting Indiana. Funeral Friday 0930 St Joseph Church with Rev Peter Lauth CSC officiating; Burial Cedal Grove Cemetary | ||
| 1930 US Census for South Bend, St Joseph County, IN District 28 | April 2, 1830 census taken | Roach, Martin J, Head age 73; age 45 at first marriage (around 1902?) born in Indiana, parents born in Irish Free State | Roach, Anna B, age 54; age 31 at first marriage; born Irish Free State as were parents; immigration in 1888 and naturalized | Roach, Cecelia E, Daughter 21 born in IN | Martin J Roach is a Paving Contractor; he owns his own home, property value $10,000 |
| " | " | Roach, William J, Son 5 born in Indiana | |||
| " | " | Roach, Helen A, 20 born in Indiana |