The Martin Hilliard and Ellen Shea (Shay) Family of South Bend, Indiana: An Analysis of this Irish Family's Migration from Ireland to South Bend Indiana and Beyond in Notre Dame Sacred Heart Church Records, South Bend Census and Directories and other Resources
The Martin and Ellen (Shea or Shay) Hilliard Family are living in the South Bend, Indiana area at least as early as 1858. I have yet to find their marriage record but they were clearly from Hibernia and I have found six of their children's baptismal records in the Sacred Heart Parish Microfilm. They were living a couple of doors down from my second great grandparents Martin Brennan and Catherine Corcoran when the 1870 South Bend, Indiana Census was conducted and Ellen's mother Catherine Shay is living with them in the 1880 Census.
Once caveat to keep in mind: I viewed the Sacred Heart Church microfilm early on in my genealogy research and as I recall it was a challenge to decipher. If you see your family in this compilation please consider checking out the church microfilm via the South Bend, Indiana Library or a local LDS Family History Center to confirm my interpretation of the records.
Special Note: There is a list of lot owners in the Cedar Grove Cemetery Microfilm 1637531 item 3 that indicates that the "Hilliard family" owns lot numbers 175 and 176 in Section B. I'm not certain that this lot is tied to this family but it would be worth pursuing to check it out!
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.
Special Kudos to William, a Genealogist, who has family ties to Martin and Ellen Hilliard, has been researching this line and contributed to the creation of this page! According to William Charles and Margaret (Neenan) Duck had the following children: Mary Norma, Marjorie H, Louis Benjamin and Charles.
Research Observations and Analysis: Martin's wife is referred to as Ellen in the Census Records, but Helen or Helena in most of the Sacred Heart Baptismal Records. Her maiden name was spelled as both Shay and Shea. Her mother Catherine Shay is living with them in the 1880 Census. They were living in Center Twp (within South Bend Post Office area) in 1860 but were indexed incorrectly as Hillian. There is a possible Passenger List for a Martin Hilliard age 24 and a Catherine Hilliard age 20 traveling from the Port in Cork, Ireland on board the Mississippi arriving in New York on April 6, 1852 could possibly be this Martin Hilliard if his wife Ellen was also referred to as Catherine like her mother. I have chosen to leave this record off for now until that reach can be substantiated.
Census, Church or other Record | Date Born, Baptized, Married | Father/ Husband | Mother/ Wife | Child | Occupation; Misc. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame Baptismal Record | May 3, 1858 Birth and May 4, 1858 Baptism | Hilliard, Martino | Shay, Helena | Stanslai Dannis? | Helena McNals? and Maria Burns Sponsors |
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame Baptismal Record | May 3, 1858 Birth and May 4, 1858 Baptism | Hilliard, Martino | Shay, Helena | Helena Angela | Loetita? Fitzpatrick sponsors |
1860 US Census, Center Twp, St. Joseph County, Indiana Post Office South Bend | June 26, 1860 | Hilliard, Martin (age 29) born in Ireland (this was indexed incorrectly as Hillian) (Henry Macker a Laborer from Indiana lives with them) | Hilliard, Ellen, age 28 born in Ireland | Hilliard, Catharine, age 5 born in New York | Martin was a Farmer. Value of Personal Estate $200 |
" | " | Hilliard, Mary, age 5 born in New York | |||
" | " | Hilliard, Michael, age 4? born in New York | |||
" | " | Hilliard, John, age 2 born in Indiana | |||
" | " | Hilliard, Nelly, age 2 born in Indiana | |||
" | " | Hilliard, Jimsey, age 6/12 born in Indiana | |||
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame Baptismal Record | August 15, 1863 Birth and October 29, 1863 Baptism | Hilliard, Martino | Shea, Helena | Gulielmi | Anna D Regan (note after this record is hard to read... SB Black----? |
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame Baptismal Record | July 1, 1867? Birth and August 26, 1867 Baptism | Hilliard, Martino | Shein?, Helena | Daniel | Martinus Mason and Maria Fresnay sponsors |
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame Baptismal Record | May 19, 1869 Birth and May 23, 1869 Baptism | Hilliard, Martino | Shea, Helena | Thomas Joseph | Catharina Farell Sponsor |
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame Baptismal Record | June ?, 1872 Birth and July 7, 1872 Baptism | Hilliard, Martino | Shea, Helenis | Elizabeth Anna | Joannem Clifford and Joannes Hielan Sponsors (see possible death record for Elizabeth at bottom of compilation) |
US Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles Ancestry.com Database (Report of the Adjutant General of the State of IN) | December 1, 1864 Enlistment Date; January 12, 1864 into Company H, Indiana H Cavalry Regiment | Hilliard, Martin, Private | Residence St Joseph County Indiana; He survived the war. Mustered out on November 10, 1865 at Indianapolis, IN | ||
US Civil Ward Soldiers 1861-1865 Ancestry.com Database (Film # M540 roll 34) | Hilliard, Martin, Private | 12th Regiment, Indiana Cavalry, Company H Union Army | |||
1870 US Census for South Bend, Portage Township, St Joseph County, IN | July 9, 1870 | Hilliard, Martin, age 50 born in Ireland | Hilliard, Ellen, age 42 born in Ireland | Hilliard, Michael, age 13 born in New York | Martin is a Laborer with $800 Real Estate. Ellen (Keeping House) and Michael is in School |
" | " | Hilliard, John, age 12 born in Indiana | School | ||
" | " | Hilliard, Nellica?, age 6 born in Indiana | School | ||
" | " | Hilliard, Johanna age 4 born in Indiana | |||
" | " | Hilliard, Daniel, age 3 born in Indiana | |||
" | " | Hilliard, Thomas age 1 born in Indiana | |||
Indiana Marriage Collection 1800-1941 | January 1871 | Neenan, John | Hilliard, Catharine | Married in St Joseph County, IN; Book 6, page 393 | |
Sacred Heart Marriage Records | November 1, 1871 | Neenan, Joannem | Helliard, Catherinam | Joanne McCarthy and Maria Morgan Witnesses. A Granger, Priest | |
St Joseph Church Census, City of Lowell | 1874 | Neenan, Jno | (Jno Neenan Husband of Catharine Hilliard) | ||
St Joseph Church South Bend, IN Baptismal Records for William Edward son of John Neenan and Catharine Hilliard (dtr of Martin) | October 30, 1874 Birth and November 14, 1874 Baptism | Neenan, Johanna | Hilliard, Catharina | Gulielmum Edwardum (William Edward) | Michael Frain, Maria Hilliard, Joannum Hilliard Sp |
St Joseph Church South Bend, IN Baptismal Record for Thomas Marimto Neenan son of Joanne Neenen and Kate Hilliard (dtr of Martin) | August 19, 1876 | Neenan, Joannis | Heliard, Kate | Neenan, Thomas Martimo | John Heliard and Julia Heliard Sp; there was a cross before this record, did he die?? |
St Joseph Church Burial Record for William, son of Martin Hilliard | April 23, 1879 Burial | Helliard, Guillelmus age of 15 | Martinus Heliard and Patricius Tansey sp | ||
1880 US Census for South Bend, District 162 St Joseph County, IN (appears to be East St Vincent Avenue- residence) | June 1, 1880 census conducted | Hilliard, Martin, age 53 born in Ireland, parents born in Ireland | Hilliard, --le, Wife 50 born in Ireland, parents born in Ireland | Hilliard, Mary, Daughter 24 born in New York (parents of all their children born in Ireland) | Martin is a Farm Laborer; Daughter Mary is a House Servant |
" | " | Hilliard, Mike, Son age 23 born in New York | Farm Laborer | ||
" | " | Hilliard, John, Son age 22 born in New York | Works at Sewing Factory | ||
" | " | Hilliard, Julia, Daughter 18 born in New York | House Servant | ||
" | " | Hilliard, Johanna, Daughter, age 15 born in New York | Home | ||
" | " | Hilliard, Daniel age 12 born in New York | Works at Sewing Factory | ||
" | " | Hilliard, Thomas age 10 born in New York | Home | ||
" | " | Hilliard, Lizzie, Daughter | Home | ||
" |
" | Shay, Catherine, Mother in Law 60 born in Ireland, parents born in Ireland | Home | ||
St Joseph Church Burial Record for Johanna, child of Martin/Elln | July 24, 1881 Death and July 26, 1881 Burial | Hilliard, Martinii | Hilliard, Hellena | Johanna | Johanna died at the age of 12 |
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame Baptismal Records | May 24, 1882 Birth and Mary 28, 1882 Baptism | Neenan, Joanne | Hilliard, Cath | Genovisa | Town of Lowell; Hugo Dean? and Julia Condon Sp |
Sacred Heart Church Confirmation Records, Notre Dame (likely Daniel and Thomas of this family of Hilliards) | June 6, 1882 | Hilliard, Thomas (Guilielmus) and Daniel (Jacobus) | Microfilm 1617238 Item 10 | ||
Indiana Find a Grave Index 1800-2011 | 1882 | Neenan, John died at age 32 | Burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, St Joseph County, IN | ||
St Joseph Church, South Bend, IN Burial Record for Martin Hilliard | September 13, 1882 | Hilliard, Martinum | Martin died at the age of 56; Fallize CSC | ||
South Bend Indiana City Directory for 1885 | 1885 | Hilliard, Ellen (Wid of Martin) | Res 525 St Vincent; Son John, Thomas and Daniel all Laborers live with her at this address | ||
Illinois Cook County Marriages 1871-1920 for Daniel Hilliard (son of Martin) to Maggie Worley | November 28, 1889 | Hilliard, Daniel, age 22 | Worley, Maggie age 19 | License obtained November 27, 1889 (see the 1917 marriage record below for Daniel and Maggie's daughter Geneveve to Joseph Crepau for confirmation of this marriage) | |
NARA Civil War Pension Index: Gen Index to Pension Files 1861-1934 Ancestry.com Database | February 1, 1890 filing | Hilliard, Martin (Soldier) | Hilliard, Ellen, Wife | Service H 12 Ind. Cav. Applicaton 413863; Certificat # 312427 Indiana | |
NARA Headstones for Deceased Union Civil Ward Veterans 1879-1903 Ancestry.com Database | Hilliard, Martin | 12th Regiment; Burial Marker at Cedar Grove, Notre Dame Indiana. Contract issued ?, 3, 1891. | |||
St Joseph church Baptismal Record | November 23, 1890 baptism and Nov 8, 1890 Birth | Hilliard, Daniel | Woerle?, Margarita | Lyman? Martin | sponsors were Thomas Hilliard and Catharina Neenan; Stoffel CSC; page 155 Microfilm 1617235 item 4. |
St Joseph Church Baptismal Records | April 19, 1892 | Hilliard, Daniel (this is the son of Martin/Ellen) | Woerle, Margret | Hilliard, Wm A (Gulielmus Franciscus) | This was documented as a private baptism (this child may have been ill or died) |
South Bend Indiana City Directory for 1894 | 1894 | Hilliard, Ellen (Wid Martin) | 525 E St Vincent; Lizzie (Dressmaker) and Thomas (Mason) live with her. Son Daniel (Mason) lives at 927. N Hill | ||
South Bend Indiana City Directory for 1896 | 1896 | Hilliard, Ellen (Wid Martin) | 525 E St Vincent; Son Thomas and John (Laborers live here too) | ||
South Bend Indiana City Directory for 1899 | 1899 | Hilliard, Mrs Ellen (Wid Martin) | Res. 525 E St Vincent; Son Thos (Mason) and son Michael (works SB Toy MFG co) live with her. | ||
St Joseph Church, South Bend, IN Burial record for William Heliard | April 23, 1899 | Heliard, Martini | Shea, Helaena | Guilelmum | Guilelmum died at the age of 15 years; witnesses Martinus Heliard and Patricius Tansey |
Indiana Marriage Collection 1800-1941 (St Joseph County, IN) | December 26, 1899 | Duck, Charles E | Neenan, Margaret | Book 17, page 7; Genealogist William researching this line graciously provided this link to the Hilliard line! | |
1900 US Census for South Bend, Portage Twp, St Joseph County, IN (residence at 525 N Hill) | June 12, 1900 Census conducted | Hilliard, Ellen, Head age 70 yr old widow born in Ireland; parents born in Ireland. Daughter Catharlina Neenan (Neena) is living nearby | Hilliard, John, Son, 40 yr old widow born in IN, parents born in Ireland | Ellen was born in 1830, 13 kids, 7 living, immigrated here in 1855, in U.S. for 45 years, owns home free of mortgage; Son John was born May 1840 in Indiana, parents born Ireland. He is a Day Laborer | |
1900 US Census for South Bend, Portage Twp, St Joseph County, IN (residence at1204 Lawrence?) | June 12, 1900 Census Conducted | Neena, Catharina, Head 45 yr old widow born July 1864 in New York, parents born in NY? (Maggie Duck a border lives with them) (Dtr of Catherine and Martin Hilliard) Per William, Maggie Duck is Catherine Hilliard Neenan's Daughter Margaret Neenan! | Neena, John, Son, 27 yr old single son born February 1873 in New York, parents born in New York | Catharina has 6 kids, 5 living, owns her home free of mortgage, occupation Housework. Son John is a Surveyor | |
" | " | Neena, Nellie, Single Daughter age 22 born July 1877 in Indiana, parents born in New York | Nellie is a Telephone -? | ||
" | " | Neena, Jenovive, Single Daughter age 18 born May 1882 in Indiana; parents born in New York | |||
1900 US Census for South Bend, Portage Twp, St Joseph County IN (927 N Hill residence) (Daniel son of Martin/Ellen) | June 11, 1900 Census taken | Hilliard, Daniel, Head, 32 born August 1867 in Indiana, parents born in Ireland | Hilliard, Margurite 28 born October 1871 in Pennsylvania, parenst born in Pensylvania | Hilliard, Lamond, Son age 9 born November 1890 Indiana, parents born in Indiana - in school | Daniel and Margurite were married 10 years, 2 kids, 2 living, Daniel is a Brick Mason |
" | " | Hilliard, Genivive, Daughter age 6 born January 1894 Indiana, parents born in IN | |||
" | " | Worley, Cornelius, age 65 widowed Father in law born May 1835 Germany, parents born in Germany | Cornelius is a Machinist | ||
" | " | Worley, Clara, 22 yr old single Sister in Law born Feb 1878 Indiana, dad born in Germany, mom in IN | Seamstress | ||
South Bend Indiana City Directory for 1903 | 1903 | Hilliard, Mrs Ellen (Wid of Martin) | res. 525 E St Vincent; Son Thomas (Mason), Michael (Lab), Elizabeth live with her; Son Daniel is living with wife Maggie on 927 N Hill | ||
South Bend Indiana City Directory for 1905 | 1905 | Hilliard, Mrs. Ellen (Wid Martin) | res. 525 E St Vincent; Son Thomas J (City Inspector), John J (Mason), and Lizzie reside with her. | ||
Indiana Deaths 1882-1920 (possible death record for John, son of Martin/Ellen) | December 19, 1905 | Hilliard, John age 45 | died in South Bend, Ch 43, Pg 86 | ||
Indiana Deaths 1882-1920 | February 5, 1905 | Neenan, Catherine age 51 in South Bend, IN | Book CH 43, Page 101 | ||
Indiana Deaths 1882-1920 Ancestry.com Database (City Health Office, South Bend) | November 18, 1905 | Hilliard, Ellen | Ellen died at the age of 82 in South Bend, Indiana; Book Ch-43, Page 76 | ||
Indiana Deaths 1882-1920 Ancestry.com Database (City Health Office, South Bend) (possible death record for Michael son of Martin/Ellen) | February 22, 1907 | Hilliard, Michael | died in South Bend, H21, page 182 | ||
1910 US Census for South Bend, Portage Twp, Ward 4, St Joseph County, IN (res 827 Hill Street) (son of Martin/Ellen) | April 26, 1910 | Hilliard, Daniel, Head 42 born in Indiana, parents born in Ireland; | Hilliard, Margaret, Wife, age 38 born in Indiana, Parents born in Germany | Hilliard, Lehman, Son age 19 single born in Indiana, parents born in Indiana, occupation Electrotyper? Factory | Daniel was a City Policeman, owns home free of mortgage; 20 yrs this marriage - says marriage 1 or 2??; Margaret's first marriage, 3 kids, 2 living |
" | " | Hilliard, Genevivive, single Daughter age 16 born in IN, Parents born in IN, | Mailing Clerk Factory | ||
Indiana Marriage Collection 1811-1959 from familysearch.org website | June 25, 1917 application for marriage license | Crepeu, Joseph A | Hilliard, Geniveve M born January 10, 1894 South Bend, IN | Geneveve was the daughter of Daniel Hilliard who was born in IN and is retired and Mother Margaret Werle a Domestic also born in South Bend | |
Indiana Marriage Collection 1811-1959 | June 27, 1917 | Crepau, Joseph A | Hillard, Geniveve | St Joseph County | |
Indiana Deaths 1882-1920 (Ancestry.com Database online) | February 1, 1919 | Duck, Margaret Nunan died at age 38 in South Bend, St Joseph County, IN | Ch 49, page 202; Kudos to Genealogist William for providing this information on Margaret (Neenan) Duck. | ||
Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths Index 1916-1947 | January 19, 1944 Death and January 21, 1944 Burial | Hilliard, Elizabeth (aka Elizabeth Nelson) | Elizabeth Nelson, wife of Thomas Nelson and daughter of Martin Hilliard and Ellen Shea (says father's birth place USA) Elizabeth resided in Cook, County, Illinois and wa sa 69 year old Housekeeper. She was born in South Bend, Indiana on June 22, 1874. |