Search for Missing Friends

The "Missing Friends" column was begun as a public service to readers of the Boston Pilot newspaper in 1831 and continued until 1916. The advertisements arose from necessity. In the transition to life in America families were separated, addresses lost and confused, and many of the newcomers simply disappeared into the vastness of the "promised land." The circulation of this Boston newspaper was not restricted to the city, not even the state, but was read by Irish groups across the country. What follows are advertisements relating to Kinsellas.

December 15, 1838 Information Wanted

Of MICHAEL KINSLEY, a native of the Parish of Lagan, county Longford, Ireland, who embarked for the United States in 1826, and has not since been heard from. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his sister BRIDGET, No.57 Eliot street.

January 10, 1852 Information Wanted

Of Bridget Feely, from parish Leagan, near Longford, - sailed from Liverpool in ship Vandalia, 13th of May, 1848, for New York - went to live in Brooklyn and moved from there to Williamsburg, N.Y, from there to the city & then to Boston - since then nothing has been heard from her - Should this meet her eye or any person knowing her, they would confer a favor by writing to her cousin, ANNE KINSLEY, care of Geo. Molloy, Liverpool Packet office, No.25 Market st, Lowell, Ms.

August 28, 1852 Information Wanted

Of Mrs. Mary Murphy, of Caherciveen, co.Kerry, who sailed from Cork in the St.Laurence, 27th May last, for Quebec. Her husband is anxious to hear from her. A letter addressed to him in care of Mr.JOHN KINSELLA, Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio, will be attended to.

October 30, 1852 Information Wanted

Of PATRICK KINSLEY, from parish Rathangan (co.Kildare), who landed in New York about 5 years ago. When last heard from he worked at Herd's Corner, Dutchess County, N.Y, and supposed to have gone to New Orleans. His brother is anxious to hear from him. Direct to Richard Merriman, Syracuse, N.Y.

January 1, 1853 Information Wanted

Of ELLEN KINSLEY, native of parish Kilcormick (co.Wexford), who landed in New York in 1841 and lived there till 1850, when she moved to Rochester, N.Y, - was married to Michael Corcoran, a blacksmith. Any information respecting her will be thankfully received by her brother, MICHAEL KINSLEY, Pottsville, Pa.

February 12, 1853 Information Wanted

Of JAMES & CATHERINE KINSLEY, natives of Drumavady, parish Annagh (co.Cavan), who came to this country in June, 1847, and not since heard from. Catherine is supposed to be in New York. Information respecting them will be thankfully received by their father, JOHN KINSLEY, Waltham, Ms.

April 22, 1854 Information Wanted

Of JAMES KINSELLA, a native of co Wexford; when last heard from was in Cleaveland (sic), Ohio. Information of him will be received by his brother, THOS KINSELLA, care of Mrs Hugh Alexander, corner of 10th & Thomson sts, Philadelphia, Pa.

September 16, 1854 Information Wanted

Of Thos & Richard Connor, and THOMAS KINSELA natives of Stranehealy, Glynn-of-Imeal, parish of Davidstown, co Wicklow. Richard Connor and THOS KINSELA left Albany, NY, in Sept, '49 - not heard from since. Thomas Connor left Utica, NY, in Oct. '51 - not heard from since. Information of them will be received by their sister Mary, 248 Genese st, Utica, NY, care of Alexander Rae.

October 21, 1854 Information Wanted

Of MATHEW KINSLEY, parish of Adamstown, co Wexford, who sailed from Waterford and landed in New York about 5 yrs ago, and is supposed to be in Rochester, NY. Information will be received by his sister MARY, care of George Molloy, No 25 Market st, Lowell, Mass.

March 31, 1855 Information Wanted

Of JAMES KINSELLA, town of Knockhouse, parish Kilmacaw, co Kilkenny, who sailed from Waterford last May in the ship "George Whiting," and landed in Quebec 1st July '54, since which time nothing has been heard of them - it is supposed that he came to the United States. Any one knowing of his whereabouts would confer a great favor by addressing Bartholomew Walsh, in cre of Francis Carr, Port Henry, Essex co, NY.

November 3, 1855 Information Wanted

Of DANIEL KINSELA, Kilthomas, parish Ferns, co Wexford, who emigrated from Dublin five yrs ago and landed in Quebec. When last heard of two yrs and a half ago was in Toliet (sic), Will Co. Ill. Information of him will be received by his brother JAMES, Albion, Orleans Co.,N.Y.

April 12, 1856 Information Wanted

Of THOMAS KINSELA, parish of Tinnyland, co Carlow, who came to this country about 6 yrs ago; when last heard from him he was in Louisville, Ky. Please address his brother JOHN, in care of Rev.P.O'Neill, King street, Chrrleston (sic),S.C.

August 2, 1856 Information Wanted

Of Thomas Conron and THOMAS KINSALA, of parish Baltinglass (co Wicklow); when least heard from were in Utica. Please address JAMES KINSALA, Utica, NY.
(Ad. of August 9, 1856 amends: "and THOMAS and RICHARD KINSALA")

June 13, 1857 Information Wanted

Of Mary Kelly, who sailed from Liverpool on board the "Constantine," and landed in New York on the 22d of April, in charge of a box, and has not been heard from since. Information received by JANE KINSELLA, Aurburn (sic), New York. If Mary Kelly does not come, she is requested to send the check of the box.

September 26, 1857 Information Wanted

Of JOHN KINSELA, aged 30 years, a native of Font Hill (co.Carlow), who sailed from Liverpool in the ship Albert Gallatin, on the 12th of July, 1851. His father, THOMAS KINSELLA (sic), residing in Auburn, is anxious to hear from him. Address John Magar, Auburn, New York.

October 10, 1857 Information Wanted

Of JAMES KINSLEY, from parish Killegney (co.Wexford); when last heard from was in Tennessee. Information received by his sister, MARY ANNE KINSLEY, 212 North 15th street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

January 1, 1859 Information Wanted

Of William Walton, a native of Wesport (co. Mayo), who came to this country about 4 years ago, and when last heard from was in St.Paul, Minnesota, last April. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his disconsolate wife, Mary, care of JAMES KINSLEY, Newport, Kentucky.

October 15, 1859 Information Wanted

Of James Toomey and MICHAEL KINSALA, natives of parish Black Ditches (co.Wicklow), who came to this country four years ago; and when last heard from were in Utica, New York. Any information will be thankfully received by their brothers, Michael Toomey, or JAMES KINSALA, Utica, New York.

August 4, 1860 Information Wanted

Of ROBERT KINSLEY. His brother, THOMAS KINSLEY, who left Salt Lake and who is now living at San Benicia, California, is anxious to learn his whearabout. Any information of him, directed to THOMAS KINSLEY, care of Capt.Walsh, San Benicia, California, will be thankfully received.
(ad. of 9/15/60 corrects:"San Francisco, California.")

Information taken from "The Search for Missing Friends, Vol.1-4" ed.Ruth-Ann Harris and B.Emer O'Keefe (Boston)
Vol.1 (ISBN 0-88082-022-5) Covers 1831-1850
Vol.2 (ISBN 0-88082-029-2) Covers 1851-1853
Vol.3 (ISBN 0-88082-033-0) Covers 1854-1856
Vol.4 (ISBN 0-88082-041-1) Covers 1857-1860

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