Patrick Kavanagh

Patrick Kavanagh was born at 'The Rock', Arklow on 11 August 1897, to Denis Kavanagh and Julia Reilly. His birth was registered on 15 September 1897, with his mother Julia the informant.

1901 Census

Enumerated as a 3-year-old living with his parents, Denis and Julia, and younger sister Lizzie at 32 Proby's Row, Arklow.

1911 Census

Listed as living in Household 11, Rock Big with his parents and seven siblings; Lizzie, Denis, Mary, James, William, Edward and Michael.

Emigration & Life in New York

Patrick emigrated to the United States and married Sarah "Sadie" Rolf. Records for four children have been found:

• Robert

• Martha

• Irene

• Barbara

By 1940, the family was renting a home at 206 60th Street, Brooklyn, New York, for $60 a month. Patrick worked as a Barge Captain on local boats, having achieved naturalisation as a US citizen. Their household in 1940 consisted of Patrick, as head of household aged 42, alongside his wife Sadie, aged 38. They had three children living with them at the time: nine-year-old Robert (born in Richmond, New York), seven-year-old Martha, and four-month-old infant Irene (both born in Brooklyn).

By 1950, Patrick and Sadie had moved their family to 180 83rd Street in Brooklyn, where they occupied a second-floor apartment. Patrick, aged 52, continued his career on the water, working 40 hours a week as a "Barge Captain" for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, earning $3,550 in wages during the previous year. Sadie, listed as Sadie L., aged 51, managed the household. Their household had expanded to include four children: 20-year-old Robert and 17-year-old Martha, both working as sales clerks in retail candy, alongside 10-year-old Irene and 7-year-old Barbara.