Hello to All:

This has been my most difficult "brick wall" in my familt history research - Hopefully someone reading this board can point me in a better direction.

Searching for history of the following family in Ireland, prior to immigration to the U.S. I have decent, if a bit sketchy, information on them once they arrived here, but nothing for their lives prior.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to trace back definitively to a county of origin...

Phillip O'Reilly (may also be spelled O'Riley or O'Rielly), was born about 1820 in Ireland. Occupation from 1870 U.S. Census - Farmer. Spelling of Surname on Census: O'Rilly.

Married Mary Graham, born about 1837 in Ireland.

Children:

Born in Ireland:

Thomas - B. Abt. 1858
John - B. Abt. 1860
James - B. Abt. 1862

Born in U.S.:

Phillip - B. Abt. 1863
Joseph - B. November 1866
Bernard - B. Abt. 1867
Peter - B. September 1869
Mary Ann - B. December 1872 - December 1874
Jennie - B. September 1877
Jane - B. Abt. 1880 - 1882

Mary Ann O'Reilly was my great-grandmother. She married Frank J. Leslie Jr. on February 27, 1892 at St. James Episcopal Cathedral, in Chicago.

Children:

Philip F. - B. February 5, 1894 - My gradnfather
Harold E. - B. November 23, 1895

Once in the U.S., they may have lived elsewhere for a time, but settled in the Chicago area, around Joliet, in Will County.

It is possible they sailed to the U.S. in March 1863 as I have found a ship passenger list from that date with what appear to be the correct names and ages. Name is epelled Reilley on the list.

There were 2 other O'Reilly families in the Joliet area at the same time Phillip and Mary were living there, but I have not established a connection:

James O'Riely (spelling from 1870 U.S Census) - B. Abt. 1830 in Ireland.

Wife Ann b. Abt. 1832 in Ireland

Children - all Born in U.S.:

Jane - B. Abt. 1858
Mary - B. Abt. 1862
Susan - B. Abt. 1867

Also - From a Book of Biographies of Will County, Published in 1878:

Frank T. O'REILLY (OREILLEY), farmer; P.O. Braidwood; was born in Meath Co., Ireland, May 1820, and is the son of Michael and Rose (TULLY) O'REILLY, of Ireland; his father was a blacksmith and a farmer; was raised on his father's farm; at the age of 14 years, he was engaged in driving a dray between Kells and Dublin, and engaged at this business until he emigrated to America, in 1847, with his mother and children; his father died when he was about 9 years of age; landed in New York City; they then went to Somerset Co., N. J.; here he was engaged in working in the copper-mines eighteen months; then to Newark, N. J., and worked in chemical factory about one year; then to the city of New York, where he was engaged in driving a team for a sugar refinery; at this business four years; then purchased a horse and dray, and was drayman in New York two years; then with the family they emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Will Co., Reed Twp., on the farm they now own, in July, 1855; first purchased 200 acres at $6 per acre, being among the first settlers of this township; made all improvements on the farm; country very wild , plenty of deer and prairie wolves. Married in 1853, to Miss Mary BRADLY, of Ireland, by whom they have had eight children, seven living. Has held several offices of public trust of Reed Twp. Democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic Church. Thomas O'REILLY is a brother of Frank T. O'REILLY, and was born about 1817; have been with each other throughout life; both are highly respected farmers of Will Co.; they started in life poor boys; have worked hard-driving the dray to a successful farmer; own 530 acres of improved land.

Hoping some of this will sound familiar or a random act of genealogical kindness will help with this brick wall.

If anyone has any information they are willing to share or any suggestions to further my research, it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.