Seek siblings, parents, other ancestors or any info about life in Ireland, England or journey to USA, etc. Have info to share; continued contact not necessary unless you wish.

Michael Frances RAFTER* b c1830 IRE
m Bridget DEE/DEA** b c1831 IRE [Bridget possibly b Tipperary per family rumor mill]. Unknown if married in IRE or ENG.
Moved to England & had first 5 of 7 children:

Mary b c1854, Warrington, Lancashire, ENG
Katherine "Kate" b Jul 1860, Orrell, Lancashire, ENG
John b c1861, Orrell, Lancashire, ENG
Margaret "Maggie" b c1862, ENG
Michael b c1866, ENG
Edward b 10 July 1868, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Cornelius b 10 July 1868, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Earliest sighting finds this family as "RAFFTREE" [a big hint on how they were pronouncing their surname or how enumerator was hearing it], 1861 UK census, Orrell, Lancashire, England. 1870 finds whole family in greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PA), USA area.

Whole family immigrated to USA between birth of son, Michael, in 1866 & July 1868; unknown if all traveled together; unknown port of departure from ENG. or arrival in US. Best guess is they made their way directly to Pittsburgh PA. where had two more children (twins). Michael worked in the coal mines in ENG. & PA. Can account for many descendants from 1870 forward, especially those of Cornelius. This family was Catholic. Have all available census (US and 1861 UK) info; cannot locate immigration or naturalization info.

* believe name changed from RAFTERY/RAFERTY/RAFFERTY but cannot document when/where
** unsure of exact spelling of surname; my grandmother pronounced it as "dee".

Thanks for looking.