I am also up against a brick wall searching the Pennsylvania Manley's.

My grandfather was Patrick Manley (b 1861) and he married Catherine Gilroy. They had 13 children: Patrick, Edward, Simon, Alexander, Anna, Joseph, Margaret, Ellen, Mary, William, John, Thomas, and Esther. The family was raised in Avoca, Pa. William (my father) married Marion Quinnan from Pittston, Pa. They settled in Buffalo, NY where I, and my brother Thomas, were born. Most of the children of Patrick and Catherine eventually also settled in the Western New York area.

The only thread of information that I have offering a clue of my family's origin beyond Grandfather Patrick is a ship's manifest (http://istg.rootsweb.com/18) which lists Ellen Manley and children. Ellen was shown as 27 years old at that time (1867). The children included Patrick, Ellen, Peter, Mary, and Michael. No father was listed (another ship?). I believe that Patrick was my grandfather.

I welcome any links to this family which anybody can offer.