Quick Links

Banner Photo Info



Links

rooneys.org

The Rooney Story - Canada

Canada

Even though the history of the Rooney ancestors in Ireland virtually unknown, what is known is that the Rooneys immigrated to Canada and lived there for many years before moving to Minnesota. One source of information that provides us with a reason the Rooney’s settled in Canada after departing from Ireland is a Works Progress Administration (WPA) interview, given by John Egan, of Minnesota, in 1937. John Egan, grandson of Patrick Rooney and great grandson of Daddy Mick, provided the WPA with an interview, entitled "ORIGIN OF ROONEY FAMILY". All the information contained in the interview may not be totally accurate because the interview occurred about 100 years after the facts had been passed down from the earlier generations. But, the interview tells a story that may provide a reason for the Rooney’s settling in Canada.

A portion of the "ORIGIN OF ROONEY FAMILY" interview by John Egan is shown here:

    "About the year 1845 there was a great famine in Ireland and the tribe or family of Rooney, to escape death by starvation, boarded a sailboat bound for New York City. When they had reached mid-ocean the old wooden vessel sprang a leak and all hands were forced to man the pumps in order to keep it afloat. After a time, when all hope of ever seeing land again was gone, the captain sighted another vessel and hailed it. When the vessel came alongside the captain explained his situation and asked if his passengers could be transferred from the sinking vessel. The captain agree to do so and the transfer was made. The ill-fated vessel sank in about 15 minutes. After the ship was underway someone inquired as to their destination and the captain answered, "Quebec". The Rooneys had no voice in the matter and were put ashore at Quebec, after nearly 50 days on the water".

This story only seems possible if the date was for the year of 1835, because the 1842 census records indicate that Patrick Rooney arrived in North America about 1835. The 1845 date shown in the written account of the interview may be a typographical error or simply a misstatement by John Egan.

The precise reason the first Rooneys selected to settle in the Gatineau Valley area is only a guess. Perhaps, they had learned that other Irish families had located there or that employment in farming or lumbering was possible. Other family members that would immigrate later, no doubt, headed directly to the Wakefield area in Quebec, to join their family members that arrived earlier, rather than immigrate to New York or some other port.

Canada - Gatineau Valley

Research has uncovered many records of Rooney family ancestors who once lived in the Gatineau Valley of Quebec, Canada. Some of these records are church records, cemetery tombstones, Canadian census records, and a series of letters written between members of the Martin family, beginning in the late 1860’s. These records show that the first Rooney was in Canada in 1829.

Notre Dame d'Ottawa

The earliest record found to date was the December 20, 1829, baptismal record of William Dowlan, son of Michael Dowlan & Maria Daclay, in the Notre Dame d'Ottawa Basilica. William's sponsors were listed as Thomas Kilroy & Bridget Rooney. This Bridget Rooney is believed to be the eldest daughter (born ~1806) of Michael Rooney and Catherine Caulfield. Thomas Kilroy was Bridget's husband. Likely they were married at the time, but no Canada or Ireland records have be found to confirm when they were married. Their names have not been found in the 1842 Canadian census either to indicate how long they had been in Canada.

The first record of a child being born to Bridget and Thomas wasn't until 1832 with the baptism of Anne Kilroe on December 17, 1832. No census records have been found for Bridget and Thomas to show if they had any children older than Anne.

The next record of another Rooney in Canada was the baptismal record of Thomas Kilroe on July 25, 1834. Thomas' sponsors were listed as Patrick Rooney (born ~1808) and Ellen Tracy. This is consistent with the 1842 census from Wakefield Township which shows Patrick and Michael Rooney as having been in Canada for seven years.

The first appearance of Michael Rooney (born ~1809) in a record was the November 15, 1835, baptism of John Roarke, son of John Roarke and Catherine Kilroe. Catherine may have been the sister of Thomas Kilroe, husband of Bridget Rooney, linking the two families.

A fourth Rooney sibling in Canada was Ann Rooney (born ~1818), wife of Michael Tracy. Ann was listed in the baptismal record of her oldest son, Michael on July 7, 1838. The 1842 census lists Michael Tracy as having been in Canada for 10 years, but it is unlikely that Ann moved from Ireland to Canada in 1832 with Michael since she would have only been 14. Since there is no marriage record for Michael and Ann in Canada, it is possible that Michael returned to Ireland to marry Ann.

The first Canadian marriage record found was for Michael Rooney and Maria Tracy on July 9, 1838. The record shows Michael and Maria were married in the presence of Patrick and John Rooney. This is the first record showing John (born ~1820) in Canada. Michael and Maria were listed as both being from Ireland but residing in the Township of Wakefield.

Two additional records of the known Rooney clan from Notre Dame d'Ottawa were the baptismal records of Bridget Rooney on November 16, 1834 and Maria Rooney on May 14, 1836. Both Bridget and Maria were daughters of Patrick Rooney and Ellen Tracy.

One interesting thing at this point is that three of the Rooney siblings were married to Tracy's:

    Patrick Rooney m. Ellen Tracy
    Michael Tracy m. Ann Rooney
    Michael Rooney m. Maria Tracy, July 9, 1838

Also of interest is the various spellings of the Rooney name found in the Canada church records: Roney, Roany, Roaney, Rouny, Rowney, and Rowny.

Saint Paul, Aylmer

In 1838, a new Catholic church was organized in Aylmer. Since the Rooney's resided in the Township of Wakefield, this church was closer, but still some distance away. Unfortunately, the published records for Aylmer only begin in 1841. The records for four Rooney children are still missing at this time. Those children are John Kilroe, son of Thomas Kilroe and Bridget Rooney; Patrick Rooney, son of Patrick Rooney and Ellen Tracy; Catherine Rooney, daughter of Michael Rooney and Maria Tracy; and of Ellen Tracy, daughter of Michael Tracy and Ann Rooney.

The first three records from Saint Paul church in Aylmer were Ellen Rooney, daughter of Patrick Rooney and Ellen Tracy, baptized March 20, 1841; Mary Ann Rooney, daughter of Michael Rooney and Maria Tracy, baptized April 13, 1841; and Mary Tracy, daughter of Michael Tracy and Ann Rooney, baptized October 18, 1842.

1842 Census

The Canada census of 1842 helped confirm much of what was found in the church records - at least within a year or two. The census records of the Rooney clan were found in the Township of Wakefield:

    Michael Tracy - 6 in household, 3 Irish, 3 Canadian, 10 years in Canada (1 alien)
       Under 5 - 1 male (Michael b. 1838), 2 female (Ellen b. 1839 or 1840, Mary b. 1842)
       Age 21-29 - 1 married male (Michael Tracy)
       Age 14-44 - 1 married female (Ann Rooney)
       Age 45+ - 1 married female (Michael's mom, ?)
    Patrick Rooney - 7 in household, 3 Irish, 4 Canadian, 7 years in Canada
       Under 5 - 1 male (Patrick b 1838 or 1839), 1 female (Ellen b. 1841)
       Age 5-13 - 1 female (Bridget b. 1834 or Mary b. 1836)
       Age 14-17 - 1 single male (?)
       Age 30-59 - 1 married male (Patrick Rooney)
       Age 14-44 - 1 married female (Ellen Tracy) and 1 single female (?)
    Michael Rooney - 6 in household, 3 Irish, 3 Canadian, 7 years in Canada
       Under 5 - 2 female (Catherine b. 1838 or 1839, Mary Ann b. 1841)
       5-13 1 female (one of Patrick's daughters, Bridget or Mary?)
       21-29 1 married male (Michael Rooney) and 1 single male (John Rooney)
       14-44 1 married female (Maria Tracy)

After the 1842 census and while attending Saint Paul Aylmer church in the 1840's, the young Rooney families continued to grow.

Saint Paul, Aylmer (cont.)

Patrick Rooney and Ellen Tracy added Joseph Rooney, baptized January 24, 1844, and Michael Rooney, baptized October 21, 1845.

Michael Rooney and Maria Tracy had Bridget Rooney, baptized July 8, 1844.

Michael Tracy and Ann Rooney added two children, Catherine Tracy, baptized March 29, 1843, and Joseph Tracy, baptized, July 8, 1844.

The time in Aylmer also saw the marriage of John Rooney and Mary McCool on October 16, 1844, followed by the baptism of their oldest child, Catherine Rooney, on October 21, 1845. The marriage record was of particular interest since it listed John Rooney's parents, Michael Rooney and Catherine Caulfield, as being from County Galway in Ireland. This was the first indication of the origin of the Rooney clan in Ireland.

Saint Stephen, Old Chelsea

In 1845, a new Catholic parish was organized in Old Chelsea, Saint Stephen. Again, this church was farther up the Gatineau River, closer to Wakefield Township, and the church records show the Rooney's in Canada started attend there as well.

Patrick Rooney and Ellen Tracy added John Rooney, baptized July 18, 1847 and Thomas Rooney, baptized July 15, 1849. One of Thomas' sponsors was Thomas Rooney, which is the first instance of Thomas showing up in a Canadian record.

Records show Michael Rooney and Marie Tracy had three children baptized. Ellen Rooney, baptized May 25, 1846; (another) Ellen Rooney, baptized May 16, 1847; and Elizabeth Rooney, baptized June 17, 1849. Elizabeth's sponsors included Mary Rooney, which is the first Canadian record showing Mary's name. The odd thing about the records is that neither Ellen Rooney shows up in the 1851 Canada East census, nor are there any death records.

Michael Tracy and Ann Rooney had Patrick Tracy, baptized December 28, 1845, and Ellen Tracy, baptized October 7, 1849.

John Rooney and Mary McCool had Michael Rooney, baptized March 7, 1847, and James Rooney, baptized June 17, 1849. One of James' sponsors was Catherine Rooney. This is the first instance of Catherine showing up in a Canadian record.

One other Saint Stephen record of interest was the baptism of Honoria Carroll on July 22, 1849. One of Honoria's sponsors was Hugh Rooney. This is the first Canadian record showing Hugh's name.

As noted by the Saint Stephen records, the rest of the Rooney clan appears to have arrived in Canada between 1847 and 1849. The records show Thomas, Mary, Catherine and Hugh. However, neither of the parents, Michael Rooney or Catherine Caulfield, show up as a sponsor in any of the records.

Saint Camillus, Farrellton

With the increased settling of Irish immigrants in the area, yet another Catholic church, Saint Camillus, was organized up the Gatineau River in Farrellton in 1850. This church was the most convenient since the Rooney farms were within a couple of miles of the church. Most of the Rooney's remained part of Saint Camillus until the Rooney clan immigrated to Minnesota in the 1860's.

Prior to the 1851 Canada East census, several new members of the Rooney family were baptized. The first was Sarah Rooney, daughter of John Rooney and Mary McCool, who was baptized on January 3, 1851. Michael Rooney, son of Michael Rooney and Maria Tracy was baptized on July 27, 1851. And Bridget Tracy, daughter of Michael Tracy and Ann Rooney, was baptized August 24, 1851.

One additional record was the marriage of Patrick Killeen to Catherine Rooney on February 17, 1851.

Canada East Census 1851

The Canada East census of 1851 confirmed of what was found in the church records. The census records of the Rooney clan were as follows (also listed are where the baptismal records for the children were found):

    Patrick Rooney, Ireland, age 42
    Ellen Rooney, Ireland, age 34
       Mary Rooney, Canada, age 16 - Notre Dame d'Ottawa
       Patrick Rooney, Canada, age 13 - suspect Aylmer but missing
       Ellen Rooney, Canada, age 10 - Aylmer
       Joseph Rooney, Canada, age 8 - Aylmer
       Michael Rooney, Canada, age 6 - Aylmer
       John Rooney, Canada, age 4 - Old Chelsea
       Thomas Rooney, Canada, age 2 - Old Chelsea
    Michael Rooney, Ireland, age 40
    Maria Rooney, Ireland, age 25
       Catherine Rooney, Canada, age 13 - suspect Aylmer but missing
       Mary A Rooney, Canada, age 10 - Aylmer
       Bridget Rooney, Canada, age 8 - Aylmer
       Eliza Rooney, Canada, age 3 - Old Chelsea
       Michael Rooney, Canada, age 1 - Farrellton
    Michael Tracy, Ireland, age 40
    Ann Tracy, Ireland, age 34
       Michael Tracy, Canada, age 14 - Notre Dame d'Ottawa
       Ellen Tracy, Canada, age 12 - suspect Aylmer but missing
       Mary Tracy, Canada, age 9 - Aylmer
       Catherine Tracy, Canada, age 7 - Aylmer
       Joseph Tracy, Canada, age 6 - Aylmer
       Patrick Tracy, Canada, age 6 - Old Chelsea
       Honora Tracy, Canada, age 3 - Old Chelsea
       Bridget Tracy, Canada, age 1 - Farrellton
       Honora Tracy, Ireland, age 70
    John Rooney, Canada, age 25
    Mary Rooney, Canada, age 25
       Catherine Rooney, Canada, age 7 - Aylmer
       Michael Rooney, Canada, age 5 - Old Chelsea
       James Rooney, Canada, age 3 - Old Chelsea
       Sarah Rooney, Canada, age 2 - Farrellton
    Patrick Kilian, Ireland, age 25
       Michael Kilian, Ireland, age 18
    Michael Rooney, Ireland, age 69
    Catherine Rooney, Ireland, age 66
       Thomas Rooney, Ireland, age 27
       Hugh Rooney, Ireland, age 23
       Catherine Kilian, Ireland, age 21
       Michael Rooney, Ireland, age 8

Saint Camillus, Farrellton (cont.)

Following the 1851 census, there was a lot of activity at Saint Camillus in Farrellton.

Two additional children were born and baptized in the Patrick Rooney and Ellen Tracy family. Catherine Rooney was baptized April 4, 1852, and Eliza Rooney was baptized April 2, 1854.

Two children were born to the Michael Rooney and Maria Tracy family as well. Joseph Patrick Rooney was baptized January 1, 1856, and Agnes Rooney was baptized November 14, 1858.

Four children were born and baptized in the Michael Tracy and Ann Rooney family. Hugh Tracy was baptized April 7, 1853. Elizabeth Tracy was baptized March 18, 1855. Sarah Tracy was baptized January 10, 1858. And Thomas Tracy was baptized January 6, 1860.

Thomas Rooney remarried after arriving in Canada, this time to Bridget Brown on October 11, 1856. Baptismal records from Farrellton show five children being born to them. Mary Ann Rooney was baptized April 18, 1858. John Patrick Rooney was baptized March 11, 1860. Peter Rooney was baptized January 14, 1862. Winifred Rooney was baptized August 14, 1864. And Thomas James Rooney was baptized July 24, 1866.

Five boys and one girl were born and baptized in the John Rooney and Mary McCool family. John Rooney was baptized October 3, 1852. Hugh Rooney was baptized June 11, 1854. Patrick Rooney was baptized March 4, 1856. Thomas Rooney was baptized January 9, 1859. William Edward Rooney was baptized November 2, 1862. And Mary Anne Rooney was baptized January 7, 1865.

Shortly after the opening of St Camillus in Farrellton, Patrick Killeen married Catherine Rooney on February 17, 1851. To their union, only three baptismal records from Farrellton have been found, though the 1861 Canada East census lists two additional children. Research into the missing records continues. Bernard Killeen, Canada, born approximately 1853, doesn't have a baptismal record. Michael Killeen was baptized February 25, 1855. Thomas Killeen, Canada, born approximately 1857, does not have a baptismal record. Patrick Killeen was baptized July 24, 1859. And Denis Killeen was baptized March 27, 1864.

Although no marriage record was found, one baptismal record was found in Farrellton for Mary Jane Coolahon, June 17, 1855, daughter of Michael Coolahon and Mary Rooney.

The youngest of the Rooney siblings, Hugh Rooney, married Ann Morris on February 4, 1856. It is believed that Hugh and Ann never had any children.

Canada East Census 1861

The Canada East census of 1861 has been used to confirm the church records. Additional census records from Minnesota have been used to confirm those children born between the 1861 census in Canada and the immigration of the Rooney's to Minnesota.

Canada Deaths

Joseph Rooney, son of Patrick Rooney and Ellen Tracy died on August 15, 1854. He was buried in the St. Camillus Catholic Cemetery of Farrellton, Quebec, Canada. Michael Rooney (Daddy Mick) died on January 12th, 1857 and is buried in the same cemetery plot as his grandson Joseph. The original tombstone has since been replaced with a new tombstone. Mammy Kitty was living, as a widow, in the home of her daughter Catherine (Rooney) Killeen.

Additional tombstones from St. Camillus cemetery include:

Michael (Mickey) Rooney Tombstone
Thomas Egan Tombstone
John Kilroy Tombstone


Continue - Canada to Minnesota