1896
28 April. MARY Dunne is born, the fifth child and third daughter of Catherine (age 29) and Michael (32) Dunne.
1905
At age 9, she is enrolled in the Curraghmore National School.
1911
2 Apr. For the 1911 census, 15-year old MARYis the oldest child of the four girls at home. ELLEN has gone to the U.S. and married. MIKE is working as a farm laborer in England. JOHN, BRIDGET, and PATRICK are residing at the new farm in Cooloo.
An aside: On their census form, the family also reports that Catherine has had ten live births, with nine children still living. This poses the question of when there might have been an infant death in the family.
1919
20 Feb. She marries her neighbor JAMES STEPHENS. She is 22. He is 37. His brother John and her sister Lizzie stand up for them. [1]
Mary and James make their home in Ballaghduff and begin their family.
The Twenties and Thirties are filled with change for Ireland and for Ballaghduff. Family members leave for economic opportunities elsewhere. So many goodbyes! The Stephens couple quickly filled the gaps with lovely babies and became a stable anchor to their tiny townland. Mary’s granddaughter writes:
Granny was an excellent seamstress and often made holy communion dresses for children in the parish. She was also a beautiful singer. She was very into her style, as were many of the Dunne family. She may have worn… wellingtons on the farm but knew how to dress well. Granny had so many handbags — all leather and all… good quality… in every colour. She knew the importance of education and sent two of her children to boarding school when, at that time, very few went to boarding school… I remember her in the house as a very quiet, kind, gentle woman, who treated very one with respect and generosity.
CMcL, via message
1920
9 Feb. BRIDGET VERONICA aka “Vera” is born, the first Dunne family grandchild born in the village and first girl. [2]
During the summer of that year her sister BRIDGET returns for a visit.
1921
12 Mar. MARGARET MARY aka “Grett” is born.
1922
After much turmoil, the Irish Free State has been declared. Many in the region surrounding Ballaghduff have been cruelly treated by the British Black and Tans. This includes her brother Mike, whose repaired hip fracture was undone when a B&T knocked him off his bicycle.
29 Nov. JOHN aka “Jack” is born.
1923
Youngest sister KATIE leaves to live in St. Louis.
1924
12 Jun. MICHAEL COLM aka “Mike” is born.
1927
Feb. Sister LIZZIE gets married to MARTIN KILMARTIN and plans a life with her family in Ballaghduff.
Aug. Sister MAGGIE leaves to live in St. Louis.
1928
May. Brother PATRICK leaves to live in St. Louis
1929
1 May. MARY THERESA is born.
1931
19 Aug. CATHERINE PHILOMENA aka “Phil” is born.
KATIE returns home for a visit, during which LIZZIE’s third pregnancy results in miscarriage and paralysis. The incident changes Ballaghduff. Lizzie’s children become dependent on the village for their care, notably from Mary’s eldest two daughters VERA and GRETT. Katie also abandons her plans to marry a St. Louis German-American and stays in Ballaghduff, where she marries their neighbor PETER COLLINS.
1933
7 Jul. ELLEN RITA is born.
1935
15 Sept. MARTIN BERNARD aka “Mattie” is born. He is the Stephens’ ninth child, born just before Mary turns 40.
1939
Aug. With her youngest child still a toddler, Mary waves goodbye to her eldest. 19-year-old VERA leaves home to work for Minnie Wooten Johnson on Portland Place in St. Louis, under the watchful eyes of her Aunts Helen and Bridget.
1940
13 Dec. As Mary turns 44, NORA VIRGINIA aka “Noreen” is born
1942
5 Jun. Her father MICHAEL dies.
1944
25 Nov. Her mother CATHERINE dies.
1949
June. Under the auspices of Aunt Nora Hession (James’ sister), sons JACK (age 27) and MIKE [date?] emigrate to Chicago, where the work is good.
About the same time daughter MARY THERESA leaves for St. Louis to join VERA working for Mrs. Johnson on Portland Place.
[When does Vera marry Tom Whelan? Did Mary T replace her at Mrs. Johnson’s?]
1950-1964
[Too many grandchildren and family events for me to track down. I’ll leave that task to the Stephens clan.]
1964
18 Feb. Mary’s dear husband JAMES dies at the age of 82
1969
1981
7 Apr. Mary died at 85, on 7 April 1981.
NOTES
[1] The marriage record lists James’ father as “James,” but I think he was John Stephens “Tom.”
[2] The first grandchild was William Price, born to Ellen in St. Louis.
Old Green River 
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