Gregory and Ellen O'Rourke
Research provide by Barbara J. O'Rourke-Drake

According to the information I have gathered about my family's 
arrival from Leitrim, Ireland to Providence, Rhode Island; I 
believe that the arrival had to have been midway between 1865,
the year of the fourth child's birth in Ireland and 1867, the 
year before the birth of the first child (their fifth of nine)
in Providence.  If I estimate that my great great grandmother
Ellen was not with child during her travel, the arrival would
have to have been either in 1866 or early in 1867.
 
My great great grandparents arrived from Leitrim, Ireland to this 
country and settled in Providence, Rhode Island in either 1866 or 
early 1867.
 
The earliest census taken is dated:  July 9, 1870.  Providence, 
Rhode Island, 9th Ward.  The only identifying reference to 
residence is 129 ?

The next census taken is dated:  June 9, 1880.  Providence, Rhode 
Island - Residence:  16 Robinson Street.
This lists my great great grandparents Gregory and Ellen to be 
43 & 45. I don't know of the accuracy.  He is listed as a laborer.
     Gregory O'Rourke    EST BD  1841
     Ellen (?) O'Rourke  EST BD  1836
 
Children born in Ireland:
     MARIA:  worked in screw factory in 1870, but unlisted in the 
     1880 census.  She may have married.   EST BD:  1857
 
     BRIDGET: worked in screw factory according to both census.  
     She was 20 on June 9, 1880 census.  EST BD: Spring 1860
 
     MARGARET: worked in screw factory in 1880, age 17 --- too 
     young to work in 1870 census, age 7      EST BD:  1863
 
     CATHERINE/KATIE: worked in screw factory in 1880, age 15 
     --- too young to work in 1870 census, age 6   
     EST BD: Spring 1865

Children born in Providence, R.I.:
     ELLEN/NELLIE:  1880 at school, age 12. --- 1870, age 2, 
     BD: 3/8/1868
 
     WILLIAM:  1880, worked in soap house, age 10 -- 
     BD: 10/15/1869
 
     MICHAEL:  (my great grandfather).  1880 at school, age 8 
     BD: 9/1/1871
 
     ROSEANNA:  Not yet listed on census.  BD: Nov. 1, 1873
 
     BERNARD:   Not yet listed on census.  BD: Aug 11, 1875
 
    (Note: Regarding Bernard O'Rourke: Joined the 2nd Regiment 
     Artilery on Oct. 11, 1898 at the age of 22.  He was 
     mistakenly listed as born in Leitrim, Ireland where his 
     parents and half his siblings were born. It was probably a 
     mistake.  Military records weren't very exact.)
 
     (Note):  Regarding my great grandfather Michael Francis; 
     the family lived on 27 Clinton St: Providence R.I. when he 
     was born in 1871)
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                          Death Records
 
Deaths listed regarding my ancestors as listed in the Providence, 
Rhode Island registry.  Deaths 1901 - 1910
  O'ROURKE, Gregory: of John and Mary  67 years,  May 16, 1909 
  23:156
  O'ROURKE, Michael J.: of John and Mary  75 years.  Apr. 15, 1909  
  23:147
  (Note: Unsure of this relation.  May have been a brother or 
  cousin of my great great grandfather Gregory whom came over with 
  him or whom may have already been here)
 
                        DEATHS  1911 -1920
 
  O'ROURKE, Catherine: of Gregory and Ellen  53 yrs. Feb 3,1920  
  27:12
  O'ROURKE, Michael F: of Gregory and Ellen  46 yrs. July 11,1918 
  26:200
  O'ROURKE, William F: of Michael and Jennie T., 4 yrs, Mar 1,1906 
  20:235
  (Note: The above was a shocking discovery.  I thought my 
  grandfather Raymond F., had only one brother named John Lawrence.
  The above brother was never mentioned. Now, I know where my 
  father, the second   son of Michael F. & Jennie T's (Coyne) 
  eldest son Raymond F. got his name: WILLIAM