Bridgeport, Connecticut · a family story, 1912–1942
A family
takes root.
The crossing brought James to America.
This story belongs to two people—and the family they built.
James McPaddenMary and Michael’s son.
From Tullynascreen, County Leitrim.
Catherine McNiffSarah and William’s daughter.
Her family’s world was Bridgeport.
Catherine McNiff is James’s wife—not his sister Catherine Kelly.
Begin on their wedding dayBackground: detail of their wedding report, published 1 February 1912. Cropped and shaded for this opening; not a photograph of the ceremony.
31 January 1912 · St. Peter’s Church
White roses.
A morning Mass.
Catherine wore marquisette over white satin and carried white roses. A nuptial Mass was sung. Afterwards, a reception and wedding breakfast took place at her mother’s home.
The newspaper preserves this public celebration. Their courtship and first married address remain unknown.
The report looked ahead to a home in Bridgeport. We follow the records into that future: work, changing addresses, and five children growing into lives of their own.
Five years on: a home at Howard Avenue →Full newspaper page · Library of Congress (new tab)
The wedding report is the source for the details above.