Across the Ocean of Promise: The Irish of Charleston, South Carolina

2006. hardbound.
8½ x 11. comprehensive index
654 pages. $53.75 postpaid.

This book is the second in a series of publications documenting the Irish immigrants who settled in the South. The port of Charleston was a busy one during the early years of immigration and many jobs were available to those willing to work long hours for little pay. The railroad and shipping companies, rice and indigo plantations, as well as the phosphate and turpentine industries were more than willing to hire these conscientious new residents. Many immigrants were poor and some came as indentured servants, yet they were able to make a living and embrace this sultry new home.

Sources

The Federal Census returns for 1850 through 1900 were searched to locate those of Irish nativity. More than 3,355 family units and individuals were documented. The individuals were residing in institutions, schools, convents, jails, old age homes, Confederate and Union Widows’ Homes, poor houses, asylums, orphanages, steamships or military reservations.
There are over 3,690 death records dating from 1803, which often included place of birth, age at death, cause of death, occupation, and place of burial.
Of the 240 Irish epitaphs surveyed in St. Lawrence Cemetery many offer additional information on family members.
The 1,190 individuals, who chose to become citizens from 1790 to 1906, frequently provided on the applications their age, date of arrival, port of entry, and occupation.
The Irish American, a weekly New York newspaper, published personal advertisements from those who had lost touch with their Irish immigrant friends and relatives. Only those ads relating to queries in Charleston are included.
Many ships sailed from Ireland to the port of Charleston beginning in the late 1600s. The manifests of The Portland and the brig Lady Washington, which arrived in Charleston in 1803, are inventoried. Information from these rolls may include, name, age, residence in Ireland and occupation.
As peaceful and serene as Charleston appears, the early years witnessed many violent events. Selected obituaries from the local newspapers reflect a few of the brutal and cruel deaths.
The glossary of archaic medical terms is a compilation of definitions to help understand the diseases identified as causes of death.
The comphrehensive index also incorporates the Irish counties, towns, parishes and townlands of birth when available.

This book is an excellent source for locating Irish immigrants in Charleston, and tracing their routes to the South. The birthplaces of children born along the way provide information on the travels of these families. Some of the states in which children were born are Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and some in Canada.