Jim:
You are very right to think of a Canadian entrance for these people. I
have done quite a bit of research in the Miramichi area of New Brunswick
and a little bit in PEI and NS. In the Miramichi, at least, one of the
main exodus paths was to Maine and in particular, Washington County there.
From there a large number went to the woods of Wisconsin and specifically
to Stillwater, Minnesota. Indeed, the town of Stillwater is in Washington
County (!) and is on the River St Croix (!). Both of those names must
have come from ME.
I suppose, however, that from a volume standpoint, a more likely arrival
point for Timothy and John might have been Saint John, NB. Possibly
Halifax, NS. You need to find naturalization information or some other
way to tell when they entered the US (or North America, if possible). I
would think that one or more of the US censuses would have this as a
question.
You are also right to try for church records where they lived in ME. I
would suggest the LDS and a thorough search 1850-1870. But, if you can
find a census that says when Timothy entered the US, then you can begin
the search there (maybe a year or two earlier, just in case there was an
error?).
[You can see that I put heavy emphasis on combining census records (which
show the whole family) with church records (which give details about a
specific event). I have found this simple combination a powerful method
of assembling families.]
I am very interested in the Timothy and John names. They crop up a
number of times (John far too many!) in my studies. Right now, none from
my database fit the ones you list.
As to ship records, I have never been able to find any that early. You
might, of course, be more lucky. Saint John (the correct spelling, BTW --
never St. John or Saint John's!) would probably have better records than
most, possibly. [BTW, while I think of it, going first to Boston or New
York and THEN to ME would seem most unlikely. Far more probable would be
entry at Saint John or Halifax.]
Finally, have your studies turned up any reference to Stillwater, MN?
Carroll, Sutton, and Sullivan families have all passed through ME on their
way to Stillwater. A Sutton was born in Calais, ME. Possibly a set of
Sliney families (very strange name and thus easy to follow!) also came
through there to Stillwater and other parts of Wisconsin (part of my
wife's ancestry).
Anyway, that's what ideas I can currently contribute. Hope they lead
somewhere. If there is more I can offer or if you find some additional NB
or NS connections, please let me in on them.
------- Joe
PS: Can I post this to the Carroll list? I think our mutual discussion
(so far, anyway) might benefit others and broaden the interest in Canadian
Carroll lines. Let me know.
----------
From: James Schaeffer
Reply To: jimschaeffer(a)worldnet.att.net
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 1999 8:57 PM
To: Carroll, Joe E (MN65)
Subject: Carrolls form Canada
Joie
I may be searching for some Carrols from Canada but I am not sure that
they were ever in Canada.
Anyway here is the story.
The earliest locations of my Carroll family that I have been able to
fix is 1862 in Washington County, ME. James Carroll who later became a
Catholic bishop was born in b. 1862 in Pembroke ME. His parents were
Timothy Carroll and Catherine Jordan. Timothy was born in Ireland. I
don't know anything about Catherine. About 1870 Timothy shows up in
Schuylkill Co. PA with his children but without Catherine. (I have no
idea why someone would leave Maine to go to PA to work in a coal mine).
About the same time several other brothers and sisters arrive in PA.
They were all born in Ireland but I have no idea what route they took,
whether they passed through ME or came directly from Ireland.
Timothy had another brother, John also born in Ireland. He was married
to Margaret Sullivan, born in ME. John and Margaret owned a farm in
Perry. Their children were born between 1866 and 1876; I found them in
the 1870 and 1880 census of Washington Co. After 1900 Margaret is in
Philadelphia with her children none of whom
apparently having married.
What I am trying to determine is what port they arrived at and where
would I find ship and passenger lists for these ports. Based on their
location in Maine would it be safe to assume they landed in Canada? I
was also would like to find some Catholic baptismal records for
1860-1880 in Washington Co.
If you have know anything about this family or if you could offer me any
advice I would like to hear from you.
Jim Schaeffer