Mary Ellen Buchanan was born in January 1861 in Buffalo, NY. At just age 17, Mary Ellen met John Joseph McEvoy who was seven years older than her, fell in love, and quickly married him in 1879. Mary Ellen and John had 4 beautiful children; Mary, John, Albert, and Charles. At age 39 life was wonderful for Mary Ellen, but she had no idea she would not make it to age 40. On New Years Eve 1900 John, Mary Ellen, and family walked down the street to their church for midnight mass at St. Stephens Church in Buffalo. Just as they arrived at church, Mary Ellen felt ill, so ill that they turned around and walked back home. As they arrived back on the front porch of their home, Mary Ellen collapsed and died of apparent heart failure.

John Joseph was a good father and hard worker as a Scooper at the Buffalo Harbor. With his wife dead, it was probably very difficult to work and take care of his children. Their oldest daughter Mary tried to help with raising the boys, but they ended up getting into some type of trouble which resorted in the courts sending them to Father Bakers which was an orphanage for children, most of whom got into trouble with the law. We received confirmation of this from the Father Baker facility which is still open today. When I was a child and my sister, brother, and I did not behave, my parents always threatened to send us to Father Bakers!

John Joseph McEvoy's dad Owen was born in 1821 in Dundalk, Ireland and his mother Margaret E. Keth was born in January 8, 1821 in Allenby, England. I have not yet found any relatives going back further.

Mary Ellen's dad James was born in Scotland in 1825. Her mom Catherine, I do not know the maiden name, was born in Ireland abt. 1829. I have not yet found any relatives going back further.

I love the stories I have found about our families as much as discovering new relatives.