Mary Ann McMullen and Elizabeth Holland
Patrick's sisters Mary Ann and Elizabeth emigrated to America before the first world war. Mary Ann Holland married Denis McMullen in Liverpool in 1903. Denis was born in Mullinaskeagh, Cushendall, County Antrim, Ireland. He appears to have gone to America as a young man and later lodged in Liverpool while he was working as a marine fireman. Denis and Mary Ann went to live in Chicago in 1907. Elizabeth Holland went to Chicago in 1913 to help Mary Ann who was in poor health and struggling to look after her children. Mary Ann died in 1919. Elizabeth remained in America but she did return to Liverpool to visit friends and relations in the 1920s.
Elizabeth Holland was working as a domestic servant at 19 Brook Street Liverpool on the 1901 Census
Mary Ann Holland married Denis McMullen at St. Mary's RC church Liverpool on 14th October 1903
St. Mary's RC church in Highfield Street shown from the east side of Pownall Square
Mary Ann McMullen left Liverpool on 4th June 1907 on board the Carmania bound for New York, USA
"Carmania"
Mary Ann McMullen arrived in New York, USA on 13th June 1907
Denis, Mary Ann & William McMullen at Hermitage Avenue Chicago on the 1910 Census
Elizabeth Holland was working as a domestic servant at 10 Virginia Street Liverpool on the 1911 Census
This household image gives the address as 14 Virginia Street but other 1911 images and probate records from 1912 have the address as 10 Virginia Street
Elizabeth Holland sailed from Liverpool, England to the USA on the ship "Dominion" on 28th May 1913
"Dominion"
Elizabeth Holland went to Chicago to help her sister Mary Ann McMullen who was in poor health and struggling to look after her children. Denis and Mary Ann had three sons in Chicago: William Joseph McMullen, John Patrick McMullen and Richard McMullen. Elizabeth remained in Chicago only returning to Liverpool to visit friends and relations. She never married but kept in touch with Mary Ann's children. She worked for a Chicago printing company as a Printer Press Feeder.
Elizabeth Holland arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on 16th June 1913
Denis McMullen joined the British Army in 1918 claiming to be a widower while Mary Ann was still alive
The children were born in Chicago the confusion here is because the information came from New York
See "Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925" on Family Search for original images of the children's baptisms from the church register
William McMullen was baptised at St Anne's RC church Chicago on 5th September 1907
See "Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925" on Family Search for original images of the children's baptisms from the church register
John McMullen was baptised at St Brendan's RC church Chicago on 3rd September 1911
See "Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925" on Family Search for original images of the children's baptisms from the church register
Richard McMullen was baptised at St Brendan's RC church Chicago on 3rd August 1913
See "Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925" on Family Search for original images of the children's baptisms from the church register
Denis McMullen deserted the British Army in England and his mother was asked about his whereabouts
Mrs Anne McMullen's answers: (1) Has not heard from him since he left Mullinaskeagh (2) Do not know where he is (3) Left here for his unit on 18 or 19 of last month
Record of a British Army Court of Inquiry investigating the absence without leave of Denis McMullen
There's a story in the family about one of the McMullens turning up in Liverpool and being turned away because he was AWOL from the army
The Inland Waterways & Docks companies of the Royal Engineers transported supplies to France
Barges and ferries carried supplies from Richborough, England across the English Channel to France
Denis McMullen's company were based at Stonar Camp
British Army WW1 Medal Roll Index Card for Denis McMullen
Denis McMullen back in the USA on a World War 1 Draft Registration Card dated 12th September 1918
Elizabeth Holland was recorded on the 1930 US Census living and working in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Elizabeth Holland went through the naturalisation process and became a US Citizen on 29th March 1940
Elizabeth Holland went through the various stages of the naturalisation process in the US District Court in Chicago and eventually became an American Citizen. The Certificate of Arrival issued in 1936 confirms that Elizabeth was lawfully admitted to the United States of America for permanent residence on 16th June 1913. The Declaration of Intention from 1937 included a photograph and a physical description of Elizabeth. The Petition of Naturalization from 1939 has two people who knew Elizabeth giving sworn affidavits to show her good character. Elizabeth took the Oath of Allegiance and she became an American Citizen on 29 March 1940. Elizabeth died in 1947.
Elizabeth Holland's US Naturalization Record Index Card
All census information for England on this website is Crown Copyright from National Archives
