Illusion → disillusion → resolution: forensic reconstruction of two immigrants' lives
| Author(s) | Wescott, Philip | |
| Date Accessioned | 2015-08-21T13:14:56Z | |
| Date Available | 2015-08-21T13:14:56Z | |
| Publication Date | 2014 | |
| Abstract | Human migration across geographic barriers and tribal or national borders has characterized civilization for millennia. In more recent history, immigration has likewise characterized and defined the American experience, a phenomenon extensively studied by myriad scholars. This thesis blends extensive secondary research into Irish-American immigrant history with substantial primary research using techniques of forensic genealogy, conducted both in Ireland and in the United States. It is both a generalized and a specific inquiry that addresses both my academic and family interests. Against the backdrop of turn-of-the-twentieth-century New York City, this thesis reconstructs and recounts the difficult lives of two young Irish-American immigrants and their bastard son whose subsequent life achievements over six decades constituted the deferred hope for immigrant acceptance, assimilation, and economic success. The decision of John McMurry and of Theresa Ann Garrahy, both impoverished and lightly-educated youth from rural areas of Ireland, to pursue their respective illusions within an industrialized, energized, and prosperous America led to unanticipated consequences, and to the author's very existence. There are two intended audiences for this research and resulting historical narrative - one is academic and the second is the author's family and close friends who have indicated sustained interest in these topics and the issues addressed herein. I have welcomed the heuristic and story-telling opportunity of this project. | en_US |
| Advisor | Kerrane, Kevin | |
| Degree | M.A. | |
| Program | University of Delaware, Liberal Studies Program | |
| Unique Identifier | http://search.proquest.com/docview/1666291253?accountid=10457 | |
| URL | 919001766 | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/16976 | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Immigrants -- New York (State) -- New York -- Biography -- 19th century. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Immigrants -- New York (State) -- New York -- Biography -- 20th century. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Irish -- Biography. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Irish Americans -- Biography. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Irish -- Genealogy. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Irish Americans -- Genealogy. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Ireland -- Emigration and immigration. | |
| Title | Illusion → disillusion → resolution: forensic reconstruction of two immigrants' lives | en_US |
| Title | Illusion [right arrow] disillusion [right arrow] resolution: forensic reconstruction of two immigrants' lives | |
| Title | Illusion [arrow right] disillusion [arrow right] resolution: forensic reconstruction of two immigrants' lives | |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |