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Originally posted by archbishop:
Thank you for your response-can you help more? I've no nicknames,but P.J.Ryan became Archbishop of Phila.,PA, USA in 1884. He was 1st educated Christian Bros. in Thurles. Was that usual for someone from "nowhere"? Next was Naughton's Dublin, Carlow and then St.Louis USA.Information on his family is scarce. A sister Margaret went at same time,she's 10 years younger,who are the rest is what I wonder?Thank you again.

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I have a little information about the family. Here is what I know. Mary Tuohy was born in 1812 in Thurles, married Jeremiah Ryan in 1830 (when she was 18) and Archbishop Patrick John Ryan was born in 1831 in Main St Thurles (now Liberty Square) "where his maternal grandparents resided" (quote from book published for his Silver Jubilee). Jeremiah Ryan died in 1840 (age not known) and his widow Mary married Michael Gleeson sometime between 1840 and March 1845 when Thomas Patrick the first of two Gleeson sons was born. Mary Ryan/Gleeson died in Thurles in 1851 and is buried in the graveyard in St Mary's Church in Thurles (at least her name is on the same tombstone as Michael Gleeson who died in 1880 aged 70).

All the Ryan/Gleeson siblings went to the United States. It is not known if Michael Gleeson went to the U.S and if he married for the second time. He died in Stradavoher, Thurles in 1880 is described on the death certificate as an Accountant (book-keeper?)
Two of A/Bishop Ryan's sisters married in the US Bridget to somebody by the name of Maguire and another sister was Mrs Bowen.
If you go to this site you will find a mention of the sisters and a photograph.
http://irgs.org/newsletters/Archives/2006_10.pdf
Good luck in your search.
Clare