Re: Catholic Sacraments 1855-1865
LYNCH, CONERTY
Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer In Response To: Catholic Sacraments 1855-1865 (Lesley K. Cafarelli)
Date: 9/28/2021 at 20:01:08
Just a few thoughts that might help with your search .......
J.J. Quigley served the Catholic church in Littleport from when it was constructed in 1870, and in 1871. Prior to that he served in Elkader (where he lived) from 1867-1887. If your Bernard & Catherine were already married by the 1860 census enumeration, Father Quigley likely was not who married them unless he was traveling out of Dubuque prior to living in Elkader. Like many of the early congregations, services often were held in private homes by priests riding a circuit or who came up from Dubuque. In the 1882 County History it states the 1st marriage in Volga twp. was that of Jacob Rounds & Sophia Quigley (1846) was performed by Elder Gifford, so if the Conerty's were married in Volga twp. it's very possible that an Elder of the church married them. However there is not a marriage record in the courthouse for them, but there is for the Rounds marriage. Note that the Rounds-Quigley marriage record at the courthouse conflicts somewhat with the statement in the history book (her name, person performing marriage)
The Elkport Catholic church was organized earlier and served by a preacher out of Dubuque 4 times/yr. Before the church building was built, services were in private homes.
I don't know how marriages performed by the circuit priests were recorded ie: an official report to the county or just to the church records. I do know that in the early records at the court house (transcribed & on this website in Marriage Records) are several performed by Catholic priests or Elders, so at least some were 'offically' recorded. These records should be carefully browsed due to the many misspelled surnames or entries that were difficult to read by the transcriber. Link below.
Many Clayton co. residents went to Dubuque, IA, Prairie du Chien, WI or Galena, IL to get married.
Recently a Clayton county researcher let me know that she had queried St. Joseph's in Elkader for an early marriage record and was told that they no longer had those records. She had also contacted the Archdiocese of Dubuque and came up with nothing as well. I think she was looking for a marriage that probably occurred in the 1850s. You might want to try both places if you haven't already done so since I'm a bit foggy about the time-period she was looking for.
Cathy Labath has a lot of information on her website:
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/
You might want to check it out. Although the website is not likely to have the specific info. you need, if you contact her, she may be able to give you some research advice as well.Good luck! I hope someone else reading your query will be able to help you more than I can.
Clayton county Marriage Records collection
(views: 213) (views: 206)Clayton Queries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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