Ancestor: Anna M. O'Malley (married names: O'Keefe and McCaughan)

Born: September 8th, 1891 in Philadelphia, PA

Died: September 24th, 1960 near Philadelphia, PA

Parents: Edward O'Malley and Catherine Hastings

Siblings: Thomas (14 years older), Michael (13 years older), Mary (11 years older), Catherine (9 years older), and John (7 years older)

Spouse: John O'Keefe (1921 to 1929) and Daniel McCaughan (1937 to 1949)

Children: John J. O'keefe (b: 1922), Cecelia O'keefe (b:1924), and Eileen O'Keefe (b: ~1927)

Profile of Life (this is a best guess based on research):

Anna was born on September 8th, 1891, into a large family. She had 5 older siblings who were between 14 and 7 years older than her. Her parents came to the US separately around 1870 from Ireland. The timing is after the large wave of immigration from the Great Famine (1845-1849), but only shortly after the Fenian Rising, which gives a sense of the unrest in Ireland at the time. I don't have too many details about Anna's childhood. Her family lived in row homes in South Philly. Her father worked as a clerk and packed China. Some of her siblings had jobs in the Navy Yard. When Anna was 19, she was working in a position making children's hats. Her father died that same year on Christmas Eve (Dec 24th, 1910). Her brother Michael died in 1913 of pneumonia when Anna was 22. In the 1920 census, it mentions that Annie worked as a seamstress at the shore. Perhaps she was living there for the summer. In 1921, she married John J O'keefe in Philadelphia and moved into their home at 2108 Mole St in South Philly. Their wedding took place on May 16th, 1921, most likely in the Saint Monica's parish (source Deirdre O'Keefe). Anna was 29 years old. On February 21st, 1922, John (Jack) O'Keefe was born. There is a lovely family photo of Anna, John, and baby Jack at the shore. During the summer of 1924, she had another child (Cecelia) who had medical issues and died at the age of two months. In 1927, Eileen O'Keefe was born. John O'Keefe worked in the US Post Office. On February 13th, 1929, John O'Keefe passed away from pulmonary tuberculosis. Contracting tuberculosis was likely connected to his service in World War I. John and Cecelia are buried in Cathedral Cemetery.

In 1930, Anna was still living at Mole St. with her two kids, but her niece (Catherine Jennings) is now living them them and working as a stenographer. In 1937, Anna married Daniel McCaughan and moved to northeast Philadelphia to Arbor St. Prior to marrying Anna, Daniel McCaughan had been widowed for two years and lived in South Philly. He worked as a supervisor at the Navy Yard. Jack O'keefe was attending South Catholic High but changed to La Salle College High School. Most of Anna's family stayed in the area. For example, Anna's brother Thomas and sister Mary continued to live at S. 16th St where Anna lived before marrying John O'Keefe. In addition, her other sister Katherine lived next door on Arbor St in the northeast Philadelphia.

In 1939, War World II started. Anna's son, Jack, wanted to go into the navy after graduating from La Salle College High School and join the war effort but he wasn't allowed by Anna (source Deirdre O'keefe). However, while attending La Salle College, Pearl Harbor was bombed. He dropped out of college and enlisted in the Air Force. On March 19th, 1943, Jack left home and began his service. During WWII, Jack enlisted a 2nd name (Joe Steerman) to increase the food rations going home to his mom (source: Deirdre O'Keefe). Jack service ended in September of 1945. In 1947, Jack and Marie Muldoon were married. Also in 1947, Eileen O'Keefe graduated from Rosemont College. In 1949, Daniel McCaughan passed away, but grandchildren were already arriving in Jack's family. Michael O'Keefe was born 1948, Maureen O'Keefe in 1950, Gerald O'Keefe in 1957, and Deirdre O'Keefe in 1959. Anna was referred to as Memom by her grandkids. In 1960, she passed away while living on Arbor St. with her daughter Eileen O'Keefe. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, PA.

1910 US Census from Philadelphia, PA

Line 91 - Edward O'Malley (age 59)

Line 92 - Catherine O'Malley (age 59)

Line 93 - Thomas E. O'Malley (age 32)

Line 94 - Michael J. O'Malley (age 31)

Line 96- Catherine J. O'Malley (age 27)

Line 97 - John O'Malley (age 25)

Line 98 - Anna O'Malley (age 18)

Line 95 - Mary A. Jennings (age 29)

Line 99 - Catherine Jennings (age 4 - grandchild)

Line 100 - Anthony J. Hastings (age 50 - brother-in-law)

NOTES: Edward and Catherine wore both born in Ireland (some suggestion about the English part). The have been married since 1877. All six of Catherine children have survived. Mary has been married for 6 years and has a 4 year old child. Mary's husband does not live at the house. Edward works as a packer of china. Thomas works as a blacksmith at the Navy Yard. Michael works as a stone cutter at a marble yard. Catherine works as a bookkeeper at a milk office. John works as a laborer at the Navy Yard. Anna works as a operator at 'childrens hats.' Anthony works as a stone cutter at a marble yard (he might have been out of work). They rented a home at 1311 Porter St. in South Philly.

1920 US Census from Philadelphia, PA

Line 99 (page 7) - Catherine O'Malley (age 70)

Line 100 - Thomas O'Malley (age 42)

Line 1 (page 8) - John O'Malley (age 35)

Line 95 - Mary Jennings (age 39 - married daughter)

Line 99 - Catherine Jennings (age 14 - grandchild)

Line 98 - Annie O'Malley (age 28)

NOTES: Catherine is widowed. She owes the home but with a mortgage. She arrived in the US in 1868 and was naturalized in 1876. Catherine's mother tongue was Irish. Their home is located at 2513 South 16th St. in South Philly. Thomas works as a blacksmith at the Navy Yard. John works as a electrician at the Navy Yard. Mary works as a press feeder at a printer. Annie works as a seamstress at the 'Shore.'

1921 Newspaper wedding announcement

Wedding announcement in the Evening Public Ledger of Philadelphia from June 8th, 1921. In the South Philadelphia subsection (part of the "Just Gossip about People" section) it states "Mr. and Mrs. John J. O'keefe have returned from their wedding trip and are now living in their new home at 2108 South Mole Street. Mrs. O'keefe will be remembered as Miss Anna O'Malley, daughter of Mrs. Kathryne O'Malley of 2513 South Sixteenth street, whose wedding took place on May 16th."

1923 Photo of Anna and her son Jack

Anna and baby Jack at the shore. Based on Jack's age, it appears to be the summer of 1923.

1929 Certificate of Death for 37 year old John O'Keefe

John J. O'keefe was born on October 3rd, 1891 and died on February 13th, 1929. Cause of death was Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He had the disease for 5 years and contracted it in the army. He was working as a clerk at the US Post Office at the time of his death. He was born in Brooklyn, NY. His father was John J. O'keefe and his mother was Cecelia Kelly, both born in Philadelphia. John is buried in Cathedral Cemetery.

1929 Request for Headstone for John O'Keefe

Anna submitted a request for a headstone since John served in the Navy. The request has details about his service. He served on the USS Wisconsin and the USS Muscatine as a Machinist Mate 1st class. He enlisted on Dec 12 1917 and served from 12/13/17 to 9/17/19. He is buried in Old Cathedral at 48th and Lancaster Ave. The request was submitted on March 26th 1929 and ordered on October 25th 1929 from Proctor, VT. It shipped in December.

1930 US Census from Philadelphia, PA

Line 19 - Anna O'Keith (age 37)

Line 20 - John O'Keith (age 8)

Line 21 - Eillin O'Keith (age 4)

Line 22 - Katherine Jennings (age 24 - Niece)

NOTES: Anna is widowed and owns her home at 2108 S. Mole St, which is valued at $3,800. She has a radio set. Anna is not working. Catherine (Katherine) is working as a stenographer with the government.

1931ish photo of Eileen and Jack O'Keefe, children of Anna O'Malley

Picture taken of the two children of Anna O'Malley, Eileen (Aunt Zook) and John (Jack) O'Keefe, at the shore.

1936 Photo of Jack O'Keefe

Photo of Jack O'Keefe. He was about 14.

1939 Yearbook Entry of Jack O'Keefe

Yearbook entry of Jack O'Keefe from La Salle High School. Mentions his interest in joining the Navy after graduation. Also mentions he attended South Catholic High as a freshmen and sophomore before switching to La Salle. He most likely switched high schools when Anna married Daniel and moved to Arbor St.

1942 WWII Draft Card for John Joseph Francis Xavier O'Keefe

Draft card of John Joseph Francis Xavier O'Keefe at age 20. Birthdate stated as Feb 21st, 1922 and is living at 5225 Arbor St. Listed as 180 lbs, light complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and 6 feet tall. I do not have a high resolution of the draft card. It's available at the Fold3 website with membership.

1943ish Photo of Anna with her son Jack O'keefe

Photo taken of Anna and her son Jack likely before he started his service on March 19, 1943 (based on Jack's Veteran's Compensation application). Jack would have been about 21 and Anna about 52.

1949 Death Certificate of 69 year old Daniel McCaughan

Daniel McCaughan died on Jan 29th 1949 of heart failure. He was retired and living with Ann at 5225 Arbor St. He was 69 years old. Both his parents were born in Ireland, but he was born in Philly.

1951ish photo of Anna with her son Jack O'keefe and grandson Michael

Picture taken of Anna McCaughan, baby Michael O'Keefe and Jack O'Keefe at an unknown event.

1960 Death Certificate of Ann McCaughan

Stated her birthdate is Sept 8, 1895 and she died 65 years old (conflicts with census data). She died on September 24th, 1960, do to liver issues at Holy Redeemer Hospital. She was living at 5225 Arbor St with her daughter Eileen O'Keefe. She was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, PA.

1960 Obituary of Ann McCaughan-O'Keefe

From the September 27th edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer. States she passed away on September 24th, 1960. Mass was held at St. Ambrose Church and she buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.