Thanks for visiting the ancestry page of Cecelia Kelly, my great great grandmother. She is my mother's father's father's mother (Kevin --> Maureen O'Keefe --> Jack O'Keefe --> John J. O'Keefe --> Cecelia Kelly). This is my best guess based on research. If you are curious about me, here is some information. If you have anything to correct or add (photos, newspaper clippings, stories, anecdotes, affiliations, etc.) please email me at kevin DOT aptowicz AT gmail DOT com!
Also, a big thanks to Larry McCabe for all his wonderful research of the O'Keefe family. His site, which I relied on heavily, is here ... http://www.lmccabe.com/.
Ancestor: Cecelia Anna Kelly
Born: March 14th, 1865, in Philadelphia
Died: January 3rd, 1938, in Philadelphia
Parents: James Kelley and Catherine Gardner
Full Siblings: Kate (6 years younger)
Half Siblings: Thomas Fay (12 years older), Michael Fay, (10 years older), Joseph Fay (8 years older) and Mary Fay (6 years older)
Spouse: John O'Keefe (m:1886) and Paul Och (m: 1903)
Children: Margaret O'Keefe (b: 1887), Kathryn O'keefe (b: 1889 ), John J. O'Keefe (b: 1891), David O'keefe (b:1894), Cecelia Och (b:1905), Paul Och (born 1908), and James Och (b: 1911)
Profile of Life (this is a best guess based on research):
Cecelia Kelly was born on March 14th, 1865, in section of Philadelphia, PA, called Northern Liberties. At the time, Northern Liberties had a large artisan-immigrant population. It is located just north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, although the bridge wasn't built until 1922. There were ferries running across the Delaware when Cecelia's was born. Cecelia's mother was Catherine Gardner Fay Kelly, an Irish immigrant. Cecelia was the first child of Catherine's second marriage. Catherine's first marriage was to Martin Fay (or Fahy), an Irish immigrant. He struggled with and finally passed away from consumption (tuberculosis). At the time, consumption was the leading killer in Philadelphia. In the early 1900's, of all the people who have ever died in history, 1/7 of them had died of consumption. Martin Fay's decline in health was likely a slow process over the course of a year. As his health declined, impacting his work as a carpenter, Catherine was able to support her family of six with rent paid for boarders. One of those boarders was James Kelly. In December of 1859, Martin Fay passed away from consumption. James Kelly and Catherine Fay were married four years later on November 6th, 1863. A year and a half after the wedding, Cecelia Kelly was born.
Death plagued the early life of Cecelia Kelly. When she was born, she had four older siblings from Catherine's first marriage: Thomas, Michael, Joseph, and Mary Fay. She also had a younger sister born in 1868. In the same year as the birth of her younger sister, her 16-year old brother Thomas passed away from tetanus, another bacterial disease. Then, in 1872, her brother Michael lost his battle with consumption at the age of 17. Before passing away, he spent time at the Saint John's Asylum Orphanage. It was common for families to ask the Orphans' Court to allow temporary placement of a child due to poverty, death of one parent, illness, like TB, in the home, etc. Sadly, four-year old Katie Kelly died as well after being injured by a wagon wheel. In the first seven years of Cecelia's life, three of her five siblings passed away.
Unfortunately, more tragedy was to strike. Cecelia's mother Catherine died in 1874 from cancer of the uterus. Services were held at St. Augustine's Church. James consider moving back to Ireland with Cecelia Kelly but changed his mind before booking passage [1]. Then, on August 19th of 1878, James Kelly passed away from consumption. I'm not sure when, but at some point after 1870, Joseph Fay, her only surviving brother, "went to sea when a youth." Care of 13-year old Cecelia was handed to the Sisters of Saint Joseph's under the leadership of Mother Mary John Kieran. A side note about Mother Mary John Kieran, she was an unwilling leader! After being appointed in 1875 upon the death of Mother Saint John Fournier, twice she attempted to be released from office in 1878 and 1881, but was reappointed by the Archbishop each time. The next appointment happened in 1884. Here are some excerpts from her diary at that time:
December 26th: "Thank God I am free! All the Sisters are crying; I feel sorry for them."
December 28th: "Free as a bird but working pretty hard."
December 30th: "All the voting sisters went to mediation ... The Archbishop came ... I was re-elected; only 16 against me in 170 votes; God's holy will will be done ... I asked to be dispensed with the Sisters kissing the hand as they had before. He allowed it to be dispensed with. That was a relief."
Sister Mary John was a shrewd businesswomen. She bought and sold property, erected buildings, negotiated the opening and closing of schools and other institutions and appointed sisters best able to staff them. The Sister's of Saint Joseph's were in Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia which is also were Cecelia would have lived under their care.
On May 16th, 1886, at the age of 21, Cecelia married John O'Keefe in Philadelphia. John was 22. Prior to getting married, Cecelia was working as a shoe operator and John worked at a printer. They lived in South Philly. John and Cecelia had four children: Margaret born in 1887; Kathryn born in 1889; John born in 1891; and David born in 1894 who died very young. It was said by Cecelia that John O'keefe always brought a smile and made her very happy [1]. Tuberculosis struck again and Cecelia's husband John died at the age of 31 from consumption while working as a printer. He passed away on Dec 9th, 1896 and was buried on Dec. 14th, 1896 in Cathedral Cemetery. Cecelia was now a widow with children ages 2, 5, 7, and 9.
By 1900 started, Cecelia's half-sister Mary, who had married an Englishmen William Reese, was living with her and working as a seamstress. Her three kids (ages 8, 11, and 13) were all attending school. Life was staring to get better for Cecelia. By 1903, she married again at the age of 37. Her second husband was Paul Och, who came to the US from Germany as a baker and was now a wheelwright. He was 36, has been in the US since 1870, and had never been married before. Cecelia and the kids moved into his home in South Philly.
Ceclia and Paul had three kids together: Cecelia Och (b:1905), Paul Och (born 1908), and James Och (b: 1911). Jim was born when Cecelia was 46 years old. In addition, Cecelia three kids from her first marriage were still living with her but all had joined the workforce. In 1914, Cecelia and Paul left South Philly and moved to a North Philly section called Brewerytown. Brewerytown, known for its ... wait for it ... breweries, was heavily populated by Germans in the 1800's. Paul Och was running his own wagon shop there. In 1917, Cecelia's son, John O'Keefe, left to serve in the navy for two years during WWI. He returned home but with tuberculosis. In 1920, the house was pretty full. The three Och children were going to school. John and Catherine O'Keefe were working but living with Cecelia and Paul Och. In addition, Cecelia's half-sister, Mary Reese, was widowed in 1908 and living with them as well.
In must have been an interesting time to live in Brewerytown. With 14 functional breweries, half of all the beer served in the city was brewed in Brewerytown. You can imagine Paul Och's shop was pretty busy given all the wagons heading out of Brewerytown each day. However, the year 1920 brought with it the Eighteenth Amendment and prohibition. The next 10 years was a challenging time for Brewerytown, but it's unclear how it impacted the Och family. Also in 1920, Cecelia's brother Jospeh B Fay, who went to sea in his youth, was now a successful politician in the city. He was named Assistant Chief of the Division of the Municipal Court for Judge Charles L. Brown. Previously, Joseph B. Fay had served as a battalion chief in the Bureau of Fire, elected as a Republican to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1911 term, and served as the Assistant Director of Public Health and Charities for Mayor Thomas B. Smith. It was not clear if Joseph Fay was still in contact with his sisters Mary Reese or Cecelia Och.
The 1920's brought about joy and pain for Cecelia Och. Her son John O'feefe was married and had three kids, although one passed away quite young. In 1926, Cecelia's sister Mary Reese passed away at the age of 67. Then, in 1929, John O'Keefe, age 31, passed away from Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He was struggling with it for over five years after catching it in the navy.
By 1930, all the Och children were working, but also still living with Paul and Cecelia. Catherine O'keefe was also still living with them. In 1935, Paul Och passes away at the age of 69 from an abscess in his lung. Church services happened at St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church. Paul Och was buried at Old Cathedral Cemetery (Section O, Range 3, Lot 39). In 1938, at the age of 73, Cecelia Anna Och passed away from interstitial nephritis. After services at St. Elizabeth's, she was buried with Paul Och.
[1] Relayed to me by my Aunt Deirdre who heard it from Aunt Dolly (Cecelia Och Cullaton) who is the daughter of Cecelia Kelly Och.
Birth date and place:
Addresses:
Siblings:
[Children of Martin Fay, Catherine Gardner's 1st husband]
[Children of James Kelly, Catherine Gardner's 2nd husband]
Death: Cecelia died on January 3rd, 1938 from chronic interstitial nephritis (kidney injury).
Arrival to US: Cecelia's parents were born in Ireland.
Nationality: Cecelia was of Irish descent.
1859 Death of Martin Fahy
Martin Fahy is from Ireland and living in the 11th Ward as a carpenter. He died at age 36 in Dec of 1859 due to consumption. He was ill for one year. He was buried on December 13th at Old Cathedral Cemetery in Section I, Range 6, Number 39 (West Margin).
Cemetery Records - Right page, line 8
Federal Mortality Schedule - Line 9
1860 US Census from Philadelphia, PA
Line 32 - Catherine Fahy (age 30)
Line 33 - Thomas Fahy (age 7)
Line 34 - Michael Fahy (age 5)
Line 35 - Joseph Fahy (age 3)
Line 36 - Mary Fahy (age 11 months)
Line 37 - Martin Fahy (age 35)
Line 38 - Rebecca Coalter (age 17)
Line 39 - Michael O'Donnal (age 25)
Line 40 - James Kelly (age 30)
NOTES: James Kelly and Catherine Fahy are 30 years old. Catherine is a wash women. James is a laborer. Martin Fahy is a carpenter. All three were born in Ireland. All the kids were born in Pennsylvania.
1863 Marriage of James Kelly and Catherine Fay
James Kelly and Catherine Fay were married on November 6th, 1863. I do not have access to the record, but this is the citation ... "Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V26T-1XY : 11 February 2018), James Kelly and Catherine Fay, 06 Nov 1863; citing Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 1,765,018.
1870 US Census from Philadelphia, PA
Line 38 - James Kelly (age 40)
Line 39 - Catherine Kelly (age 35)
Line 40 - Cecelia Kelly (age 5)
NEXT PAGE
Line 1 - Kate Kelly (age 1)
Line 2 - Joseph Fay (age 13)
Line 3 - Mary Fay (age 11)
NOTES: James and Catherine were born in Ireland. All the children were born in Pennsylvania. James cannot read or write and works as a laborer. Catherine is at home. The Fay children list their parents as US born and are attending school.
1872 Registration of Death of Kate Kelly (little sister)
Katie Kelly died on the 4th of May in 1872. She was 4 years old. The cause of death was "injuries from being run over by wagon." Lists James and Catherine Kelly as the parents. The ward is listed as 11 and the address appears to be 104 Green St. which is near (what is now) Spring Garden and Front St).
1874 Obituary of Catharine Kelly (mother)
" KELLY - On the 20th inst., CATHARINE, wife of James Kelly. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this (MONDAY) morning, at 8 1/2 o'clock, from the residence of her husband, No. 104 Green Street, above Front. Service at St Augustine's Church. To proceed to Cathedral Cemetery."
1878 Death Certificate of James Kelly (father)
James Kelley (father) died on the 19th of August in 1878. He is the 12th entry. His age is listed as 46 years old. Cause of death was consumption of lungs. The ward is listed as 11 and the address appears to be 104 Green St. In addition, his marital status is a widow. Thus Cecelia is now an orphan. He was born in Ireland. He was buried on Aug 22 1878, I believe at Cathedral Cemetery.
1878 Obituary of James Kelly (father)
"KELLY - On the 19th instant, JAMES KELLY, aged fifty-six years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this morning, at 8 1/2 o'clock, from Michael Kelly's residence, No. 104 Green Street, above Front. High mass at St Augustine's Church. To proceed to New Cathedral Cemetery.
1880 US Census from Philadelphia, PA
Line 23 - Cecelia Kelly
NOTES: This appears to be a school in Chestnut Hill. The first name listed in the group (previous page) was Elizabeth Kieran who is likely Sister Mary John part of the Sisters of St. Joseph's. Perhaps, as an orphan, Cecelia was boarded at and allowed to attend this school. The school might be Mount Saint Joseph's Academy, but I am not positive. Here is a link to Mother Mary John Kieran.
1886 Marriage Documents of Cecelia Kelley and John's O'Keefe
John and Cecelia were married on May 16th, 1886 in Philadelphia. John was 22 and Cecelia was 21. John lived at 512 St. John St and worked as printer. He has not been married before. Cecelia Kelley was born on March 14th, 1865 in Philadelphia. She lives at 2021 Stiles St, works as a shoe operator (?) and had not been married before.
1896 Obituary of husband, John O'Keefe
"On December 9th, 1896, John J., son of the late John and Margaret O'Keefe, aged 30 years. The relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Monday morning, at 8:30 o'clock, from his late residence, 815 Snyder avenue. Solemn requiem mass at the Church of the Epiphany. Interment at Cathedral Cemetery."
1900 US Census from Philadelphia, PA
Line 62 - Cecilia O'Keefe (age 34)
Line 63 - Margaret O'Keefe (age 13)
Line 64 - Katie O'Keefe (age 11)
Line 65 - John O'Keefe (age 8)
Line 66 - Maud Torbeit (age 23 - Boarder)
Line 67 - William Reese (age 46 - Boarder)
Line 68 - Mary Reese (age 39 - Boarder)
NOTES: Cecelia is widowed mother of 3. She had a child who previously died. She is the head of the household with 3 boarders including an English married couple. Cecelia is a homemaker. All the kids are in school. The boarders jobs include: working at a silk mill, day laborer at the wharf, and a seamstress. The home is at 2040 S. Mildred St in South Philly. It is rented. (I believe Mary Reese might be Mary Fay, Cecelia half-sister.)
1903 Marriage Documents of Paul Och and Cecelia O'Keefe
Marriage application, marriage certificate, and newspaper announcement for the 1903 marriage of Paul Och and Cecelia O'Keefe. John was 11 years old. Cecelia and Paul were married on June 4th, 1903. Paul was born in Germany on Oct 20th 1866 and works as a blacksmith. He resides at 502 McKean St. This is his first marriage. Cecelia was born in Philadelphia on March 15th 1866 and works as a housekeeper. She resides at 815 Snyder Ave and was married once before. Her previous husband died 7 years ago.
1910 US Census from Philadelphia, PA
Line 26 - Paul Och (age 44)
Line 27 - Cecelia Och (age 44)
Line 28 - Cecelia Och (age 6)
Line 29 - Paul Och (age 3)
Line 30 - Margaret O'Keefe (age 23)
Line 31 - Catherine O'keefe (age 21)
Line 32 - John O'keefe (age 19)
Line 33 - Joseph O'Keefe (age 17)
NOTES: This is Paul Och's first marriage, but Cecelia second. They have been married for 7 years. Cecelia has had 6 children with 5 of them surviving. Paul Och is German. Cecelia listed her parents as being from Irish-English. Paul Och arrived in the US in 1868. Paul Och builds wagon in his own shop. Margaret and Catherine work as a saleslady at a dept store. John works as a pipe fitter at a gas company. They all live at 502 McKean St which is rented by Paul Och.
1917 Registration Card for John O'Keefe
Card indicates John is 25 on June 15th 1917. He is living at 1516 N 25th St. His date of birth is Oct 3rd, 1891. He was born in Phila. PA (this contradicts other documents). His trade is a machinist helper at the Navy Yard. Show's John's signature. His is of medium build and medium height with brown eyes, black hair.
1919 Evening Public Ledger blurb about John O'Keefe
"Mr. John J., of Corley C. C., has returned to his home, 1516 South 15th st, after giving two years active service with the navy." Published on October 8, 1919. Corley Catholic Club was a downtown catholic association. They has active sports teams including distance runners, basketball, and baseball.
1920 US Census from Philadelphia, PA
Line 7 - Paul Och (age 54)
Line 8 - Cecelia Och (age 53)
Line 9 - Cecelia Och (age 15)
Line 10 - Paul Och (age 12 )
Line 11 - James Och (age 9)
Line 12 - John J O'Keefe (age 28)
Line 13 - Catherine O'Keefe (age 30)
Line 14 - Mary Reese (age 58 - Aunt)
NOTES: Cecelia now has three kids with John Och. John J O'feefe is living under his step-father room and renting space with his sister and Aunt. The aunt, who was on the 1900 census, is now widowed. Census states that Paul Och Sr arrived in 1870 and we naturalized in 1887. Paul Och Sr. is working as a blacksmith in his own shop. John O'Keefe is working as a clerk in a post office. Catheirne is working as a saleslady in a department store. The address is 1516 N. 25th St. which is in North Philly.
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."
1922 Photos of Cecelia's children (John, Margaret, and Catie O'Keefe) and grandchild (Jack O'Keefe) at the Shore
Multiple pictures of Cecelia's grandchild Jack O'Keefe with her Cecelia's children Catie O'keefe, John O'Keefe, and Margaret O'keefe (Aunt Peggy) at the beach. Based on Jack's age, this must be the summer of 1922.
1929 Obituary in Philadelphia Inquirer for John O'Keefe
"O'Keefe - Feb. 13, John J., husband of Anna M. O'Keefe (nee O'Malley), and son of Cecelia Och and the late John J. O'Keefe. Relatives and friends, also employees of Phila. P.O., are invited to attend funeral. Mon. 8:30 A.M. from his late home. 2108 S. Mole St. Solemn Requiem Mass, Church of St. Moncia. 10 AM precisely. Int. Cathedral Cem."
1930 US Census from Philadelphia, PA
Line 31 - Paul Och (age 64)
Line 32 - Patricia Och (age 64)
Line 33 - Patricia Och (age 25)
Line 34 - Paul Och (age 23)
Line 35 - James Och (age 20)
Line 36 - Catherine O'Keefe (age 32)
NOTES: Census indicates that Paul and 'Patricia' were 26 at first marriage. Catherine okay is listed as widowed. Whoever completed the census ignored Cecelia irish decent and filled out everything as German. Paul Och arrived in the US in 1885 and is working as a baker. Patricia jr is working as a clerk in an office. Paul is working as a mechanic in a garage. JAmes is working as a wireman for Western Electric. Catherine is a sales women in a Department Store. The address is 1516 N. 25th St.
1935 Death Certificate for Paul Och
Paul Och was born on Oct 28, 1874. He died at the age of 60 working as a black-smith. He died from an abscess in his lung (carcinoma esophagus). He was living at 1516 N 25th St. He died on September 14th, 1935 and was buried on Sept 19th in Cathedral Cemetery (Section O Range 3 Lot 39 according to other records).
1935 Obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer for Paul Och
"Och - Sept 14. PAUL, husband of Cecelia A. Och (nee O'Keefe-Kelly). Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral, Thurs. 8:30 A.M. from home. 1516 N. 25th St. Solemn Requiem mass, Church of St. Elizabeths. 10 A.M. precisely. Int. Catherdral Cem."
1938 Death Certificate for Cecelia Anna Och
Cecelia Anna Och was born in March 14, 1870. She died at the age of 67 at 1516 N 25th St. Cause of death was chronic interstitial nephritis (kidney injury). Her father was James Kelly and her mother was Catharine Gardner. Both parents were born in Ireland. The informant is Margaret Reiszner (Aunt Peggy). She died on January 3rd, 1938 and was buried on Jan 7th in Cathedral Cemetery (Section O Range 3 Lot 39 according to other records).
1938 Obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer for Cecelia Anna Och
"Och - Jan 3, Cecelia O'Keefe (nee Kelly), wife of the late Paul P. Och. Relatives and friends are invited to funeral, Fri 9:30 A.M. from her home, 1516 N. 25th St. Solemn requiem mass. Church of St. Elizabeth, 11 A/M. precisely. Int. Cathedral Cem."