The Gallaghers of Ballinrobe

CATHERINE OLIVER'S FAMILY
Uncle Pat and Aunt Catherine were married in January 1941. From left are Aunt Catherine's brother
William Oliver, her cousin Marie Heraty, an unidentified man, Aunt Catherine's sister Patricia, the groom
and bride, an unidentified woman, and Best Man Uncle Tom.
When she was born in 1914, Aunt Catherine
was the youngest of three children of William and Kate
(Heraty) Oliver. Her brother William was the firstborn,
on Sept. 14, 1910. Patricia was second, born in
1912. While Catherine was still a young child, her
father became ill with paralysis and died April 22,
1921. Kate Oliver did her best to keep the family
together, working as a seamstress and taking in
boarders. But eventually, doctor bills and other
expenses became too much.
In February 1920, William went to live
briefly with his Aunt Mary (Heraty) Corbitt in
Philadelphia. Patricia and Catherine soon went to stay
in Williamsport, Pa., with their Aunt Sarah (Heraty)
Sullivan, who had two young children of her own at
the time. The moves allowed Kate more time to work
and more room for boarders at their home on Carre
Avenue in Essington, Tinicum Township,
Pennsylvania. One of those boarders was a helpful
young man of about 18, who had emigrated from
Santander, Spain, in 1916. Angel Rodriquez would
quickly notice Kate needed help and began to assist in
whatever ways he could. Angel was called Ange by
family and friends.
When William Oliver passed away in 1921,
Kate began to rely more and more on Ange. The two
became very fond of each other and married that same
year, even though Kate was 20 years his senior. The
marriage helped stabilize the family, and Patricia and
Kate were able to return home. But their brother went
to Ireland and stayed for about seven years. He initially
stayed with Kate’s mother and other Connor family
members near Westport, Ireland. While attending
school until sixth grade, he was registered as Liam
O'Connor. He then went to work, eventually living
with his Aunt Nora and Uncle Peter Gavin near the
Mayo, Galway border before returning to America in
1927.
Kate and Ange Rodriguez would have two
children together, Edward and Joseph. The family
would soon move into Philadelphia, living on Perk
Street by 1930.
By then, Ange was working as a motorman
for the Electric Company and later for the Philadelphia
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