Site Description:
Welcome to our Dunne Family Website. We are descendants of James   Dunne of Athy,
County Kildare, Ireland and Sarah Shaughnessy of Norwalk, Connecticut. This website is
a place where we can exchange stories and photos, share family history, and keep up with each
other.

James “Jimmy” Dunne was born in 1842 to Peter Dunne and Catherine Corcoran. According to
family lore, he came to New York from Ireland by himself in 1851 at the age of 9, wearing a
nametag around his neck. He grew up in Brooklyn, perhaps with relatives. As a young man, he
became a bare-knuckled boxer of some renown and then a world class handball player. Later he
made his way into Democratic Party politics and became Sewer Commissioner and a ward leader
in Red Hook.

About Sarah Shaughnessy, we know very little. She was born in 1845, apparently in Norwalk. Her
parents were James Shaughnessy and Katherine Hughes. She and Jimmy were married in 1865.
They had 9 children, 6 of whom lived into adulthood. Among their descendants, we count Dunnes,
McGarrys, Gordons, Dowds, Reihers, Johnsons, and more.

If you think you may be related and would like to contact us, please email
johngordon49@dunneclan.net


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