Ohio Families

Superintendent Registrar's District: Kilkeel
Registrar's District: Rostrevor
District of Rostrevor, Union of Kilkeel, County of Down
Births #312
January 23, 1874, Ballintur
William, son of John Rourke, a farmer, of Ballintur and Ellen Rourke, formerly Rogers. informant: John Rourke of Ballintur, father.

William Rourke was baptized Jan 23, 1874, the son of John Rourke and Ellen Rodgers.
The godparents at William's baptism were Peter Magee and Mary Rorke.

Departed Liverpool 14 Jun 1899, on the SS Majestic, arrived New York Jun 22, 1899

John O'Rourke, 37, single, laborer, could read and write, nationality: "Irish" overwritten with "citizen", last residence: Ballinatore. destination: Cleveland, has ticket to destination, carrying more than $30. Have you been in the US before: "Citizen" overwritten with "6 years". Destination: brother on Detroit St

William O'Rourke, 24, single, laborer, could read and write, nationality: Irish, last residence: Ballinatore, arrived in New York, destination: Cleveland, has ticket to destination, carrying $30, had not been in US before. Destination: J. O'Rourke, Cleveland.

William's surname is dittoed from John's. In the white space after the ditto mark is some writing that could be "cousin"

1900 Federal Census, Ohio, Cuyahoga Co., 27th Ward of Cleveland.
Series T623, Roll 1257, page 309, ED 144, Sheet 1B, family 13
June 2, 1900
owns the home at 1626 Harvard

[Note: this is the old street number. this corresponds to about 86th and Harvard after 1906.]

Thomas Bolen, 52, head, born March 1848, married 30 years, born in Scotland, parents in Ireland, arr 1872, naturalized, laborer
Thomas Bolen, 17, son, February 1883, born in Ohio, parents in Scotland, laborer
Susan Bolen, 49, wife, December 1850, married 30 years, 10 children, 4 alive born in Scotland, parents also, arrived 1872
Peter Bolen, 29, son, single, Nov 1870, born in Scotland, parents also, arrived 1872, clerk, out of work all last year
John Bolen, 25, son, single, March 1875, born in Ohio, parents in Scotland, laborer

Anna Meara, 23, daughter, May 1877, married 4 years, 2 children, 1 alive, born in Ohio, parents in Scotland, no occupation
James Meara, 3, grandson, July 1896, born in Ohio, father in Ohio, mother in Iowa

John Coughlin, 60, boarder, Jun 1839, married 22 years, born in Ireland, parents also, married 22 yrs, arrived 1871, naturalized, laborer
William O'Rourke, 23, boarder, Jan 1877, single, born in Ireland parents also, arrived in 1899, been here 1 year, laborer

[The initial "O" in William's name was written over by a "W". He was indexed as Rourke at heritageQuestOnline.com and at familysearch.org.]

"United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MMZF-J2R : accessed 09 Dec 2013), Wm Rourke in household of Thos Bolen, Precinct G Cleveland City Ward 27, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States; citing sheet , family 13, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241257.

1903 Cleveland City Directory
O'Rourke William millman boards 2671 Broadway
now about 8635 Broadway

1904 City Directory
O'Rourke William helper r 2671 Broadway
[now about 8635 Broadway]

Information from William O'Rourke's Declaration of Intention, April 15, 1904, in Common Pleas Court, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Name: William O'Rourke
Native of: Ireland
Arrived: 26 June 1899
Renounce allegiance to: King Edward Vii
Signed: William O'Rourke, April 15, 1904

I don't think this image was indexed, and I don't have the link.

1905 City Directory
O'Rourke William millworker 144 Turney [now about 4324]

1906 City Directory
O'Rourke William craneman r 4324 (old 144) Turney

1907 City Directory
O'Rourke James ironworker r 9123 Harvard av SE
O'Rourke William ironworker r 9123 Harvard av SE

1908 City Directory
O'Rourke James steelworker r 9007 Cannon av SE
O'Rourke William steelworker r 9007 Cannon av SE

From images at familysearch.org,
Information from William O'Rourke's Petition for Naturalization, April 14, 1909, in Common Pleas Court, Cuyahoga County, Ohio:

Full name: William O'Rourke
Residence: 9007 Cannon Ave, Cleveland, Ohio
Occupation: craneman
Born: July 24, 1874, Newry, Ireland.
Immigration: Left Liverpool, England, on or about June 10, 1899, and arrived in New York, NY.
Declared his intention to become a citizen of the US on April 15, 1904 in Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County.
Wife: Annie O'Rourke, who was born in Cleveland and resides there.
Children: Ellen, born November 18, 1905; Mary, born March 25, 1907; William, born October 5, 1908. All born in Cleveland and residing in Cleveland.
Renounces allegiance to Edward VII, King of Great Britain and Ireland.
Can speak the English language.
Has resided in the United States since June 27, 1899, and in Ohio since June 28, 1899.
Signed: William O'Rourke, April 14, 1909.

This image was not indexed. I don't have the link.

at 9007 Cannon

Information from the index card for William O'Rourke's naturalization:
O'Rourke, William
9007 Cannon Ave., Cleveland, Ohio
Certificate no: 117624
Volume 4, pg 125
Common Pleas, Cuy. Co., Cleve.
Petition 875
Born: July 24, 1874
Arrival: June 27, 1899, New York
Naturalization: September 7, 1909
Witnesses: Daniel Kane, 8100 Broadway; Edward P Day, 4099 E. 78th St.

"Ohio, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1977," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K84T-P8N : accessed 09 Dec 2013), William O'Rourke, 1909.

1910 Federal Census, Ohio, Cuyahoga Co., 18th Ward of Cleveland.
Series T624, Roll 1173, page 80 Enum. Dist 270, Sheet 3A supplement.
renting at 3987 East 89th Street:

O'Rourke, William, 36, married 1x, for 5 years, born in Ireland, parents also, arrived in 1900, naturalized, craneman in steel works
O'Rourke, Anna, 37, married 2x, this time for 5yrs, 4 children, 4 alive, born in Ohio, parents in Ireland
O'Rourke, Ellen, 4
O'Rourke, Mary, 3
O'Rourke, Willie, 1 6/12
all children born in Ohio

 

"United States Census, 1910," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/ML8P-9DH : accessed 30 Oct 2013), William Orourke, Cleveland Ward 18, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States; citing sheet , family 5, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375186.

at 3987 East 89th when the tracking cards started for naturalized immigrants in 1912.

also at that address in the 1911 City Directory

moved to 4065 E 91st

moved to 8005 Finney Av

United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Sept 12, 1918

William O'Rourke
8005 Finney, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio
age 44, born January 23, 1874
white, naturalized citizen
occupaton: stopper setter, American Steel and Wire Co., Newburgh Works
nearest relative: Mrs Anna O'Rourke, 8008 Finney, Cleveland
height: 5'8", medium build, eyes and hair: grey
no lost limbs, not obviously physically disqualified, etc.

Registrar: James McGowan
Division No. 11, Broadway YMCA, Cleveland, O.

[Note: I doubt they were living across the street from each other. Anna's address must be wrong.]

"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K6FZ-3T2 : accessed 30 Oct 2013), William O Rourke, 1917-1918; citing Cleveland City no 11, Ohio, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d); FHL microfilm 1831775.

when William registered for the draft he was living at 8005 Finney

When William registered for the draft he was working as a stopper setter at American Steel and Wire, Newburgh Works.

1920 Census 15th Ward of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Series T625, Roll 1367, Page 15A, E. D. 296.
[At 8005 Finney [the census says 8605, but the next house is 8001. The 1922 City Directory has them at 8005 Finney.]

[Indexed as "Williams Owarke" at ancestry.com and familysearch.org]

O'Rourke, William, 45, arrived 1899, nat 1905, pourer in a steel mill
-----------, Anna, 46
----------, Ellen, 14
-----------, Mary, 12
--------, William, 11
-----------, Anna, 9
----------, Tresa, 7
-----------, Lucy, 5 10/12
----------, Bessy, 4 5/12
-----------, Reta, 8/12
All birth locations were correct.

"United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDRY-CY2 : accessed 28 Oct 2013), Williams Owarke, Cleveland Ward 15, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States; citing sheet , family 267, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821367.

1924 City Directory
O'Rourke William repairman h 8005 Finney av

The 1924 to 1928 City Directories list William O'Rourke's occupation as a repairman. This was evidently when he started working as a street car mechanic for the Cleveland Transit System. He held this job until at ieast 1943.

1925 City Directory
O'Rourke Ellen clerk St Mary's Seminary Fund r 8005 Finney av
O'Rourke Mary biller r 8005 Finney av
O'Rourke William repairman h 8005 Finney av

1926 City Directory
O'Rourke William repairman h 8005 Finney av
O'Rourke Ellen stenographer St Mary's Seminary Fund r 8005 Finney av
O'Rourke Mary C clk Calvary Cemetery r 8005 Finney av

1928 City Directory
O'Rourke Wm repair h 9340 Harvard av
O'Rourke Wm E timekeeper r 9340 Harvard av
O'Rourke Ellen stenographer r 9340 Harvard av
O'Rourke Mary C clerk Calvary Cemetery r 9340 Harvard av

1930 Federal Census, Ohio, Cuyahoga Co., 15th Ward of Cleveland.
Series T626, Roll 1770 Enum. Dist 18-292, Sheet 3A.
Renting at 9340 Harvard, for $50/month.

O'Rourke, William 56, mechanic, railway, born in Northern Ireland to parents born in Northern Ireland, arrived in 1900, naturalized
-----, Anna 57, born in Ohio to parents born in Northern Ireland
-----, Ellen 24, Stenographer, office
-----, Mary 23, Stenographer, cemetery office
-----, William 21, Timekeeper, punching (?), plant
-----, Ann 19, Stenographer, barrel mfg.
-----, Theresa 17
-----, Lucy 16
-----, Betty 14
-----, Rita 11

Note: 1930 was the first US Census after the partition of Ireland and therefore the first to distinguish between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland for places of birth.

"United States Census, 1930," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X43D-XCB : accessed 28 Oct 2013), William Orourke, Cleveland (Districts 251-500), Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0292, sheet , family 8, NARA microfilm publication

The 1931 and 1932 Directories at ancestry.com are incomplete. The 1933 Directory is not there at all.

1934 City Directory
O'Rourke
Ann C sten Diocese of Clev 12916 Beachwood av
Lucy C r 12916 Beachwood av
Eliz J r 12916 Beachwood av
Mary C clk r 12916 Beachwood av
Teresa H student nurse r 12916 Beachwood av
Wm (Ann) reprmn h 12916 Beachwood av
Wm P r 12916 Beachwood av

1935 City Directory
O'Rourke
Ann C sten Diocese of Clev 12916 Beachwood av
Betty r 12916 Beachwood av
Lucy C sten Norge-Whale Co r 12916 Beachwood av
Mary clk r 12916 Beachwood av
Teresa r 12916 Beachwood av
Wm E (Ann) reprmn h 12916 Beachwood av
Wm P city firemn r 12916 Beachwood av

12916 Beechwood Ave

1940; Census Place: Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; Roll: T627_3218; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 92-398.
at 12916 Beechwood Ave, ward 15

O'Rourke, William, head, 66, married, 5yrs of schooling, birthplace: Northern Ireland, naturalized, street car maintenance, street railroad, worked 52 weeks in 1939, 40 hours previous week, made $1568 in 1939
Ann, wife, 67, married, 8yrs of schooling, engaged in housework
Mary, daughter, 33, bookkeeper, cemetery office, worked 52 weeks in 1939, 40 hours the previous week, made $1260 in 1939
Theresa, daughter, 27, nurse, private nursing, worked 26 weeks in 1939, 56 hours the previous week, made $1040 in 1939
Lucy, daughter, 26, bookkeeper, truck mfg., worked 52 weeks in 1939, 40 hours the previous week, made $1300 in 1939
Betsy, daughter, 24, secretary, cemetery office, worked 52 weeks in 1939, 40 hours the previous week, made $1200 in 1939
Rita, daughter, 21, clerk-general, commercial bank, worked 52 weeks in 1939, 40 hours the previous week, made $960 in 1939

all but William were born in Ohio
all but Ann were working.
all in household were at the same address in 1935
all daughters had 4 years of high school
all daughters were single.

"United States Census, 1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KW56-Q5S : accessed 06 Sep 2013), Ann O'Rourke in entry for William O'Rourke, 1940.

In the 1943 City Directory of Cleveland, at ancestry.com, William O'Rourke's listing reads:
O'Rourke, William J (Anna E) mech CTS h4306 E 131st

The 1947 City Directory listing by streets has William O'Rourke at 4242 East 126th.

1950 Census Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, ED 92-558
April 1, 1950
at 4242 East 126th

William O'Rourke, 76, born in Ireland, naturalized, worked 40 hours last week bus repairman, city transit
Ann E O'Rourke, 77, born in Ohio
Theresa H O'Rourke, 37, born in Ohio, worked 40 hours last week, registered nurse, automotive parts
Ann M Tobin, 73, widowed, housekeeper, born in Ohio, worked 60 hours last week, domestic, family home

for William: was living in this house a year ago. parents born in Ireland. completed 6 years of school. worked 52 weeks last year for $2978. his relatives in this house made $3000 last year. not a veteran

The 1951 City Directory has William J O'Rourke at 4242 East 126th.

The Cleveland City Directories at ancestry.com after 1954 are not complete, so I can't tell where William was living after his wife died. But once he moved in with his son he stayed there until he went in to Jennings Hall.

1954 Cleveland City Directory
O'Rourke William resides at 13204 South Parkway Dr, Garfield Hts
O'Rourke William P (June L) lieut Engine Co No 11 owns house at 13204 South Parkway dr

From the Cleveland Necrology files online:
Id#: 0659336
Name: O'Rourke, William
Date: Feb 23 1967
Source: Cleveland Press
Notes: O'Rourke. William O'Rourke, husband of the late Ann (Rodgers), father of Ellen Guarnieri, William, Ann Telzrow, Tneresa, Lucy Hamilton, Betsy Sackerson, and the late Mary Murphy, and Rita Kellin, stepfather of John McCracken, brother of the late James. The family will receive friends Wednesday 2-5 And 7-10 P. M. at The Lester J. Gallagher Funeral Home, 9615 Miles Ave. Funeral Mass 9:30 A. M. Thursday, St. Timothy Church. Please omit flowers.