James McLaughlin (1821-1911) and his wife, Ann McKinney (1822-1888), were the first members of the family to leave Ireland for the United States, emigrating in 1848 after the deaths of their three young children, starvation victims during the potato famine.

James and Ann McLaughlin settled in Skaneateles, NY. He bought 40 acres in Skaneateles, started the teasel business, and picked up a new nickname. (See Descendants of James McLaughlin.)

Cornelius McLaughlin left his home in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1866, and took his son, William, to Skaneateles, NY. He returned to Ireland, but left William with one of Cornelius's brothers, James "40 Acres" McLaughlin Sr.

Cornelius, perhaps better known as Neal McLaughlin, died on Easter Sunday in 1911. He had at least six other children, five of whom eventually settled in the United States, four of them in Skaneateles where their brother William was living. (See Descendants of Cornelius McLaughlin.)

Ellen McLaughlin m. Timothy Donohue. According to "This History of the McLaughlin Family," Ellen and Timothy Donohue lived in Schenectady. However, an obituary for a Timothy Donohue in the Auburn Citizen (Aug. 13, 1913) says Donohue (1833-1913) was born in Ireland and lived in Skaneateles for about 60 years and was the sexton to St. Mary's Cemetery. His widow was identified as the former Helen McLaughlin. Through reading many newspaper obituaries during my family research, I've noticed it's quite common for names to be misspelled or confused, particularly if the story was dictated to someone. The names Helen and Ellen would invite such confusion.

Among Timothy Donohue's other survivers were three sons, including Timothy E. Donohue who did live in Schenectady. His other sons were John P. Donohue of Fulton and Robert D. Donohue of New York City. He also was survived by a daughter, Anna Donohue of Skaneateles

In one of several name coincidences that have popped up in regard to my family tree, Margaret Major, a daughter of Charles J. Major, married Timothy E. Donohue in Skaneateles Falls, NY, on Aug. 24, 1898. So it was reported in the Skaneateles Press. Her husband appears to be the same Timothy E. Donohue mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Margaret and Timothy Donohue did live in Schenectady, something mentioned several times in the Skaneateles Press, which seemed to keep tabs on the comings and goings of its citizens. Frequently the Donohues would visit the village to see relatives there.

John and Ellen McLaughlin (above) were twins. The 1880 US census lists John McLaughlin as a blacksmith born in Ireland. Notes in a Bible belonging to Rose McLaughlin Major say John McLaughlin arrived in New York from Ireland on Dec. 7, 1851 aboard a ship called Vanguard. He settled in Skaneateles, but moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1858, returning to Skaneateles in May, 1868.

John McLaughlin's first wife, Mary McGrorry, died in 1864 at the age of 30. She is buried in Louisville. Also buried there is their son Willie McLaughlin, who was born Dec. 12, 1858 and survived only 11 days.

John McLaughlin's second wife was Mary Casey (1842-1907). They are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Skaneateles, NY. (See Descendants of John McLaughlin.)