Agnes Jane Fay was the child of Mary Bridget Murray and probably Patrick Cavanagh.

Birth

Her birth date is a little unclear. Her death certificate lists it as March 30, with no year. Her age was given as 44 years old when she died in 1919, making her birth year 1875. However, the death certificate information is only as accurate as the person giving it. In this case, it was her son, Frank, who may have been wrong.

I found a birth record for March 13, 1873 in Cleveland, Ohio, for Agnes J. Kavanaugh, daughter of Patrick Kavanaugh and Delia Kavanaugh. Delia (from Bedelia) is a nickname for Bridget, which Agnes’ mother Mary seemed to have gone by as a young woman (later switching mostly to Mary), so I suppose this could be the correct birth record.

The 1880 census further backs up the year of 1873 as Agnes’ correct birth year: she is listed as a 7-year-old, making her birth year 1873.

“Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X6S4-RM6 : accessed 1 July 2015), Agnes J. Kavanaugh, 13 Mar 1873; citing Birth, Cuyahoga, Ohio, reference v 2 p 30, county courthouses, Ohio; FHL microfilm 877,901.

Adoption

In 1874, Agnes’ father, Patrick Cavanaugh, died. Her mother married Patrick Fay sometime before 1880. Thereafter, Agnes became known as a Fay. Whether she was legally adopted or not, I don’t know.

Marriage

Agnes married Michael Deering on February 12, 1895, at St. Patrick’s Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

After Agnes’ death in 1919, Michael remarried in 1924 to Mary Cosey. He died in 1926.

Children

Agnes and Michael had four children, all born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

1. Frank Deering, born November 25, 1895. Fought in WWI. I believe he died on August 11, 1927, after being hit by a car in Cleveland, Ohio.
2. Mark Fay Deering, born June 17, 1898; married Beatrix McNabb on May 19, 1932; died April 8, 1973 in Los Angeles, California.
3. Gertrude E. Deering, born September 29, 1901; married Willis Edward Myers on May 30, 1927; died July 9, 1992 in Los Angeles, California.
4. Agnes Marie Deering, born August 14, 1914; married Harold Maxwell; children were Robert, Gail and George; died April 26, 2000, in Middleburg Heights, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

Residence

Agnes appears to have lived in Cleveland, Ohio her entire life.

1880

Agnes appears with her family in the 1880 U.S. Census for Ohio as a 7 year old.

1895

Agnes is listed in the 1895 Cleveland city directory as a confectioner living at 242 Liberty with her parents.

1900

Agnes and her husband Michael Deering, along with their oldest two children, Frank and Mark, appear in the 1900 Ohio census.

1910

Death

28 Mar 1919
At her home, 3031 West 48th Street

Death Certificate

Burial

Agnes was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland.

Gallery