Recently, I was reviewing the information I have on Patrick Riley, who was born in Ireland about 1835 and died in Pawtucket on September 12, 1906. There isn’t much documentation of his early years and some of the information we do have is conflicting. It appears he arrived in New York City on May 28, 1862 and first emerged in Pawtucket, with family in tow, in 1872. It seems bit strange that there is little mention or reference to those 10 years he spent living in and around New York City. Where were he and his young family living? Were they living on their own, or with another branch of the family? Still can’t figure that out.

What gave thought to all of this was a re-reading of the obit of his death in the Evening Times (Pawtucket) on September 12, 1906.

As posted:

“RILEY – In this city, Sept 12th, Patrick Riley. Funeral from his residence, 181 South Bend Street. Saturday Sept 15th. at 8:00 am. Services at St Joseph’s Church. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. New York papers please copy”

What struck me was the last line which called for the New York papers to copy the notice, that is, to post the news of Patrick’s death. To me, that indicates the strong possibility of other Riley family members were still living in the New York City area in 1906. Love to know if that was the case.