Irish Ancestry Gallery
Obtained through exhaustive genealogical research, the following is a visual gallery showcasing Peggy’s Irish ancestry.
Harte
Alice (Great-Aunt)
On October 5, 1904, 21-year-old Alice Elizabeth Harte (Peggy’s great-aunt) arrived New York City with five dollars in her pocket and one suitcase. Like so many other young female Irish immigrants, she became a “nurse” (nanny) to many wealthy families. She is pictured here with the McKelvy children in Easton, PA. Read more about Alice on the blog.
Peggy’s maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Harte, with husband Hugh McCleary (grandfather) along with her sister Alice Harte (great-aunt) in NYC circa 1907. All arrived from Ireland, hoping for better opportunities in America. Read about Hugh and Mary on the blog.
U.S. Passport issued to Alice Elizabeth Harte 8/25/26. Alice returns a few months later to marry a newly widowed Patrick Quinlan. Read more about Alice on the blog.
Alice Harte’s passport stamped September 27, 1926, allowing her to travel back to Ireland for a brief period. Though her passport spells her name “Hart” and not “Harte,” as she is referred in a majority of historical documents, this inconsistency reflects many immigrant experiences in this time period. Read more about Alice on the blog.
McCleary
Mary (Mother)
Peggy’s great aunt Alice Harte marries Patrick Quinlan, October 1927. Patrick was a widower, previously married to Alice’s cousin Margaret Stanford. They resided at his home at Pleasant Ridge, Dutchess County, NY. Read more about Alice on the blog.
Peggy’s mother Mary McCleary with her Aunt Alice (circa 1940) with four of the Gackstatter siblings that came to live on the farm in 1932. Patrick and Alice never had children of their own, but found it in their hearts to love all children, so they took in orphans from an NYC orphanage. The farm was in Union Vale, Dutchess County, N.Y. Read more about Mary.
Peggy’s mother, Mary MCleary, age 22 with her dog, Pal, in Union Vale, Dutchess County, NY, 1935.
Peggy’s mother, Mary McCleary, married her father, Anthony Pasquariello, on November 21, 1940 in Sylvan Lake, New York. After the ceremony, 50 guests attended a wedding breakfast at Hotel Campbell. The sweet and simple prewar bride wore a white satin gown made princess style with a full length veil that attached to a coronet. She carried a bouquet of calla lilies.
Peggy’s mother, Mary, with her father, Tony Pasquariello, a commissioned officer for the USN. Circa 1942, Crane, Indiana.
Peggy’s mother, Mary McCleary, behind the wheel of her Ford V8 sedan (circa 1935) on her mother’s farm in Pleasant Ridge, Union Vale in Dutchess County, New York. She wrote on the back of the photo, “Mother dearest, how do you like my new (old) car? I drive myself now. Love, Mary.” Read more about Mary.
Mary McCleary (Peggy’s mother) pictured here at age 14 with her mother Mary Ann (Peggy’s grandmother) circa 1927 in Union Vale, Dutchess County, NY.
Young and in love: Peggy’s mother and father, Mary and Tony Pasquariello, circa 1940. Union Vale, Dutchess County, NY.
Mary Ann (Maternal Grandmother)
Hugh McCleary (Maternal Grandfather)
Few pictures exist of Peggy’s maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Harte McCleary, or her grandfather, Hugh McCleary. Here they are pictured with Alice Harte, circa 1907. Though visual evidence is lacking, Mary Ann’s story is one of awful tragedy and ultimately, perseverance. Read more about Mary Ann and Hugh.
The baby in the picture is Peggy, held by her godmother, Mary Quinlan. They are in front of her grandmother’s bungalow in Union Vale, Dutchess County, N.Y., September 1947. The house was built from a mail order kit, circa 1937. Sears sold about 70,000 homes from 1908-1940 and offered 370 house designs in their catalog. Many other companies sold these kit houses on a national level during this time. The name “Sears Kit Home” became a generic label for these kit homes.