Henry was James
an Anne's 8th child, their 7th son. Henry married
Margaret McMenamin (a McMenamin before marring
Henry) in 1904 and had 6 children. Henry was
illiterate as were most of his bothers and
sisters with the exception of Edward (Ned) , who
had received some schooling and was illiterate.
Two sons, James (Jamie) and Michael (Mick) would
emigrate to New Zealand.
Henry and his family would leave the McMenamin
ancestral home in Edenreagh to help take care of
his ailing brother (James) who had returned from
Australia. After returning from Australia, James
had purchased his own farm in County Fernanagh
but soon took ill.
James died in 1918 and Henry sold the farm in
Fernanagh and moved himself and his family back
to Edenreagh. Margaret died in 1913 and after her
death, John, their eldest son, was raised by
Margaret's family.
Henry died in 1921 at the age of 63 with
pneumonia, Edward (lame Ned) would finish raising
Henry's children. At the time, James (Jamie) was
age 13, Michael (Mick) age 12, Annie age 11 and
Lena age 9. John (14) the oldest son was already
living with his mothers family.
Henry's second son Jamie, would later communicate
with Joseph P. McMenamin of Chicago and would
contribute much to the understanding of the
McMenamins of Edenreagh. Two of his letters (Letter
To Joe From Jamie and The Saga of Jamie McMenamin)
can be found in the "Original Documents"
section of this web site.
