Anastasia Dwyer (b. Anastasia Murphy, daughter of John Murphy) was an immigrant, farmer, mother, and veteran’s wife. She was born October, 1843 in Tikerlevan Townland, Graiguenamanagh Parish, Gowran Barony, Kilkenny County, Ireland. Born at the outbreak of the Great Famine, as a child, she survived mass starvation and disease. At age twenty-two she married Andrew Dwyer (not pictured), ten years her senior, also from Graiguenamanagh. As the story goes, Andrew immigrated to America first. He served from 1861-1865 in the Civil War with the Connecticut Cavalry, Union Army. After service, he secured a farm in New Haven, CT and returned to Ireland with the intention of marrying Anastasia’s older sister. He returned to discover the sister was no longer available. The girl’s parents gave permission for Andrew to wed Anastasia instead. They married at the Roman Catholic Chapel of Graigue in October, 1865 and immediately left for Connecticut - where they would spend the rest of their lives. They were farmers. They had seven boys and one girl. Their sixth child, Daniel, was my great grandfather. In 1877, Ana and Andrew bought five acres in North Branford, CT. Andrew died in 1900 and Anastasia sometime between 1920 and 1930. Their great great grandson - myself - works in History and resides in California.

– Tucker Foltz

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more