O'Donnel Surname History

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the O'Donnel family in North America:

O'Donnel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Hugh, James, John, Richard, and Sally O'Donnel all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860

O'Donnel Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Charles O'donnel, (O'Donnell), (b. 1781), aged 36, Irish labourer who was convicted in County Mayo, Ireland for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 25th May 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1825 3
• Mary Odonnel, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Bruce" in 1846 4
• Mary O'Donnel, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Bruce" in 1846 4

• Frank A. O'Donnel, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 12th District, 1893; Member of New York State Senate 10th District, 1894-95 5