Part 1: Francis Miller’s Birth in Ireland to American Immigration

From the Beginning

On September 9, 1895, Bridget and Sean Miller welcomed their firstborn child, Francis Dalton Miller, into the world. The proud father immediately carried his son to the center of the village and proclaimed him the perfect child—one destined to change the world.

Sean had been born in Dublin, where his own father tragically died in the whiskey fire of 1875. After the tragedy, Sean and his mother moved in with her relatives in County Cork. He met Bridget during a market day in Carrigaline, and he began courting her immediately. They married in 1893 and settled in the quiet fishing village of Kinsale, Ireland, about a half-day’s walk from Queenstown. Their life was simple—much like Bridget’s parents and grandparents before them.

Though Kinsale was picturesque and peaceful, it wasn’t where Bridget wanted to raise her children. Sean and her father, Duncan Halleran, spent their days operating fishing boats, but it was Bridget who truly supported the family. She earned her income by baking morning pastries and savory supper pies for the fort and the wealthier homes in town. Her baking brought in more money than the fishing boats—and was far more dependable.

When Bridget discovered she was pregnant with their second child, she knew she wanted a different life for her growing family. Sean agreed, and they made the decision to emigrate to America.

A Passage to America – 1900

In September of 1900, Francis, along with his parents and newborn sister Mary Elizabeth, boarded the SS Lucania of the Cunard Line, bound for New York. To save money, Sean purchased a single ticket under his middle name, Henry—you’ll find him listed as passenger 84. His third cousin, Captain Horatio McKay, was commanding the ship and agreed to give his family safe passage in exchange for a favor.

In return for their passage, Bridget prepared meals for the senior crew and desserts for the First Class passengers. Sean worked the docks on board, and baby Mary Elizabeth was looked after by Captain McKay’s wife. That left young Francis free to explore the ship. The cook’s cat took a liking to him, and the boy spent his days wandering the galley as his mother worked. With no children of his own, the captain took a soft spot for Francis, often seen walking hand-in-hand with the curious five-year-old during his daily rounds.

By early October, the Millers stood on American soil, breathing in the unfamiliar scent of their new life. Though the ticket for Sean had depleted their savings, they soon found a boarding house willing to let them defer rent by a week. Sean found work on the docks, and Bridget took up work as a seamstress.

Loss and a Letter – 1902

Life in New York was hard, but manageable. The Millers had even begun to build a modest savings. Then, one day, Sean didn’t return home from work. After a sleepless night, Bridget rushed to the docks, only to be told that her husband had been killed in a tragic accident.

Alone in a foreign country with two children, Bridget did what she had always done—she worked.

Desperate, she wrote to her mother’s sister, Aunt Peg, in Chicago, asking if she would take them in. With daily rent, food expenses, and low seamstress wages, it would’ve taken years to afford the move. Months later, a letter arrived—not only was Aunt Peg willing, she sent three train tickets to Chicago.

Aunt Peg, it seemed, carried a bit of guilt for leaving Ireland to chase dreams in America. She welcomed the chance to help. Along with the tickets, she sent money for new travel clothes and cab fare to her home on the North Side of Chicago.

Though Bridget’s heart was heavy without Sean, to the children, this was just the next chapter in their adventure.

Francis—now with polished new shoes and a crisp traveling outfit—was Chicago-bound.