Four Words That Solved a Mystery
Part of the Storyline Genealogy series: Uncovering the extraordinary stories hidden in ordinary family histories, one ancestor at a time.
“
1862 Kenny, Eliza wid. grocery, Walworth nr. Park Ave
1873 Kenny, Eliza groceries 66 Dean
1879 Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard h r 75 Walworth
1880 Kenny Elizabeth, wid. Richard, h r 75 Walworth
1885 Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard, h. 39 Nostrand Ave”
“
1880 Kenny John matmkr. h r 75 Walworth
1888 Kenny, John matmkr. h 39 Hopkins”
Knox Hat Company: One of the most famous hat companies of the 19th century, While this is slightly later our specified time frame, the company's growth during the 1870s and 1880s would have created demand for hatters. Before the large factory was built, hatmaking would have occurred in smaller workshops or factories around the city.
"Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard"
unlocked a Brooklyn genealogical puzzle that had stumped traditional research methods
“Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard, h. 39 Nostrand Ave”
After seven years of failed attempts, dozens of dead ends, and countless hours spent distinguishing between seemingly identical John Kennys in 19th-century Brooklyn, four words in a city directory changed everything: "Kenny Elizabeth wid. Richard".
This is the story of how those four words solved what appeared to be an impossible genealogical mystery and led to the development of a methodology that's now helping other researchers tackle their own "impossible" cases.
Part of the Storyline Genealogy series: Uncovering the extraordinary stories hidden in ordinary family histories, one ancestor at a time.
The Challenge: Which John Kenny Was the Right One?
The Brooklyn Kenny research began in 2018 with what seemed like a straightforward question: Who was John Kenny, the husband of Margaret McKenny and father of Mary Agnes Kenny?
Simple enough, until the census records revealed the scope of the challenge:
1870 Census: Eight John Kennys in Brooklyn, ages 20-50
1880 Census: Twelve John Kennys with similar demographics
City Directories: Dozens of John Kenny entries spanning three decades
Each had plausible characteristics. Several were Irish immigrants. Some showed various occupations—laborer, porter, tradesman. Traditional genealogical methods—matching ages, locations, and family connections—produced no clear distinguishing features.
DNA testing yielded minimal results: A single distant match through the Corcoran line, insufficient for family reconstruction.
Church records were scattered across Brooklyn's numerous parishes with incomplete indexing.
Death certificates existed for multiple John Kennys in the relevant time period, but without knowing John's occupation or other distinguishing characteristics, nothing definitively connected any specific John to Margaret McKenny or their daughter Mary Agnes.
After two years of systematic investigation, the research had reached what genealogists call "the brick wall"—that frustrating point where traditional methods have been exhausted without producing breakthrough identification.
Directory entry reading 'Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard' that solved the mystery
“Kenny Elizabeth, wid. Richard” h r 75 Walworth
The Breakthrough: Sequential Evidence Building
Year three brought a methodological shift. Instead of searching for John Kenny directly, the research pivoted to sequential evidence building—identifying family context first, then placing the target individual within that proven structure.
The strategy began with systematic examination of all John Kenny entries, looking for patterns that might distinguish one from the others. This occupational tracking across multiple census years revealed something interesting:
1870: John Kenny, age 32, Mat Weaver
1875: John Kenny, same address, Matmaker
1880: John Kenny, same family unit, Hatter
This occupational progression from mat weaver to matmaker to hatter suggested skill development within related textile trades—a logical career advancement that distinguished this particular John Kenny from others in the same timeframe. But was this the John Kenny who married Margaret McKenny?
The real breakthrough came from shifting focus entirely away from John Kenny himself.
The Four Words That Changed Everything
1879 Brooklyn City Directory:
Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard, 75 Walworth
These four words—"Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard"—provided the family context that had been missing from three years of research.
“Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard, 75 Walworth”
Why this mattered:
Widow designation indicated recent family loss, providing a timeline anchor
Richard Kenny offered a second family name to research
75 Walworth Street gave a specific address to cross-reference with census records
Elizabeth/Eliza provided the mother's name to match with census records
1879 date placed the family precisely in historical context
With "Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard" as the foundation, systematic cross-referencing began producing results:
Building the Family Structure
With Richard, Eliza, James, and John identified as a family unit, their appearances in subsequent records could be tracked and validated across twenty-five years of census documentation:
1850 Census: Complete family with Richard as head
1855 New York State Census: Eliza with James and John after Richard's 1854 death
1865 Census: Continued household composition
1870 Census: Sustained family connections
1875 New York State Census: Eliza still maintaining family relationships
1880 Census: Eliza Kenny (55), John Kenny (31), Margaret Kenny (28), Elizabeth Kenny (10 months) - Final appearance before Eliza's death in 1888
This twenty-five-year consistency pattern (1855-1880) across multiple independent sources eliminated any possibility of confusion with other Kenny families. The same individuals appeared together repeatedly, confirming relationships beyond traditional genealogical doubt.
Most importantly, this was the John Kenny who married Margaret McKenny. The 1880 census showed John Kenny (31) living with Margaret Kenny (28) and their infant daughter Elizabeth Kenny (10 months)—confirming this was indeed the family line being researched.
The occupational progression from mat weaver to hatter now made sense as part of John's complete life story, and Richard Kenny's death could be documented to 1854 in Brooklyn, leaving Eliza to raise James and John as a widow—a remarkable achievement in 19th-century immigrant communities.
1850 census showing Richard and Eliza Kenny with sons James and John
This was the only document showing all four family members together, providing the baseline that made everything else possible. Without the "widow of Richard" clue, this census record would have remained just another Kenny family among dozens of possibilities.
“Richard Kenney (40), Elizabeth (40), James (11) and John (5)”
The Extended Family Connection
The methodology's power became fully apparent with the discovery of Thomas Kenny—Richard's brother.
Cemetery Records Research:
Thomas Kenny: Section PLOT, Row 10, Plot 31, Grave 41' FRONT
Richard Kenny: Section PLOT, Row 10, Plot 31, Grave 41' FRONT
Identical burial coordinates indicated close family relationship—cemetery plots were typically shared only among immediate family members.
DNA Validation:
A descendant of Francis Heffernan (connected to the Thomas Kenny line through his sister, Anne Kenney Corcoran) provided the genetic evidence that confirmed the documentary research. The DNA match, while distant, perfectly aligned with the family structure revealed through sequential evidence building.
This connection was crucial because it:
Extended identification beyond the nuclear family to a broader Kenny clan
Provided independent verification through cemetery evidence
Created additional research pathways for future investigations
Validated the entire methodology through genetic confirmation
Thomas Kenney, an uncle of Detective John Corcoran (demonstrating a connection to Ann Kenney Corcoran)
The Final Picture: An Irish Immigrant Success Story
Twenty-five years of consistent documentation revealed an extraordinary family story:
Eliza Kenny: Widowed in Brooklyn in 1854, successfully raised two sons as a single mother in Ward 7's Irish immigrant community. Listed in a city directory as "Kenny Elizabeth wid. Richard". Lived to see John marry Margaret McKenny and welcome granddaughter Elizabeth in 1880. Died in 1888.
John Kenny: Advanced from mat weaver (1870) to matmaker (1875) to hatter (death certificate, 1895), representing significant skill development within textile trades. Married Margaret McKenny, had children including Mary Agnes Kenny and Elizabeth. The beautiful hats visible in family photographs represent his craftsmanship.
Richard Kenny: Died in Brooklyn in 1854, leaving young family but having established them in America. Buried alongside brother Thomas Kenny, indicating extended family presence in Brooklyn.
Holy Cross Cemetery
Plot
Sec PLOT, Row 10, Plot 31, Grave 41' FRONT
Cemetery plot evidence provided physical proof of family relationships that survived historical documentation gaps.
The Methodology: Sequential Evidence Building
The Brooklyn Matmaker case demonstrated a five-phase approach that's now being applied to other complex genealogical challenges:
Phase 1: Occupational Tracking
Document career progression across multiple years to identify unique patterns that distinguish individuals with common names.
Phase 2: Family Context Development
Search for family members (especially women with distinctive designations like "widow of [name]") who provide additional identification points.
Phase 3: Address Consistency Analysis
Track residential patterns across decades to confirm family unit stability and eliminate false matches.
Phase 4: Extended Family Network
Identify siblings, cousins, and related families to create broader identification framework.
Phase 5: DNA Validation
Use genetic evidence to confirm documentary research rather than leading with DNA analysis.
What Made This Work
Several factors contributed to this methodology's success:
Focusing on family context rather than individual identification eliminated the confusion created by multiple John Kennys with similar characteristics.
Occupational progression tracking revealed career advancement that distinguished this John Kenny from others in the same trades.
Twenty-five-year consistency pattern across multiple independent sources created unshakeable identification confidence.
Cemetery plot evidence provided physical proof of family relationships that survived historical documentation gaps.
DNA confirmation validated documentary research rather than replacing it, showing how genetic genealogy works best when supporting comprehensive traditional research.
Beyond Individual Success: Building Community Resources
The Kenny family research produced more than one solved mystery. The methodology development created ten comprehensive research templates that other genealogists can apply to similar challenges:
Occupational Tracking Worksheet
Multi-Source Timeline Template
Cemetery Plot Research Guide
DNA Strategy for Limited Matches
Brooklyn Ward Research Guide
Research Timeline Tracker
Irish Immigration Network Framework
Brooklyn Directory Search Strategy
Address Clustering Analysis Template
Common Surname Differentiation Matrix
This transformation from individual research problem to community resource represents professional genealogy at its best - solving immediate challenges while building knowledge that benefits future investigations.
The Human Story Behind the Research
While the methodology innovation makes this case study valuable for genealogists, the human story provides its emotional power. The Kenny family journey from Richard's early death in 1854 to his descendants' prosperity in the early 1900s represents the American immigrant experience at its most successful.
Eliza Kenny's determination to keep her family together despite overwhelming obstacles. John Kenny's skill development from mat weaving to master craftsmanship. The visual evidence of family success in photographs showing elaborate hats that symbolized both John's expertise and the family's achievement of the American dream.
These stories remind us why genealogical research matters beyond academic exercise or hobby pursuit. Understanding how our ancestors overcame seemingly impossible circumstances provides both inspiration and practical wisdom for facing our own challenges.
Mary Agnes Kenny, daughter of John Kenny , circa 1894-1896 wearing a beautiful hat
What This Means for Your Research
If you're struggling with similar genealogical challenges - common surnames, limited DNA matches, or fragmented family records - the Brooklyn Matmaker case offers hope and methodology.
The key insights:
Traditional methods aren't the only approaches available
Alternative identifiers often hide in plain sight within familiar sources
Sequential evidence building can solve cases that resist standard research
Patience and methodological innovation often succeed where quick searches fail
Professional research investment in complex cases frequently pays long-term dividends
Questions to consider for your own challenging cases:
What unique characteristics might distinguish your target individual from others with the same name?
Are you using family designations, occupational progressions, or associate networks as identifiers?
Have you built evidence chains where each discovery informs the next research strategy?
Are you cross-validating findings across multiple independent source types?
The Broader Impact
The Brooklyn Matmaker story demonstrates that genealogy extends far beyond individual family history. Professional research often produces methodological innovations, community resources, and historical insights that benefit researchers and families for generations.
Every complex case solved using innovative approaches expands the toolkit available for future investigations. Every successful breakthrough proves that seemingly impossible research challenges can yield to sustained professional effort and creative analytical thinking.
Most importantly, cases like the Kenny family research remind us that behind every genealogical puzzle lies a human story of struggle, determination, and hope. The seven years required to solve this mystery weren't just about finding names and dates - they were about recovering a lost narrative of immigrant resilience and family strength.
When we restore these stories to families and communities, we're not just satisfying curiosity about the past. We're preserving wisdom about how ordinary people overcome extraordinary challenges - wisdom that remains relevant and inspiring across generations.
Conclusion: When Research Becomes Discovery
The Brooklyn Matmaker case started as a genealogical problem and became a methodological breakthrough. What began as frustration with traditional research limitations evolved into innovative approaches that other genealogists can adapt for their own challenging cases.
But perhaps most importantly, seven years of detective work recovered a family story that had been lost for over 150 years. The Kenny family narrative - from Eliza's widowed determination to John's craftsman success to their descendants' continued prosperity - now exists as both historical record and family inspiration.
That transformation from research challenge to recovered legacy represents professional genealogy at its most valuable. When we solve the seemingly impossible cases, we're not just demonstrating technical expertise. We're proving that every family story matters enough to pursue with patience, creativity, and sustained commitment.
The next time you encounter a genealogical brick wall that resists traditional methods, remember the Brooklyn Matmaker. Sometimes the breakthrough you need is hiding in four words you haven't noticed yet: "Eliza, widow of Richard."
Have you encountered similar common surname challenges in your own genealogical research?
Part of the Storyline Genealogy series: When traditional research methods fail, innovative approaches unlock the impossible cases that define professional genealogy.
Tags: Brooklyn Genealogy, Irish Immigration, Occupational Tracking, Common Surname Research, Genealogy Methodology, Sequential Evidence Building, Brooklyn Ward History, Professional Genealogy
Related Reading:
Read “Four Generations in Hats: A Brooklyn Story of Resilience”
Read “Woman in the Portrait: Aunt Maime’s Story” - For 90 years, her portrait was preserved…
About the Author: This research represents seven years of professional genealogical investigation specializing in complex cases requiring innovative methodological approaches. The complete Brooklyn Mat Maker research framework and template collection are available for genealogists working with similar challenging cases.
© 2025 Storyline Genealogy. This family research and narrative is original work protected by copyright.
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