Document Gallery
Primary Sources for The Brooklyn Mat Maker Case Study
40+ verified documents spanning 107 years of Kenny and McKenny family history (1843-1950)
Evidence Collection Overview
This gallery presents the primary source documents that form the evidentiary foundation for identifying John Kenny through occupational tracking methodology. When common surnames make traditional genealogical identification impossible, distinctive occupations like "Mat Maker" provide the key to distinguishing individuals across multiple record types.
The collection spans 1843 to 1950, tracing the Kenny and McKenny families of Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, and documenting the tragic pattern of tuberculosis that claimed five family members across three generations.
Part I: Kenny Family Records
Richard Kenny & Eliza Kenny - Marriage Register
Marriage Register, June 23, 1843
Marriage Register, June 23, 1843, Richard Kenny and Eliza Kenny; witnesses John Rielly and El. Farrel.
What This Proves:
Establishes the marriage of Richard and Eliza Kenny, parents of James and John Kenny. This foundational document anchors the entire Kenny family line and provides the starting point for tracing the family forward through census, directory, and vital records.
1850 Federal Census - Eliza Kenny Household
1850 U.S. Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 5
1850 U.S. census, Kings County, New York, population schedule, Brooklyn, Ward 5, p. 66, dwelling 623, family 872, Eliza Kenny household; NARA microfilm publication M432.
What This Proves:
Earliest census showing the complete Kenny family structure before Richard's death in 1854. Eliza operates a grocery business with $200 in real estate. Richard is notably absent—he died in 1854. Both sons James and John were born in New York, establishing the family's presence in the state before 1836.
1855 New York State Census - Kenny Family
1855 New York State Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 7
1855 New York state census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 7, Election District 1, Eliza Kenny household; New York State Archives, Albany.
What This Proves:
First census after Richard Kenny's death in 1854. Eliza now appears with relationship "Mother" rather than head of household. James is employed as a "House Laborer" at age 27. The family has moved from Ward 5 to Ward 7.
1860 Federal Census - Kenny Family
1860 U.S. Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 9
1860 U.S. census, Kings County, New York, population schedule, Brooklyn, Ward 9, p. 74, dwelling 623, family 872, Eliza Kenny household; NARA microfilm publication M653.
1870 Federal Census - First "Mat Maker" Record
1870 U.S. Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Part of Ward 21
1870 U.S. census, Kings County, New York, population schedule, Brooklyn, Part of Ward 21, p. 57, dwelling 542, family 483, Kenny household; NARA microfilm publication M593.
What This Proves:
CRITICAL BREAKTHROUGH: This census contains the first appearance of "Mat Maker" as John Kenny's occupation—the pivotal evidence for the entire case study methodology. This distinctive occupation becomes the key to tracking John Kenny through records where the common surname "Kenny" would otherwise make identification impossible.
1875 New York State Census - Family Trade Confirmed
1875 New York State Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 21
1875 New York state census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 21, Election District 5, p. 7, Eliza Kenny household; New York State Archives, Albany.
What This Proves:
Confirms the entire family's involvement in textile/hat-making trades. Eliza is listed as "Hatter"; James as "Mat Weaver"—directly related to John's "Mat Maker" occupation from 1870.
1880 Federal Census - Kenny-McKenny Connection
1880 U.S. Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, 436 Park Ave
1880 U.S. census, Kings County, New York, population schedule, Brooklyn, Enumeration District 241, p. 41, dwelling 235, family 436, John Kenny household at 436 Park Ave; NARA microfilm publication T9.
What This Proves:
CRITICAL CONNECTION: This census ties together the Kenny and McKenny families through John's marriage to Margaret McKenny. Mother Eliza is living in her son's household. Daughter Eliza (who will later go by "Lillian") is 10/12 months old.
Brooklyn City Directories
1862 Brooklyn City Directory
Brooklyn City Directory, 1862
Kenny, Eliza wid. grocery, Walworth nr Park Av
Kenny, James laborer h r Walworth n Park Av
Kenny, Thomas foreman h Park Ave c Spencer
What This Proves:
Confirms Eliza as widow operating grocery after Richard's 1854 death. Thomas Kenny (Richard's brother/John's uncle) living nearby.
1873 Brooklyn City Directory
Brooklyn City Directory, 1873
1879 Brooklyn City Directory - First "Matmkr" Listing
Brooklyn City Directory, 1879
Kenny Elizabeth, wid. Richard, h r 75 Walworth
Kenny John matmkr h r 75 Walworth
Kenny Thomas h 525 Park Ave
What This Proves:
CRITICAL EVIDENCE: First directory listing John as "matmkr"—confirms 1870 census occupation. Mother and son at same address (75 Walworth). Elizabeth explicitly listed as "wid. Richard."
1880 Brooklyn City Directory
Brooklyn City Directory, 1880
Kenny Elizabeth wid Richard h r 75 Walworth
Kenny John matmkr h r 75 Walworth
1888 Brooklyn City Directory - Final Listing
Brooklyn City Directory, 1888
What This Proves:
Final directory listing before John's death in November 1888. Occupation consistent across 9 years of directory records (1879-1888).
Death Records
James Kenny - Death Certificate (1875)
Brooklyn Death Certificate, November 25, 1875
Eliza Kenny - Death Record (1887)
New York Death Index, December 2, 1887
John Kenny - Death Certificate (1888)
Brooklyn Death Certificate, November 30, 1888
What This Proves:
John died of tuberculosis—the same disease that killed his father-in-law George McKenny (1870), wife Margaret (1884), and would later claim daughter Mary Agnes (1924).
Part II: McKenny Family Records
1860 Federal Census - George McKenna Household
1860 U.S. Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 7
What This Proves:
Earliest census showing McKenny family structure. Margaret (age 9) will marry John Kenny c. 1879. Infant Mary will become "Aunt Maime" who raises niece Lillian after John's death.
1870 Federal Census - George McKenna Household
1870 U.S. Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 7
What This Proves:
Margaret now age 18—will marry John Kenny within the decade. George dies December 31, 1870, just months after this enumeration.
George McKenney - Death Certificate (1870)
Brooklyn Death Certificate, December 31, 1870
What This Proves:
George died of TB—the same disease that would kill his daughter Margaret (1884), son-in-law John Kenny (1888), and granddaughter Mary Agnes (1924).
1875 New York State Census - McKinny Household
1875 New York State Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 7
1880 Federal Census - Ann McKenna Household
1880 U.S. Census, Kings County, Brooklyn
What This Proves:
Margaret has married John Kenny by this date. Mary remains with widowed mother Ann. Ann's maiden name was Lynch.
Mary F. MacKinney Records
1910 Federal Census - Mary F. MacKinney & Lillian Kenny
1910 U.S. Census, Kings County, New York
What This Proves:
Confirms Mary F. MacKinney raised her orphaned niece Lillian Kenny after John's death in 1888. Both women are employed—Mary as a forewoman at a lace works, Lillian as a typewriter in real estate.
1920 Federal Census - Mary MacKinney & Lillian Kenny
1920 U.S. Census, Kings County, New York
What This Proves:
Lillian still living with Aunt Maime at age 21 (likely transcription error—she was 40), working as typist at Navy Supply Yard following her WWI service. Mary now operates a boarding house.
Mary F. MacKinney - Death Certificate (1935)
New York Death Certificate, April 5, 1935
Mary F. MacKinney - Obituary (1935)
Newspaper Obituary, April 1935
What This Proves:
Obituary confirms parents as "George and Ann Lynch MacKinney" and states she "is survived by several nieces"—including Lillian Kenny Corbett whom she raised.
Part III: Children of John Kenny & Margaret McKenny
The 1884 Tragedy
Margaret Kenny (née McKenny) - Death Certificate (1884)
Brooklyn Death Certificate, May 24, 1884
Infant Margaret Kenny - Death Certificate (1884)
Brooklyn Death Certificate, July 12, 1884
Mary Agnes Kenny Robertson (1882-1924)
Mary Agnes Kenny - Baptismal Certificate (1882)
Certificate of Baptism, St. Patrick's Church, Brooklyn
What This Proves:
Critical document proving Mary Agnes as daughter of John Kenny and Margaret McKenny. Uncle James Kenny as sponsor confirms family relationship. Certificate obtained after Mary Agnes's death by her daughter Lillian.
1910 Federal Census - Joseph Robertson Family
1910 U.S. Census, Kings County, Coney Island Ave
1915 New York State Census - Joseph Robertson Family
1915 New York State Census, 220 East 4th Brooklyn
1920 Federal Census - Joseph Robertson Family
1920 U.S. Census, East 5th Brooklyn
Robertson Children's Birth Certificates
Lillian Josephine Robertson - Birth Certificate (1905)
New York Birth Certificate, July 9, 1905
What This Proves:
Birth certificate names mother as "Mary Kenny," confirming Mary Agnes Kenny's maiden name. This is your grandmother Lillian J. Robertson.
Helen Gladys Robertson - Birth Certificate (1907)
New York Birth Certificate, August 29, 1907
Joseph Jay Robertson - Birth Certificate (1920)
New York Birth Certificate, January 9, 1920
What This Proves:
Birth certificate explicitly states mother's maiden name as "Mary Agnes Kenny," confirming her identity. Joseph Jay was just 4 years old when both parents died in January 1924.
The 1924 Tragedy
Joseph Robertson - Death Certificate (1924)
New Jersey Death Certificate, January 14, 1924
Mary Agnes Robertson - Death Certificate (1924)
New Jersey Death Certificate, January 26, 1924
What This Proves:
Death certificate explicitly names parents as "John Kenny" and "Margaret McKenny," confirming lineage. Mary Agnes died of TB like her mother (1884), father (1888), and maternal grandfather (1870). Her husband Joseph died just 12 days earlier.
Mary Agnes Robertson - Obituary (1924)
Newspaper Obituary, January 1924
What This Proves:
Obituary confirms maiden name as "Kenny" and identifies her as "wife of the late Joseph Robertson"—confirming Joseph predeceased her by 12 days.
Elizabeth "Lillian" Kenny Corbett (1879-1950)
Elizabeth K Corbett - Social Security Application
U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index
What This Proves:
Application names parents as John and Margaret McKernry (variant spelling of McKenny), confirming Lillian's parentage and establishing her birth date.
Lillian Marie Kenny - WWI Navy Service Record
U.S. Navy Yeoman Service Record
What This Proves:
Lillian served in the U.S. Navy during WWI as a Yeoman—one of the first women to serve in the U.S. military in a non-nursing capacity. Her service record shows she was 30 years old in 1918, consistent with her 1879 birth date.
Elizabeth Lillian Kenny - Marriage Index (1920)
Brooklyn Marriage Index, July 10, 1920
What This Proves:
Marriage record names parents as John and Margaret McKinney, confirming lineage. Aunt Mary MacKinney (who raised Lillian after 1888) served as witness, demonstrating the continued family bond.
Elizabeth Corbett - Death Index (1950)
New York City Death Index, 1950
Methodology Summary
Occupational Tracking Success
The distinctive occupation "Mat Maker" successfully identifies John Kenny across multiple record types where the common surname would otherwise make identification impossible:
• 1870 Census: "Mat Maker"
• 1875 Census: Brother James as "Mat Weaver" (related trade)
• 1879 Directory: "matmkr"
• 1880 Directory: "matmkr"
• 1888 Directory: "matmaker"
Tuberculosis as Corroborating Evidence
The tragic pattern of tuberculosis deaths provides additional corroborating evidence for family connections across three generations:
• George McKenny: December 31, 1870 (Phthisis Pulmonalis)
• Margaret Kenny: May 24, 1884 (Pulmonary Consumption)
• John Kenny: November 30, 1888 (Pulmonary Phthisis)
• Mary Agnes Robertson: January 26, 1924 (Pulmonary Tuberculosis)
Key Family Connections Documented
2. 1879/1880 directories show mother and son at same address (75 Walworth)
3. 1880 census shows John married to Margaret McKenny with mother Eliza in household
4. 1882 baptism names John Kenny and Margaret McKenny as parents of Mary Agnes
5. 1920 marriage license names John Kenny and Margaret McKinney as Lillian's parents
6. 1924 death certificate names John Kenny and Margaret McKenny as Mary Agnes's parents
7. 1935 obituary names George and Ann Lynch MacKinney as Mary F.'s parents