Paul Dunne Family History

From Paul Dunne November 5, 2002 

My sister Sr. Mary Davida Dunne sent me your e-mail regarding the Holbrooks.

My grandmother Ellen Holbrook Kearns was born in Bernley, England in 1875.

I visited Bernely several years ago and found no record of her birth.  They said that this was not
uncommon as she was not Catholic and a lot of births were not recorded in England at that time. When she
married John Kearns she turned Catholic.

Bernley was a textile, mill town. I remember her telling me that she came over by boat at 12 or 13
years of age.  She went to work at the mills in Fall River, Ma at a very young age.  Her father was a
Master Mason and worked on the building of St. Anne's church in Fall River.  This is a massive structure and
is still standing today.

Helen Holbrook Kearns had five children, her husband John Kearns was killed in an auto accident in 1923.
She moved to California and died in 1958 at the age of 83.

My mother Mary Kearns Dunne was born in 1899 and died in 1986. Her mother Ellen Holbrook Kearns and her
husband lived in Tiverton, RI.  They had a beautiful home on Main Road, North Tiverton RI very close to the
state line of Fall River, Ma.  The home is still standing and is in very good condition.

Regards;