Flatleys of Harrison

If you were looking for Michael Flatley the Dancer, or Lord of the Dance or Riverdance I'm sorry to say, this is the wrong place.

So you made it to the Flatleys of Harrison Home Page. To clarify, we Flatleys are descendants of David and Anna Flatley (Popop and Nanna) of Harrison, New Jersey. I'm not sure where this web site will go or what it will do. It's inspiration is easy to describe.

My Dad, Tom Flatley Sr. was one of fourteen children. My Grandparents David and Anna Flatley with sons, Michael and David, (the names of my sons) immigrated to the US in 1914 and settled in Forge Village, Massachusetts. Sometime later they moved to Harrison, New Jersey (I would like some of you to help fill in the details). Then the sons and daughters gave rise to a new generation.

Soon, you could not walk a block in Harrison without crossing paths with one of us. The population of the Harrison Gardens nearly doubled every Sunday after church as we all squeezed into Nanna and Popop's small apartment. Keeping in touch was easy, almost required then. What a different world we have today. Minimum income required to raise fourteen kids today must be a million dollars or more. Anyway, hardly a year goes by that we don't attend a funeral for an uncle, an aunt or cousin. Each time we do, we go through a dance-like ritual of saying we'll get together, or call me, e-mail me. We write down scribbles and snippets of email addresses and such as that goes. But before you know it, we meet again at another funeral.

I talked to Dad about doing a website to compile memories, trade contacts, pictures and other information. He liked the idea. Of course I never did it. Dad died in February 2002. He'll not see this. So in his memory I present The Flatleys of Harrison.

As surely as the Flatleys had scattered in the Irish Diaspora to the four winds, the Flatleys of Harrison have become separated and unconnected. Maybe we can close the distance somewhat. I've got some e-mail addresses (yes I kept some of those scribbles and snippets). From that we can establish a living Flatley E-Mail directory. If we do no more than that, it's a start. And if that is all we do, it's a good thing.

What I do need is feedback. Tell me what you think. Tell me what you want to see or read or hear. For instance, I've got some photos from the American Legion taken after Dad's funeral. It was the first time in a long time that all of my sister's and brothers were together. I'll share them here.

For a quick overview of the site click on the Webmaster button.

Can you name the tune you're hearing? Go to the song page for the title and lyrics.

Have you read Words from Aunt Mickey? Helena Crocker (aka Mickey McKniff Crocker) is an old friend of the family form Forge Village, MA. A friend of my Dad and Uncle Joe, Aunt Myra and others. I have corresponded with her and added some of her stories here. I wonder if I buried the link too deep for you to find it. Any way go here for some fun information.

Since June 4, 2005 you are Visitor Number

Contact the Webmaster - Tom Flatley

Last Updated July 20, 2009