Ireland’s oldest illegal alien in America to finally become a U.S. citizen

90-year-old Josephine Stout who emigrated in 1923 will finally get her papers

Larger Text

Print

E-mail

17 Comments

Josephine Stout

Photo by Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune

Tweet

Her birth certificate was found on Oct. 27, 2010 stating she was born in March 1922, in Limerick.

"Her mother gave birth in what was called a poorhouse, a religious-run institution often for women who were destitute," Brendan Magee said.

The documents allowed her to become legal after almost 70 years but she still has to receive an official passport.

"The sisters, and all the others, they did so much," Stout said. "It was a lot of wear and tear, and with the state cutting me off, it was a real struggle. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm glad it's over, but you don't forget."

Now she is part of the senior Irish scene in Chicago.

"I didn't want to go at first," said Stout. "I didn't want to be around a bunch of old fogies. Now I don't want to miss it. I really enjoy the people there. They've taken me to see (the singing group) Celtic Thunder. But I still like the blues, and Jerry Butler."

Soon her American citizenship will arrive, ending an incredible odyssey that began on an emigrant ship in 1923.

Print

E-mail

Tweet