My Great-grandmother immigrated from ireland to Hartford, Ct, USA in 1890. her name was bridget hensey and she married Jos. V Gilmartin in the US. The distinctive thing about her was she died of Chronic Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of 48. This is genetic, although very rare, both parents must have the gene to pass it on. If bridget had siblings still in Cork it is likely they had this genetic disposition and died in mid 40's. The disease shows up in mid-life. Sound familiar to anyone?