All that is known about Peter McGINNIS comes from the 1860 and 1870 Federal Censuses.

He died when his sons were quite young, and his widow Margaret MURPHY married John DEVLIN and moved to Redcloud, NE.

He and his extended family are listed in Norton Twp., Kankakee Co. IL 1870 Census. There he is listed as dying "on or about" 19 July 1870. I have been unable to locate his place of death or place of burial. Why his date of death is unknown, or inexact is unclear, probably suggesting he didn't die at or near home.

I found him in the 1860 Census, only because he was living two households away from his future wife, Margaret, who I was researching, as I couldn't find anything on Peter. In the Dixon, Lee County, IL 1860 Census, he is listed with Bridget McGINIS (sic) age 60 and Catherine McGINIS (sic) age 30 (All were born in IRE).

This information led to the register of marriage for Peter and Margaret at St Patrick's Church, Dixon, Lee, IL on 19 Jan 1865.