Kathy Hochul

Hochul in 2018, photo by Glynnis Jones/bigstock.com

Birth Name: Kathleen Courtney

Place of Birth: Buffalo, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: August 27, 1958

Ethnicity: Irish (at least 62.5%), along with English and German

Kathy Hochul is an American politician and lawyer. A member of the Democratic Party, she has been Governor of New York, since August 24, 2021. She was previously County Clerk of Erie County, from April 10, 2007 to June 1, 2011, a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York, from June 1, 2011 to January 3, 2013, and Lieutenant Governor of New York, from January 1, 2015 to August 23, 2021. She is the first female governor of New York.

Kathy is the daughter of Patricia Ann “Pat” (Rochford) and John P. “Jack” Courtney. Her family was working class during her childhood. Later, her father had his own technology company. Her mother founded the Kathleen Mary House, for victims of domestic violence.

Kathy is married to attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., who was U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, from March 15, 2010 to October 29, 2016. Kathy’s husband is of Polish descent. The couple has two children.

Kathy’s paternal grandfather was John Patrick Courtney (the son of John Cournane and Bridget Shea). Kathy’s grandfather John was born in Cutteen, Castlegregory, Kerry, Ireland. Kathy’s great-grandfather John was the son of John Cournane and Ellen Scanlon. Bridget was the daughter of Daniel Shea and Mary Lynch.

Kathy’s paternal grandmother was Maria/Mary Bridget Browne/Brown (the daughter of Maurice Browne and Maria Ashe). Maria was born in Kilshanig, Castlegregory, Kerry, Ireland. Maurice was the son of Catherine O’Connor.

Kathy’s maternal grandfather was Sidney William Rochford/Rockford (the son of Thomas H. Rochford and Glennie/Glendora S. Godfrey). Sidney was born in New York. Thomas was the son of Irish parents, from Sligo, John Rochford, who was born in Culdaly, Aclare, and Hannorah Conroy. Glennie was the daughter of Arthur T. Godfrey.

Kathy’s maternal grandmother was Kathleen/Katherine Letterman (the daughter of William Letterman). Kathleen was born in New York. William was the son of Kate, whose parents were German.

Sources: https://www.irishecho.com
https://twitter.com

Kathy’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Kathy Hochul (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Kathy’s mother on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Kathy’s mother – https://buffalonews.com

Kathy’s maternal grandfather, Sidney William Rochford/Rockford, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Sidney William Rochford/Rockford on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Kathy’s maternal grandmother, Kathleen/Katherine Letterman, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org