Cornelius Curran was born in Carhirciveen, County Kerry, Ireland in October of 1898. Carhirciveen Town is located on the western-most pennisula in the south of Ireland, on the banks of the River Fertha and Valentia Harbor. His parents, Michael and Mary Curran, had two other children who also left Ireland for the United States: Mary, born in 1900, and Joseph Patrick, born in 1905.
Cornelius arrived in Boston on the 25th of February 1925 aboard the S.S. Carmania which left Qeenstown, Ireland 10 days prior. On the ship's manifest, he stated he would be joining his uncle, Daniel Curran, who lived in Newport, Rhode Island. Sister, Mary Curran, had emigrated to the United States in 1922, and brother, Joseph Patrick would follow in 1926.
In 1942, Cornelius registered with the WWII Draft Board in New York. He states that he is employed by Equity Coal Company of New York and lists his sister, Mary Curran Cronin, of Providence, Rhode Island as his next of kin. On the draft registration he is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, with blue eyes, gray hair, and a ruddy complexion. Mary Curran Cronin died in 1968 and brother, Joseph Patrick in 1998.
Cornelius Curran died in New York on the 16th of October 1981 and was buried on Hart Island on the 2nd of February 1983.