As an Aussie, I'm new to research in US records. I'm interested in the following, who I think went back to Ireland by 1855 then emigrated to Australia.

1. Would the original NARA records provide more information?
2. Is there a way to find out where they lived and how they earned a living while in the US for those few years?
3. Would there be a record of them leaving the US?

New York Passenger Lists & Arrivals Transcription
First name(s) Eliza
Last name McElwee
Sex Female
Age 16
Birth year 1835
Occupation Spinster
Departure port Belfast
Departure country Great Britain
Destination port New York
Destination state New York
Arrival year 1851
Arrival date 03-Oct-1851
Ship name Mary Anna
NARA publication number M237

If this is the right Eliza McElwee, she was a dressmaker later in life.

New York Passenger Lists & Arrivals Transcription
First name(s) Sarah
Last name McGee (possibly mistranscribed McElwee)
Sex Female
Age 22
Birth year 1829
Occupation Spinster
Departure port Belfast
Departure country Great Britain
Destination port New York
Destination state New York
Arrival year 1851
Arrival date 03-Oct-1851
Ship name Mary Anna
NARA publication number M237

Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Passenger Lists, 1800-1948 Transcription
First name(s) William
Last name Mcelwee
Sex Male
Age 25
Birth year 1826
Birth country Ireland
Arrival year 1851
Arrival city Philadelphia
Arrival state Pennsylvania
Arrival country United States
Ship name Austria
NARA publication number M360
NARA roll number 93

If this is the right William McElwee, he was a blacksmith/nail-maker in Ireland.

Thanks,

Penny in Melbourne, Australia