59. "I wasn't clear enough I think" In response to In response to 53
The way I've read it and understand the true history is the only entry listed in the register of the hospital or church where Jimmy The Gent burke was given up for adoption lists the birth mother's name only as "Conway". There's no first name nor birth father's listing.
The poster above says the mother was born in Dublin. He's more than likely right as I'm pretty sure he knows a lot of mafia and mob history.
James Burke went on to be raised in various foster homes, almost always being abused and in one there was also an instance of sexual molestation. The most vicious one he lived in, also the one he lived in longest, featured an almost unbelievable tragedy. The foster father was simultaneously driving as well as delivering a beating to Jimmy in the backseat. Jimmy, by now, was in his early teens and was giving as well as he got. The foster father crashed the car and dieed in the crash. The guy's wife kept custody of Jimmy. It wasn't out of any affection or love however, as she blamed him for her husband's death and continued to torment and torture the kid until signing him over to the state who promptly put him into the Youth Authority for his constant criminal activity. He was such a tough bastard he was doing real time in his teens and that's how he ended up doing "hits for mob bosses at 16" as Henry Hill puts it.
I'm not one of those "blame the crimes of the criminal on his poor childhood" types but I can't help but wonder if this guy ever had what could be considered: A) an actual "childhood" or B) anyone show him love or compassion as an impressionable youth.