Twin brothers William and Frank Watson have always been involved in history and the past, but their most recent expedition was personal due to their Irish heritage, writes Matteo Iadonisi for 6ABC.

Through documentation from their grandfather, who was a Pennsylvania railroad executive, they learned of 57 Irish immigrants who traveled to America in June of 1832. They were hired by railroad contractor Philip Duffy.

However, they caught cholera, and within six weeks of arriving to America, they had died. Moreover, the Watsons found during excavation that the bones of these Irish men and women had bullet holes and axe blows, a discovery that could mean they were killed either in fear of spreading cholera or even anti-Irish sentiment.

The Watsons were a part of placing a historic marker and excavating the site, known as Duffy’s Cut, in Malvern.

“It could have been us but for time and circumstance. It could have been us. It could have been our sons,” said William Watson, who is a history professor at Immaculata University. “And I absolutely feel it’s my point of living now to keep this story alive. It’s absolutely essential.”

Learn more about Duffy’s Cut at 6ABC.