Daniel (38) and Winifred O’Brien arrived in Queensland on board the Florentia on 29 April 1853. Accompanying them on the voyage were their children Mary 18, Ellen 16, Denis 13, Sarah 12, Hanora 9 and Daniel 2. The family came from Tipperary and on the immigration lists Daniel stated his parents were Denis and Mary … More Sepia Saturday: shops and genealogy mazes
This is Week 43 in my Beyond the Internet series in which I explore the sources of information beyond our computer screens. This week we’re off to Ireland’s green fields with the Griffith’s Valuations. I could make my life easier, and this post very brief, by exhorting you to beg, borrow or buy a copy of James Reilly’s book … More Beyond the Internet: Week 43 – Griffith’s Valuations
It’s ages since I participated in the 52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy by Amy Coffin and hosted by Geneabloggers as I’ve been rather preoccupied with my own 52 weeks Beyond the Internet series. This morning I read that the topic for Week 42 of Abundant Genealogy is Biggest Genealogy Accomplishment. What do you feel is your biggest genealogy … More 52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 42 – Greatest Genie Achievement
In Part 1, we had a brief excursion through the possible records in the new land, to learn where you might learn more about your ancestors’ Irish origins. With a bit of luck you’ve gained some clues on their home place from these resources so now you can turn your sights on the old country’s … More Finding Irish Ancestors: Part 2 – The Old Country
Now anyone who’s researched Irish ancestors will know just how unpredictable this process can be. So much depends on serendipity in the form of timelines –when your family was born or died, where they lived, how much money they had (or more likely didn’t have), when they emigrated, etc. You then need to mix serendipity … More Finding Irish ancestors: Part 1 – In the new land
Once again I’m following in the footsteps of Julie from Angler’s Rest and reporting in on my recent Library Loot. When I pick books up from the library I’m less selective than when I’m splashing my own cash: I figure that I can try something new and even if I’m not rapt in it, then … More Library Loot: Migration experiences and learning Gaelic
Okay enough of the frivolous business of Paris and Provence – back to some hard core family history. Over the past few weeks I’ve been studying the coursework from another Pharos course, this one on One Place Studies (OPS). I was so tempted to focus on one of my easy ancestral places in England or … More One Place Study -Broadford, Co Clare, Ireland
This is Week 29 in my Beyond the Internet series in which I explore the sources of information beyond our computer screens and the topic is University and Reference Library Special Collections. While not technically archives, university libraries and other reference libraries hold a wealth of collections of primary documents which can be of great … More Week 29 Beyond the Internet: hallowed halls and reference libraries
In the summer of 1887, 125 years ago, a grassroots agrarian revolution was taking place in the otherwise quiet parish of Bodyke, County Clare. Colonel O’Callaghan , one of the local landowners, had significant rental arrears on his tenancies and planned to take action against those in default, evicting them with force. There is a … More The Bodyke Evictions and the Garvey family
Regular readers of my blog will know that I’m an enthusiast for Shamrock in the Bush, held annually at St Clement’s Retreat Centre, Galong, about two hours west of Canberra. It’s not a traditional family history conference but if you have an interest in all things Irish you will be bound to have a great … More Shamrock in the Bush 2012 is OPEN
Family history across the seas 