Martin Ryan 1836 : Short Biography

Martin Ryan was my great grandfather. Hi parents were Michael and Hanora Ryan but I have not discovered any further information

From Find My Past 2020: Baptised 11 April 1836, residence Pallas.Parish of Anacarty and Donohill. Father listed as Michael and Mother as Hanorah. (Transcript and copy of register in file)

Martin married Julia Crowe at St Alipius Ballarat on 6 November 1869. Marriage was officiated by Richard Ellis, Catholic clergyman and Witnesses were Simon Hurly (?) and Mary Crowe. Occupation given as miner.  

On Honora's birth certificate (1880) occupation listed as miner.  Martin Ryan was president of the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society in about 1887. (Have checked the Advocate for 1887, not president that year.) Before that, he was secretary of the Association.  Son Patrick was also an ex-President.  He was apparently a learned and well-educated man, as was most of his family.  Martin was also a member of the of Amalgamated Miners Association (AMA). Son Patrick also an ex-President.  

Martin died in a mining accident at the Central Plateau mine in Ballarat.  (Copy of the inquest papers in file.)  In the Ballarat Courier dated 25 June 1900 there was mention  of mining reports including:  "It is anticipated that work will be resumed this week in the bottom level - 1100 feet - at the Central Plateau; these workings being now almost completely unwatered. A fair amount of stone of somewhat improved quality is disclosed in the stopes at the 940 feet level."  

In 1900 Martin was living at Darling Street, Ballarat.  One son employed at Broken Hill.  One son (Michael) mining in West Australia at Kalgoorlie.  Daughter Mary in Melbourne.  

An obituary in the Ballarat Courier (about 26 June 1900) mentioned that Martin had an active part in the St Patrick's Day sports.  He had been put off for a month when operations were suspended, pending the lowering of the new lifts of pumps.  He had been offered a position at Band & Loeb (?) mine but declined deciding to have a spell. From the Ballarat Courier, 25 June 1900, there was mention of work being resumed at the Central Plateau Mine at 1100 feet - Martin Ryan was at 900 feet when he died.  

A family story is that  Martin came out to Australia with a brother but had some sort of argument on the ship and never saw each other again.  He had studied for the priesthood in Ireland before emigrating. The Ryans at Learmonth and Blowhard are related.