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I had two foremothers on the Travancore, one of the "Bride Ships" that came to Fremantle, Western Australia.  This ship left Plymouth in October 1852 and arrived in Jan 1853.  I have a book on the bride ships that says the single women on board mostly came from the workhouses and orphanages of Cork and Dublin. 

However, I have found reference in Irish papers to Limerick and Nenagh workshouses sending thirty girls each on the Travancore to the Swan River.  I've looked though the Limerick minutes and been confused.  First it talks about Van Diemen's land, then it talks about recommending Matron Charlotte O'Sullivan to a post on the boat - then it says that it has been ordered to send the girls to meet the Travancore at Plymouth by the 24th September (she sailed on the 1st Oct).  Yet there is no Charlotte O'Sullivan on the Travancore passenger list, and I think I found a woman of that name actually turning up in Van Diemen's Land.  There was also a record of a Mary O'Brien being one of the girls sent - there are two on the Travancore's list.

Does anyone know if the Limerick ones went on to another ship (with Mrs O'Sullivan)?  Or if they really did end up on the Travancore?

One of my foremothers on the boat was Annorah Mary Ryan (sailing under the name Honor), 19 years old from County Clare, her father, Michael Ryan, a farmer (or James depending on you take her word or her family's) and her mother possibly Annorah Kelly.

The other sailed under the name, Eleanor Tully but was always called Ellen.  She was 23.  Her father was James or Thomas Tully (depending on which marriage), a linen draper.  I have no idea where she came from and have been assuming Dublin or Cork - but if Limerick and Nenagh really did send 30 girls each on the Travancore, I may be looking in the wrong place.

Fiona

Sunday 8th Aug 2021, 08:45AM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi Fiona

    This is an interesting query.  I've passed it onto one of my volunteer collegues who has worked in the area of emigration and passenger lists and i wll be in touch shortly.

     

    regards

    Bernadette

    IrelandXO

    Volunteer Partner at the Tower Museum Derry

    Bernadette Walsh, IrelandXO Partner

    Thursday 12th Aug 2021, 10:37AM
  • Hi Fiona

    I've spoken to a colleague and he has suggested these two links as a potential source of information:

     

    I would suggest they check workhouse records, some of which are being digitised. For example FIndMyPast have computerised Dublin workhouses admission and discharge registers from 1840-1919:

    https://www.findmypast.co.uk/articles/world-records/full-list-of-the-irish-family-history-records/institutions-and-organisations/dublin-workhouses-admission-and-discharge-registers-1840--1919 

    ​Irish Times also published a feature 'The Kerry workhouse girls who became Australian pioneers' at https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/the-kerry-workhouse-girls-who-became-australian-pioneers-1.2018759 

    regards

    Bernadette

    IrelandXO Volunteer Partner 

    Tower Museum

     

    Bernadette Walsh, IrelandXO Partner

    Thursday 12th Aug 2021, 12:15PM
  • Hi Fiona

    Another update from a colleague that may assist your research:

    in Irish Genealogy News today (https://www.irishgenealogynews.com/​ ) details of a booklet, 'The Workhouses of County Cork'

     

    regards

    Bernadette

    IrelandXO Volunteer Partner

    Tower Museum Derry

    Bernadette Walsh, IrelandXO Partner

    Friday 13th Aug 2021, 09:46AM
  • Hi Fiona,
    I have just joined the Irelandxo and immediately came across your message. I was looking for my great great grandmother Honorah May Ryan (b 1829 County Clare, d 7 Feb 1905 Ludlow Western Australia. 
    Her father was Michael James Ryan and her mother was Annorah Kelly.
    She departed 30/9/1852 • Plymouth, England on HMS Travancore (Brideship) and arrived 15/1/1853 • Fremantle, Western Australia.
    I have a family tree on Ancestry.com and a photograph of Honorah and her husband William Warner. I will share any information I have if you wish.
    Cheers,
    Suzanne Brennan Blackwood
    suzzzb@hotmail.com

    Suz

    Saturday 3rd Feb 2024, 01:20PM
  • Attached Files

    correction:

    Honorah Mary Ryan also used Honor and Nora Mary. Her mother's name was Annorah. Photo included. 

     

    Suz

    Sunday 4th Feb 2024, 12:05AM

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