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Hello

I am  looking for my Great Grandfather Thomas Gorman or Thomas Gormally who was born about 1853 and came to New Zealand about 1870. There is some confusion about his surname as initially he seemed to be Gormally and later changed it to Gorman. There is a family story about him changing his name in order to leave but that is only story.

He married Mary Grailish in Oamaru New Zealand in 1878. Mary was from Orinmore in County Galway, she was born in 1849 and came to New Zealand in 1870. We know when she came but not Thomas. He died in 1933 in Oamaru and died in 1929 in Oamaru

Kind regards

Stephanie Kavanagh

StephKavanagh

Tuesday 8th Jan 2013, 10:05AM

Message Board Replies

  • Stephanie,

    Do you have a Joseph Gorman (O'gorman, or Gormley) in your tree?  I presume he was originally from Peterwell or Gort in the County Galway.  My great grandmother Katherine (Kate) Finnerty (b. Peterswell, April 1864) was married to Joseph Gorman around 1895.  Joseph passed away in Bayonne, NJ, USA in 1900. 

    Best regards,
    Brian

    borowski2012

    Monday 14th Jan 2013, 01:31AM
  • Hi Stephanie,

    My name is Anthony (Tony) Gorman. Thomas Gormally who changed his name to Gorman is also my Great Grandfather. You can contact me on email                 tonynat@slingshot.co.nz

    My dad was James Gorman born 1921. His dad was Thomas Gorman the son of Thomas Gormally and Mary Grailish.

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Blessings

    Tony

     

    tonynat

    Sunday 10th Nov 2013, 04:44AM
  • My Dad was Clement (Bill) born in 1911. This is hilarious fancy talking to your cousin through an Irish website. I remember you coming to save me and Mum (Aunty Babs) when our car broke down once not far from your house. So what do you know about Thomas Gormaly and Mary Grealish, didn't your sister, Susan do some work on it? My sister Julianna and I have been trying to find out a bit as our Dad spoke very little about his grand parents, all we knew was that they came from Ireland to Oamaru and lived a little south at Alma and worked on the Totara Station. So far we know that MWe ary Grealish came out first with her brother. Thomas second but don' know what year. I think Julianna has their wedding certificate and we know they had eleven children and that yours and my Grandad was born Thomas Gormaly in 1878 and perhaps 2 after him were Gormaly but we can't find their births.

    Then we have found Bridget 1883, Dan 1885, Kate 1886, Peter 1888, Joe John 1893, Margery 1896.

    We know about a Catherine born in 1900 though she is not registered but Julianna has a copy of Thomas Gormaly senior's will and she is named her surname is Kiely.

    Through Papers Past I think I have tracked down Anne born in 1879 she married George Worley. But we are still missing one.

     

    Anyway how are you? I live in Upper Hutt 20k out of Wellington with my husband Terry. We have 5 children with only one Pat (17), left at home.

    I remember your Mum and Dad being very kind to my Mum after Dad died while she was still in Christchurch. Also I have a photo of your Dad when he was about 8, it is on the front steps of the house at Ashburton You may have it - but it must have been when my Mum first went to Ashburton. Uncle Jimmy is  playing with a puppy.

     

    Cheers

    Steph

    StephKavanagh

    Sunday 10th Nov 2013, 07:42AM
  • Tony

    tried to email you but the address wouldn't work

    Steph

     

    StephKavanagh

    Sunday 10th Nov 2013, 07:44AM
  • Brian sorry I missed your message when it was posted must have missed the notifying email that was way back when I first joineed. We know very little of the family back in Ireland but I would say that Joseph is certainly a family name - Thomas Gormaly called one of his sons Joseph John and my grandfather Thomas Gorman called one of his sons Jo. The interesting thing is that Thomas Gormaly had a couple of children then changed the family name to Gorman. Can't think it was to be less Irish as Gorman is just as Irish a name.I might be able to help when we find out more. Thomas Gormaly lived until the early 1930s so certainly had a good innings.

    Kind regards

    Steph

     

    StephKavanagh

    Monday 11th Nov 2013, 09:56AM

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