Margaret Kearney : Short Biography

Margaret Kearney 1828-1917, free immigrant to Australia

Parish records show a marriage in 1819: February 11th John Kearney of  Knockany Parish & Bridget Dwyer of Ballinard in the Parish of Herbertstown were joined in marriage by me. In presence of Garret Barry, James Rev, Connor (Hospital microfilm 02507/03). This couple have four recorded children: John baptised 30-Aug-1820, Catherine 1822, Maurice baptised 03-Jan-1824, Thomas baptised 05-Jun-1826. Missing is Margaret Kearney,  whose Death Certificate tells us her father was John, a labourer, and mother was Bridget Dwyer.

The official Australian records for Margaret provide contradictory information for her year of birth. She was born somewhere between 1828 and 1845. The Marriage Certificate (Vic BDM 1865/522) states that she is a 20 year old spinster, so born around 1845. Mary's Birth Certificate (NSW BDM 1865/8062) states that Margaret is 31, so born 1834/5. Margaret's Death Certificate tells us her mother was Bridget Dwyer, and her time in the colony 62 years based on an age of 89, place of birth Limerick. This would make her age at arrival in Australia 27 (~1855) and at marriage 33. 

Margaret and Michael were married at St Mary’s Geelong, both resident at Little River near Geelong in Victoria. Michael was 47, a labourer, Margaret a servant. They had seven children. She died on  February 6, 1917 at Riverview, Bombala NSW where her son John lived, and is buried in Nimmitabel, NSW. More information can be found at www.wikitree.com/wiki/Kearney-523

Source

Margaret Slavin Extract Death certificate, NSW Births Deaths and marriages 4168/1917