Smith/Walkins/Darcy/Mara

Marion:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I will alert our parish liaison for Lorrha parish about your message.

Roger McDonnell

Roger,

Thank you.

Mario

Hi Mario

I'm interested in your post, as my 3x Great Grandfather, was William Smith - also from Lorrha (born about 1836?).  He arrived in Australia around 1858.  He married, had a large family and then, around 1874 he moved with his family to New Zealand, where they mined on the West Coast of the South Island.  I wonder if William and John were related, given that the village was so small (from my understanding).  Have you done an ancestry DNA test?  Would be interesting to make a link.

Kind Regards, Philippa Nidd

Hi Philippa,

Sorry for the delayed response, I've been travelling and am only now in a position to reply.

Firstly, I haven't done a DNA test so can't help you there. However, there is another post in this site that, combined with your information and mine, begins to paint a picture of our possible connections in Lorrha.

The post I'm talking about is this one: https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/message-board/seeking-descendants-walkinshornehoranbrowneodwyer

As my great grandfather's parents were John Smith and Catherine Walkins, I think it's safe to say that the Smith and Walkins families knew each other. The post I've mentioned talks about a Timothy Walkins who left Lorrha for Victoria in 1856, followed by a sister in 1858 - the same year as your William. Timothy then went on to the South Island of New Zealand - like your William - and I now wonder if they were following each other from Lorrha.

In the post I've linked to I'd attached a map that shows where the Smiths and Walkins were living around Lorrha so I'd suggest it might be worthwhile looking at that. I also have some other information that may be of some interest to you - I've been in contact with another Lorrha Smith descendant (this one in the US) - so if you're interested please contact me at the following email address: mario@vecchi.com.au

In June this year my wife and I visited Lorrha as part of a holiday in Ireland. I had a wonderful time looking around the small town and I couldn't help thinking that little had changed since my great grandparents left. 

I hope this information helps,

Cheers, Mario