Bridget MULLENS/Patrick BYRNE/Ellen KELLY

Dear Miriam --- lovely to hear from you again - and thank you for your time and research skills!  My information on John Rowland comes from his maternal granddaughter - Meryl Hutchinson. I have spoken with Meryl who lives in Toowoomba.  She bases her findings on family stories and his age (78) at date of brth - 27/08/1927.  You are absolutely correct in your statement regarding lack of faith in documentation without reliable source records. (Meryl also uses two spelling variations of his middle name in her story.)  She states that he was born in 'Co. Ross', Wexford and my mother's cousin (who is still alive) told me he was born in 'New Ross'.   Knowing it is unproven but using this information until it is discounted is really all that one can do when endeavouring to research origins. 

I have had contact with Soozie and will follow up her comments again and get back to you on her information.  I believe that she has based their ages as those given on Immigration records.  As Patrick and Ellen were Bounty Immigrants and age was a criterion of acceptance to the scheme - it is more than likely that Patrick, at least, stated his age on these documents to suit his needs.  The brick walls that I have continued to hit in researching this pair remain strong, Miriam!!  I will be in touch. 

Beverley

Dear Miriam -- yes I have had my DNA done and very happily a family from Dublin has made contact with me in relation to our shared descendancy from Catherine (Kitty) Duggan who married William Corcoran on 11 October, 1855 in Tipperary. 

Now - Catherine and William had three children - Michael, Margaret and Ellen.  Margaret - known as Maggie in our family - migrated to Australia aged 16 in 1875 to join an Aunt.  In 1883 she married Patrick Byrne (Jnr) - he had been born in Ipswich after Patrick and Ellen's arrival in Australia.   Patrick Jnr and Maggie are my great grandparents.  This DNA connection is through Catherine alone.  I have not yet located any DNA matches to the Byrne/Kelly combination. 

I checked my response from Soozie and she has relied on Immigration records to determine approx dates of birth for Patrick and Ellen Byrne and family.  She also made comment that the tree she manages is her husband's and the Byrne family connection is a tenuous one.  I am yet to make contact with a Matthew McCoy as he has a specific d.o.b. for John Roland in his tree.  As no source from Ireland is appended, I suspect this may be his family's 'passed down knowledge' only.  I will follow him up.

Thank you again, Miriam -

Best wishes - Beverley 

Hi Beverley:

Thank you for your post about your upcoming trip to Ireland.  If you believe that your roots are from New Ross, there are some people that may be able to assist you during your visit.  There is a local historian who gives guided tours of New Ross and who has a lot of local historical information that you may find useful. His website is:  http://history.visitnewross.ie/

The Johnstown Castle and Gardens also has a very good historian who works there and she may be able to assist you with your queries.  The website is here:  http://johnstowncastle.ie/

Finally, there is a very helpful librarian in the New Ross Library who may also be able to assist you.  You can email ahead and they may be able to assist you.  

https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries/opening-hours-and-branches/new-ross-library

If you need any further assistance, please let us know.

Kind regards,

Jane

Dear Jane - I thought that I posted my reply - but obviously not.  My sincerest thanks for these tips - as I have had only minor success (and nothing that will help me specifically) I will definiely follow each of them up.

Yourtime and effort is very much appreciated!

Warm good wishes

Beverley