40. Post Delay - Back To It - Stories Stored Up

Delay is over *phew*

A pretty difficult and very complex 8 odd months I had. Our care of my Nephew is over for now.
I had to take timeout, to refresh the mind and I suppose, "one's soul".

I am now in a better place, with a lot more stories at hand. So I'm hoping to format the stories, in the best way I can. In my time off, I had encountered both Maternal and Paternal lineaged stories.

In these few weeks,  I traveled to many places in Victoria and a tiny bit into New South Wales, looking for ancestral connections back to Ireland.

I have encountered the following stories, some of which are still discovering in the last few days.
Just like a good book, I just can't put these stories to bed. So much Irish culture, it's "oozing shamrocks out it's pores". One of the stories in the last few days, also may contradict many thoughts of mine about the Easter Rising and how it affected a collateral descendant.

• I traveled to Marysville, Victoria and followed quite a tragic tale of 3 Maternal Cousins.
  I shared details with the Marysville Historical Society, to help them understand, what sort of family background these 3 people had. The Historical Society had details on their Paternal side, which greatly helped me out with that side of the family name. Their Maternal Grandparents were, the Irish Newenham/Persse lineage. And I believe that this ancestry was very crucial, to their lives.
  The were (sic. so to speak) struck by a plausible family curse and I had been chasing what was happening to the family.
  3 lives ended very abruptly and they had been mentally affected by certain circumstances, that I had to learn "why". Their remnants of their existence in Marysville, sadly took another turn in 2009, when one of the worst Summer Bush Fires ever seen in history, brought the small town to it's knee's and destroyed a major part of the Township - including their 2 properties (A Guesthouse and a Log Cabin).
  Even 8 odd years after the disaster, you can still see the devastation from a firestorm, that spawned from a 46-47o Celsius day. To their credit, the town was rebuilt (and still rebuilding goes on) and the historical society needs people like us, to feed back to them, stories and photographs of a past that was burned away. Part of the reason why I did what I did. The town's historical connection, to these Maternal cousins, were revived and put on display, to show where they lived and what they did.
  They were the Pitman's of Marysville. (Paternally connected to the "Pitman Shorthand" family - they were Great Nieces-Nephews of Sir Issac Pitman)
   
• I traveled to Albury, New South Wales and met up with a 2nd Cousin, who shared details of my Paternal Great Grandmother - who shared lineage to very same Cork City Church (St. Finbarrs RC South Parish), to my Fitzgerald line in the early 1800's.
  She also shared a Northern Irish connection, that was written about, back to some plausible English Planters.
  We shared stories and went through the township, to discover and swap stories, to see if anything dug up may have eluded to bigger stories.
  Albury shared a great connection to this family connection and seemed the family had a lot of history there.
  Initially, I was discovering my distant immigrant Irish ancestors, but one of their descendants (Paternal Great Grandmother's - Brother), shared a very involving story of serving for the Australian Imperial Force during WW1 (Gallipoli).
  He was a 2nd Generation Australian, with a supposively very Irish Catholic family.
  He went to Gallipoli under the 1st Light Horse Train Brigade (a support train as such).
  He was mentally affected from shell shock and a few other illnesses (how could anyone blame him), but it's what he did after his service that changed everything that I knew of him. Being from a very catholic family, I challenged his "Irish-ness" against his "Australian-ness" - some would say Australian - but these people back then were still "British Subjects" and treated as British, even though we were Australian. Trying to understand, what was going through his mind during that time.
  He was part writer, part reciter, part poet, part politician, part founder of services for people who have returned from War (to get them motivated back into life after the war).
  And maybe, just maybe following his Maternal Great Grandfather of being a Policeman.
  I challenged my thoughts of him, from the moments just before to just after the Easter Rising. A very very critical time period for being Australian, to my research about him
  and how he carried his persona through this time.
  If you had Irish Catholic background in Australia (whether born here or not), the Easter Rising (moreso the executions after it), changed the political/religious landscape in the country. Yet- hardly anyone knows of it, how it affected the Australian way of life for many years. There was a conscription debate, to force Australians to fight under the British Empire at Gallipoli. And as you would image, why would an Irish Catholic, fight for the Empire, when the Empire executed 16 of their own people (fight for freedom over the British).
  Dr. Mannix (Archbishop of Melbourne) was absolutely pivotal to the Irish Catholic cause, after the executions and denounced these tactics of barbarism. He went radical, and pushed the voting down (campaigned for the "No" vote) to the Conscription plebiscites, to all Irish Catholics.
  Simply, he (Mannix) succeeded to compromise the Monarchial Australian Government's plan to conscript Australians, to fight with and in favour of the Empire during WW1.
  The 2 plebiscites failed because of Mannix.
  My collateral descendant connection, shows quite extraordinarily, he is with the Monarchial Australian Government, almost in a "volunteer Member of Parliament" type of way. But yet, his mind is set for this purpose, his very native Cork Irish family name and Irish Catholicism, is put to one side, for his way to help the country, under a "British Subject" kind of way.
  A proud Australian, doing what he can do best for his country, but if he had very an "Irish Catholic Core", I don't think he would have spoke the way he did - after the Rising.
  His life after the Rising, is changing or moreso, challenging everything I am learning about Irish-Australian life, during and after the Rising period.
  Either way, I'm a bit flabbergasted to find a much different story than what I was looking for. I am proud of his achievements, but totally bewildered or perplexed about his way of life. I am challenging a few things, but one thing I want to find, did he lose his "Irish-ness", being a 2nd Generational Australian?
  He was of the Sheehan family of Albury-New South Wales.
  
  It might take a few weeks to get the story out of my head.

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39. Delay

Slight Delay to writing.



For the past 7-8 months, I have reduced my blog posts, because I am looking after my Nephew.

Long and very complicated story, but morally being family, we had to take him in to our care.
But 3 weeks later, there was a complete misunderstanding with the time of care and somehow we were forced to take care for an "indefinite" time. Unbeknownst to us.
In this time of 7-8 months, we think he may have discovered that my Nephew has ASD. This was not explained to us, when he arrived to our care. If anyone knows how demanding a child with ASD gets, you can understand, why I have been quiet for a while.
Though I have had to make a decision to end our care, because it has taken a great big toll on my household and we cannot provide the level of support that he needs. This will happen in about 1-2 weeks.

I will be on leave next week, for about 6 weeks. I have saved up some stories (I think) and I am in the middle of a few more.

I have to take a visit to Albury NSW / Wodonga VIC, and visit a cousin, who shares a link to my Paternal Hatch/Sheehan families. I'm hoping I can link a bit more of stories to this. This will be 1860's/1870's period. It has links back to the 1st Irish Immigrants - Hatch family was Northern Ireland and Sheehan's, should be from Cork, but DNA is most probably pointing me in the direction of an ancient link to Far West Cork (Skibbereen). The Sheehan link has the potential to link back to my direct Paternal lineage, back to, atleast the 12th Century. The Sheehan/Hatch family link, is from my Paternal Great Grandmother Kathleen T Sheehan.

I'm also going to try and visit Marysville, Victoria, which carries a tragic story to my Maternal Newenham line (The link is a Collateral Descendant off Henry Hood Newenham and Annie Persse).

Stay tuned.

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38. Paternal Tree Pictograph

Pictograph of my Paternal Lineage by using "Birth of Origin".

Using DNA is very confusing, particularly when you have deep ancestral Irish roots both sides of your Parents.

The most difficult part to understand what has happened to my DNA, is the fact that I believe that even though my Parents aren't directly related to any closer than 5th cousin, they share such a dominance of deep connection to Western and South Western Ireland. It has totally blown my mind, of how Mum and Dad can show such a dominance of "Irishness", simply being out of country over 150 years ago.

In order to understand why certain families link up to my DNA and either of my Parents (in some cases all 3 of us connect to that 1 person), I have had to dumb down the DNA research by chasing or breaking it down by "Birth of Origin". I have used this method to understand a genetic connection and how they may be related to myself or my parents.
Some Native Irish names are very close and I don't understand how close they can be to us, because certain branches have been out of Ireland for so long. This is mind blowing stuff.

My mistake, like anyone else is to chase your surname and believe that you have had it over an inifinity of time. Let me say one thing, wrong. Your surname has a high chance of stopping at a certain point of time and changing. My Y-DNA is showing very much that trend. A big lesson in Paternal line genetics.

To help out with Autosomal genetic matches, I used the Birth of Origin to place a common ancestor (or Parent of such).
I use the general guide of how many cM's are shared and try to correlate how many generations up the chain our common ancestor is.
Using the chart by John J Tierney , we can see the projected / mathematical cm's shared in relation to the tested cousin. The cM's shared are just a guide and in reality, you may match slightly higher or slightly lower than the projected cM count.

The key to understanding a complex issue that I have run into, I believe a lot of Irish Native's are coming through a Paternal Great Grandmother - via the Sheehan name (Co. Cork). I think this lineage is dominant but still slightly misunderstood. I thought my surname may have had something to do with it, but after a while, I started to understand that my surname would only connect at a 5th level cousin or more, unless another person in Australia tested, however the Sheehan lineage had 1-2 steps closer to Ireland. It would explain why I had a family ancestral name in common with the Sheehan line.
Of the names that the Sheehan line spawned from, was Thompson and Hatch names. The Thompson name is dominant in the Autosomal results and links with people who share names through my Great Grandmother's line.

So, the below chart, shows my Paternal Lineage (my Father is the start point).
The top half is my Father's Paternal side, bottom is Maternal.
Part of my methodology, is to see if 1-2 generations up from what the DNA says, is where the common ancestor may lay.
I am also showing how much the % of ethinicty changes per generation. From my Father's GGP's to the 2nd GGP's, there is a huge jump of originating "outside" of Australia. In this pictograph, you can plainly see, how much Irish there is - 65% at the 3rd GGP level.

Now, to throw a spanner in the works and show the true reality of complexity, there is a plausible story, that my Father's Maternal line has a Female Irish McCarthy in it. This McCarthy is supposed to be based in Lismore, Co. Waterford during the 1700's - apparently an ancient seat of the McCarthy's.
If I have read the history right, during the medieval period, the Lismore McCarthy's were pushed by the Norman's to the West Cork area. Thus, showing a plausible link between my Father's Paternal Fitzgerald's to the Maternal lined Lismore / West Cork McCarthy's.

If there is any really close Irish cousins, they must have come through, one of the 2nd GGP's and maybe based off an 1st Gen Australian. But which side is the key - when you don't know what family name they share.

Birth of Origin - Paternal Line

    

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37. Culture II - Australian Blacksmith with a great family folklore story to Bushranger - Ned Kelly.

Culture (Part II) - Flow on effect of a 1st Gen Australian and a plausible paternal family folklore story to Bushranger - Edward "Ned" Kelly.

Part of this blog story, came about an afterthought, from the last blog that I did about Culture. It stirred a few thoughts with a family folklore story to Ned Kelly and his ways of life. I wanted to add this supplemental blog, to show a lot of things with Irish Culture still stayed on, even after the Family had left Ireland.

The Culture part of this blog, reverts to a 1st Gen Australian - of Irish Parents, who became and was an Outlaw (Bushranger) in and around Victoria and New South Wales during the late 1870's.

His name was Edward "Ned" Kelly. It is now a brand name, that associates itself with being Australian, a bit rough around the edges and of being above the law. But we also see in Ned's ways, this weird standoffish way that stands up to English - Australian Law. He feels that he (and his Kelly Family), is being persecuted for being of Irish Heritage, by a tryannical English Law system- even at 1/2 a world away from his parents homeland.

• Born in 1855, in a small town called Beveridge, Victoria.
• Beveridge is located 37 Km's North of Melbourne.
• Was the eldest son to John "Red" Kelly and Ellen Quinn (3 sons and 5 daughters)
  The Kelly's were from around Moyglass, Co Tipperary, Ireland, when John Kelly was convicted for stealing 2 pigs - he got 7 years Transportation to Australia.
• His Father died when he was around 11 years old. Leaving a widow with children, to fend for themselves
• They then moved to just south of Glenrowan, Victoria. It was here, where the Bushranger in Ned, was formed
• 1869 is where Ned first got in trouble with the law, where he ruffled up a Chineseman, but the charge was later dropped. The Chineseman's name was a rather interesting  "Ah Fook".
• Was later convicted of various offences, but later on, went to prison in dealing with stolen property (Horses)
• The family was well known for dealing in stolen horses and the like, but they also had felt that they received a lot of pressure from the Police (persecution wise) around this time. 
• April 1878, changed a lot of the Kelly's life, when Troopper FitzPatrick went to the Kelly's house and demanded for Dan Kelly, so he could arrest him. Much conjecture was about the story from FitzPatrick, as it was also loosely based on Ned trying to shoot him, where there wasn't any solid proof that he was. The Kelly's and family associates didn't give up Dan (who subsequently went into hiding) and the Kelly family felt the wrath of the law, jailing Kelly's mother and associates
• From this point forward, the Police went looking for Dan and Ned, putting out Wanted/Reward notices for information to apphresion of these 2 fellows.
• A few months later in October 1878, Ned and Dan came across a Police Camp at Stringybark Creek (about 26 KM's North of Mansfield, Victoria). There were 4 Policemen in this camp. This camp, was in search of these 2 Kelly boys. 2 Policemen went out from the camp, Ned and Dan suprised the other 2 Policemen in the camp, killing one and the other surrended. The other 2 came back to camp and a shootout ensued. These 2 Poliemen were shot (because they didn't surrender to the Kelly's). 1 was killed straight away and the other was injured, but Ned later shot him again, to put him out of his misery.
  The Policeman that surrended, escaped and went in search of others to alert about this incident.
• Just a short time after this, Ned and Dan's "Outlaw" status was turned up a notch, when they were posted for their capture - "Dead or Alive".
• In December 1878, the Kelly's and their associates, robbed a lot of money and gold, from the Town of Euroa.
• After this Eurora robbery, the Kelly Gang headed up to Jerilderie, NSW for one of the most famous robbery's of all. But it wasn't so much about the robbery, it spawned another incident that is wildly talked about, where Ned comes to a point and explains or moreso, justify his actions of being an Outlaw and that they are of resultant action against him and his family by the English-Australian Law and the corrupt Police.
  (It is known as "The Jerilderie Letter" - and in his own way of words, of a political speech and to justify his actions against the Police, the Law and the Government). 
• It was written on page 322 of Bill Wannan's 1973 edition of "Australian Folklore - A dictionary of Lore, Ledgends and popular Allusions" about the Kelly Gang. It depicted quite a sentence that struck a chord to understand why Ned "was the way he was". It depicted Ned as "an odd mixture of Irish Nationalism and Australian Republicanism". So how does an Australian born person (who has never set foot in Ireland), have such values to Irish Nationalism? I believe the only way that this could have been interpreted, is that Ned learnt the Irish ways off his Mother and all the associates of the Family, that were orginally from Ireland - and that may have had dealings with the English Government and or being convicts themselves.
  
  This is part of "Culture" that I refer to, that shapes a person. And it also assists the theory, that the 1st Gen born in a new country, has more of a chance to becoming a radical than the Parents - who wanted a fresh start. (Relates to my previous blog post about what happened in Australia post - 1916 Easter Uprising in Ireland) 

This is where, a family folklore story, that is documented takes hold. And centres directly around the weeks before and after of the 1879 Jerilderie Robbery.

What I am commenting here is information collated from various sources as this is not a new story that has developed. I am simply collating information together, and put in a 2016 fashion, as this information had developed around the 1950's till the late 1970's. I am using technology to help understand of actually "how close", this family folklore story, was to the Kelly Gang. Because this story, was loosley written about, it didn't actually prove confirmation of the connection, but as it was told verbally, you could interpret it that it had more truth than fiction.

The story centres around James Thompson Hatch and his wife Mary Ann Jane (nee Daley).
Both of them are 1st Gen Australian's to Irish Parents and are 3rd GGParents to me. The link is from my Father's Paternal Grandmother - Kathleen T Sheehan - and they are her Maternal Grandparents.

Marion Warman's 1981 book on the "Hatch Family in Australia" depicts a James Thompson Hatch - 5th child of Robert Hatch and Mary Thompson (originally from Co. Down, Ireland).
My late Great Aunt - Sheila Tattersall (nee Fitzgerald) contributed to this book (photo's and details) and her verbal stories of this event, have prompted this blog.
Part of this blog, was to correct or help correct, a more established factual story, on this whole link to the Kelly's. The initial folklore that was passed down, was misinterpreted. It was thought that the Canberra district "Ginninderra" Blacksmith Shop, was the actual BlackSmith Shop, where the Kelly's Horses were shod. I found out later that this was incorrect information (as the family believed it), as I descibe below. What sent alarm bells off, during the research, was that I couldn't find details of the Kelly's ever going to the Canberra district.

James T Hatch was born 1837 in Goulburn, NSW.
James married Mary Jane Daley in 1860 at Tumut, NSW. Mary was about 15 when she married.
James worked as a Blacksmith, in around the Ginnindera area (Northern Suburb of  Canberra, ACT).

He was the first blacksmith in Ginninderra and worked in a shed (that still remains today), beside the Barton Highway.

James then moved from Ginninderra to the Albury/Wodonga area, sometime in the late 1860’s/early 1870’s. There he was still trading as a Blacksmith, but had some issues with payments and had to sell off his Blacksmith business.
He also somewhat owned or built the Terminus Hotel in Wodonga for a while and then sold that off.
I don’t know how much Blacksmithing he was doing during these days of the hotel.  I think his Blacksmith was liquidated, but I am not sure what caused the liquidation, I’d expect maybe too much expenses (says “forced sale”)??

It is plausible to say at this point, that in 1870s, that the Hatch's, may have crossed paths with the Kelly's prior to the 1879 incident. The 2 families were with in 50-75 Km's of each other.

This is just a thought, due to the fact that the 2 family's have travel history around this area. 

The Hatch Family moved from Wodonga to Urana. I don’t know exactly when, but they were in Wodonga till atleast 1875. But in 1879, we see the family living in Urana 2-3 weeks before the great robbery. Daughter Sophia - of James Thompson Hatch had 2 court proceedings against her from her Father. It was a Family tiff over clothing, he (James) thought it was his.
But the dating of the documents, clearly shows the family was in Urana at the exact moment, well just prior to the robbery.
These are the only known news reports of the family placed in Urana. There is no known details from other sources, depicting if James was Blacksmithing around the Urana/Jerilderie district at this time (or for the fact, many years).
I can only presume at the moment, that he only did what he knew best.

The only source of where or what happened with the Kelly’s and the plausible link to James Thompson Hatch, was his son’s account – James Thompson Hatch Jnr.
James Jnr's - 1957 obituary makes the statement (below).
Though, I argue the point of was it “Jerilderie” or “Urana”, where the shop was? And was his Father only working there, or did he have an actual shop in either town. As certain details from other sources/historian's suggest there was no noted Hatch family involvement in Jerilderie (or Urana for that matter). I am of the thinking that James Jnr thought his Father owned the shop, when he only just worked there. And who was the informant that was giving the details on Jnr's obituary?

Though what is confusing, is to what report is correct about the Kelly’s passing through Urana. Initially I thought there was an intention to go to Urana and maybe rob it after Jerilderie, but a few days later in the reports mention that they passed through Urana 3 days before the robbery (and they weren’t noticed). It was mentioned by Kelly, whilst holding up the bank in Jerilderie, to “rob Urana and not to send word”, but I don’t know if he was actually going to do it - rob it beforehand and or was this just a decoy? As a rider was sent from Jerilderie to Urana to warn the town, before the Kelly’s got there.

From Urana, the Hatch’s moved North a few hundred Km’s and were Blacksmithing there until James Snr died – ironically from heat exhaustion. It was 50 deg C in the shade, whilst working.
So I know that James Snr was Blacksmithing before Urana and after it, but cannot confirm with details up to this point in time, what they were doing in Urana (or Jerliderie) and if James T Hatch Snr did actually "Shod Kelly's Horses" as reported. But it does leave the impression that the story holds true, that they were in the area during the great 1879 Robbery and James Snr was a Blacksmith during this era. We are only going off an Obituary, for that account and have no backup documentation to show the connection. Great story to research though.

The research continues

 Click here for a great website to use for the Kelly Gang's timeline

 Kelly House in Beveridge, Victoria (2016)

   James T Hatch & wife Mary Daley                             James T Hatch Snr & James T Hatch Jnr
              (circa after 1860)                                                                    (circa 1890-1896)

 

       The story that has inspired my thoughts for this blog      
(depicted by the Hatch Family Book)
 

      

  

                                            Details of Blacksmith insolvency in Wodonga
                                           (8th Apr 1875 -  Ovens and Murray Advertiser)

 

James Hatch vs Dau. Sophia Hatch - 3 weeks before the robbery
  (15th Jan 1879 - Wagga Wagga Express)

                               

                                  Details again of the court case of James Hatch and Dau. Sophia
                                             (29th Jan 1879 - Wagga Wagga Express)

 

 James T Hatch Jnr's 1957 Obituary
The Jerilderie Shop details are yet to be found
(13th Sep 1957 - Western Herald (Bourke NSW)

 

 Details (highlighted) listed in a News Report
(Date in image - Sydney Morning Herald)

The details of Urana and the Kelly's
"Friday" as pointed out  - is the 7th of Feb.

The 8th of Feb is where the Kelly's arrived in Jerilderie

So did the Kelly's actually arrived in Urana before Jerilderie? 

(13th Feb 1879 -  Ovens and Murray Advertiser)

A depiction of travelled places and the Hatch Family's timeline

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36. Learning of Culture - Get some!

Culture - Learn it.

I haven't posted a blog for a little while, I had been trying to understand something about myself.
Learning a culture, of a distant land that we were once a part of. The only thing that gives me any insight to culture, apart from talking to the Irish, is letters and family paperwork, that directly replicates, what history has told. But with culture, comes heartache of somesort to the Irish.
Part of below, can be viewed as a "controversial" post, on learning what culture is.
But the whole idea of this post, is to explain, my opinions and outcomes after learning both sides of the culture's and what I am part of.

Family documents, opinions from other people (word of mouth and documented paperwork) and what history has been documented, gives or teaches me about the culture of the Irish.
The only thing missing, is being there in person to experience what I have learned.

In all the years I've studied on my family lines, one part that I keep trying to find, is Culture.
Culture, is a missing component to the family stories.
Hoping culture can teach or help me "tell a story" on why things happened. And as I've found out, you have to see both sides of a story to learn "Culture" - regardless if it touches on stirring the pot. And Ireland carries "culture" with a heavy heart. You wouldn't extract a true culture or a true enough answer from someone without, poking or prodding the English/Irish debate or to do with the rebellions or like of.
And what has intrigued me after watching a video today of certain 1916 events, is that you can't have a civil conversation about it, without a certain degree of angst coming up. This is where you find real culture.

Dad's side has been here in Australia from 1842 onwards, Mum's around mid 1850's.
Majority of both sides, had just missed the full effects of the Famine - both from Famine and Disease, but also escaped the Governmental idealogies of how they dealt with the Famine afterwards.
(I am so glad they missed both sides of it) But Mum's side did have connections to the after effects with the Famine (the handling of the landed estates and absentee landlord issue).

This Irish "Culture" - appears on both my family lines in Ireland. Mum's direct Maternal Protestant lineage clashes with a Catholic family, who had indirect "Nationalistic" tendancies. Dad's side carries a surname of domination of the Irish with Strongbow and later times they swap sides to fight against the English, but also carries a very heavy genetic connection to the deep South West territory of Ireland. Genetics have allowed me to explore a much more native connection to South Western Ireland than once thought. I am of the opinion, that we are "Gaelicised Normans" to Limerick, with some degree of confidence.
 
Also, I am in belief, that Dad's Maternal line carries a very strong North Irish/Gallowglass linked lineage through his Co.Cork Gallagher line. It is messing my thoughts up with his direct ancient Paternal lineage to Cork City / Co.Cork / Limerick. As 2 plausible Gallowglass families (McDonald and Calhoun clans) sit very close to our very defined - direct Paternal line in Limerick around the Norman Invasion period. These clans intersect with the Collins/ODonovan's of Limerick.

But what I found most interesting and profounding on both sides, is that many traditions, values or idealogies, were never passed down through the generations, since they left Ireland. I have tried to extract thoughts through the family, but it seems we lost most of our Irish culture in today's world.
My Grandfather never really talked about our Irish roots, but his Sister did. In the 60's and 70's, Dad's family tried to trace our roots, but hit quite a few dead ends with our Fitzgerald line. But we did have a hit with Dad's Paternal Grandmother's "Hatch" line (possible Cromwellian Planter family) and a Cork native Irish Sheehan line. But because the Fitzgerald lineage info, was not found or nothing of interest beyond late 1700's- Early 1800's, this may have forced them in to giving up "looking" for them?

Learning about Mum's Maternal Persse line (based on reasearch from Lady Gregory), I decided to finally approach the 1916 events in Ireland - The Easter Rising.
Simply, because I didn't know anything about it, but part of me was also lost in "why" do I need to learn of this event. I had put this to the side, mainly because I had no direct family involvement in this cause. But I found out later, how messy 1916 was and how it directly had an effect in Australia.
Lady Gregory's life, her comments and other people's perception of what happened is quite contrasting. Gregory came from a Protestant life, but around the 1916 events, her mind was filled with a lot of thoughts on siding with the martyr's. This is one main reason that inspired me to learn "why would someone do that". What changed her views? Was it Culture?
As an example, my Maternal MacNevin line, it has an Catholic Irish man becoming a Judge/Coroner in the Sydney and he judged everyone, without prejudice - regardless if you were Catholic or a Protestant in his court.

I recently attended a Irish International Conference in Melbourne, a few months ago, based upon the "Australian Perspective" of the 1916 Easter Rising. I went into this conference, with a completely open and an unbiased mind. I wanted to learn the details of it, without prejudice.

Even though I knew a lot of what I was going to learn, was "way over my head", I did it for myself to learn that word again - culture. I wanted to put myself in both shoes to understand what drove both sides into the awful mess and what inspired Yeates to write (or finish off ) his "A Terrible Beauty is Born".
This 2 day conference, opened my eyes to a very messy and complex insurrection that had far wider implications, than just taking the GPO.

Half a world away, it deeply and directly affected Australia and it created an after-effect too.
It split the views of Australian's and the Irish Immigrants, with Empire's strangehold hold with WW1.
It created political division and 2 referendums within the confines of this Southern land.
Parliament asked it's population to vote on a decison, it couldn't answer for itself.
Australia's population back then, had a lot of Irish in it. Part of which was Catholic.
Melbourne Archbishop - Dr Mannix split the Irish community on terms and differences he had, on what he called a "Trade War" (WW1). The complexity of this whole era, was compounded when the Australian Irish Catholic community, was asked to vote on participation via conscription with The Empire in WW1.
Dr Mannix was a changed man after the 1916 executions and he asked the Catholic's to vote "no" to conscription, simply because "Australia came first and the Empire second".
(applies to the context with the English vs Irish debate).

There was also an "after effect" to the above happenings. In the 1916 conference, it was found that quite a percentage of Australian born children, to Irish Catholic parents (after 1880), became radicalised about the Republic in Ireland.
Seinn Feinism or the likes of, was apparent and radicalised men were inciting "republicanism" within Australia. Some of which were jailed and known as the "Darlinghurst Seven".

Looking back on what I had learnt, I didn't agree with the insurrection, neither did the "majority" of Ireland. But I do agree on upholding a forced debate on National identity. Whether it be a republic or home rule.
Australia is in a Home Rule situation, but a republic discussion has popped up from time to time, but has been squashed everytime of it's appearance.
The problem about the debate issue, is that the British nature of debating will almost win hands down. And why we have this contiunal lingering problem. If the Irish want to beat them, you will have to enter a debate on their soil, on their terms and nail every part of the debate - including on not "selling out". But with debates, the only way to win, is to comprimise, so it's a catch 22 which way you go.
Collins was out-debated, because of the "bloodshed that will ensue", if he didn't agree to the English.
I would argue, if he had the attributes of a top barrister or a law maker, the outcome would have been different, but would have had some sort of bloodshed.
If Daniel O'Connell hadn't of killed John D'Esterre, would things have been different? It changed his views on bloodshed vs political gain (but there again, O'Connell sold out to the Whigs later in his political life).

The greatest part of learning about the events of 1916, is how many innocent people were killed (reports of how many vary, but lets point in the direction of about 400).
Because of a "statement" that the insurrection had to make, it's voice came at the price of the innocent people. And what hurt the most, whether the British or Irish killed them, was the death's of the innocent, that they were brushed underneath the carpet, like as if they didn't care. It completely struck a chord with me.
Even though I haven't read "everything" of Lady Gregory's views, I drew a thought to atleast understand if atleast she mentioned or recognised the innocent deaths. She did list the deaths in her writings, but still was not made to be a prominent issue of the cause.

Regardless of what I had written above, the key to understanding both sides, is their culture's.
And I am glad that I had the opportunity to understand them and the 1916 Easter Rising.

Get some culture and learn from it.

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35. Edward Worth Newenham (basic details and a heartfelt letter)

Edward Worth Newenham 1762-1832  (Eldest Son of Sir Edward and Lady Grace)

A lot of my Irish Family research comes from my Maternal side and it references the Newenham's.
They have so much information about them that co-incides with what family papers I have, you sort of have to document them. I show a lot about the Newenham's, mainly because of the people they connect to or have influenced. They are a great learning tool, to see what was happening in Ireland during the 18-19th century.

The greatest thing to do with their information, is to "play them off" against history, that is, try to understand their idealogies of their lives and see what history has to say about them.
I use their "good's and bad's", to see if their decisions changed Ireland for the better or worse.

So basically we have Sir Edward Newenham (6th GGF), staunch Protestant that was born in the era of "Protestant Ascendancy". He was born into this lifestyle, so he knew little of what it is to struggle (a basic interpretation).

His eldest son Edward Worth Newenham (5th GGF), born in 1762 and grew up under this same indoctrination of his Father. His views on Catholic vs Protestant are very evident around the 1820 era, when he left Ireland for Boulogne - France to get away from the Catholic uprisings. One such letter from him expresses great displeasure, with the Catholics getting power within Ireland.
I found great pain in reading this particular sentence of words, because it was "one sided" imho.

Though as this maybe a small pocket of "distaste", he had other things going on with the family.

Edward Worth married Elizabeth Persse (d. of Col. William Persse and Sarah Blakeney of Roxborough Co Galway) in March of 1787.
They had 11 children, 8 survived infancy but only 4 or 5 survived into adulthood.

• Edward Worth served in the military, and was captured in 1805 whilst off the coast of France. He was "voluntarily" imprisoned in Verdun-France by Napoleon's Forces, he died in Verdun
• William Persse, also served in the military, fought many gallant battles and died in England. Was personally known to Admiral Hood.
• Charles Burton only lived 9 days
• Robert Burton served in the military as well, but his most gallant effort, was being on the battlegrounds of Waterloo, during Napoleon's fall in 1815
• Eliza died at the age of 9
• Henry Hood (4th GGF), came to Australia in 1856 and never served in the military, died in Melbourne 1895
• Grace Anna, nothing known
• Anna Eliza (not shown) died at the age of 12 in France 

The concept of this post, is that I came across a short letter from Edward Worth depicting quite a story. Even though the letter does not say much, it's a huge letter in discovering things about the family. This letter is quite defining on what was to happen with the 3rd surviving son - Robert.
I wanted to show, that underneath this business man, was a Father looking to protect his Son(s).

When Edward Worth and Elizabeth were married, as part of their marriage settlement, Edward Worth inherited lands around Tipperary (Shallee and a few others). These lands were Coal/Lead and Tin mining areas. Edward Worth was in charge of a Colliery in around the early 1800's.
I do not know yet, how good or bad he ran these mining operations, but I have seen some issues with the properties.

Edward Worth would bounce around towns, dealing with the law and also this mining business, whilst what looks like that Elizabeth and the children stayed in around Co. Galway. It is noted that Elizabeth was staying with her brother Henry Stratford Persse, from time to time.

Edward Worth, was quite pained by his Father antics, as they did have quite a family rift that went on for many years. Edward Worth looks like he wouldn't deal with his Father anymore, due to his unscrupulous spending habits.
This may have shone the light on this family, that whilst they may have been "land rich", they were also "cash poor".
Many letters around the very early 1800's, depict that Edward Worth, was almost broke. In the early years of research, I found it very hard to understand, with so much land at hand, why so poor?

This one letter, is one of a few around the era of 1810 and Edward Worth is trying to setup his children's lives. These few letters of this period, constantly comment of some sons in the military and some sort of "pining" for atleast one child to get a Government job.
It took me a few times of re-reading the letter, that there was so much of a story unfolding, it defined a lot of detail without saying it.
Edward Worth notes that he served in the Rebellion period (I gather this was referring to 1798) as a magistrate. And that his "3rd Son - Robert" is of great interest to obtaining a Government position. He also notes that his 2 eldest sons (Edward Worth and William Persse) are already in the Military and wants to push Robert into Government, not war.
You can see a mining/business man, change into becoming a Father.

The back story dialogue to this letter and in particular, this period of letters, was Edward Worth's Son's.
Edward Worth Jnr, was caught up in a shipwreck off the French Coast in 1805 and placed into Voluntary Confinement - under Napoleon's orders - in Verdun. And that his 2nd son William Persse, was almost killed 2 or 3 times over, during some intense battles at sea. You can really see the sense that the Father is now looking out for his family. He didn't want Robert to follow his elder siblings footsteps in the Military. He noted this many times, but in a nice enough tone.
So this letter was written in 1810, but the next story we hear of Robert is 5 years later. We see that Robert is stamping his authority of "victory", on the battlegrounds of Waterloo in 1815. He actually helped defeat Napoleon and what I can interpret, avenged his Uncle's death. How can this be?
Either Robert went against his Father's advice, or Edward Worth relented and allowed him to join the military.

I haven't found any letter or documentation yet, to show what Edward Worth wrote about his 4th Son - Henry Hood Newenham (4th GGF). But as Henry was born in 1805, he was too young to join the Forces. In a sense, of all people to be named after, it was a Lord Hood, Admiral of the Navy.
So maybe he could be attached to the Military only by name?
It seems that what I know about Henry's life, is that his Father must of finally made the point with "a son", to not go to war or join the military. Research on Henry's life, has failed to show any documented military training as of yet. And it's probably why Henry was placed in Government jobs in Melbourne (after 1856).

In an almost identical case in previous years, Edward Worth's younger brother - also a Robert (O'Callaghan Newenham), was vouched for by his Father and Mother's heartfelt letters to the US Congress and it even involved George Washington. They wanted to obtain a job for Robert, as a US Consul officer - based in France - under Benjamin Franklin. But it was a lost cause, as Robert couldn't have the position unless he or someone of the family, became a US Citizen. He never did become a US Citizen, so he didn't get the job.

Now, I believe the letter was written at a Property, directly opposite the "Mansion House" (Lord Mayor's Residence) on Dawson Street, Dublin. I am not sure if "Sandy Mt" is the house name or the district of Dublin.


The letter was addressed to John Foster.
I am assuming by my research, this is or could be a relative of John Foster 1st Baron Oriel
This letter is brought to you by : Viscount Masserene and Ferrard  -  Deputy Keeper of the Records, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

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34. Images Tell Stories - Part 4

Mr Thomas Edwin MacNevin - Police Magistrate, Coroner & Author
 
Thomas Edwin MacNevin P.M
1844-1907

Last night, I finally found him!!!
I found an image of a family member that I have been searching for over 5 years. A "eureka" moment.

Born in Dublin - Ireland under a Catholic following, Thomas's parents were Richard Charles MacNevin & Julia Waring.
Thomas was born a few months before a very difficult time in Ireland, The Great Hunger or The Famine. I was to learn a while ago, how much Thomas's Father applied himself to one of Ireland's greatest tragedy's.

Richard was a noted Solicitor/Barrister and was based at 8 Middle Gardiner Street. One could only image, that things didn't hit them as hard, as it was in the Western part of Ireland.

Richard wrote a book, on how to deal with the lands and or the absentee landlords in a civil lawful way. It was a guide on how to sell or obtain lands through the judicial process.
I am in 2 minds on how the book was written, I don't know if Richard wrote it from his heart and the best for Ireland (or the UK), or if he wrote it to help out the Landlords of both sides of the UK (did the hierarchy of Parliament get in Richards ear??).

The resultant of the Famine, created a mass evacuation of people leaving such a green land and moving offshore to escape it's horrid conditions. If you stayed or couldn't leave, you faced almost a horrid death by starvation, or indeed put to work in building infrastructure to earn your keep. A nation's population was culled by a disease - and yes, by all accounts, the Government at the time are also to blame for such a tragedy, by not helping it's people in Ireland.
Thomas's Father and Grandfather (Daniel), were very deeply rooted to the Catholic Cause, as they were very close to the Great Emancipator - Daniel O'Connell. Assisting him in his adventures, whether it be politically or by friendly motives. Towards the end of Daniel O'Connell's life, the MacNevin's turned against him, almost in despising/disowning him. I am trying to see if anything of this nature, filtered down to Thomas, from his Father and Grandfather. Thomas would have been too young to understand it, but he would have learnt about in in future years.

Thomas's Uncle - Thomas MacNevin Esq, was a Poet and an Irish Nationalist, who formed part of the Movement known as "Young Ireland". He worked with Davis, Duffy, Dillon and a few others to name a few. But his Uncle Thomas, died just before the failed 1848 uprising (he was mentally affected by Davis's death).

I am still learning about the resultant of the Famine with this family, but these MacNevin's are helping me in such a way, that it is going much deeper into the Core, of what was going on.
Famine, Daniel O'Connell, Young Ireland Movement, it's all there with this family.

Thomas's upbringing in the Solicitor/Barrister/Law world, was probably his ultimate building blocks to his career as a Judge later in life. Nothing is known about his early life in Dublin.

Whilst in Ireland, Thomas's mother (Julia) dies and Richard remarries to Anne Hamilton. It wasn't until a few months ago, with some help, that I finally figured out where the 2 ladies fitted in to Thomas's life as initial thoughts that we were descended off Anne.

In 1864, his Father - Richard dies and it somehow seems that Thomas decides to head to Australia. Not sure why, but can only imagine that his stepmother may have decided he needed more of a Manly influence?
With help, it was told to me that Thomas's Maternal Uncle - Caulfield Waring, was in Queensland at the time.
This was the area that Thomas first landed.
Soon after he landed in Queensland, he meets Edith Ashworth Snape and marries her.
Thomas and Edith then move to Sydney about a year after they were married and it's where their children are brought up.
They have 7 Children, but only 5 survive childhood. Richard Thomas, Charles Edwin Ashworth, Edith Mary, William Augustine and Philip Bowen. A boy and a girl were born, but I think they may been stillborns?

In 1889, Edith died.

But just 2-3 years later, Thomas remarried to Alice Maud Juckes. Believe the marriage produced no children.

Philip Bowen MacNevin
with his daughter Dorothy May MacNevin
(My Great Grandmother)

The youngest son of Thomas & Edith, Philip Bowen, is my 2nd Great Grandfather and in a way, he is a very mysterious person.
I am in belief that Philip and the family, may have become estranged, as I can find no communication with them, during his life. Philip never became what his Father was. Philip seemed to hit the Shipping/Naval style of life as a waiter/pantry hand/labourer of sorts, both on local and international ships. I can trace a point in time, where Philip was in Sydney around the time of his Father's death, but that's about it.

Throughout his career, Thomas E. MacNevin, becomes quite involved with the judicial system whilst in Sydney. He almost gets the Under Secretary job to the Head of the Justice Department, but is overlooked for that role. He becomes a Police Magistrate and a Coroner. He writes a booklet, to help the Police and Coroner's on how to do their jobs. I'm pretty certain he learnt this skill from his Father.
His court appearances were mainly at the Parramatta Court House, but he did spend time at other, closely located Court Houses. 

Something that I have learnt a lot about and has been sitting in the wind with this line of MacNevin's, is that I don't see any sentiments of hard core Irish Nationalism coming through. In all of the court cases I have seen with Thomas presiding, none of the Irish Nationalism or Young Irelander sentiments, come through on his decisions. I am trying to differentiate Thomas and his Father, with his Uncle on being part of the Young Ireland movement.
It seems that Thomas Edwin, most definitely held un-biased opinions or decisions with the court cases.
Almost as if both Protestant and Catholic persons that were tried in his court, were treated equally in handing down a sentence.
Thomas was held in very high regard with his peers.

Thomas died in 1907, in Sydney. He is buried in Rookwood Cemetery.

The historical significance to this family, is quite mind boggling. And the countless hours of research to find them, is all worth it.

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33. Direct Paternal Lineage - Native Irish With A Twist

This is where DNA technology, has placed my direct Paternal line.

I have drawn up this image, to show how DNA technology has placed my direct paternal line, in connection with an ancient Irish Dynasty called "Ui' Fidgenti".
This data was based from 2 sources - South Irish DNA project and Ytree.net.

The actual image is from Ytree.net, you can see that here : A-88 Tree

The A-88 tree is based under the South Irish DNA - Irish Type II - CTS4466 grouping.
The O'Donovan's and O'Collins/Collins form part of the Uí Fidgenti dynasty of Limerick.

The only link in historical references, between the Fitzgerald's and the O'Donovan's/Collins, refers to the disintegration of the dynasty, by the Normans (after 1169 AD), but more placed around the 13th century. Though the dating of the Y-DNA does point, to around the time, when the Norman Invasion occurred (with an estimation of about a century or so, either side of it).

There is a basic historical reference point mentioned in the "County of Limerick" Wikipedia page.
It outlines the connection to an particular era with the Fitzgerald's and the Uí Fidgenti, but does not mention the exactness of the faction of Fitzgerald.

It also has an open interpretation, that the Fitzgerald's may have taken advantage of internal wars and or in particular, the aftermath of it. The most consistent information via my family's Y-DNA, is a close relationship with the Fitzgibbon's and the O'Hearns.

So what we have, is a basic historical reference and a scientific reference - pointing to the same result. But we need to do more research, why we reference the Munster area.

One of the most interesting things (and I suppose quite confusing), is there is an involvement with the Dal Cais people (Dal Cais people are classified as Co. Clare/O'Brien/Brian Boru - or in the genetic term of L226/Irish Type III DNA).
These type of people created some sort of Northern resistance and seemed to push factions of families southwards into Northern Limerick - possibly around 1000AD era. As I have an O'Hearn name in my 111 Marker, their connection to us, seems to fit this trend and may have been pushed South, by the Co. Clare MacNamara's. The recorded placement of the ancient O'Hearn's, was around Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare
The O'Hearn name, in correlation to my Y-DNA, does not support the (Co. Clare/Northern) L226 DNA, but they do support the Southern (Munster) CTS4466 DNA. It suggests and adds weight to the argument, that there was a settlement of O'Hearn's in Munster - most possibly around the Uí Fidgenti area of Limerick.

I have 2initial thoughts with the internal wars around this era :

• Did the Fitzgerald's invade Limerick just before the Uí Fidgenti disintegration and only accelerate the ending of it?
                                                                  OR
  
• Did the Fitzgerald's invade at the end of the disintegration and take empty lands by default?
  
  

Some of my autosomal DNA matches, have Limerick and Far West Cork (Skibbereen) connections, involving the Collins surname. Which plausibly co-incides when the O'Donovan's/Collins people, that were pushed into South West Cork, by the Normans (The Fitzgerald's).
I have not tied up, why my Y-DNA references here, as I still don't know where my surname takes me before the very late 1700's era.
With 100% certainty, I know we were based in Cork City, of the South Parish Church of St. Finbarrs (RC) atleast to 1807. There is some sort of flip flopping between religions, as the Irish Emmigrant - Thomas Fitzgerald, landing in Australia in 1841, was Protestant and stayed Protestant until his death in 1859.

There is also, quite a Scottish flavour to the Y-DNA as well. Is it Gallowglass???
Were they the "Scots/Irish" around 800-1000 AD? Still trying to find how much Viking is there too.
I still don't know how to interpret this. A lot of Autosomal matches between Myself and my Father, show a strong trend with North Irish people under the M222 Haplogroup. This maybe totally unrelated, but it's quite the dominant haplogroup, in closer Autosomal matches.

The only way I can somewhat take out of this, it shows that we seemed to immerse ourselves with the Natives. Could this be showing the "after the invasion" effects of  family immersion to local society?
And, is this where the "Female Fitzgerald" story is coming from?

Jury is still out if this "immersion with society", with my paternal ancestor, was the product of an illegitimate birth or was it the product of a sanctioned marriage?

Pretty intense stuff.

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32. Genetical warfare

My Genetical information should be having an internal struggle with itself.

Coming up to 2 years since I have done some DNA research. As much as I understand part of it, the ties to historical events is becoming quite clear. Except I just can't grasp the intensity of what it's trying to say. I am a little overwhelmed by what it could prove, in a historical sense.
I am certain my DNA is messed up and is having a war between itself.
Basically my Mother's DNA served Ireland in a politically and "justice by the courts" way, whereas my Father's DNA is showing Irish "justice by the sword" way.

In the past few months, I have found something deep that is happening, finding quite the quirkyness to what my DNA story tells.

So far my Y-DNA, is telling a story of ancient historical significance to around the Norman Invasion.
It maybe also telling the story, that I may have had a Paternal lineage, that was in Ireland "before" the Norman Invasion (as mentioned before, that most possibly our Fitzgerald link was a Female). Everything on what I am seeing, tells me about something happening between the Scottish/Welsh and Native Irish around 1000 years ago.
It was something big and it was happening in the Province of  Munster.

The Fitzgibbon surname is still quite clearly the ultimate link, to finding my roots, as there is no definable "Fitzgerald" there. Native Irish also entangle in there as well.
I am ultimately trying to learn, if I can find a faction of Fitzgerald that I stem off. And are we the only ones of the line? Are we off a cadet branch or off an illegitimate line?

When you read historical accounts of what your surname was part of around the Norman Invasion period, well pretty much was the dominant invader to the natives of Ireland (FitzGerald and FitzStephen aiding Diarmaid Mac Murchadha's cause, of trying to reclaim his kingdom of Leinster). Remember Strongbow wasn't on the first invasion of 1169, as King Henry II - held him back as a part of discipline for siding against him.
Australia's European settlement of 1788, shows a very similar link, to being a dominated by the British (some would say invaders, but there is an open interpretation, if they were here to fight or to colonise with a reduced use of arms). Though the 1788 event, wasn't about coming to Australia to claim back it's "lost kingdom". It also had the intent of moving the trouble makers out of England.

But a few centuries over time, these invaders of Ireland, became part of the natives and immersed themselves in their culture. They then started to rebel against the Crown.
This is why the Fitzgerald name is known for being "more Irish than the Irish".

And my Y-DNA speaks in "volumes" to this story of nativity. It doesn't speak strongly of Viking, it doesn't speak Welsh or English, but does speak Native Irish/Scot. We land in a small pocket of Galloglass names that had English names, but was very close to the native Collins/O'Donovan's.

But again, from what I have seen and been told about with my surname, it still should not tie to Ireland or it's nativity, but should be more of middle Europe. This is why I am trying to see if this male that the Y-DNA is speaking of, is some form of Irish Native / Scot, rather than of Welsh origin.

Now, some of my Autosomal DNA matches, tell quite a connecting story. It is becoming apparently clear, that my parents DNA is "entangled" between themselves. Except they are not closer than 5th cousins.
I have questioned the genetical information between my parents DNA, because they indeed share some of the same DNA matches under the 5th Cousin. I have constantly thought that my parents DNA samples were mixed up, because of the oddity of matches. Certain names that should match my Father's family names, were matching my Mother's DNA and vice versa.
Majority of the links are Irish, but I have a hunch that some lead to British as well. Possibly from the "Planter" era.
It's kind of difficult to identify these links, when both your parents match 1 person and you're not sure which one is more dominant. And is the link British or Irish related.

Stories that are currently dominant.

• Both my autosomal DNA and my Father's autosomal DNA speak volumes in our top matches to an unusual Scottish/Viking connection, except I don't know which line this extends on. Our Y-DNA shows this story to a cousin branch of the Ui' Fidgenti dynasty of the Collins/O'Donovan's off Limerick/West Cork - which does have Norse connotations.
  Nothing is proven just yet, just very close and very circumstantial.
  Ironically, the Fitzgerald's pushed these 2 families out of Limerick into South West Cork (Skibbereen) during the 13th century - some of the autosomal DNA is picking the Limerick/Skibbereen places via both myself and my Father - This page explains this story - Go to "Later History" part

• The most interesting thing that I can see, is that we don't link directly to a Fitzgerald line in our autosomal matches, but almost every lead in our top autosomal matches has somewhat of a Fitzgerald there. Quite ironically, my Mother has a Fitzgerald there (Gedmatch) and I am trying to see if the link ties back to her Blood family of Co. Clare.
  The Fitzgerald line that we know of, seems like the DNA has only been passed on by the other parent/partner and we don't know the name of that partner.
  As our Fitzgerald line came here in 1841, I am not sure if we became partially diluted as such to the DNA. This is why I have to use other peoples links to help me either to eliminate or prove certain scenarios.
  
• Part of my research is trying to see if there is any evidence that I can tie my Mother's Newenham/Persse/Blood lines (of Co. Galway & Co. Clare) to my Father's Fitzgerald's. Whilst there is inter-connectivity in written history, I have not proven it beyond reasonable doubt.
   
• My Mother's Paternal line is unknown from before 1870's. The Booth name (Mum's Paternal Grandmother's maiden name) has a genetical match with Dad. Dad's maternal side has British links and I am thinking there is bound to be some sort of crossover there. Yorkshire, is the base of research.

In a short while, I'll be meeting up with a fellow who shares this ancient DNA story with us, back to the Ui' Fidgenti dynasty. It will possibly include a story that we lived just 1-2 km apart about 20 years ago and ultimately showing that we would have crossed paths many times without ever knowing of our ancient genetical paths.

The world is a small place.

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31. The Hasler's - Dublin, Galway and Melbourne Part 4 (Final)

1897 - The era that changed the Hasler's and the fall of Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co.

Since the last post, a little story has evolved that has helped understand what happened to the Hasler's and what the Photographic empire they had created, went through.
Late 1897, was a pivotal year for both Frederick and George's families, that would ultimately change them forever more.

Just before I touch on 1897, a few newspaper clippings have emerged and with the help of the State Library of Victoria. These few events have opened up new view, to what was going on in a pivotal time of the Company's story.

In 1895, the Johnstone O'Shannessy empire had seen many changes in their business. They were surviving through a recession around this time. Portrait photography - IMHO - waned, but for those with money, they did still acquire photographs for their families.
From what I can gather, I feel Emily Hasler did still contribute to the business itself, by controlling it's direction on where it was headed, well she was a major Shareholder in the company in anyways. This period was hard to figure out if either George or Emily was "steering the ship".
Up to this point, I considered George as the Captain, but I soon learned that Emily was still around.

In September 1895, Johnstone O'Shannessy, opened a Tea Room on their First Floor of their "234 Collins Street" address. It was named "Melbourne Tea Rooms". The below newspaper clipping shows that Emily is at the forefront of this venture. It included quite the "Socialite" society.

Ethel & Muriel Hasler
Circa late 1880's - early 1890's

 This Tea Room was opened up about 3-4 years after Hopetoun Tea Rooms located within "The Block" arcade (just 100 metres down the road). From what I can gather, these Tea Rooms, were the Women's variant of the "Men's Smoking Room's". A perfect place to host a gathering of women, to fulfill their social side, whilst their Husband's worked. Emily's social side has now come out to play. It also explained a much earlier period, why George and Emily's 2 Daughters - Ethel and Muriel, were well within the social circle and were quite the musician's. Both girls played musical instruments and put on shows, during Emily's social gatherings.

12th Sept 1895 - Melbourne Punch

This clipping is dated 12 Sep 1895 and shows what happened during this event. What surprised me much in this write up, was the people who were there. Relatives of Nicholas Fitzgerald (believe it to be of the Castlemaine Brewery Fitzgerald's?) and relatives of Sir Charles Gavan Duffy.
These 2 families would have been very well known to the Hasler's, particularly back in Ireland.
Duffy had sat for a portrait done by Johnstone O'Shannessy as well.

It seems that in these times of change, it does look like the Hasler's had to drum up a bit more business, in which they had to offer what was more of a social side to the business. The social side led to more opportunity to "coerce" people to have a portrait sitting.
This is what I see as diversification or in a way, it could be by just plain marketing your merchandise, to increase sales. For instance, Sir Arthur Snowden had an image done by the studio in 1895.

A couple of questions went through my mind, on what allowed them to reformat the studios on the First Floor?
Did business drop off that much, that they had to diversify and incorporate a Tea Room to get an influx of people through the doors? Or was it done purely to co-incide with the Social Society? Testing times, but these 2 questions remain unanswered.

21st May 1896 - Melbourne Punch

13th Aug 1896 - Melbourne Punch

Entertainment in the form of acting plays out fitted in with the Studio's social society.

22nd Oct 1896 - Melbourne Punch

Everything was going according to plan, until late 1896. It seems by this newspaper clipping, that the Tea Room business as such, was either "Sold Off" or mutually agreed upon, to let someone else take control of it.

From October 1896 to about mid 1897, nothing much was happening with the company. It was a bit odd to see the company offloading the Tea Room circle.
Another paper clipping shows the Company had "complied " with a Government Act about "Proprietary Companies" in May of 1897.
 
A few months later, revealed the story.
On the 10th of August 1897, a sad day for the Hasler's. George Henry Massey Hasler, passed away from a long illness (cancer). By reading the timelines of the Tea Rooms, you could conclude they knew George was ill and they needed to slow down a bit (Hence the sell off of the Tea Rooms).

At this time period, it was not known where his brother, Frederick, was. We can only conclude that Frederick was in Melbourne and taking images at home. There is no mention of Frederick in anything associated with the company at this time. But he was definitely in the background.

After George's death, it shows that Emily was still controlling the business, of course now much older, I do believe that she did make some initial decisions that changed the company's future.
From what I can gather, George died just a few years too early. Emily was to face some decisions that ultimately placed the company in to a downward trend.

What is known (by later documents), is that Emily placed the company in to the hands of her eldest daughter Ethel and her son-in-law Rupert De Clare Wilks (they were married 2 years after George's death). In a manner of a natural progression, the "family hand down" of the company to Ethel and rightfully so. Even though this sounded good to pass down the company, it was not the best business decision for the longevity of the company. I understand why Emily passed down the company, but Rupert, was a solicitor not a photographer. And it shows in time, that the company lost itself or lost it's direction after George's death. The passion of Photography seemed to wane.

In the midst of this, Frederick still had not seen direct action with the company. I just don't see how Frederick was not able to assist with the Melbourne Studio, as he was quite the proficient Photographer. Unless they were ok and thought they could hold their own?
A decision that still baffles me and just after George's death, we see Frederick and the family placed in Adelaide, South Australia.
Frederick was widowed for many years at this stage, so going to Adelaide with the kids, could be seen as some sort of adventure maybe?
I was to learn later, that Frederick took up a photographic business there, in around Rundle Mall. He worked in his own company that was also somehow intertwined with a photographic business called "Wivell & Co", which was also associated with the Eureka Photo Studio.
Frederick became a photographer/enlarger of photos within this company for a few years. The below images depict this Adelaide story.
In learning more about this Adelaide story, we can only conclude that George proposed a partnership with Wivell & Co and acquired some form of business with them, well before 1897. I suspect that's why there is an image of George in Eureka's image.
Just after George's death, it can be concluded that Emily and or Frederick came to some sort of mutual decision about Frederick managing or assisting with the the Adelaide "Eureka" store.

Frederick J Hasler - Eureka Photo Studio's circa. early 1900s

We know after this time period, Melbourne was facing a huge change to the photographical world. The very early 1900's seen an influx of handheld cameras that was aimed primarily at the "Women of the house", so that they could photograph their children. Ridding the necessity of dressing up for a formal sitting at a studio.

George Hasler circa 1890's

This was the game changer for Johnstone O'Shannessy. Neither Emily nor Rupert made plans to avert this or even "go with the the flow". Nothing has been found so far, to suggest that they changed the company's way of business, to suit the new ways of Photography.

In early 1905, a meeting was convened by Rupert and shows that there were plans to "liquidate" the company. By late 1905, the company that was originally headed by Henry James Johnstone and Emily O'Shannessy, known under the name of Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co. was wound up. A photographic business stemming from the early 1860's till 1905, had come to an end.

It is believed that the lease of the Collins Street address was up in 1905 and the photographic company allowed it to be expired.
In my opinion, the resultant death of George in 1897, poor decisions in a every changing photographical world and a lease expiration due, allowed the company to be liquidated.
At the liquidation sales, it seems a person bought the "brand name" of Johnstone O'Shannessy and rebadged it as Johnstone O'Shannessy & Falk. From 1905 till the late 1920's, this business was carried on by different management at a different studio. The building at 234 was demolished and replaced with "234 Howey Place", which was demolished again and made way for the "Sportsgirl Centre" and then renamed and remodeled as "twothirtyfour" today.

Frederick moved back to Melbourne where he died in 1920.  Emily died about a year later.
Frederick & wife Eliza together with George & wife Emily, are both buried in the St. Kilda Cemetery in Melbourne.

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