Fitzgerald.Healy

Dear Brian,  It was with great interest that I read your email.  I'm pretty sure that Hanora is my great, great grandmother.  She was baptised 9.12.1866 in the church of the Assumption, Abbeyfeale.  I obtained a copy of the birth/baptism certificate many years ago.  Her parents are William Fitzgerald and Mary (Maria?) Fitzgerald formerly Healy.  I also have here a print of the original register and there it is written "William Fitzgerald of Ballough, Labourer" (she was registered on 8.12.1866).    I also have a copy of her death certificate and marriage certificate.   On the death certificate it notes her name as Honora Parker, 78 years, died 27.04.1944 and notes her father as William Fitzgerald and mother as Mary Healey (note with e).  It further notes she was born in Limerick Ireland and 53 years in N.S.W Australia.

I never knew that she had a sister Ellen.  My grandmother often spoke about her grandmother Hanora and especially their catholic rituals.  There were 4 sisters who emigrated from Ireland to Australia in about 1891.  Their names were Hanora, Johanna, Minnie(sp) and Annie.  Minnie and Annie apparently got off the ship in Western Australia and Johanna and Hanora went on to NSW.  My grandmother lived in the house of Hanora in Kurri Kurri, NSW up until a few years ago.  Johanna lived in Cessnock, NSW.  My grandmother never knew what happened to Minnie and Annie (there was some talk that one married a Delahunty?).  The sisters also had another brother Patrick and he visited them in Kurri (I have a copy of a letter from him).  My grandmother told me that Hanora used to talk about coming from a place called "Ballybahey" in Limerick and I have since looked that up thanks to the internet and I guess its "Ballaghbehy".  I would be most happy to send you a copy of the information I have to find out more about our ancestors.

Kind regards,

John Lewis

PS:  I attached a copy of the letter from Patrick (Ellens brother) for your info

Brian, Some other info you may find interesting,

John Lewis

Dear cousin John, Thanks so much for yuor response. Hanora's birth certificate confirms the Abbeyfele connection. I knew from my aunt Helen (Ellen"s Granddaughter) that a couple of sisters emigrated to Australia, I did not know that there were Four. The one she knew of for sure was Annie.

Ballaghbey is a great clue. I may be able to get more information there.

Sister Ellen arrived in New york in 1901 and married William O'keefe, They had five children when he decided to go off and fight in WWI, leaving them pretty destitute. They were back togeather in 1920 but Grannie never relly forgave him and they lived apart for the later years.

I believe that Brother Patrick lived in Massachusetts, was active in the church and never married.

A very well traveled and dispersed family. Thanks again for filling in some of the gaps.

Regards, Brian

Dear Cousin Brian,

How fantastic it was to read your response.  Sorry for my delayed reply with work and being a father of two small children I don’t always find the time and energy to get onto the computer!   I was always very interested in the Fitzgerald’s from Ireland and often spoke with my grandmother about Hanora and her sister Johanna and their brother Patrick.  My grandmother (Kathleen) was the oldest of 7 brothers/sisters and they had a very close family.    My Grandmother lived in Hanora’s house at 180 Hopetoun street in Kurri Kurri and grew up next door at 178 Hopetoun Street where my Aunty Margaret (her sister) still lives.  Aunty Betty (Elizabeth another sister) lives another 2 houses down the street.  The other brothers Colin, Martin, Billy also lived not far away and only Kevin moved a bit further away.  When we visited my grandmother in Kurri Kurri and went to Saturday night mass at the Catholic church it was not unusual to stand outside after mass and have 6 of the 7 brothers and sisters standing around having a chat often with a few other cousins.  Colin’s son Anthony just visited me here in Germany (where I have lived for the past 17 years) last year.

My grandmother often told stories about Uncle Patrick.  They supposed he was a wealthy man as he used to “dabble” in the stock market and lived in America and as you write never married.  He was apparently a very religious man (as you write) and my grandmother used to say they when he got dressed he used to turn the holy pictures on the wall around so they would not see him unclothed!  My Nan told the story that Patrick actually left a large locked chest at Aunty Edies (Hanora’s daughters) house and when they found out that Patrick had died all the family gathered at Aunty Edies house to open the chest.  They all supposed there would be something of value in it.  So when it was opened, much to the surprise, and great disappointment, it was totally empty!!   

Just put “BALLAGHBEHY NORTH” into google maps and you will find the location where they must have lived. Aunty Edie always said they came from “Ballaghbehy” in Limerick as did my Nan – but back in the days before google I (we) never knew where it was.  I would like to visit there one day.
Now if you search in the 1901 and 1911 Census of Ireland I think you will find out  where our great…grandparents lived … Here is the link from 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Limerick/Dromtrasna/Ba…

It lists William as head of family aged 70, Mary his wife aged 65  daughter Maggie (born 1881? who Patrick writes about in his letter) and a grand daughter Mary Costello.  They live at “Ballybehy North”.  Stone/Brick/Concrete House.  Roof slate, tiles or iron.  There are 2 rooms.  William was the landholder.  There were 2 outhouses 1 cow house and 1 piggery!  Note enumerator writes “Ballybehy” as my Aunty used to write/say it.

BUT I also found another family with William and Mary and with a daughter Ellen in Attyflin

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Limerick/Patrick_s_Wel…

Are you sure you have the right Ellen in Attyflin????  You can also find Attyflin in google. It’s further away from Abbeyfeale closer to Limerick. 
In the 1911 Census I find William Fitzgerald again

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Limerick/Dromtrasna/Ba…
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002773327/

Seems to match But there is a Patrick Maloney Son and Margeret Maloney daughter in Law.  She is 27… born in 1884.  Did they make a mistake with Daughter and Son in law??? Also the ages don’t match exactly – Mary’s does but Williams doesn’t.  But I think it’s the right house and family since again William is the landowner and there aren’t that many houses in Ballybehy North (27 in 1901 listed and 21 in 1911)

In the 1911 census…. It says Mary has 9 children still living…  This would mean Hanora, Johanna, Annie, Minnie, Patrick, Elen, Maggie plus 2 more.  I guess then they married in 1856.
I will sign off here.  Once again it was great to hear from you and I would like to hear more stories if you have some about Ellen etc.  I will send you some more information about “our” part of the family soon.  Let me know your email address….
John
Email me at: 
lewis at kabelmail.de