ISSN 1649-7937

Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (incorporating “The Genie Gazette”) Vol. 1 No. 11 www.familyhistory.ie November : Samhain 2006 Non-Recognition of Irish Arms is a Disgraceful and Embarrassing Mess

The recent statement by the Prin- English herald confirming his Jurist” (32—page 164) - where cipal Herald at the College of doubts about the validity of Irish Costello maintained that “section Arms in London that he cannot grants made since 1943. The proof 13 of the National Cultural Insti- accept the validity of Irish Arms that the London heralds officially tutions Act, 1997 entrusts to a new came as no surprise to many out- did not accept the validity of Irish Chief Herald of the func- side the Office of the Chief Herald grants was contained in a letter of tions of searching, granting and GENEALOGY of Ireland. Mr. Peter Llewellyn October 19th concerning an 1981 confirming coats of arms. But in Gynne-Jones, Garter King of Irish grant to an American, Mr. view of the ban on prerogative Arms, cited the lack of any legal Guy Power . In this letter, Garter derived powers it is difficult to see basis for the State’s delivery of stated “the transfer of the records from where the power to grant and VEXILLOLOGY heraldic services since the State of the old Ulster Office was ef- confirm coats of arms derives.” got custody of the records of the fected 1st April 1943 by Alloca- Garter also mentioned the 2002 SOCIAL HISTORY last Crown Office in Dublin in tion of Administration advice by Mr. Rory Brady , At- 1943. Many in Ireland, including () Order torney General, that “there was no Heritage Matters this Society, have been making 1943 ” and continued “this order legislative basis” for the granting this very point for years, however, did not include any explicit meas- of arms by the State. On the other Book Reviews in September 2006, the Chief ure empowering the new Chief hand, the Chief Herald maintains Herald of Ireland, Mr. Fergus Herald to grant Armorial Bear- that no specific legislation was Gillespie informed the Society ings”. In this statement Garter is required in 1943 and that the 1997 Open Meetings that he was “unaware of any no- completely correct as the 1943 Act “quite clearly does provide tion that the College of Arms does arrangement was simply that the specific legislation”. But as the News & Queries not recognize the validity of Irish English got the title and functions Minister only implemented Sec- grants”. This statement was ex- of Ulster’s Office and the Irish got tion 13 of the 1997 Act in May traordinary as this Society had the records and treasures which 2005, if the Chief Herald is cor- already supplied his office with a were assigned to the National rect, then some would argue, that complete file of letters concerning Library under the Dept. of Educa- Ireland has the youngest heraldic the unsuccessful attempts by Mr. tion. However, Garter went fur- authority in the world. If so, what John Flynn of Nottingham, Eng- ther stating that “several recent about the hundreds of grants made land, to have his 1974 Irish grant judicial decisions have led to the between 1943 and 2005 – are the recognised by the College of conclusion that the executive rights of these grantees simply CONTENTS Arms in London. Mr. Flynn powers of the Republic previously forgotten? This heraldic mess asked this Society to raise the thought to derive from the Royal needs urgent Ministerial attention matter in relation to the Geneal- Prerogative have no such origin”. as it is an enormous embarrass- Preserving Your Family 2 ogy and Heraldry Bill, 2006 . Then He continued by quoting from the ment to the Irish legislative proc- last month the Society received an 1997 article by Mr. Kevin ess and to the Office of the Chief History e-mail message from yet another Costello published in the “Irish Herald of Ireland in particular.

Précis of the October 2 Lecture

Military History Sources 2 Senators Pledge Support for the Bill for the Family Historian

James Scannell Reports 3 During September and October, zens and members of the Irish in and heraldry to the Society’s new Public Rela- Diaspora. There was great support participate in the structured devel- tions Officer, Mr. Luke Martin, pledged for the Bill by Senators opment of this sector through the Scrap the Privacy Bill 3 MGSI , wrote to each of the Sena- from all sides of the House, many provision of a sound legislative tors in Seanad Éireann on the noting that its provisions were not basis for such. The goodwill Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006 politically divisive and important shown by all sides of the Irish Diary Dates, Queries & 4 seeking their support for the Bill. culturally. This very point was political divide towards this pro- An Daonchartlann Luke explained the many provi- made by Senator Brendan Ryan posed legislation is heartening. sion of the Bill, including a long when he introduced the Bill be- The Society is very grateful to all overdue facility for the recogni- fore the summer recess. The pub- the Senators who offered their Copyright to Arms a 4 tion by the State of excellence, lication of this Bill is an opportu- kind support for this very impor- Complete Shambles service and achievement by citi- nity for all with a genuine interest tant piece of heritage legislation.

Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland ISSN 1649-7937

PAGE 2 IRELAND’S GENEALOGICAL GAZETTE (INCORPORATING “THE GENIE GAZETTE”) VOL. 1 NO. 11

Preserving Your Family History

Whether one is new to genealogy or not, we all as every new piece of our jigsaw we enthusias- ESSAY COMPETITION have one thing in common—the hope that the tically uncover meets with, yet another, pro- fruits of our long hours of research will be tracted yawn from family members. Our copi- Do you enjoy researching your family history? preserved, appreciated and enjoyed by future ous notes, many folders and hundreds of as- Have you discovered anything surprising, un- generations. Many of us embarked on our sorted documents are lovingly treasured by each usual or unexpected during your research? genealogical quest with precisely this objective of us as we continue our quest for one elusive What has the experience of finding out who in mind as we see our children and grandchil- ancestor or relative after another. But is all our your family were and how they lived meant to dren grow up all too quickly before our eyes. work to no avail if interest in our quest is not you? If your family history is something that is Besides leaving our gene imprint behind and, of shared by spouse or family? Could we face the important to you why not write it down and course, that of our ancestors in the process, we prospect of all our papers and files ending up as submit it to Eneclann's Genealogy Essay would like to pass on our unique family story. landfill or environmentally recycled? Yes, it Competition . Eneclann in conjunction with This story, our own story, is what makes us could and indeed, does happen when this inter- “Irish Roots Magazine”, is sponsoring the what we are and it is this we come to see in our est in family history is not shared by the current competition. The first prize is €500 (US$650 : children and grandchildren as they progress generations of family members. But this appall- UK£350) and will be published in “Irish through life. We make continued reference to ing vista of cherished research being dumped is Roots”. There are also lots of runner up prizes. the similarities and traits of personality they not insurmountable. We can and should provide Entries should be a maximum of 500 words share with people, though long since passed on, for future generations whose interest in our entitled “Why my Family History is important who we knew personally. We remember them subject matter may well equal or surpass our to me”. Every entry will get a €5 discount on well, but to others they’re simply names and own. This can easily be facilitated in two ways, any Eneclann or Archive CD Books purchase. sometimes faded photographs and nothing else. firstly by ensuring that we make provision for See the Eneclann website www.eneclann.ie Little or nothing of their lives and times will our papers in our Will and secondly, by pub- The judging panel will be chaired by Mr . John remain after we, the custodians of their story, lishing our family story in, for example, the Grenham , author of Tracing your Irish Ances- too meet the inevitable. Sometimes in families Society’s journal. This will ensure that not only tors , and will include Mr . Tony McCarthy , there appears to be little or no interest in the our descendants but all with connections to the editor of Irish Roots Magazine and Ms. Fiona family history. We seem to be labouring in vain family will have the benefit of our research. Fitzsimons , MAPGI and Director, Eneclann.

Précis of October Lecture

Dr Siobhán FitzPatrick was our guest speaker more accurate an assessment of the importance the relevant local studies, maps and other rele- on Tuesday October 10th 2006 on the Royal of this institution to Irish studies. Dr. Fitz- vant collections. Information packs were dis- Irish Academy in Dublin. As the Librarian at Patrick brought the meeting through the various tributed to all in attendance. See:- www.ria.ie this very important national archive dating from collections at the Academy and explained the 1785. “The Academy has remained at the centre accessibility of these resources to Irish scholar- SOCIETY’S LECTURE PROGRAMME of the serious study of Irish civilization ever ship and, of course, to the study of genealogy since (1785) for although all sorts of more or and local history. Also outlined were the vari- On Tues. Nov. 14th Patrick-Wyse Jackson of less emphemeral societies sprang up with simi- ous research projects undertaken by the RIA, the Dept. of Geology, Trinity College Dublin, lar objectives, none of them competed with the including the Dictionary of Irish Biography; the will speak on “Sir Richard Griffith (1784- Academy, which laid down the standards of Irish Historic Towns Atlas; Dictionary of Mod- 1878) public servant, valuator and geolo- scholarship that by the end of the nineteenth ern Irish; New Survey of Clare Island; Diction- gist”. The man responsible for Griffith’s Valua- century had made ’Celtic’ or Irish studies a ary of Medieval Latin from Celtic Sources; tion Survey. Finally, on Tues. Dec. 12th Eileen rigorous discipline attracting continental as well Documents of Irish Foreign Policy and the Irish Ó Dúill, MAPGI , professional genealogist, will as local scholars of the highest calibre’. This Council for Bioethics. But more particularly to speak on the topic “The Four Courts Fire of quotation from F.S. Lyons (1979) couldn’t be genealogical studies, Dr. FitzPatrick outlined 1922” - what was lost and what survived?

Military History Sources for Family Historians

Three new publications from the Federation of much of interest to Irish researchers as the campaign of the three “The Anglo-Boer War Family History Societies are definitely a must following regiments were involved:- 88th Rgt. 1899-1902” (ISBN 1 86006 197 4) where the for the Christmas stocking of any family histo- Connaught Rangers; 4th (Royal Irish) Rgt. Of British committed 447,435 men into the field rian with an interest in military matters. These Dragoon Guards; 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoon with losses of circa 42,000 to war and disease. volumes by Phil Tomaselli deal with two 19th Guards and in the “Light Brigade” the 8th Men and regiments were drawn from Great century campaigns by British imperial forces (King’s Royal Irish) Rgt. Of Light Dragoons. Britain’s once far-flung empire, including Ire- and the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 to 1902. Also, involved were 18th (Royal Irish) and the land. This was a bloody campaign in which Tomaselli describes the background to each and 97th (Earl of Ulster’s) regiments. The second 87,000 Boers fought with losses of over 7,000 provides an account of the existing records, publication is on “The Zulu War 1879” (ISBN and, according to Tomaselli, between 18,000 types of medals and published sources available 1 86006 194 X) where the 88th (Connaught and 28,000 civilians who died in British deten- in each case. The first publication - “The Cri- Rangers) 1st Batt. Connaught Rangers took tion camps. Each of these exceptional volumes mean War 1854-56” (ISBN 1 86006 195 8) has part. The third volume concerns the greatest is priced at UK£4.95 See: www.genfair.com

Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland ISSN 1649-7937

VOL. 1 NO. 11 IRELAND’S GENEALOGICAL GAZETTE (INCORPORATING “THE GENIE GAZETTE”) PAGE 3

James Scannell Reports...

NEW RESOURCES The Dublin social history and medical practice at that time. ing, the President of the Old Dublin Society, City Archive and Library, 138-144 Pearse The Constabulary Records include the individ- Rev. D.A. Levistone Cooney was presented Street, Dublin 2 , has extended its collection of ual service records if members of the Royal with the Society’s Medal by the current Lord LDS microfilms with the acquisition of several Irish Constabulary, 1816-1922, and con- Mayor, Cllr. Victor Jackson, for his paper on new additions with the current holding of tains detailed information on the individuals ‘A Dublin Architect - G.F. Beckett‘ Indexes to the Civil Records of Births, Mar- concerned, including place of origin, occupa- riages and Deaths for the Republic of Ire- tion prior to joining up, transfers, promotions, land expanded to cover the 1950’s and also injuries and reasons for leaving the force which GSI BIANNUAL JOURNAL for sections of the 1930’s, included emigration, the inadequacy of the 1940’s and 1950’s. The Rotunda Hospital Re- pay and simply ‘to go home‘. The Board of the Society apologises for the late cords cover the period 1797-1882 and in- publication of the Society’s biannual journal. clude the Register of Labour Patients and the OLD DUBLIN SOCIETY MEDAL Every Copies should have been despatched in June to Master’s Ward Books. The Register provides year the Old Dublin Society awards its all members, however, problems with our regu- details of the names of the mother and father, medal to the presenter of the most out- lar printer caused considerable delays. A new the number of other live births experienced by standing paper read to the Society in the pre- printer has been sourced and the Editor is plan- the mother, the sex, weight and name of the ceding year and is presented to the recipient at ning to have Volume 1 despatched this month child and when born. Later registers list the the first meeting of the Society in October each with Volume 2 between the end of November profession of the father. The Ward year by the current Lord Mayor of Dublin who and mid-January. Another problem encoun- Books provide more medical type informa- by tradition is member No 1 of the Society and tered by the Editor is the slow down in the flow tion as they were essentially the records main- is presented with his/her membership card and of articles. This is unfortunate as many of us tained by the medical staff but do include the a copy of the Dublin Historical Record at this have amassed a great deal of information that is names of the parents and the dates of the births. meeting of the Society. In October 2005, Mr. very worthy of publication. Why not preserve Both the Registers and the Ward Books are Cormac Lowth was presented with the Soci- your family’s story in print in the pages of the invaluable from the point of view of both fam- ety’s Medal for his paper on ‘Shipwrecks in journal? Contact the Editor, Ms. Margaret ily history and the insight they provide into Dublin Bay‘ and at the October 2006 meet- Conroy, MGSI at [email protected]

Scrap the Privacy Bill, 2006

Since this newsletter highlighted the ridiculous information on an individual contained in a media silence. The real and terrifying prospect anomaly concerning information extracted from public register in the Defamation Bill, 2006, but of the creation of a climate of fear of litigation public records thrown up by the Defamation specifically excludes such a defense in the is causing many to view this Privacy Bill with Bill, 2006 and its rather cumbersome bedfellow, Privacy Bill, 2006. Launched together on July alarm and suspicion. Our legislators have an the Privacy Bill, 2006 , many people have con- 12th by the Minister for Justice, Equality & obligation to the people of Ireland to pause and tacted the Society in sheer disbelief at what is Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell, TD, think before proceeding with this Bill and to proposed. The Society’s concerns were taken these pieces of proposed legislation have consider what type of society could such legis- up by the Irish edition of “The Sunday Times” alarmed many sectors, most notably, the print lation encourage in Ireland. With the citizen’s on October 8th. Indeed, many senators on read- media and investigative journalists. A broad right to privacy already enshrined in our consti- ing the piece in last month’s Gazette indicated but cautious welcome for the long promised tution, many believe that this Privacy Bill is that they would raise this anomaly during the Defamation Bill, 2006 contrasts very sharply fundamentally flawed, dangerous, undesirable passage of the Privacy Bill, 2006. Members at with the anger, fear and disbelief greeting the and, in many respects, unnecessary. Whilst this the October Morning Meeting were simply Privacy Bill, 2006. With no clear definition of Society previously sought exclusions in the Bill stunned at the stupidity of the situation which privacy in this Bill many see it as an instrument for bona fide genealogical research, scrapping permits as a defense the accurate sourcing of to silence or to threaten litigation to ensure this Bill altogether would be a far better option!

Membership of the Genealogical Society

Membership fee renewals will fall due next publications at Special Members’ prices of up month for the period January 2007—December to 50% off selected publications. This also OLD IRISH GRAVEYARDS 2007. The Board of the Society at its November includes an optional second Membership Card Eileen Hewson, FRGS, MGSI , has announced 2006 meeting conducted the normal annual for a household member, including voting the publication of two invaluable sets of memorial review of the Membership Fee structure and rights, for an all inclusive cost of just €30.00 inscriptions. County Leitrim in four parts and under Res: 06/11/514 the Board agreed that the per annum. Overseas:- Offering the same at County Cavan in five parts. These sets contain following Membership Packages should remain €40.00 per annum. Remember you can save circa 3,000 inscriptions from Leitrim and circa unchanged. Ireland:- Offering mem- time by renewing your membership on on 4,500 from Cavan. Price UK£20 plus p+p of bership of the Society, Membership Card, vot- the GSI website www.familyhistory.ie/shop UK£2.20 (EU) & UK£4.00 (World) for Cavan & ing rights, use of the Society’s Archive, UK£16 plus p+p UK£2.00 (EU) & UK£3.75 (W) New Members are always very welcome monthly newsletter by mail, biannual Journal for Leitrim from:- Eileen Hewson, FRGS, MGSI, whether from home or overseas. by mail, and the right to purchase the Society’s 19, Foxleigh Grove, Wem, SY4 5BS, England

Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland ISSN 1649-7937

IRELAND’S GENEALOGICAL GAZETTE is published by the Genealogical Society of Ireland QUERIES 11, Desmond Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland

E-mail: [email protected] James Carroll , 13, Ampthill Road, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DX, England. E-mail:- jimcar- [email protected] Wrote:- Seeking info. on my GG Grandfather James Joseph Carroll member of the Dublin Trades Council and Irish Republican Brotherhood in the mid to late 19th Website: www.familyhistory.ie century. Occupation, a Tailor and active member of the Tailors Union. Farther from Tipperary left during the "great hunger"

Ashley Diane Jane McKnight , 329, Main Street, Sussex, NB, E4E 1R8 Canada E-mail:- [email protected] Wrote:- Seeking info. on Charles and Mary McKnight , my grandfather's grand- JOIN ON-LINE parents. Left Ireland in 1836 and landed in the port of St John, New Brunswick, Canada. They @ Settled in Lower Millstream, Sussex, New Brunswick. Where in Ireland did they come from? Debra Stone , Pant y Neuadd, Aberdyfi Road, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9HW, Wales/Cymru E- www.familyhistory.ie/shop mail:- [email protected] Wrote:- Seeking any info. on the marriage of William Smyth to Elizabeth Farrington . They lived at Breffni, Dalkey (Dublin) when their daughter was born 17.01.1891. Poss. had a son called William. William senior was a Legal Accountant in Dublin.

Joann Brosnan, 3998 Franklin Blvd, #47 Eugene, OR 97403, USA E-mail: joannbros- [email protected] Wrote:- My grandfather, Daniel T. Brosnan, b. St. Louis Missouri in Dec. DIARY DATES 1880. His mother (name?) died in the winter & his father (Daniel) sold his wagon, stock and Tuesday Nov. 14th & Dec. 12th 2006 other travelling supplies in the spring of 1881 and returned to Co. Kerry - where he farmed for Evening Open Meeting the rest of his life. Young Daniel left home at 15 or 16 to work in the Welsh mines as a strike- Dún Laoghaire College of Further breaker. Took ship to New York, where he had a relative & worked on the trolley cars and was Education married and then widowed. Went to California (c.1900) and started a food business in San Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire Francisco. He made his way back to New York and eventually remarried. He had 3 sons and was successful in the "restaurant" (speakeasy) business in the 1920s. Seeking info on his home 20.00hrs—22.00hrs in Ireland, any record of his birth, existing photograph/s of his three Manhattan restaurants. Any assistance very much appreciated. Wednesday Nov. 22nd ‘06 & Jan. 24th ‘07 Morning Open Meeting NOTA BENE:- Queries are only published at the discretion of the editor and where a mailing Weir’s, Lwr. George’s Street, Dún Laoghaire address and e-mail address are provided. 10.30hrs—12.30hrs NO MORNING MEETING IN DECEMBER FUND RAISING TABLE QUIZ Contribution €3.00 p.p. (Coffee/Tea included at Morning Meetings) The Board of the Society invites all of our Members and the friends of the Society to support the Fund Raising Table Quiz to be held on Wednesday 15th 2006 upstairs at Weir’s of Dún Laoghaire, Lower George’s Street, Dún Laoghaire at 20.00hrs. Tables of four €40—Bookings to the Hon. Secretary at (01) 284 2711 or by e-mail above.

Copyright to Arms a Complete Shambles

As if the whole question of the validity of Irish Patent issued. Section 13 of the 1997 Act was right? This is issue is just another aspect of this grants of arms was not embarrassing enough for implemented on May 3rd 2005 by the Minister fundamentally flawed section of the 1997 Act. Irish heraldry, now difficult questions are aris- for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John The sooner the better this section is repealed by ing regarding the copyright subsisting in coats- O’Donoghue, TD , by the Statutory Instrument the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006 where the of-arms. Section 13 (3) of the National Cul- Bord Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann copyright is unambiguously transferred by tural Institutions Act, 1997 states “the Board (Establishment Day) Order, 2005 (S.I. Letters Patent or Certificate to the grantee. The shall be entitled to any copyright subsisting in 219/2005). This was against the advice of many current situation is totally unacceptable, unsus- coats of arms granted or confirmed under this who had insisted that the section was funda- tainable, legislatively embarrassing and, quite section”. This means in effect that despite pay- mentally flawed and was in need of repeal not frankly, a complete shambles. ing handsomely for your grant of arms and implementation. Besides causing difficulties indeed, being afforded by Letters Patent the use with the whole delivery of heraldic services, of such “without let or hindrance” etc., the this section was inevitably going to create a AN DAONCHARTLANN Board of the National Library of Ireland contin- number of different copyright regimes in re- ues to hold the copyright to the coats-of-arms spect of grants of arms. Clearly a difference As reported last month, a conservation archi- granted by the Chief Herald of Ireland. The now exists between grants made prior to the tect’s report was commissioned by Dún reasoning behind the inclusion of such a provi- implementation of Section 13 of the 1997 Act Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on the sion in the 1997 Act has never been satisfacto- and grants made thereafter. In addition grants Martello Tower at Seapoint, Co. Dublin. This rily explained and it remains a mystery. Does it made between 2000 and 2005 may be covered report has now been received by the Board of mean that it is the responsibility of the Board of by the Copyright & Related Rights Acts 2000- the Society and its recommendations are being the National Library to protect and vindicate the 2004. But do the grantees prior to 2000 own considered by the Board in consultation with rights of grantees in respect of any unauthorized the copyright to their arms by virtue of the County officials. The Tower, which dates from use of their coat-of-arms by others? Questions wording of the Letters Patent? Indeed, it is now 1804, was restored by the Society during 2003 arise concerning what exactly is transferred to unclear whether the wording of the Letters and 2004 to house the Society’s archive and to the grantee by the Letters Patent issued by the Patent issued by the Chief Herald of Ireland provide a research centre. It was envisaged that Chief Herald of Ireland “by the authority of the should have been amended to reflect the new this facility would also provide an educational Government of Ireland” if not the copyright to governance of the National Library of Ireland in resource for genealogy and heraldry. Therefore the coat-of-arms purchased by the grantee. accordance with the above Statutory Instru- the Board is considering ways to expand our Latterly it has been suggested that the Letters ment. Should the words with “the authority of services to include the above and is currently Patent may only provide a license to the grantee the Government of Ireland” be replaced with in negotiations with the owners of the building to use a particular coat-of-arms but this is “the authority of the Board of the National with this in mind. In the meantime, the facility clearly at odds with the wording of the Letters Library of Ireland” the owners of the copy- is temporarily closed for maintenance works.

Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland