ISSN 1649-7937 Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (incorporating “The Genie Gazette”) Vol. 2 No. 5 www.familyhistory.ie May : Bealtaine 2007 Television Creates a New and Much Older History for “Britain”

Over the past ten years two British history and indeed, genetics, tory—isn’t that correct? Well, no, television channels BBC2 and popularly and generally accessible in fact the popular concept of Channel 4 have produced many as primetime television. Stunning “Britain” is relatively recent and fine “television histories” on a visuals and engaging presenters arguably just a lazy rendition of range of topics and events. Un- captivated audiences throughout the official name of the United doubtedly, these series have im- the United Kingdom. Clearly as Kingdom of Great Britain and GENEALOGY measurably contributed to the popular television productions the Northern Ireland. Indeed, even as popularisation of history and attention to detail could not be “Great Britain” it’s only 300 years HERALDRY things historical in Great Britain expected to match that required of old this month following the Act and for this, their producers are to an in-depth documentary or of an of Union between Scotland and VEXILLOLOGY be warmly congratulated. The academic audiovisual presenta- England in 1707. The problem long-running series “Time Team” tion. This is not their function nor with each of these programmes, SOCIAL HISTORY has created a totally new phe- should it be. But should simplicity with the exception naturally of nomenon “the arm-chair archae- be permitted to create or advance “Time Team”, is that the history Heritage Matters ologist” each carefully shifting a fiction, especially if that fiction of the island of Great Britain is and sifting trowel loads of earth in is politically sensitive? Common only portrayed in an English and Book Reviews search the next Anglo-Saxon to many of these programmes is a London centred context. This is hoard. Other programmes focus- single notion of a place called hardly relevant prior to 1707 or sed on the broader history like the “Britain” and its existence from indeed, the union of the English Open Meetings “Seven Ages of Britain” pre- prehistory right up to the present. and Scottish Crowns in 1603 sented by Bethany Hughes and Irrespective of the period under when King James VI of Scotland News & Queries Simon Schama’s “A History of examination or of the actual geo- became King James 1 of England. Britain” - the latter consisted of graphic location concerned the The total absurdity of the situation fifteen programmes. New and term is liberally employed accom- is compounded when these pro- exciting advances in the study of panied by a London centred his- gramme makers include the island DNA have given rise to the latest torical timeline. This has facili- of Ireland as part of this “Britain”. of such programmes from Chan- tated the creation of a popular This over simplification by the nel 4 ”Faces of Britain” pre- single historical timeline running producers of “television histories” sented by Scottish archaeologist, from the Ancient Britons (Celts) creates a historical, geographic, Neil Oliver. The objective of this through the Roman Invasion, the political and cultural nonsense CONTENTS programme was to produce a arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, the which totally undermines the genetic map of “Britain” under the Norman Conquest and through the serious academic research behind direction of Oxford University Tudors, and on to Empire!! So each production. Sceptics may A Manx View on JGSI 2 geneticist, Sir Walter Bodmer. the entity popularly known as see another agenda, let’s hope not. Each of these programmes was “Britain” is an ancient one with its But is historical and geographic Article produced in a manner that made roots stretching back to prehis- accuracy too much to ask for?

Sunday May 27th— 2 Famine Walk

National Memorial for 2 New Minister Needs to be Proactive, Innovative and Imaginative James Scannell Reports 3 Whatever combination of political ceived much lip-service from its Election of 2002. Five years on parties come to power following respective Minister and arguably and heritage policy languishes in the General Election on May 24th little else. Gone was the very the Dept. of Environment whilst Précis of April Lecture 3 2007, the new Minister with the visible enthusiasm and dynamism Arts plays a poor hardly audible Arts and Heritage portfolios faces that accompanied the establish- third fiddle to Sport and Tourism. many challenges. Not least, is the ment of the Department of Arts, Coherent strategic planning for Queries Received 4 widespread believe that following Culture & the Gaeltacht back in heritage matters by government is the splitting of these portfolios in 1993 and its successor in 1997. no longer in evidence as the Heri- 2002, Arts and Heritage policy Pressures from powerful lobby tage Council is certainly between became marginalized within gov- groups ensured that this honey- a rock and a hard place. Care for Publication—a Gift to 4 ernment departments with signifi- moon for Irish Arts and Heritage our heritage must be prioritized Future Generations cantly different goals. Each re- would not survive the General again under a dynamic Minister.

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

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A Manx View of the JGSI Article on the Isle of Man (Skeealyn Vannin—JGSI Vol. 7 No. 2)

The following piece was written by Adrian lent and perceptive article by Michael Merrigan up to recently those cultural and linguistic ties Cain, Manx Language Development Officer, may go some way to informing Irish readers of have been very strong. His article reminds us regarding the article “Skeealyn Vannin—Stories what is a significant upturn in fortunes for that we still have much to offer each other. For of Mann—A Miscellany on the History, Culture Gaelg / Manx in the Island. The article intelli- further information about the language try some and Language of the Isle of Man” published in gently outlines the history of Manx and brings of the following. this Society’s Journal (Vol. 7 No. 2, 2006). the language debate in the Island up to date by Adrian provides details on some very informa- outlining the important work of Yn Cheshaght For general information about Manx Gaelic, tive websites for those seeking to find out more Ghailckagh, Mooinjer Veggey and the Manx contact Adrian Cain, Manx Language Officer at about this fascinating and historic island, its Heritage Foundation. As a consequence of the the Manx Heritage Foundation at E-mail:- language and culture. Copies of this issue of work of these organisations the language has a [email protected] the Journal are available for purchase, price €10 genuine future. The Island is struggling to assert plus p+p, on the Society’s website a new identity for itself; one which both em- For information on Bunscoill Ghaelgagh—the www.familyhistory.ie braces the history and culture of the Island but Manx language primary school see its website which is also accessible to the ‘new residents’ www.bunscoill.iofm.net/ Thrown headlong into the world of global capi- of Ellan Vannin which now make up over 50% talism the Isle of Man has seen some dramatic of the population. In this sense the language has For information on Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh, changes in the last 10 years. It isn’t an Island to be open to people regardless of whether they the Manx Language Society’s website is that the last of the native Manx speakers would were born in Douglas, Durban or Derby. In re- www.ycg.iofm.net/ recognise; however, one thing that would sur- asserting the Gaelic identity of the Island and Mooinjer Veggey, the Manx play-group organi- prise them is the revival in fortunes of a lan- ensuring that that identity is one of which has a sation www.mooinjerveggey.org.im guage long-since consigned to the history role to play in a modern multicultural Island it books. Not only would this surprise the likes of is incumbent on those in the Manx language Finally, for information on the work of the Ned Maddrell and Harry Kelly but it probably community to strengthen the links with lan- Manx Heritage Foundation, including its publi- comes as a shock to our ‘Gaelic cousins’ in guage campaigners in both Ireland and Scot- cations etc., please see its very informative Ireland and Scotland. In this respect the excel- land. As Michael Merrigan’s article illustrates website: www.manxheritage.org

Sunday May 27th & The Great Famine

Sunday May 27th 2007, as the last Sunday in demonstrate the deep sense of connectivity still commence at 14.00hrs at the Garden of Re- May, is the date for the Famine Victims Memo- felt by the people of Ireland with the terrible membrance at Parnell Square and proceed rial March in Dublin City. The organizers of plight of our ancestors during the period 1845- along O’Connell Street to the “Famine Figures” the event seek to highlight the need for the State 1850. The dignified and solemn nature of this sculpture on Custom House Quay. All wel- to designate the last Sunday in May each year “National Famine Victims Memorial Walk” come to attend and participate. as the “National Famine Victims Memorial each year has been reminiscent of similar Day” to commemorate the millions of lives lost events held around the world for national trage- PIONEER BUS COMPANY during the Great Famine. As reported last dies. Indeed, few would argue that a greater Information is sought on the Pioneer Bus Com- month, An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, TD, tragedy ever befell the Irish people than the pany and any other bus companies operating in did not accede to the calls by opposition depu- Great Famine. Whether it was the lack of any Co. Wicklow in the 1920's and the 1930's by ties to officially designate a day of commemo- political capital surrounding the issue or just the Bray Heritage Centre to answer a query ration for the Great Famine. Though, officials at political apathy most believe that the State received. Replies to James Scannell, Hon. the Department of An Taoiseach will, according should assume the responsibility for the organi- Research Officer, Bray Heritage and Tourist to Mr. Ahern, look at the proposal. It is hoped sation of a “National Famine Victims Memorial Centre. The Old Courthouse, Main Street, Co. that this event on Sunday 27th May 2007 will Day” in future years. This year the Walk will Wicklow, Ireland.

National Memorial for Irish Army

On Thursday 22 March 2007, Mr. Willie Memorial located in their capital city. There is Ceremonies are also held annually in all mili- O’Dea. T.D., Minister for Defence, announced no public memorial in Dublin dedicated to tary barracks on November 2nd which is the the commission for the first public National members of the . Throughout traditional day of commemoration for deceased Memorial to Defence Force members who died history sovereign states recognize the contribu- members of the Defence Forces. The National in service had been awarded to artist Brian tions made by members of the Defence Forces Memorial will be an appropriate public monu- King. The Minster stated that the Memo- whether at home or on peace support operations ment to reflect the sacrifice by members of the rial would be located in the park in Dublin’s overseas. It will also acknowledge the loss and Defence Forces and their families and it is my Merrion Square (Archbishop Ryan Park) and bereavement of those left behind. The Minister intention that the annual commemoration for that both Dublin City Council and the R.C. went to say that members of the Defence deceased members of the Defence Archbishop of Dublin supported the project and Forces who died in service are remembered Forces would take place at The National Me- agreed to make this site available. The Minister annually in July on the National Day of Com- morial according to Mr. O’Dea. The cost of pointed out that many states have a National memoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. the project is €175,000 James Scannell

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

VOL. 2 NO. 5 IRELAND’S GENEALOGICAL GAZETTE (INCORPORATING “THE GENIE GAZETTE”) PAGE 3

James Scannell Reports...

ADMIRAL BROWN It’s under- IRISH BATTLEFIELDS Mr. Dick Ireland) and Belleek, Co. Fermanagh (Northern stood that the Foxford, Co. Mayo, house of Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, has Ireland) to publicly record for the first time Admiral Brown, founder of the Argentine suggested that major Irish battlefields will be the existence of the secret WW2 Donegal Navy, has been demolished by its present given protected status similar to that given to Corridor through which the British Royal Air power who said that it was done on the basis buildings based on a similar move in Brit- Force flying boats were able to fly through of professional advice due to the danger ain and that this development would be consid- Irish air space from their bases in that the front wall leaning out in to the street ered by new expert group advising the Gov- into the North Atlantic to protect convoys posed. The owner said that the local Admiral ernment on this issue. A group consisting of bringing essential supplies from America to Brown Society was aware of the structural archaeologists and academic experts has now Britain. The corridor was set up in 1941 after problems with the building and proposed that been established and is to produce a study secret discussion between Taoiseach Eamon De the house should be re-erected at a new town identifying the number of potential battlefield Valera and Sir John Maffey, the U.K’s Repre- park to be constructed in honour of the admi- sites in the country and to advise on what sentative in Éire. During World War 2 330 air ral and said that he donated all the stone for protection should be given to them. Currently crew from Lough Erne were lost in opera- this purpose. While the president of the Admiral there are more than 75 battlefields recorded on tional missions. The story of the Donegal Corri- Brown Society was disappointed over this Irish maps but there is concern as to the level of dor is contained in a new book “Voices of the course of this action he said that it was not the protection they will receive from development. Donegal Corridor” by Joe O’Loughlin, pub- end of the world and said that some visiting There has only been limited research carried out lished by Non-Such Publishing Ltd., which Argentine navy personnel would be invited to on the size and extent of many of these Irish brings together a collection of memories, from lay some of the stones during the reconstruc- battlefields and there is a growing con- home and abroad, of the Donegal Corridor, a tion of the house in the town park. However cern about the encroachment of development place where allied soldiers trained for combat., some local people maintain that the demolished on them and that a new system is required to where aircraft landed and refueled and where house, which was marked with a commemora- protect them. many crashed with loss of life. This book is tive plaque 20 years ago, was not the admiral's DONEGAL CORRIDOR During April excellently illustrated with pictures of those lost childhood home and that he came from the hill- granite commemorative plaques were unveiled heroes, their aircraft and the memorial sites to top Townland of Coranaragh outside Foxford. in , Co. Donegal (Republic of those who never made it home.

Précis of the April Lecture

On Tuesday April 10th 2007 the Evening Meet- For those who were fortunate to return from the SOCIETY SPEAKER PROGRAMME ing heard a fascinating talk by Patrick Lynch slaughter and horrors of the war, the Ireland The Society’s Speaker Programme is arranged dealing with the lives of Irish veterans of WW1 they left, only a few years earlier, was gone and by Séamus Moriarty, MGSI. A full listing on (1914-1918). The title of the lecture perfectly gone forever. Mr. Lynch argued that the new the programme for the coming months will be captured the theme and content of Mr. Lynch’s Irish State should have shouldered its responsi- published next month in this newsletter. On paper—“Veterans in a Virgin State – Homes for bilities to these retuned veterans and provided Tuesday May 8th we’ll have “Tracing Your Heroes and Social Activities.” For those who housing and a means of a livelihood to each. He Family in the Medical Profession” by Robert may be unfamiliar with early 20th century Irish outlined the many efforts by prominent Irish- Mills, RCPI. On June 12th Seán Ó history, the period between the outbreak of the men, mostly former British military, to have Dúbhghaill will deal with “Death and Burial First World War in 1914 to the establishment of both the British and Irish governments jointly Customs in 19th Century Ireland”. See page four the Irish Free State in 1922 was one of tremen- provide for the welfare of these veterans. He for details on the venue and times for the Eve- dous political and social upheaval. Mr. Lynch then outlined the development of the Irish Sail- ning Meeting where these lectures are to be focussed on those Irishmen who left their ors and Soldiers Land Trust and its administra- held. A précis of each of the lectures will be homeland before the 1916 Rising to fight in the tion on both sides of the Irish border. Mr. carried in the Society’s monthly newsletter. “Great War” in the ranks of the British Army. Lynch hopes to publish his paper on this topic.

Membership of the Genealogical Society

The Board in November 2006 conducted the publications. This also includes an optional tirely on postage costs as the cost of mailing the normal annual review of the Membership Fee second Membership Card for a household Journal overseas was becoming greater than the and no changes to the existing packages were member, including voting rights, for an all unit cost of the publication. This situation was made for this year. New Members are always inclusive cost of just €30.00 per annum. Over- totally unsustainable. However, the Board will welcome. Membership rates are as follows:- seas:- Offering the same at €40.00 per annum. keep this important matter under review.

Ireland:- Offering ordinary membership of the The avoidance of any substantial increase in the The Board trusts that this measure aimed at Society, Membership Card, voting rights, use of Membership Fee was achieved by the adoption tackling spiralling postage costs will be fully the Society’s Archive, monthly newsletter by of Res: 05/11/455 with the production of a supported by our Members at home and overseas. mail, biannual Journal by mail, and the right to biannual Journal instead of a quarterly Journal purchase the Society’s publications at Special with no reduction in content or overall size of Remember you can renew on line on the Society’s Members’ prices of up to 50% off selected the annual volume. The savings here are en- website—www.familyhistory.ie/shop

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] Ian McKeer, 34 Woodland Drive, Worksop, Notts. S81 7JU England, UK E-mail:- [email protected] Wrote:- I'd like to hear from anyone who is interested in tracing the ances- try of the McKerr family. I suspect my surname has been changed from McKerr sometime after Web-blog: http://genealogyandheraldry.blogspot.com the oldest ancestor I know of moved to Cornwall in the mid 1700s. I don't know where he came from so would like to find if there's a connection to the McKerr family.

Kirk Bogle, 3107 Vinburn Rd., Sun Prairie, WI 53590, USA. E-mail:- [email protected] Wrote:- Seeking information on the following: 1) Mary Elizabeth McKinney, married Rev. JOIN ON-LINE Walter Allen Bogle of Edinburgh around 1830. May have emigrated to Philadelphia, PA, USA around 1836. Had son, Rev. Samuel Jas. Bogle. 2) Family/ancestry of David Bradish from @ Cork, worked at exchange around 1830's? Possibly Married Mary Anne Good on 12 June,1847. Had son John Greenleaf Bradish, born Cork I believe on 1 December, 1851 Have information www.familyhistory.ie/shop about their descendants.

Pauline Woodcock, 8, Parkside, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0HU. England, UK E-mail:- [email protected] Wrote:- I am trying to trace the birth place of Henry (born 1829) and Maria Phillips (born 1837). When they left Ireland they had four children, Patrick, (my grandfather) Robert, George and Mary Ann. I believe they left Ireland during the potato DIARY DATES famine. They first appeared on the 1881 census living at 51 St. Anne Street, Birkenhead. Also Tuesday May 8th and June 12th 2007 William O'Day and Bridget O'Day (née Melia), they lived at 33 Field Street, Birkenhead in Evening Open Meeting 1871. William died on 16 Sep 1871. Bridget gave birth to a daughter Bridget 7 Oct 1871, she Dún Laoghaire College of Further remarried 23 Aug 1874 to Patrick O'Grady. Education Tom Hindley, 'Ty Dwr', Gwalchmai, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 4SS, Wales, UK E-mail:- Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire [email protected] Wrote:- My mothers parents were Delia Shannon born 1875-1885 20.00hrs—22.00hrs Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare (dressmaker) and Patrick Healy born 1875-1885 Co. Clare (farmers son) who left to work in the Manchester coal mines where I believe he met Delia and married in Wednesday May 23rd & June 27th 2007 Wigan Lancashire area Any information or pointers for where else to look please to Morning Open Meeting Dondura Miller, 4852 Westgrove Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455 USA E-mail:- Weirs, Lower George’s St., Dún Laoghaire [email protected] Wrote:- I am searching for my great grandfather John Michael Kane 10.30hrs—12.30hrs and his wife Mary Elizabeth. They came to America before August of 1888. My grandfather was born here then. The only information I ever received was that they were from either the Belfast area or Dublin and that my great grandfather had a considerable land holding that was taken for Contribution €3.00 p.p. taxes. We have family names of William, Robert, Thomas, Frederick and of course Mary & (Coffee/Tea included at Morning Elizabeth. If anyone can be of assistance I would be very grateful. Meetings) NOTA BENE:- Queries are only published at the discretion of the editor and where a mailing address and e-mail address are provided.

Publication of Your Family History is an Important Gift to Future Generations

Many genealogists and family historians labour papers of our members and other genealogists. family histories and biographies, however, it is for decades accumulating a mass of information But whilst making provision for our papers we disappointing that very few regularly avail of and supporting documentation on their subjects. can and should consider placing some of our the opportunity. Besides being delivered to each Much care has been taken to file, sort, collate family records in print. Ever since the founda- member of the Society and exchanged with and present the material for our own benefit and tion of this Society back in 1990 members have other societies around the world, copies of the that of our immediate families. To our horror, been encouraged to publish their family histo- Society’s journal are held in the National Li- many of us soon realise that the initial interest ries in the Society’s journal. Whether it be a brary of Ireland, the British Library, the Na- shown by our immediate families in our charts, simple Birth Brief or a biography of an ancestor tional Libraries of Scotland and Wales, Oxford photographs and accompanying stories is very or relative, these details are then preserved by and Cambridge Universities in Great Britain short lived indeed. Many members of our im- their publication. This method of preserving and all Irish universities, including Queen’s mediate families are quite happy and prepared family history is immensely important as many University, Belfast. This ensures that the publi- to have someone in the family “doing the fam- of us, in the course of researching our family cation is available to a wide readership now and ily history” whilst stressing their own personal history, collect stories on the lives of individu- that the valuable information on your family disinterest in the subject. This poses a serious als in our family tree and indeed, on the places, history is also available to future generations of dilemma for all family historians—what will occupations and times associated with these researchers around the world. Remember it’s a happen to my precious files and records after I individuals. Our paper records and our collec- small but important gift to future generations! am gone? Not everybody in our family may tion of photographs may not, in themselves, be place the same value on these treasures as we capable of telling this story. Therefore, it is currently do and therefore, it is wise to make important that we capture the story in an article SEANAD ÉIREANN provision for our papers after we’ve gone. The or in a short biography and publish it in the thought of all our lovingly collected papers and Society’s journal. We must tell the story or risk Official notice has been received from the files ending up as nothing more than recycled having this aspect of our family history being Returning Officer for Seanad Éireann (Irish paper or dumped in some landfill would fill any lost to future generations. Last year, in the April Senate) that the Society has the right, under the genealogist with despair. But this happens more issue of this newsletter, we spoke of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Acts 1947 often than we care to think as family members “obligations of a genealogist” and the need to and 1954, to nominate one person as a candi- clear out after a bereavement. It’s not that ensure that we provide our research for future date in the Seanad Election on the Cultural and they’re in anyway callous or vindictive— generations. It is a central tenet of genealogical Educational Panel. The closing date for the simply a different value is placed on these piles and historical research that such research data receipt of the nomination is noon of June 15th of paper. The Society’s archive was established should be preserved. Our members are very 2007. The Board of Directors of the Society primarily with this dilemma in mind by offering fortunate to have at their disposal the Society’s will consider the matter at its scheduled a safe haven and a loving home for the files and biannual journal in which to preserve their monthly meeting on June 7th. Hon. Secretary

Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland