52. Ancestors, what have you done?

52. Ancestors...What have you done?

Recent discovery of my all male line, could now have uncovered quite an interesting tale.
For me, it's turned history, a little on it's head.
See, I'm a Fitzgerald (with a little "g") and my genetic research of the past 6 years, is wanting to see what is my Fitzgerald story. Where ever it lands, is where ever it lands. But my hypothesis lands that we maybe off a derivative Fitzgerald line via the Desmond's.
The areas of Cork, Limerick and Kerry, are most definitely on the genetic radar.

However, in the past 10 years of normal research, I am very conscious that there are 2 sides of the story, that sits in Ireland. Does my surname bear with it, a British flavour or is it truly an Irish one. I've learnt with reading history, you can't really be both / in the middle or bi-partisan, you're either on one or the other.

Being a Fitzgerald, from a genetic point of view, is brain numbing. Simply because there were many branches, playing "dynasty" with each other. Now as history puts it, it has shown quite the mixing with the local Irish. Hence where the term came from "more Irish than the Irish".

From our own research, we share in a Cork City residence around the year of 1800, with great confidence. We are of the South Parish - St Finbarr's Church (RC). And apparently lived in Dunbar St. Two other known Paternal families (that later settled in QLD & NSW Australia), were also identified as being from the same Church (Lynch's & Sheehan's).

My Male Irish Immigrant Fitzgerald - Thomas , shows an 1810 record, on where he was baptised (South Parish Church), with the Father being William & Mother Catherine (nee Godson).
Catherine's surname - Godson, has the potential to be of a derivative of a similar name.
My Fitzgerald's - Thomas & Elizabeth (nee Ambrose), were married in  1837, under the "Cork & Ross Diocese". There is no placement or church to depict where they got married, but Thomas somehow transited over from RC, to being of the Protestant religion, as it was noted on the Immigration paperwork, when they arrived in Sydney, Australia in 1840.
They emigrated from Cork around early 1840 and wound up in Sydney, Australia at the very end of 1840. Thomas arrived as a "wheelwright" and also noted as a Carpenter, so the potential thought was to find if he had family history of woodworking or by having a trade vs being a farm laborer or land owner. Thomas was never found to have an estate or being a land owner in Ireland.

Using Thomas as a base, and his known Father being William of Cork City, it is highly suggested that William's Father was a Maurice. This Maurice is quite difficult to track down, as his timeline is hard to match up with other known Maurice's of Co. Cork & Cork City.
So I'm hoping that we can get a story to see which Maurice - our putative Maurice is.

Using the Y-DNA, it highlights on a dominant connection with the Fitzgibbon name.
It also highlights a 3 matches show "more than" 95% chance, that the link may lay around 15-17 Generations back. Possibly 17-19 maybe the better answer?
The thing is, we have no known Fitzgibbon ancestry, that we know of.

Now this is where it gets a bit tricky and interpretation is still quite open, on how to view the below, but I'm being very open minded to all points of view.
Somehow, we now also share a connection, to around same generational era of the Fitzgibbon's, to a very well documented English name of Gookin.
I had no clue what this meant initially, but further in-depth research, found that the Gookin name appeared in Co. Cork  / Cork City around the 1600-1610 era.
With further research, it was found that this name was connected via 2 men - Sir Vincent Gookin of Courtmacsherry Co. Cork and Daniel Gookin of Carrigaline Castle Co. Cork.
It is understood that this lineage of Gookin's, descended from Ripple Court in Kent, England.
And they were placed in Cork during a later "Elizabethan plantation period" of Munster at around the first few years of 1600.

Genetics have shown that the one (1) Gookin named match, is very slightly closer to myself (in percentage of relatedness), than the two (2) Fitzgibbon named matches. Even though, these 3 close matches share the same GD (Genetic Distance) of 6 to myself.

It is not known how we all connect or even indeed why we connect, but there will be some sort of back story here somewheres, that I believe may not be a happy outcome. But current genetic information and the interpretation of it, has placed my Fitzgerald name in some form of small population group, that deals with the period of 1600AD and most possibly of Cork City or very close surroundings of the city.

It can't tell me why just yet, but I have the feeling that this era, shows a scattering of this group after this 1600 period. This story, has the potential to prelude or indeed, include the Cromwell period as well. Current genetics, cannot tell me of exactness just yet, but the base of information certainly puts your mind in that train of thought. Particularly when you know what happens in Ireland, during the era from 1580-1610.

And to point out all of this, with a plausible twist of fate, if the above does become true and my name is linked to the Gookin story with the Fitzgibbon's, it has the potential of revealing a true reality of this harsh past. When researching this era, not many stories end in a "happy ending" for all.

It is not known which Gookin man connects to us - Sir Vincent or Daniel.
But Daniel Gookin took hold of Carrigaline Castle and I think he was the 2nd or 3rd owner of the Castle since it was taken in possession by Elizabethan forces. The Castle was held by the Fitzgerald's (Earls of Desmond).
Now just 3km's East of this Castle, was the property of "Coolmore", which was at that time, in the hands of the Newenham's. This Coolmore property, is of my Maternal Newenham family line.
It's very difficult to grasp how a story linked to around the 1600 era, could show a plausible Paternal story - living just 3km's away from my Maternal family.

Now, genetics have shown, that my Father and Mother are not related. However, there is, quite a multiple of small segments of DNA, that do show that something is there, but it is below 4cM's.
So in a genealogical sense, they are not related. But most certainly, I do believe somewhere in Cork, my Paternal line had great potential to cross paths with my Maternal family, whether in business deals or whatever.
On a last note, with very recent genetic information, I am challenging the hypothesis that my Paternal Grandparents may have had Fitzgerald connections in Co. Kerry. Killorglin and Killiney are places of my Paternal Grandmother's ancestral homes. Her families had contact with other very close related families of the Fitzgerald's, in particular around the eastern edge of the Tralee township and on the Dingle Coast.

You couldn't script this, even if you tried.

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51. Splitting the Humphries/Hume Lineage (Family Tree / DNA)

Splitting the Humphries/Hume Lineage (Family Tree / DNA)  *Updated 17-FEB-2020

Well, DNA has finally started to show something - really something. And it's exploding.

On my Father's Maternal side, we descend down from a South Western English "Humphries" family and an Irish Co. Kerry "Hume" family.

This story is based from Thomas Gregory Humphries & Sara Susannah Hume
Thomas and Sara are my 2 x Great Grandparents and they were based in the South side of Sydney.

Thomas was born in Westbury-On-Trym, Gloucestershire in 1856. Possibly in Clifton itself.
In today's standards, Westbury-On-Trym is classified as a part of the City of Bristol, but back in the days of the mid 1800's, I think it was known as Gloucester(shire).
Thomas migrated to Sydney, Australia between 1871 and 1881.

Sara was born in Sydney in 1862, to Irish born Parents - John Hume and Susan Hickson (aka Susanna/Susannah). John was from Killiney, Co Kerry and Susan was from Killorglin, Co. Kerry.

Susan Hickson arrived in Australia on 8th of June 1853, she was 22 years old and was on the Immigrant vessel "Australia". It was technically on the later side of the Earl Grey Scheme, but was of the same premise, a scheme that allowed young Irish girls to survive in another country and her travels to Australia, was from the ramifications of the great famine.
John came to Australia in 1855, he was 30 years old and was on the Immigrant vessel "Golden Era".
In an interesting case, Susan was noted on John's Immigrant Form, as the "Sponsor" for him and the form listed John as a cousin to Susan. (*Note: No proof yet as being actual cousins, but being open minded about it). Susan actually paid £5, for John's emigration to Australia.
John has been noted, to be a part of the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) in Ireland. It is also noted that documentation shows, John Hume was in contact or known to Magistrate/J.P named Hickson.
When John arrived in Sydney, I believe that he may have had a job lined up as Policeman, which  may have been organised via Susan. However, this is not proven yet, but a strong hypothesis exists.

Susan Hickson is a daughter of Richard Hickson and Mary Ann Carter from Killorglin (For more details, the Hickson's are very well referenced here in this blog : Here & Here)

So, combining those details, with DNA, we get the following :

** As a note to this story, early genetic research into this link, shows an equal sided story, but as time went on (in the last 3-4 months), it has shown that DNA is showing a very very strong link to Co. Kerry. A very overwhelming story. Genetics so far, has now shown a base of around 80-90% Co Kerry to 10-20% Gloucestershire **

10 months ago, a multitude of DNA matches started appearing, via Ancestry and FTDNA.
In that time, an unknown close cousin appeared on GEDMatch, but then I found the same match on FTDNA. The close cousin matched myself, my Father and my Aunt. But it also matched a good bunch of matches related to this Humphries/Hume family tree.  Lets call this new match "H-H"

It was here, where I discovered how the matching on Ancestry worked, simply by how each match "related" to H-H and to others in the group of matches. It was here I seen a pattern.
The pattern included a consistent Southern English or Irish Co. Kerry placements of matches.
Another pattern was different in other DNA matches, because they were descendants off the Humphries-Hume marriage (A combined English/Irish)

• Group 1 - Irish links to Co. Kerry (Killorglin/Killiney as a base)
• Group 2 - English links to South West England (Gloucestershire as a base)
• Group 3 - Both English and Irish (Combined DNA from the Humphries / Hume marriage)

The chart, is to show how I split my Australian Humphries/Hume marriage into it's DNA prospective.

This is based on matches via Ancestry (about 4 months ago). It is a chart made up of multiple groups and putting them all together.

(I have blurred out the names for privacy reasons)

Now using the above 3 groups, this is where H-H comes in. Contact was made with H-H and it was found that they shared an adoptee story. DNA was their only way of knowing where they come from.

So here's me, working out how we are related to H-H and the story gets harder, because there is an adoption in the works. Ohh boy, this is going to get complicated.....
After a few weeks of working with H-H's DNA matches, it kept hitting the same thing.

H-H was heavily linked with a majority of Group 3 matches and the DNA shared (cM's) between my 3 kits. It suggested that H-H was most possibly a descendant from the Humphries / Hume marriage.
To confirm it beyond reasonable doubt, a 2nd Cousin to myself, who shared the Humphries / Hume lineage, also matched H-H.

Having established this Group 3 story, I then played off H-H's story, between Groups 1 & 2, to identify what area was dominant to their story (and thus help me to identify either English or Irish).
I used a GEDMatch feature, to help assist in a story, on which group H-H matched more than the other. GEDMatch showed that H-H had a majority of an Irish connections, that had very high % of being placed to Co. Kerry.
To again, prove beyond doubt, everytime I used a Group 2 match, there was no DNA shared or implied upon. I tested this over a multitude of matches to rule this story - in or out.

I then went back to Ancestry again and rechecked the shared matches, to see if there was any other underlying story, that I hadn't picked up. 3 other matches came up, all had tie ins with Group 1 matches and never matched anyone from Group 2.

Surnames that seem to tie into this story are : Blennerhassett, Talbot, O'Neill, Enright, Hickson, Groves, McElligot and Peevers. The Co. Kerry Enright name, is possibly connected to the Sydney Enright's (Sydney Enright's share DNA under the Hume/Humphries group of matches).
3 pockets of areas that were apparent with the above surnames: Dingle Peninsula, Listowel and Tralee (Eastern Side of the Township within 3-5 Km's).

A recent discovery has come to light, in the past week (Jan 2020). A DNA tester with the surname Huggard has appeared on my Father's kit - distant, but it's there. This tester is also associated with the Kerry Hickson/Hume story - They share a match (surname Neill) that is also based in the Co. Kerry grouping.
It sheds light and adds weight, that Richard Hickson (of Killorglin) is the son of Charles Hickson and Anne Huggard (albeit, this is a very strong hypothesis via DNA results). A few people that have trees, also show this connection as well. However, the Huggard name, seems to have also intermingled with various generations, and has now added a twist of which line the Huggard name is coming through.

(*) A few days ago, I had enough confidence to update my Ancestry "Tree", to reflect this newly founded Charles Hickson / Anne Huggard marriage. I wanted to see if "Thrulines" would give me an indication if it was indeed somewhat correct. Even though it's still just an indication at the moment, "Thrulines" does show enough of a connection via Anne Hickson - daughter of Charles & Anne.

Anne Hickson - sibling of my Richard, has indeed shown 14 descendants having DNA matching my Father and partly myself (as of 17th Feb), to show that the connection is most likely valid, between Charles Hickson & Anne Huggard. Majority of these matches can also show a Kerry connection, minimising the error rate of "Names to Places".

Now, the Tralee connection has very strong ties to the Blennerhassett family of Gortatlea, Ballyseedy.
The direct name of Blennerhassett is not a DNA match to myself as such, but a multitude of these interconnected matches, share a link or can show a family tree linking to Arthur Blennerhassett and Emily Williams. Why we are connecting to these 2 people, I don't know as of yet.
The places that these matches link to, is Gortatlea / BallyMcElligot, Ballyseedy and very recent discovery (Nov 19), was found at Poulawaddra (Peevers surname).
Here is a page with valuable info, regarding the family of the Blennerhassett's. It is where I am trying to identify what the connection maybe. The Gortatlea / BallyMcElligott PDF highlights Arthur Blennerhassett & Emily Williams.
Reading into this story, there is an involvement of this lineage having "Farmlands" in the town of Killiney. This is very close to the John Hume story I know of (as above) and wonder if there was a marriage/entanglement of a Blennerhassett through John's family instead of the Hickson line?
This whole story, is connected to the Group 1 DNA Matches and that also ties in with H-H's story.

So, to take it to another level and make matters a little more confusing, a Blennerhassett named DNA match, shares a link to my Paternal side (via my Aunt's DNA kit). 3 x DNA matches who are very closely related to my 1st Gen "Australian Born" Fitzgerald, also link with this Blennerhassett story. Hinting that there maybe some sort of Paternal Fitzgerald link, to this family of the Blennerhassett's.

History of the Blennerhassett's, show they were granted / settled on and mixed in with the Fitzgerald Lands of Co. Kerry, via ramifications of the Elizabethan Plantation era (post 1580).
This Fitzgerald lineage, is of my understanding, to be of the Dingle Knight lineage.
DNA via Ancestry, has only shown a dominance to my Paternal Fitzgerald's via Cork connections, not Kerry as yet. However, I'm keeping an open mind about it.

The other quirky thing is, there are some hints of genetic mixing of Blennerhassett "Palatinate" names with my DNA. The "German Palatinate" story, includes a group of people who were religiously persecuted around the 1700's and they were forced, to leave their country and settle where they were allowed to - usually in an area that was more predominantly based with Protestant's.
The surname "Switzer" has an interesting tie to this story. However, Miller and Myer are 2 really dominant names that myself and my Father share, but I haven't found a link to this Co. Kerry story.

This is where I'm up to, at the moment. It is probably why I show up on Ancestry's "Ethnicity" page, showing a Cork and Kerry dominant story. I knew about the Cork story, but not so much of the Kerry one. Very empowering.

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50. Atkinson's of Newry, Co. Down & Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Atkinson's of Newry Co. Down Ireland - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

For the past few months, I started to get a little more involved with my Maternal Grandmother's Atkinson family. See, my Grandmother (Dorothy Wendy) was born as an Atkinson.
Her Father - William Thomas, was alive when I was knowledgeable enough to know of him. However, after repeated calls to see him or atleast meet him, my Grandmother kept his life away from mine. At the time, I was bit disappointed of my Grandmother then and still am now. But I understand why she did it.

Around 1992, William passed away and was within a week or so of my Paternal Grandfather passing away too, so it made it all a bit more difficult to come to terms that I would never get to meet him.
The reason for my disappointment, was because my Grandmother never really spoke "why" she would never allow me to visit or see him. She kept a lot of "Family stuff" hidden away, never to be talked about (on both sides). I had to learn of the real reason, many years later from my Great Aunt. William apparently wasn't really wanting to know of other people or even talked a lot to his children. That's sort of the impression I got. If my Grandmother had of sat me down and explained it that "he's not the sorta guy you want to get to know" type of conversation, I would of have understood that maybe, somethings in Families just don't work. As I've grown older (and the colloquial wiser), I see it very clearly, that being a Family or indeed a closely-knit family that enjoys being together, is very hard to have these days. We are so very busy and diverse these days, that what was family life 50-60 years ago, has a different meaning today.

So with that in mind, I am rekindling a lost contact - The Atkinsons of Newry, Co. Down, Ireland.

After many years of delving into Family History, I had a tough time in researching this Atkinson family line, simply because I found it too hard to find correct information at a very close level.
If I get the close level stuff wrong, then the whole tree will be out and the potential for many many hours to be wasted, would be very difficult to get back.
I tried to use DNA, but I kept running into a lot of deadends, simply because I didn't have enough family names, to work out links or connections.
I lost interest a few years ago, because I was getting nowhere, that is, until I used a bit of willpower to understand these Atkinsons.

Probably my first fatal flaw, was to "assume", that my Atkinson lineage, was British. Indeed, it is, but something was different to my line. I couldn't pick it. They just didn't match where I wanted to match.
I had more connectivity to the British Atkinson name, via my Father's DNA, rather than my Mother's.
What the...... My hands went up in the air in frustration, had to walk away from the monitor before it got smashed - type of thing. It just kept coming up with deadends.
This is where I had to come back to basics, this is where I went to ground, with that lovely page called Trove and using the BDM in the State of Victoria (Birth's-Death's-Marriage's) to work out legitimate links that can be proven.

This was my "eureka" moment (pardon the pun). As I got more in depth, I realised that I had found a Geelong/Ballarat connection. Not long after that, I found out that these Atkinson's came over to Australia (as a large family), from Newry Co. Down Ireland. Directly after the Famine.
As soon as I found this connection to Newry, it blew my mind, as it wasn't what I had expected, I thought they had come from England, not Ireland.
Time went on and I found that my Grandmother, descended from an Arthur Atkinson with his wife Maria  Atkinson (nee Clough). Arthur was born in Newry Co. Down, but Maria was born Manchester England. Somehow, Maria ended up in Newry.
This Atkinson name, is of Northern Irish stock and from what I understand of it, to be a product of the "Planter Era" (1590's +), however I have no source to confirm this (yet). However, when you have a lot of Planter families and you know the history of 1590-1650 era, you would see what dark history it ties to. What I am trying to understand, how many generations does this Atkinson line, survive in Northern Ireland for (is it Pre 1650 or Post 1650).

Some of the details given by various documents (the Australian sources), has some parts either missing/covered over by tape and or had loose ages. So a lot of maths had to be involved.

Arthur was born in c.1810 in Newry Co. Down Ireland. Arthur and Maria were married in Newry Co. Down at a very young age.
Going by my maths, I can somewhat pinpoint, that Arthur and Maria were married around c.1829/1830.
Maria was approx 16 and Arthur was 20 going by Maria's Death Certificate. Arthur's Death Certificate shows he was 18 at the time of their marriage.

Straight away, they went on to have 13 children - before they moved to Australia, in a very important era - 1852.
From what I can ascertain, the children are as follows in Birth order as best as I can decipher : Richard, William, Arabella, Mary Anne, Peter, Sarah, Elizabeth, Marie Mary, Charlotte, James, Arthur, Joseph, Maria.
Of the 13 children, only 2 had died young in infancy - Richard and Peter. Most possibly buried in Newry. Richard's death details cannot be 100% confirmed, as some details are covered over by tape.
2 other's had died in early adulthood - Mary & Charlotte, in their early 20's in Australia.

They stayed in Newry Co. Down till 1852, where they all hopped on to a Boat and headed for Australia. I think they came here as Free Settlers. Arthur is noted as being a prospector/miner when they are located in the Ballarat district of Victoria.

A confusing part, is that on Arthur's Death Certificate (dated 1879), we find him spending 2 years in South Australia, then 27 years in Victoria (total of 29 years in Australia). Maria's Death Certificate (dated 1869), shows that she has been only in Victoria for 17 years - No South Australia?
Did Arthur go to South Australia after Maria's death or before?
The "maths" of both Death Certificates, show that 1852 is the the year they landed here in Australia, but Arthur shares a South Australian stint somewhere's.
On the shipping details of the family, it looks like Arthur came over to Australia on a different ship, as I can't see him on the manifest with the family. There is still a lot to find on this matter, due to the unknown South Australian "2 years". But as of yet, I haven't found that piece of information.

So, one of my questions that I mulled over sometime with, how does a large family survive the Famine and leave almost intact when the Famine is considered over?
One thing I can't find evidence of, is money. No evidence of any Castles or major land holdings either. So it starts to rule out a "well off family". Arthur's occupation listed on his Death Cert was a Gardener, no hints here there either.

Until I came across a document (2015 Famine Pamphlet), that showed a greater aspect of the answer, that I was looking for. It was marked as the Annual Commemoration to the Famine story - from the Newry, Mourne & Down Council. When you read on further, it shows an Arthur Atkinson, who was a tennant under the "Earl of Kilmorey" (Francis Jack Needham) ......This landlord seemed to do what ever they could, to help or assist the tennant staying on his lands during the famine. I suppose for obvious reasons, so that Lord Kilmorey didn't lose any rental income.
It has listed Arthur, of the townland "Ballynacraig" and it shows he emigrated to Australia, due to rent arrears.
More details on Lord Kilmorey Newry, Mourne & Down Council Webpage

Now it baffles the mind to think, in one of the historical atrocities that is known as the 1845-1849 Famine (The Great Hunger), a family of atleast 11 children, survive this 4-5 year period almost intact, they survive a boat trip to Australia and they don't own a lot of money. You could place a lot of their success of living to that point, from their landlord's attitude to keeping them on his lands.
Using this story, as against other Irish families that had wealth and lands (of Planter Stock), this is one of a few stories that intrigued me, as a large family survived the famine, as against many families that were wiped out by the effects of the famine (Bad Food / No Food / Thrown off lands / Rent Arrears / Poor Health / No Government Assistance except Workhouse / Selling good food back to England)

I am very fortunate to think that we could've been so easily wiped out.

Arthur Atkinson and his wife Maria, are now buried in the Ballarat Old Cemetery.
Their child, Charlotte is also in their grave.

GPS Coords  -           -37.546483°      143.849633°

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49. Dear Cousin Michael

Dear Cousin Michael,

(Written over a few months)

On the 25th of June 2018, I had just gotten in to my workplace and settled into the flow of Monday Morning's work. I had just started talking to my Supervisor, on how to plan for the day's adventure. Half way though our discussion, about 8am, I had received a message, from a friend that revealed some very sad news. It was to inform me, of the day you died.

As I read the message, my heart and stomach sank. My supervisor was still talking to me, but I wasn't quite listening. My mind went completely haywire, thoughts of our recently made plans to meet up and discuss matters, completely dissipated into thin air. I was lost into a daze for about a minute.

I came back down to earth, with my boss still talking and then waited for his pause. I interjected that I had received some sad news of a death of a relative. Wasn't quite in the mind to absorb a days work instructions, all at that moment. But pulled myself together and proceeded to work through the day as best as I could.

When I got home from work, I decided to trawl through the plans we had made and the conversations we had discussed in the recent weeks, in particular, to that meeting we had scheduled for.
As you would be aware, the conversation would have included a Clarence Pitman. I was quite surprised that you knew of him and the proceeded to tell me he was a former student at Geelong Grammar. That was a wow moment, as I did not know that.
I wanted to know more about Clarence's early life and his history tied up with Geelong Grammar and in particular, if the school had a photograph of him.

Marysville Cemetery Plot of Clarence Pitman

My main interest with Clarence, was of his marriage to a distant Aunt (Caroline Anne Blood Newenham) and their children. Their children's lives, filtered down into my Family History and it's where I learned about them (and in particular, their tragedies involved).
I wanted to know, if you knew of his connection to teaching the "Pitman Shorthand" phonetic system? You got me indelibly hooked, on to learning more on Clarence.

A few weeks have gone by since that day and on the 27th day of August, a very special day was held in your honour. It was your memorial, held at the Geelong Grammar Chapel. Jo Ann and myself, drove 2 and a bit hours, to make sure we were there for it.
When we arrived at the carpark early, the sense of a well organised day was apparent. We had ushers, showing us were to go / how to get there, very well respected people greeting you at the chapel.
I told Jo Ann that we were to head to the chapel early, as I really wanted a seat, or atleast be in the chapel for the service. When we got to the chapel, we were greeted in the very same manner, as you would greet us at your home.

Geelong Grammar School Clock Tower and Chapel (right)

It was a very cold morning, maybe about 8-10 degrees Celsius, with a slight 5 knot breeze. We were seated at the very back of the chapel. With the cold stones of the chapel combined with the breeze, it made the chill factor quite a bit.  I was dressed for it, but the chill factor got to me. I had to warm up by holding Jo Ann's warm hands.
My photographer friend and of course, one of the fellow students you had once known - Noni, had messaged me and asked where I was, as she was in the choir. I told her that I was in the Chapel at the back, watching. Because there was quite a bit of time before the service, I looked around and studied the chapel building. The ornate stained glass windows captured my imagination for a bit of the time.
I looked around and the Chapel was full to the brim, with people, people were filling the back part of the entrance way. 

Now, even though we share ancestors of "the church", I must say on a personal level, I am not so much of a religious person.
But if I can add, that the service was very welcoming. The hymns and music was performed very well. I did feel at ease being there, knowing your "aura" was about.

The part that I really enjoyed, was the speeches, with trying to understand your Ancestry.
It gave me quite a giggle, because trying to explain it, was quite a mathematical equation. And hearing of other people's logic of trying to break it down (in laymans terms), was very humorous. And the feeling I got, was that I sat there thinking of how you'd be smiling down at the speeches, when they got to this bit. There was even a mention, of how easy it was for you to explain it (because it was so 2nd nature). *Note - If you were related to Michael, there is a very high probability that you would be related in a multiple of ways.

Then the service ended. It was time to say a final goodbye.

But before I departed, I wanted to make sure I made contact with your Brother - Jonathan.
I found him in the crowd, with his nephew (Tony) by his side. I had all of about 3-5 minutes with Jonathan and a few extra minutes with Tony. I knew that day for them, was going to be very busy.
I got straight to the point of how we were related and how you and I, discussed our Family lineages, coupled with a very entangling historical connections.
Johnathan mentioned that "I must go to Ireland", I said that "I haven't been yet, but it is on agenda".
It was about then I had to say my goodbyes, as people wanted to talk to Johnathan.
Tony, helped me see a much stronger connection to Geelong Grammar than I had ever imagined, via his family connections too, as he was pointing to a portrait of a family member on the wall.
This was only the start of a huge learning curve of "family connections" to Geelong Grammar.

A few months have passed now, it took me that long to pen something, because I didn't know what to write. My time to sit down and mentally think about our conversations was short, as the last 6-12 months had me working quite a bit. Personal time was very thin.
In the last 5 odd years, you helped me understand our family links well beyond what I had imagined.
And most importantly, it helped me to see or open my mind, to a world of how history can be told 2 ways. Sometimes the real truth is never told, particularly if it's being told by someone that doesn't want you to know the real reason "why things happened the way they did".

In these last few weeks, I've been accustomed to another connection to Geelong Grammar, that is your Cousin, Sir Cyril Brudenell-White, also attended the School and gave some speeches.

It is here I must say goodbye to you. Thank you for giving me your personal time and sharing information with me. Your power of conversation and involving people into your conversation, is by far, one of your greatest gifts.
May we share another cup of tea from the Moyode Teapot one day...Oooh and a couple of TimTams too......Till then,


Your multiple Cousin Brett.

(Michael Dudley de Burgh Collins Persse - MVO OAM  -  1931-2018)

Myself & Michael Persse (Oct 2013)

Johnathan Persse & Myself
(Michael's Memorial Aug 2018)

Michael's Paternal Persse's of Moyode (Michael's Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather De Burgh Fitzpatrick Persse)
I am connected to Michael through De Burgh's Maternal Persse's of Roxborough, Co Galway
and also his wife Mary (Minne) via the Blood/Davies Families of  Applevale Co. Clare.

Face Similarities with my Maternal Persse Lineage
My Mother (Far Left) - Lady Gregory *Isabella Augusta Persse* (Middle) - Annie Hasler-MacNevin (Mum's Great Grandmother) (Far Right)
(Cousin Relatedness is listed on the photo's to Lady Gregory)

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