Stories Of My Irish Families

Irish Native/Planter Stories

Saturday 15 August 2015

1869 + - The early Australian years

3rd GGF - Frederick John Hasler, left Liverpool on the 2nd of February 1869, bound for Melbourne, Australia, aboard the S.S Great Britain. He landed on either the 8th or 9th of April, in Melbourne.

His diary of the journey to Australia, depicts some boredom and to keep himself amused, he would be chatting with the Girls, playing the Piano/Accordion, in a "Sing-A-Long" type of thing, drank a bit of alcohol etc. He noted the weather, which was kind of rough from the first half of the trip.
There were a few events on the ship, that show a bit of reality, one man jumped overboard and was lost to the sea (something about a woman and a child involved with him) and a lot of people were sick.
One man died and was "committed to the deep". A child died as well. A horse also died and that was also thrown overboard, but Frederick wrote it like it was quite a fun thing to do. He wrote "It was quite jolly". There was some sort of procession with the ships crew, almost like paying homage to the Horse, whilst burying it at sea?
Frederick also noted a few fights that broke out or rowdy behavior was had, but mainly it involved too much alcohol. He also had a few kisses from some girls and one "fell out" with him, because he didn't "walk with her" upon the deck.
In his writings, he doesn't mention on what awaits him in Australia, either in a photographical sense or life wise. The diary only depicts what happened during the trip, not any thoughts of what was to come. I have found this quite odd, as if he's been to Australia before and knows what it's all about.
Either that or George gave him a heads up? But it is apparent that he speaks a bit "nonchalant" about the trip until the last week.
He does not disclose any family whatsoever, that is back home in Ireland or on the ship.
Not even his brother George.
We suspect George is currently in Melbourne awaiting for his Brother's arrival and that no other Hasler or relavtive, is traveling with Frederick.

His last few writings were :
7-4-1869 - "Fine and a head wind, screw down, a regular Australian day. Getting ready for landing, expect to see land tomorrow, bed at 8"
8-4-1869 - "Land in view at 5 o'clock, great excitement, very fine. Another child sick. Just come to "The Heads". Pilot. "
"The Heads" is known as the opening to Port Phillip Bay - a 3km wide opening"

25th Sep 1871 - Melbourne Argus
Not much is known on his early days of landing in Melbourne, but we do find him in the first instance, 2 years later in 1871. He was part of the Albert Club (Rowing) and he is seated in the boat with his "future" brother-in-law, Edward Persse Newenham. Since finding this record of Frederick, it paved the way to understanding that his Rowing life from the Galway days of rowing the River Corrib, had also reached the shores of Melbourne. Frederick was quite competitive and would race upon the Yarra River many times. The many reports of Frederick with Rowing, showed quite a sportsman and it was also seemed quite a passion.



6 months after this report, on the 6th of March 1872, Frederick John Hasler, married Eliza Persse Newenham (eldest child of Henry Hood Newenham and Annie Persse).

To put this union into a perspective, Frederick and his family lived in Galway City. Frederick's parents lived on Nun's Island.
Eliza's Parents were Persse family relatives (1st Cousins). Henry Hood Newenham and Annie Persse, were "nephew/niece" to Henry Stratford Persse, that ran the Nuns Island "Persse Distillery".
So in a sense, their Galway roots had replanted in Melbourne.

Frederick and Eliza, went on to have 7 children, their first child died as an infant, but the rest survived into adulthood.

During this time, Frederick's profession was a photographer. His brother George was also in Melbourne at this stage, as a professional photographer. We only see evidence of these boys in the photographic point of view, well after 1869. George first then many years later of Frederick.

(Back story dialogue) In late 1869, we can see George becoming a manager and a partner of the already established, "Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co." photographic firm. This was originally partnered by an Irish lady from Co. Galway - Emily O'Shannessy (E.F.K O'Shaughnessy) and British born Henry James Johnstone. These 2 people originally created the company located at "3 Bourke Street East", in the mid 1860's, when George became part of the company in late 1869. The brand name of the company did not change to reflect George's involvement, but it seems that from later documentation, that George took more of the business on, whereas Emily reduced her workload.
It is noted that Henry was the primary photographer, Emily took pictures mainly of the women.
And Henry was quite "flamboyant". George was a manager, but then became a photographer.
Part of me, had a thought that a previous photographic sitting of the Newenham's, in the Johnstone O'Shannessy studio, may have allowed the Hasler's to meet/greet them. As my 3rd GGM was photographed in the studio somewhere between 1868 and 1872. But this is a co-incidental thought, as it was plausible for them to meet, but it is not proven that this was the case.

9th Sep 1871 - The Australiasian
George married Emily in 1871.
They had 2 children, Ethel and Muriel.





Frederick & Eliza's Son - Edgar Claude Hasler c.1877




What has created quite a unknown story, is that Frederick technically wasn't part of this business as such. Frederick seems to have stabilised himself, at his own City store located at 96 Elizabeth Street (I am not sure if this address, was affected by the 1889 address changes, by the City of Melbourne).
He was at this address around 1875-1880.
By family records, Frederick's family lived in Gurner Street, St.Kilda, which co-incidentally happens to be the address of a Patrick Hasler, who also was a photographer around this time.
As far as I am aware, there was no-one known to the family, by the name of Patrick and no family records exist, to suggest that there was ever a Patrick. So it's quite suggestive that Frederick created a pseudonym or it was an unknown relative, as Patrick was only there at Gurner Street for about a year.


23rd Mar 1878 - The Australiasian
In the mid to late 1870s and a touch of the 1880's, Frederick was noted to have been a Rowing photographer. Many of his images were in the studio of people posing, or it was Rowing based.

He was the official photographer of the "Intercolonial 8's", that was set on a rivalry between New South Wales and Victoria. However, these images cannot be found and may be placed with a club or historical society (if the still survive).

There is some form of minor collaboration by Frederick, with Johnstone O'Shannessy, but nothing by any large proportion, or to note him by. So we can only go on information that shows Frederick and George, did lead separate lives in the photography world.
There is a reference as well, to Frederick running a photographic studio from Octavia Street, St.Kilda from 1885-1889, we can only assume that he closed up Elizabeth Street address and brought the studio to his home, which seems the case.
You could assume that his growing family needed attention through the "growing up" part of life, so we can assume that he did bring the studio home because of family needs.




In 1891, Frederick's wife - Eliza (Persse Newenham) Hasler, passed away from a "long illness".
Frederick was left with 6 kids under 17. Not much is known after this period until 1897.

1897 was to be a big year for the Hasler's and it would challenge them, like no other year.

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by Stories Of My Irish Families Saturday, August 15, 2015 No comments

Sunday 2 August 2015

The Galway Years (before 1869) and travel to Melbourne - Australia 

Hasler Brother's - Melbourne - After April 1869
Images of people or places, say one thing "A picture tells a thousand words".
Well, this is much more than just the colloquial saying.

It not only depicts a Family of 2 Irish Brothers, it depicts a Photographic Empire that is about to happen and it depicts a future that will change Melbourne's history from the late 1860's till about 1905, then a reincarnation till about 1920 - but you see, not many people know about them or more so, about this photographic empire.
And when you dig further into these boys backgrounds, you get much more than what's portrayed here.

They are the Hasler Brother's, from Galway City.
Younger Brother - George Henry Massey Hasler, to the left and elder brother - Frederick John Hasler to the right.
Frederick is my 3rd GGF (b. circa 1838), George a 3rd GGUncle (b. 1841)
Frederick and George, were sons of William Benjamin Hasler and Hannah Scott.
They also had a Sister - Olivia Mary Hasler, who died in Ireland.

It is quite possible that William and Hannah moved from the East Coast (Dalkey, Dublin) or indeed Co. Wexford to meet their life's journey in the City of Galway.

But that is a suggestive comment, as it isn't fully known how their lives were shaped before the 1850's. What is known, that the relatives of William are based in Dalkey, Dublin.
William, being one of many Grandsons of Sir John Hasler (Chamberlain to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland - during the late 1700's), had lots of family relatives in Dalkey. But I don't know what made him move from the East and head to Galway.

We don't know what was going on in these boys lives from their infant years, or even much of the family's lives before 1859, only information or family stories, flowed after that point.
There is a suggestion that William was part of the family's plot in Co. Wexford, but I still don't have conclusive information why they may have been there. Whitehall House has some connection as well. But there is suggestions that William was a "Civil Servant" at one stage, whether it be in Wexford or Galway, I am not sure.
There is a William Hasler that's noted as a farmer, as I found an Irish "Reproductive Loan" in Williams name. But I am not sure if this is our William. Same time, same place, but I cannot depict a poor Civil Servant, unless he fell on hard times?

Frederick c.late 1850's / early 1860's
(His Hair seems to be setup up for a Top Hat)
Signature on the back of the Images





















Knowing this Hasler Family is based in Galway City, we can identify what Frederick's life may have been like, from Historical events. We find him being based in 18 Dominick Street as a Photographer around the mid/late 1850's. He would take family photographs, within this studio and was possibly known to be a sub-contractor to take photo's of Galway Town (and various areas) during this time.
Chethams Library's Flickr Page :  suggests there may have been involvement, with one or both of the Hasler boys. I have a family photo, which is an "exact" image, of the one depicted in Chetham's Library Collection (Galway Album 64). Located here is my info on the Hasler's : Hasler Photography and Related

We know that Frederick also was a keen sportsman.
He became a Rower of the Corrib Rowing Club, may have been a Foundation member as well.

Frederick would have been very well accustomed to rowing up and down the Corrib, right past the Persse's Nun's Island Distillery buildings, in which he has at a later date, a surprising link back here.
What is also surprising with this Persse link, is that Frederick's Father - William, died in 1859 around Nuns Island. A death notice, placed in a paper, showed that he died in "Presentation Street", but his Death Certificate shows his abode as 57 New Road, Galway City. Which is basically the corner of New Road and Presentation Street - which is Nuns Island.

In a recent finding and we can only ascertain, that William must of came across the Persse's of the Distillery at some point in his life. Not only that, he may have met Francis Fitzgerald (Brewer), that was almost based directly beside the Distillery. Francis's Son (Nicholas Fitzgerald), will have a surprising link in later years, to George in Melbourne.

There were also depictions of hand drawn images that were based upon Boxing, Billiards and Rowing around the shores of Dublin (c. 1865). Most of these types of travels and or images, seemed to have stayed south of Dublin (nothing known of anything North of Dublin).

What is initially known about these boys movements, is that it is more probable that George came to Australia first, prior to September 1869, as that date shows he becomes a partner within a Photographic studio called "Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co". It was based at 3 Bourke Street East (Next GPO).
I can only suggest that he must of been here at least a few months, if not a year in order to get a position in this business, unless he had prior connections.

We know with assurety, that Frederick left Ireland very late in 1868, as he disembarked Liverpool in Feb 1869. He landed on the shores of Melbourne/Victoria in April 1869 aboard "SS Great Britain".
On a newspaper clipping, it mentioned that "Henry Hood Newenham" had a piece of luggage waiting for him (that came over from the UK). I can only speculate, that there may have been some sort of prior discussion within the Hasler/Newenham family. As Frederick, was to "court" Eliza (Henry's daughter) after this time.


9th Apr 1869 - The Argus




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by Stories Of My Irish Families Sunday, August 02, 2015 2 comments

Tuesday 28 July 2015

1700's Dublin Castle - Ireland to Photo Extraordinaires in 150 years

If there is someone in your family lines, that document things by images, you can't go past this photography family. But set in an earlier time, these Hasler's had strong Irish - Dublin Castle links.

This may go into a 2 or 3 page post, as the details of them and the connections they had, were large.
I mean, it just doesn't stop at the Hasler family, as many people that graced their presence, were influential people, particularly the Irish, whether it be in Ireland or Australia.
Their connectivity was immense. It even stems to the Newenham's, both in Ireland and Melbourne.

On my Maternal line, is the Hasler family. There sits a family, very well connected to Dublin Castle and was well within the ranks of the "Administration of Ireland", during the 1700's.
The Hasler's were based in the court of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland during the Townshend / Rutland days and they were Chamberlains to the Lord Lieutenant. They would have been an organiser of sorts, to functions as such and performed daily duties to the functionality of the Lord Lieutenant.

Sir John Hasler (6th GGF) was a Chamberlain to, what looks like the controversial Townshend administration. Also was with the Duke of Rutland. What looks like to be his son John Hasler (5th GGF), was a Deputy Chamberlain, but of what I can see, he was only deputy, under the Duke of Rutland.
Son - John was also a Captain in the 28th Regiment of Foot.

Captain John had a few children, one of them was William Benjamin Hasler (4th GGF) and he married Hannah Scott.
During the 1830's, William and Hannah may have lived in Dalkey, Dublin (where the Hasler's predominantly lived) but were placed in Galway by the late 1830's. I don't know what took them there, but they were there until William died in 1859. Seems that Hannah moved back to Dalkey to be close to family. William was a farmer as such, but I still don't know how diversified he was. As a family heirloom (Mid 1800's Glass Cutter), depicts a different view.
There is an association to Whitehall House Co. Wexford with this line of Haslers, but I still don't understand this connection.

William and Hannah, had 3 children :
  1. Olivia Mary Hasler  -    born circa 1836 Dalkey or Galway - died 1876 Galway
  2. Frederick John Hasler - born circa 1838 Dalkey or Galway - died 1920 Melbourne Australia
  3. George Henry Massey Hasler - born 1841 Galway City (St.Nicholas) - died 1897 Melbourne Australia

It is unknown, on what happened to Olivia.
But Frederick and George left their Galway home life as emerging photographers - just prior to 1869, for an Australian trip.
Not much is known on George at the early part other than he came to Melbourne first, as he is depicted in mid 1869 as being a partner in a photographic company. (Suggesting he had prior time in Australia, before Frederick).
Frederick came out to Australia in April 1869, but does not list George (in his diary) as being with him.
Both these men, were accomplished photographers, some would say - masters of their crafts. In time George will take the limelight of being a Photographer to a new level.

I will depict their Australian life, in the next blog.

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by Stories Of My Irish Families Tuesday, July 28, 2015 No comments

Sunday 19 July 2015

Deepest Y-DNA research to date - Part 2 - Names in my DNA (South Irish)


As mentioned in my previous post, my surname is supposed to be atleast a descendant from Mainland Europe. It's not.

So, to break it down, why it's not, I'm going to list the names of the families that show a very close association to my surname.
These names link to ancient times, but going by historical notes, it is expected to be of a later period, after 1169 AD.
However, the Y-DNA may link back further, due to the local Irish Male DNA that is supposed to be there (it is why I connect to the "early Irish" - something that is very close to the Ui' Fidgenti or related groups)

The Y-DNA also supports the theory, that there is Scottish/Norse DNA in our veins.
Being a 1st "cousin" offshoot of sorts to the Ui' Fidgenti  dynasty (Collins/O'Donovan's), there is information to suggest the O'Donovan's had something to do with Ivar of Limerick and more or less were naming their children in honour of Ivar. However, this is suggestive, not proven from my account.
What we do know is, that Limerick City, was a "den" of Norse activity around the 900-1100 AD period. So we have known people in the same area at the same time period, but connecting them to historical notes and using the DNA to confirm or deny the notes, is the hard part.

The connecting names are listed using the 67 Marker of my Y-DNA - listed as per "Genetic Distance". I've used the 67 Marker as a base of knowledge. Due to the amount of names and the DNA tree they descend off (CTS4466), we can work our theories from there.
Most or if not all of them, form part of the CTS4466 - South Irish DNA. Spread out all over the tree, these names seem to connect to myself and or my Father. But how or even why, is the question.

(top is more related - bottom is lesser related)
  • 4 GD  - Fitzgibbon
  • 5 GD  - Caldwell (or variants), Davies
  • 6 GD  - Huey (or variants), Fitzgibbon, O'Leary, Brothers, Lee, Nichols, Mahoney, O'Hearn, Daley (or variants), MacDonald
  • 7GD   - O'Sullivan, Taylor, Collins, Kane, Jones, Roberts, Colwell, Barnett, Morris, Lynch, Ferguson, Gleason (or variants), Hayes, O'Brien, McCullogh, Donohue (or variants), McCarty (or variants), Lawrence, Loomis, Mahoney

The most interesting and most dominant story to my quest, are the O'Sullivan (who were also connected to the McCarthy's) and the Collins/O'Donovan names.

  • O'Sullivan's/McCarthy's were of Cork and or Tipperary in ancient times, until the factional war broke out with the Normans and they were pushed back into Far West Cork area. In a form and in later times, the Fitzgerald's were also overrun by these 2 families. What was left of the Fitzgerald families, became intergrated with the O'Sullivan/MacCarthy's domination.

  • The Collins / O'Donovan's (Common Core to the Ui' Fidgenti) were based in around Limerick (lets use Croom Castle as an example) and they were pushed back into Far West Cork (Skibbereen district) as well, during the Norman escapades. Croom Castle was later a family seat of the Fitzgerald's (Earls of Kildare)

What we do know, the Barons of Offaly / Kildare Fitzgerald line, challenged and pushed out, the Collins/O'Donovan's from Croom Castle and the Earls of Desmond played war with the O'Sullivan's / MacCarthy's.


The surprising one thing that I don't see there, is the O'Shea/Shea names. This family had their ancient lands - North and South of Limerick City, sometime around the time of the invasion of the Norse/Normans.
We do connect up to some Autosomal DNA matches of the Shea's, but it still not conclusive how.
1 match Shea match to my Father, has them based near Pallaskenry, Co Limerick. This is well within our ideals of where we were based with other families during ancient times, but they are much more distant in the Y-DNA than just a cousin (autosomal) match - a handful of Shea's sit in the Y-DNA, but are not close enough to fit within our South Irish DNA.
I am trying to see if the Shea family mingled with an ancient O'Hearn family, due to their lands almost intersecting around Six Mile Bridge, Co. Clare - the supposive family seat of the O'Hearn family. The O'Hearn connection to me, should be of Brian Boru DNA- L226, but does not share L226, instead it is classified as CTS4466. How odd.

So the results of our Fitzgerald Y-DNA, connects with these families but how come, I don't have a Fitzgerald Y-DNA surname there? It has been suggested that a Female Fitzgerald is the key.

This is my quest, to find the dominant Male lineage that there is. And to see if the postulated theory holds to the "Female Fitzgerald" and if ever possible, technology could show the dominant male line we have.
Unfortunately, history hasn't been kind to Females born to the Fitzgerald's and almost some lines that have a Female were not acknowledged by historical accounts.
This is the dilemma.

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by Stories Of My Irish Families Sunday, July 19, 2015 No comments

Thursday 16 July 2015

Deepest Y-DNA research to date

Well, the deepest test came in on my Father's Y-DNA just a few days ago.
It tested about 50 odd SNP's in the CTS-4466 "South Irish DNA" Haplogroup and proved beyond reasonable doubt, the final destination.

We are now landed at A-155 (R-A155).
This A-155 also contains a Fitzgibbon lineage and also has something to do with an O'Hearn name
(not tested to A-155). I am using an educated guess, that this maybe more of a plausible Limerick connection. But all I know of a Cork City connection via paperwork.
A few Autosomal matches with both myself and my Father, share Fitzgerald connectivity but some also share a Limerick connectivity as well (City and County). 

With prior knowledge many months ago and with an educated guess, I tested positive to A-89 and that is just one step up from A-155. So I was pretty close to nailing the Terminal SNP.
With the tests, my Father was also tested to 1 step down from A-155, to A-156. He tested negative for that, so A-155 is a hard stop and we don't go any further (A-156 is a related to a MacDonald lineage).

So, A-155 is as far as I can test, with DNA technology. It hasn't given me a lineage (a Faction of Fitzgerald) yet, nor has it given me a direct dynasty I am off. As the closest 111 marker is still at 8GD (Genetic Distance)
However, it has been mentioned to me, that the Ui Fidgenti (Based in Limerick) dynastical grouping, is very close - but not direct.
As we don't share any Fitzgerald surnamed Autosomal or Y-DNA matches, it is quite plausible at the moment to say, that we descend off a Female Fitzgerald who had a fling with an Irish Native (whomever that was). Or that many of my line aren't alive today to test.
Our lineage is the only Fitzgerald's in the CTS4466 project and the only one to test this far down.

Fitzgerald / Fitzgibbon surnames, are synonymous to ancient Ireland, which dates back into the Norman Invasion era (after 1169 AD) However, both these lineages should not connect back to Ireland or have the South Irish DNA, simply because we are supposed to be Norman and from the Mainland of Europe. Some say an Italian / Tunisia descent. Some say Spain, some say French/Wales.

So at the moment, to have native Male Irish DNA, we are now projecting the research to a Female Fitzgerald, who kept her name and the Male assumed the Fitzgerald name.
Well, that's the theory anyway.

Lets see how far we get.



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by Stories Of My Irish Families Thursday, July 16, 2015 1 comment

Thursday 9 July 2015

The Two Faces of Old Cultural Ireland

These 2 images, depict part of my Maternal Family and have taught me so much on a Country, that I knew little about 10 years ago.

They depict 2 types of Irish of the "Old Culture" and they ignite my thoughts on why a country was so hard done by. The years within it's own Politics, it's Famine, it's struggle with an identity crisis - To be part of the "Act of Union" or not and it's dealings with "Aunty" England.

These 2 men were one of many "co-pilots" to a nation as such, in a very tumultuous period.
2 very different views on how to steer a nation to success, well I suppose, their views of success.
Sir Edward battling with Henry Grattan and Thomas being one of many "Right Hand Men" to The Liberator - Daniel O'Connell, were some of the connections these men had.

Though something sits on my mind, that I must mention, is the "White Elephant in the room" and the biggest driver of their lives, were their religious views. This played out, quite a part in their Political lives. The greatest thing I learned out of these 2 men, is that in today's world, Religious views should be left out of Politics or at the "front door of Parliament".
Why? Because it clouds the mind of deciding what's best for the Country's best interests.

The "Act of Union" was a great learning tool for this. I'd suggest you read about the Act of Union and what swayed the voting and judge for yourself, as it was quite the eye opener. Part of this, plays out many years later when O'Connell tries to "Repeal" the Act.

Over the centuries, Religion surpassed the power of the Law until recent times.
In 1810, an intriguing instance of Religion vs Law event occurred.
It involves Thomas MacNevin's Father - Daniel MacNevin.
Daniel was an acting Sub-Sheriff and was embroiled in an event, which he had to physically punish 2 men. I'll let you discover the story : HERE

And the most surprising playout, with a very staunch Protestant Sir Edward, was that he allowed a Catholic Man to join the ranks of his Volunteer Militia. Because it was for the "cause of Ireland's best interest's". This particular act stunned my thoughts, because it wasn't like him to allow Catholic's into his domain.
It is probably the only act of "kindness" towards Catholic's, that I can find - from my point of view.

Now, the Protestantism and Irish National Catholicism clash in my DNA, I swear it battles my Fitzgerald DNA. It's probably why I try to rhetorically argue with myself on my thoughts.

I give you :
Protestant                                                                         Catholic & Young Irelander (Nationalist)
Sir Edward Newenham MP (6th GGF)           and           Thomas MacNevin Esq (4th GGUncle)
 

Portrait is from the National Gallery of Ireland
CLICK HERE TO GO THERE


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by Stories Of My Irish Families Thursday, July 09, 2015 No comments

Sunday 21 June 2015

A 1789 Letter that defines - "Images Tell Stories"

One of the greatest pieces of Family History that I came across, were 2 Photographic Negative Glass Plates and the story of a letter on how it managed itself to Australia.
On these 2 Glass Plates, sat 2 pages of a letter that was photographed, most possibly by my 3 x Great Grandfather and professional photographer - Frederick John Hasler.

I am estimating the date of these Glass Plates, to be around from 1869 (min) till about 1920 (max).
However, I would suspect they may be closer to about 1872-1891.

The letter was dated:  July 29th, 1789 & came from New York - USA.
The writer, in his own handwriting, was 1st President George Washington.
It was addressed to Sir Edward Newenham (6th GGF) and was written by George, only 3 months into his Presidency. I gather it may have been written at Washington's Residence in Newburgh - New York.

It is about General Montgomery's Widow being introduced into Ireland after her husband's death in Battle, as General Montgomery was Irish-born. And hoping that Mrs. Montgomery could be "taken care of" during her visit to Ireland.


(© Brett Fitzgerald)






 
Originals and copies of their communication can be viewed here :
www.loc.gov/search/?q=newenham

This original differs from the copy, only by the way it's laid out.
The original transcribed/copy letter is @ the Library of Congress :
memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mgw2&fileName=gw...

This image taken by me, is an actual photograph, of the 2 Glass Plates, to bring the image "out". (© Brett Fitzgerald)
And has been certified as a "genuine copy".

Sir Edward was an Irish Politician in the House of Commons in the mid to late 1700s and made his acquaintances with George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay & Marquis Lafayette. There is a lot of documented history between these people (in letters)

This letter has traveled the world, initially sent from Newburgh, NY to Ireland then was sent to France for a Grandson's keeping. But as the Napoleonic Wars were raging in France, the mail was not getting through.
It was sent back to Ireland, with an unknown destination. It somehow ended up in the Jersey Islands.
It then turned up in Australia in 1856 aboard one of Sir Edward's Grandson - Henry Hood Newenham. It was then passed down to a son/daughter who advertised a story about its authenticity.
As time went on, the letter created a few family squabbles, then it was put to auction in the 1930s.
Where a collector bought it and gave it back to the USA, where it resides in a Library today.


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by Stories Of My Irish Families Sunday, June 21, 2015 No comments
Images can depict so much of a story, beyond our thoughts.

Over the years of my research and being able to get into photography, is that I have learnt that a
Portrait / Photograph of one's Ancestors or any image of any type, depicts not only the person, but defines a snapshot in time to a lost era.
Images of any type carries stories from both the imager (sketcher/painter or photographer) and the subject.

You can learn so much information from an image, if your willing to try. And it is almost my "go to" piece, when in search of any information. I always ask "Is there any images of  xxxxxx"

There a few images of my Ancestors, based in the National Gallery of Ireland. Some may not have been found just yet, but most of my research is based on my Maternal line.
And the one thing is, I am trying to find connectivity from my Maternal line to my Paternal line via using these images.

Below, is my quest (and reasoning), to show you what keeps me intrigued in my Genealogy pursuits. Even though I don't think there a true 100% connection in this image, but it depicts a "questionability" that there has to be some sort of "intriguing connection".

The Dublin Volunteers on College Green - 4th November 1779
by Francis Wheatley
(Actual painting is located in the National Gallery of Ireland)



This painting depicts a few men that knocked around together during a ceremony at College Green - Dublin on 4th of November 1779.

Two men in the centre of the image, is of my interest and to see if there is any type of genetic connection between these 2 men with Me (both through my Father and Mother's DNA).

It depicts a Maternal 6th Great Grandfather - Sir Edward Newenham on the left, if I have it correct?
Sir Edward was Colonel of the "Liberty Volunteers" Militia.
His eldest son and my 5th GGF - Edward Worth Newenham, was a Captain in this militia, but it is unsure if he was there with the unit on this day.
(A very close friend of Sir Edward was James Napper Tandy - later a "United Irishman" - stands towards the Cannon on the right of image)

And if I interpret the zoomed image correctly, standing to the Right Hand Side of Sir Edward (who is on the far left), is William Robert Fitzgerald - 2nd Duke of Leinster.

Now even though I am a Fitzgerald, my DNA is showing quite a different trend to what it's supposed to be. It does have quite the tendency to be locked into DNA, that structures around the time when Limerick area was dominated by the Fitzgerald's, that is - Earl's of Kildare, Earls of Desmond and the White Knight's (Fitzgibbon's).
My DNA does not point to a Male Fitzgerald as such, but suggests a Female who "got" with a Local Lad around the time of this push, by the Normans.



This "local lad" of Munster, that's in my DNA, was something to do with the Collins/O'Donovan's & MacCarthy/O'Sullivan dynasties around 1000 AD (+/- 200 years). And connected very close to the Ui' Fidgenti populace, by way with a Scottish/Norse offshoot.

If you know your history, you will see that the Norman Fitzgerald's, battled with and against these dynasties for centuries. One of these factions had an unknown Daughter, who is my Ancestor.
I don't know of which exact line or faction my Female Fitzgerald was off, but this above image suggests a invaluable story, if true.

That said, with this DNA knowledge, I have now wondered if this portrait suggests that it could depict the 2 men in the centre, having Genetic Maternal/Paternal links to me, before they even knew it. We know Sir Edward is 100% genetic Maternal, however, this is not proven with the Duke of Leinster.

(As a side note, I have found a genetic Maternal DNA connection through Sir Edward's wife - Grace Anne Burton, with an Usher/Ussher name. This Usher surname, does connect with the Duke of Leinster line of Fitzgerald's by way of marriage with Emilia Olivia Usher St George)

This is why you need to study images of any type, when doing Genealogy, as there maybe a detailed connection that you didn't know about.


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by Stories Of My Irish Families Sunday, June 21, 2015 No comments

Sunday 31 May 2015

Maternal Lineage to the Persse's of Roxborough - Co. Galway

It was explained to me about 18 years ago by a family tree that was supplied by Great Aunt, that we had connection to the Great family of the Persse's of Co. Galway.
At first I didn't know what this meant, but now I do.
A link to help a bit more on the Persse's : Persse History (Lady Gregory & Yeats Heritage Trail)
It took quite a while to understand this lineage, not by the account of who they were, but also how they were related.

It is said within the family, that the man called Rev. Robert Persse came from Northumbria or Northumberland England and settled in Ireland around c.1600.
His 3rd Great Grandson was Colonel William Persse of Roxborough, Co. Galway.
This is my line of Persse family.

It must be said that the Persse family were very well interconnected with each other, by means that cousins did very well marry cousins. And multitude of lineages, show this trend.
It has to be said that if you are a Persse descendant, you would most likely connect to another Persse descendants in multiple ways. The genealogy of the Persse family is difficult to just put writing, so I'll post images to show the transitions of my line.

Where my Persse interconnection really starts, is with my 4th Great Grandparents - Henry Hood Newenham and Annie Persse. Just for the record, they also were Persse 1st Cousins.
Indeed, as I found out a few months ago Henry and Annie's parents had a cousin-age at a much higher level as well.

Henry Hood was the 4th son of Edward Worth Newenham and Elizabeth Persse (5th GGP's).
I belive that Annie was the 2nd daughter of William Blakeney Persse and Anne Blood (5th GGP's) and Anne was also my direct maternal 5th GGM.
Elizabeth and William were Brother and Sister - children of Colonel William Persse and Sarah Blakeney of Roxborough (6th GGP's).

Many children and descendants were born at Roxborough house. Henry and wife Annie were both born in Dublin, but many other close family relatives, were actually born at Roxborough.
As many would know, that Roxborough was also the birthplace of the great Isabella Augusta Persse - Lady Gregory.
Colonel William Persse and his wife Sarah Blakeney, were Great Grandparents of Isabella
My 5th GGP's - Elizabeth Persse - Great Aunt and William B Persse - Great Uncle to Isabella.

One of the great interests, that is also in my research, is to do to with the Nuns Island Distillery, based in Galway City. It made the great Irish Whisky - Persse's "Galway" Whisky made under Henry S Persse - S for Stratford.

The Persse family owned and ran this Distillery for many years in the 19th Century and just made it into the 20th Century before it was closed down. Just before the Nuns Island days, Henry ran a Distillery in Newcastle.

There is a few things that tie my family history research with Henry.
Henry's sister - Elizabeth, was my 5th GGM. In a few family notes and as also depicted in the book on Henry Stratford Persse's life "Letters from Galway to America" edited by James Pethica and James Roy, mentions about Elizabeth.

Whilst Elizabeth's Husband - Edward Worth Newenham, was away (quite a bit on business in Dublin), she was referenced in notes as staying in Newcastle. I can only gather that Elizabeth and children were frequent visitors of the Newcastle territory.
As far as I am aware, no information found, suggests my line of Persse's had anything to do with the Persse Distillery but only be of family association to them.

As a slight kicker, to such a story, a business neighbour to Henry's Distillery on Nun's Island, was a Maltser/Brewer named Francis Fitzgerald.
This man had 2 sons that migrated to Australia - Nicholas and Edward. These 2 Brothers were the forefront to Beer Brewing in Melbourne Australia during the mid 19th century.
They created the Castlemaine Brewery (also known for brewing XXXX Beer). The Castlemaine Brewery was of course in Castlemaine Victoria during the Gold Rush era, but later on, it's production moved to Queensland.
Nicholas, is part of my research, not only that I have the same surname - no relation as of yet, but he is buried in the same cemetery as some of my Persse/Newenham family. St.Kilda Cemetery - Melbourne.
Nicholas is buried just 50 odd metres away from Eliza Persse Newenham (my 3rd GGM) and about 90 metres away from Eliza's Brother - Edward Persse Newenham.
These 2 Newenham's were Grandchildren of Elizabeth Persse (which means that Henry Stratford was their Great Uncle)
I find it extraordinary to find a connection like this half a world away from "home" and yet they get buried in the same cemetery.

The other connection that is very interesting, is that my 3rd GGF Frederick John Hasler, who married Eliza Persse Newenham, used to be a rower back in Galway City. He was an extremely good rower and used to partake in events held on the River Corrib around the 1860's.
He was a professional photographer and was based in Upper Dominick Street. And to think that he rowed right beside the Persse Distillery before becoming part of the family (1/2 a world away).

Below is the easiest way to explain the lineages.



The inter-relations keep going




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by Stories Of My Irish Families Sunday, May 31, 2015 3 comments

Wednesday 27 May 2015



 Battle of Waterloo 200 Years Anniversary - June 1815 - June 2015

Family history research, gets quite involved when you can dig up stories this far back.
It's even more involved when multiple family members are involved with the same story, albeit a few years apart.

The Battle of Waterloo - June 1815 (and its many years of lead up to), fits in with a lot of  my Maternal line Persse-Newenham family members. (4th Great Uncle's and a 5th Great Uncle)

This post is aimed in honour with the Battle of Waterloo and is mostly aimed at Robert Burton Newenham and his 2 elder Brothers. Now 200 years later, I wrote a short story on Robert and it is on display on the below link depicting Robert's Waterloo duty.
Robert was noted in the Roll Call's of the 3 days of Battle and is honoured on the "Waterloo 200" Webpage.

Ensign Robert Burton Newenham


Robert was the 3rd son of Edward Worth Newenham and Elizabeth Persse. Born in Galway in 1793, Robert, by his Father’s advice, was supposed to have had “Government Employment” and never to have met War. 

But just like his direct family, steeped into British/Irish Military history, he also encroached on to Military life. His 2 elder brothers- Edward and William, served in the Napoleonic era and his 2 Grandfathers (Sir Edward Newenham and Col. William Persse) also served for a much earlier Irish “cause” (Volunteer Militia)

On the 27th January 1814 and against his Father’s wishes, he was conveniently placed into the 14th Regiment of Foot, as an Ensign.
George Keppell (6th Earl of Albemarle), also rubbed shoulders with Robert, as George was also an Ensign in his Battalion.

This 3rd Battalion was suffering from a reduction of men from the unit and it was noted for Disbandment when Waterloo came calling. 

Robert was of the No. 1 (Grenadier) Company, under Captain Harcourt Morton and of the Colour Party. The Duke of Wellington allowed this crew of men from the 3rd Battalion, to become part of the“Grand Battle". This was due to Wellington’s words, “they are a pretty little Battalion”.  “Pretty” was due to having so much youth in the unit.

Robert survived the battle and went on to serve his final Naval duties, travelling in and around India/East Indies until 1823, where he apparently resigned from the service. 

It is unknown what happened to him after this date but it is assumed by family notes, that he died on 11th July 1823 in Meerut, India, due to war injuries. He is noted in the Waterloo Roll Call of the 14th Foot.
Robert Burton Newenham was my 4 x Great Grand Uncle.

If you further interested on a much earlier Newenham family member, this POST , contains a lead up to the following Napoleon-esq encounter in the Battle of Toulon - 1793.
It is about the Uncle (of Robert) that served in the Battle of Toulon, guarding a Fort whilst under attack from Napoleon himself, or his Republican Militia. He was injured in the attack and died from wounds.
I strongly believe this Uncle, heavily influenced these 3 Brothers to perform war duties - I suppose in honour of him.

Robert was also noted in the "Napoleon Series" website, which depicts Robert and another Ensign Fraser, on the day of battle - June 18th, being "taught" in I suppose an amusing way on what the "Colours" meant.
Story here - Scroll down to about 1/3 of the page : Waterloo June 18th - Colours

Newspaper clipping, showing Robert being credited. As an added jewel, we have what looks like a cousin of a sort, to Robert - W(illiam?) Persse. Unsure as of yet who this is and what level of cousin he is to Robert.

 20 Nov 1844 - Sydney Morning Herald


Robert Burton Newenham - 18th April 1829 - The Advertiser Adelaide


3 x Newenham Brother's went to war and 3 survived the war but only just. The 4th and youngest Brother - Henry Hood Newenham (my 4th GGF) was not old enough to join and probably explains why his life was much different to his Brothers. The 3 Brothers seemed to have gone against their Father's wishes, as their Father didn't want them to go to war. In family notes from Edward Worth (their Father), he explained over many letters that he wanted "Government Employment" for his sons.
But it seems that the Family History, that's steeped in Military blood, took over the Father's wishes and the son's got their way.
Unfortunately,  there are no photos or portraits that I know of, depicting Edward or Robert, but I do have William and Henry's, which I'll display below.

This family was also personally known to Lord Hood of the British Navy, as per previous story on Lt Charles Burton Newenham's Navy involvement at the Battle of Toulon-1793.

To read about what these 3 Brothers went through, is harrowing. The duty and honour put them to the test in the face of War and what happened after the War.

These 3 Children of Edward Worth Newenham and Elizabeth Persse, that went to War, are :
  • Edward Worth Newenham   - 1787-1867
  • William Persse Newenham  - 1790-1866
  • Robert Burton Newenham    - 1793-1823?

Edward was born in one of Ireland's most famous houses, that is of the Roxborough Persse Family of Co. Galway. He served in the 9th Regiment of Foot and was caught up in a shipwreck in late 1805 whilst trying to land in France. He was ultimately captured and then placed in the town of Verdun as a POW in early 1806. A sort of encampment for POW's, it had sort of a soft rule "You can stay in Verdun unharmed, as long as you don't try to escape".
Edward stayed "voluntarily" in Verdun until his death. Within 2 years of being a POW, he acquainted himself with a Young Girl, whom he married. Within a few months a baby boy was born. When Edward died, he was buried in Verdun's Farbourg Pave' Cemetery in 1867.

William, was born in Dublin, the below newspaper clipping tells the story and I will try not to take away from it's storyline. William is believed to have died in England.

Robert, was born in Co. Galway (Hampstead House - Believe to be a Persse estate?) - please refer to the above "post" link for his story.


William Persse Newenham (1790-1866)                         Henry Hood Newenham (1805-1895)

                      
Newspaper Clipping








Robert Burton Newenham's Roll Call
Waterloo Roll Call - Charles Dalton's 2nd Ed - 1904


* CLICK ON IMAGE, FOR A LARGER VIEW *



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by Stories Of My Irish Families Wednesday, May 27, 2015 No comments

Sunday 10 May 2015

My Direct Male Lineage to Ireland - Fitzgerald

What is known that 2 Generations (William and son Thomas) were from Cork City, it is unsure where William's Father originated. I'm suspecting he may have traveled from Far West Cork, or from Limerick to be placed in Cork City by the 1800 era.

(image is expandable - just click on it)


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by Stories Of My Irish Families Sunday, May 10, 2015 No comments

Saturday 9 May 2015

My Direct Female Line to Ireland - Blood/Persse/Newenham/Blakeney/Burton/Davies

Anne Blood is the Daughter of Neptune Blood and Marianne Davies.
They are the Blood's of Applevale - County Clare and distant relatives of the famous Thomas Blood, who went on to steal the Crown Jewels. It isn't known yet, where Marianne's lines goes to.

(image is expandable - just click on it)




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by Stories Of My Irish Families Saturday, May 09, 2015 No comments

Friday 1 May 2015

Understanding my deep "Irish" connection between Protestant and "Young Irelander-ism".

I am now at a weird, but deep phase on understanding this Irish Family History of mine.
So deep, that I am having trouble with the complexity of 2 'very different' cultural lines of "Irish". One being Protestant and the other being Catholic. This is just my Maternal side at the moment.

These 2 diverse Irish lines cross at the point of my Maternal 2nd Great Grandparents.

  • Philip MacNevin - Born approx c.1879 Sydney
  • Annie Hasler (born as Annie, but later changed to Marie Josephine) - Born 1880 Melbourne
Philip was the youngest son of Thomas Edwin MacNevin (former NSW Judge/Coroner/Clerk) and Edith Ashworth Snape.
Annie was a daughter of Frederick John Hasler (Galway / Melbourne Photographer) and Eliza Persse Newenham.

So you can understand a bit better:
  • The name MacNevin is associated with being Catholic
  • The name Newenham is associated with being Protestant
* (The name Hasler is associated with Dublin Castle as being a Chamberlain for the Lord Lieutenant, so no connotations of this family, as compared to MacNevin and Newenham families)

Philip's lineage consists of his Father - Thomas Edwin MacNevin and Grandfather Richard Charles MacNevin. Richard was a brother to Thomas MacNevin Esq - the "Young Irelander".
Thomas MacNevin Esq, was part of "The Nation" magazine and performed as a Solicitor/Barrister/Poet in Dublin. He was deemed to be of the "Young Irelander" political movement in the 1830's/1840's. However Thomas died just before the insurrection of 1848, that was carried out. Thomas never got over the death of his Young Irelander friend - Thomas Davis and subsequently looks like he went into a very bad depression, as it affected him mentally - he died in an English Mental Asylum in 1848.
From my understanding, this Young Irelander movement was basically supporting Irish Nationalism and in form supported the "Repeal" of the Act of Union - 1800, under the O'Connell's direction. Some would say that this movement had the early formings of the IRA.

These MacNevin's (Daniel MacNevin - the Father and son's Thomas and Richard) were very heavily involved with "The Emancipator" - Daniel O'Connell, until Daniel turned his support (sold out) to the Whig Party and the MacNevin's basically disowned O'Connell.
As far as I can see, Philip's Father and Grandfather - Thomas and Richard never showed the prowess to Irish Nationalism as what Thomas MacNevin Esq had. That is not to say that behind closed doors they didn't support the Young Irelander movement, but I found basically nothing on these 2 individuals regarding Nationalism - even though they directly associated with O'Connell. Many publications of newspaper articles are around, but it does not suggest that Richard was every part of the Young Irelander movement than that of his brother, Thomas.

Richard was the Author / Rule maker of how to deal with "Encumbered Estates" during the 1840's famine and it's aftermath in the early 1850's. Richard made it clear, on how to instruct people dealing with Lost/Absentee Landlords and the Lands of Ireland in this pivotal period of human survival.
I am not sure if this book, was aimed at helping the Irish get over the famine, or was written under British Government instruction to help the English buy cheap land. The jury is still out.
Richard's Solicitor business was registered at : 8 Middle Gardiner Street, Dublin.
Ironically, Richard fratenised with William Keogh, a very controversial Judge at this address.

Son - Thomas Edwin, came to Australia in the late 1860's, just after his Father's death and made Australia home, initially it was Brisbane, but then he settled in Sydney.
I can find no Young Irelander sentiments in Thomas Edwin, during his life. His court cases, serving as a judge, never showed bigotry or favouring of one side of religion. He was a Catholic, in a predominately, Protestant society. He basically showed complete "transparency" to religious motives, certainly a far cry from today's society.

What makes this story a little more close to home, is that Young Irelander movement came to Australia, a few of them as either a Convict and penalised for their failed Insurrection, or escaped the convict route and took to exile.
One that sort of escaped, but was in exile was Sir Charles Gavan Duffy. Ironically he became a Victorian Premier. Duffy did try to sell the Young Irelander / O'Connell movement down in Melbourne, but was shouted down by the predominate Protestant public. It took a long time for the public to warm up to Duffy.

Now even a bit closer to home, Philip's wife Annie, she was the Granddaughter of Henry Hood Newenham.
Henry was working in the Water/Sewage board in the 1860's during the time Duffy, was it's Minister/Head of Dept.

Henry's Father (Edward Worth Newenham) and Grandfather (Sir Edward Newenham Irish MP), were both staunchly Protestant people and they both showed connotations of putting Catholics down (showed signs of a lesser class).
Henry amazingly, did not show this pattern and I find it ironic that he worked under Duffy without a fuss. Ironically, Henry's Grandfather probably would have been turning in his grave, knowing of this.

Richard Charles MacNevin, also dabbled into administering lands, one set of lands that he administered, was that of the Persse Lands of "Spring Garden" - Co. Galway (One of Henry Hood Newenham's close relatives, think this was an Uncle's Property). The closeness of family affairs between 3 families, is very apparent.

An image of Thomas MacNevin Esq - Young Irelander - sits in the National Gallery of Ireland here :
  

Thomas McNevin Esq - Image Only

Thomas MacNevin Main Gallery Page



Thomas's book on the Volunteers of 1782
Ironically, he also mentioned about relatives that served as Volunteers,
of the below Henry H Newenham

Richard C MacNevin's Book on how to deal with the lands after the 1840's Famine


Richard C MacNevin's Business Address in Dublin

Issue No.1 1899 - Parramatta & Districts Illustrated - Historical, Biographical, Industrial
Philip MacNevin with his daughter (my Great Grandmother) Dorothy May MacNevin - circa 1907

Henry Hood Newenham - 1805-1895 - Grandson of Sir Edward Newenham MP
Eliza Persse Newenham - 1842-1891 - Daughter of Henry Hood Newenham



Annie Hasler (Marie J MacNevin) - 1880 - 1930 - Daughter of Eliza Persse Newenham
She married Philip MacNevin.

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by Stories Of My Irish Families Friday, May 01, 2015 No comments

Friday 17 April 2015

Maternal connection through my Newenham / Burton Line to the Usher's

In recent weeks, through DNA technology, I have been able to identify, a little bit more of my lineage. Almost of "untold proportions" and this connection, also connects to more of a Lord Mayor of Dublin link than I ever thought of.

Most of this connection, is based upon Lady Grace Anna Newenham (nee Burton).
Lady Grace, was a Daughter of Sir Charles Burton - a former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Margaret Meredyth.
She was also a Grand Daughter of Alderman Benjamin Burton, also a former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Grace Stratford.
She married Sir Edward Newenham in 1754.

I am placing myself into "depths of the unknown", as my knowledge with the Burton lineage, is very little.
Most of my past research, was on Lady Grace's husband - Sir Edward Newenham, due to his involvement in the Irish Parliament of the 1700's, but most of this, was due to the fact that he was "Male" and his communication was well published.
Lady Grace's communication was seldom found. So I found it very difficult to concentrate on this line.

Until a few weeks ago, most was lost with this Burton line. I had to put this on the back burner as such. It sort of annoyed me, why I couldn't find descendants of this Burton/Newenham line.
But, to my amazement, when I least expected it, I then had contact from a person (a relative of a DNA tester), who's DNA linked to myself and my Mother's, with Burton/Newenham lineage.
Quickly, we established a line and the stories followed. Crazy feelings happen, when you can find "closeness" to using the science of technology.
We have now confirmed, on where we sit in our "cousin-age" - DNA testers are 5th Cousin's - 2 x removed.
The DNA was telling us that the Family Tree's were correct and that we did share a common ancestor. Initially, I was thinking the Newenham line, but quickly I realised that I may have made a mistake and it seemed much stronger, to show Lady Grace's DNA was coming through.

After finding this story, I tempted a little bit of fate and decided to see if my thoughts, of how to see the segments of DNA, was holding correct.
When I did a bit of trawling through the matched area of Chromosome 17, I discovered a Man who had the Usher name.
Unbeknownst to me, I didn't pick up on this straight away. It wasn't till I looked through the supplied Family Tree, that was sent to me from recent contact, did it uncover such a discovery.

The Maternal line of Lady Grace, contained a link to a daughter from an Usher (Ussher) /Loftus marriage. That is, Ann Usher - daughter of Sir William Usher & Isabella Loftus.
Lady Grace's Maternal Grandfather - Sir Richard Meredyth was a Grandson of Ann Usher.
So, when you do the math, that made Ann Usher, a 2nd Great Grandmother of Lady Grace and the marriage of Usher/Loftus, made it 3rd Great Grandparents to Lady Grace.

This was the most part of a "eureka" moment for me, discovering a "plausible" triangulated  lineage of DNA. But, I was a bit flabbergasted, as it seemed to be a few more generations than I expected.
What I did need to do, was to contact the Usher man, in hope that we could discuss this new found discovery. As this Usher connection, was still plausible, I had hoped for his Usher line to confirm a connection to this Burton/Newenham part of the Usher line. The contact was made by an "Educated Guess", as there was more than circumstantial evidence to go on.
After contact was made, he gladly supplied a Family Tree, in which divulged the connection.
He mentioned that his line was much closer to a British lineage of Usher's, but a few more generations further up, showed the Irish Usher connection.
The Usher Family Tree did show lineage to the area, where the Newenham/Burton Family Tree was thought to connect.
Both tree's, have now confirmed the connection. Unbelievable.
What I didn't know at the time, was that this line of Usher's had connection to being former Lord Mayor's of Dublin, as well. Small world.

But, to assist in proving this line, my Mother's DNA, did show the same segments in the same exact area of her Chromosome 17. Showing that I inherited a Maternal line segment that matched to now known family members.

The only thing that I just can't figure out yet, is that it feels that the Usher line is more distant from the paperwork/tree side, but it shows more of a slightly stronger/closer DNA connection, than that of the Burton/Newenham connection.
More research needed here.

Since this great discovery, it taught me one important thing. There are 2 parents to the DNA and that I was originally looking for the Newenham DNA, not the Burton DNA.
It did make me understand, that not to look at one parent. Though many years before DNA, I had a hunch on my DNA being "Burton-esq" as my Maternal family line, shares what I call the "Burton Nose".
The problem was, I had no way of proving it. Only photo's of relatives helped postulate this thought.

What also amazed me, is that these 3 DNA testers, are based in Australia - Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. It goes to show that you can look outside of Ireland and or USA/Canada to find the connection.

Below is the DNA segments, showing a connection and a photo of my maternal lineage.
  • First image, shows DNA segments with myself and my mother, on Chromosome 17, with triangulation to the Usher & Burton/Newenham connections.
  • Second Image, is a DNAGedcom view of the same connection. The 2 top matches are my parents, DNAGedcom can show "phasing" (Which side the DNA is coming from).
    The Red Arrow, shows the Burton/Newenham/Usher DNA connections.
  • Third image, shows my Grandmother, her Great Grandmother (Eliza Persse Newenham), and Eliza's Great Grandmother (Lady Grace)







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by Stories Of My Irish Families Friday, April 17, 2015 No comments

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