24. Images Tell Stories - Part 2

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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23. Images Tell Stories

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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22. The Persse's of Roxborough - Co. Galway

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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21. Waterloo 1815 and family connections (200 Years)

 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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20. My Direct Male Lineage to Ireland

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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19. My Direct Female Lineage to Ireland

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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18. The MacNevin's / Newenham's & the "Young Irelander's"

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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17. Burton / Usher (Ussher) Lineage - DNA & Maternal Family links

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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16. Who killed Lt. Charles Burton Newenham? - Toulon France 1793

In search of who killed Lt. Charles Burton Newenham - 1793

Departing from Genetic Genealogy for a bit, I wanted to focus on a story that I can't keep my mind off.

With the 200 years anniversary of the end of Napoleon's reign, coming up in June 2015, I wanted to step back a further 22 years into 1793.

After the last few years, I used my Maternal lineage - namely the Newenham family, to put me in the right direction of researching families. Not because of what they did, but they were well documented from a certain point of view. The documentation that supported events on things, that was said within the family, was a great learning tool. I used historical notes to support family stories.

But something has come up, that I need to talk about.

A great story of Family pride, Warships, The British Navy taking Toulon in 1793 with very strong connotations to Navy Officers - Horatio Nelson and Samuel Hood, Family sadness and a lingering Family name that lived on for years to come.

This story centers around Lt. Charles Burton Newenham, in particular - the death of him.

The image up above is believed to be of C.B.N in Navy Dress, just prior to his death. It is a "photograph" of a portrait that may have been compiled around the 1870's by a distant Great Grandfather of mine, who was a professional Photographer.

If anyone can help to support the Navy uniform and if it suggests a unit or type of rank, I'll take the advice.

Now, C B N, was born around c.1767, possibly in either Dublin or Cork, Ireland, but Dublin seems to fit in his Father's "Parliamentarian" occupation.

He was the 11th Child (3rd Surviving Male) of Sir Edward Newenham and Lady Grace Anna Burton.

C B N was named after his Maternal Grandfather and former Dublin Lord Mayor - Sir Charles Burton.

It seems that he was to follow after his namesake, into Military action.

Not much is known about C B N's early life, but it seems when he become of age, he went straight into the Military, namely the British Navy. From there, he was catapulted into sailing the seas.

The story and the main basis of this post, is on C B N and his involvement with the taking of Toulon, France in 1793. It has a deep story that evolved with Napoleon Bonaparte' and his uprising forces.

C B N, was based on a Ship called "HMS Windsor Castle". He was under the command of

Captain - Sir Thomas Byard.

HMS Windsor Castle was a 98 gun, 2nd rate ship and was the "Flagship" for Vice Admiral Phillips Cosby.

The Windsor Castle formed part of Lord Samuel Hood's assault on the bay that surround the town of Toulon, France.

When the French Monarchy fell during the Revolution, the British felt like they were compelled to assist in settling/restoring the Monarchy, but faced a deep and aggressive uprising against them when they attended Toulon. Namely from Napoleon and his Revolutionary forces.

The British landed and took Toulon around August 1793 and assisted in control of the city.
But there were revolutionary forces about, namely Napoleon. They set about retaking the cities around Toulon.

It seems a decision from the hierarchy of the British Navy (Hood or Nelson?), allowed a push of their forces on to the land and then proceeded to infiltrate certain defences (Fort's) to bolster the perimeter, in case of action with the Revolutionary's.
It looks like it was only a few days after they landed in Toulon, C B N was sent out with a party, to Fort Pomets (Pommets and or Fort des Pomets), to perform garrison duties.

Fort Pomets, is posted about 4-5 KM's North West of Toulon, was noted as an "outer lying" Fort.
It was positioned on a hilltop and was probably favorably built, for it's view that overlooked the City of Toulon.

Top View of Fort Pomets : 

Northern Side of Fort Pomets, looking South, back towards the City of Toulon

  

Top View of Fort Pomets (showing the City of Toulon vs Fort Pomets)

 

Attacking Fort Pomets was not all that hard, as it was easily "cutoff" from reinforcements, if the attacker knew where to attack from.
Sometime, during the day of the 24th September 1793, the Fort was attacked by someone, most possibly of the Revolutionary Forces. Initial thoughts was that is Napoleon's force, but it's not exactly sure who, as Napoleon was on the South Western corner of Toulon a few days before (if this is correct?) Napoleon was on his way to take Toulon back around these few days.

*Recent diggings on Napoleon's whereabouts, have netted that he was West of the City and around the 16th of September, Napoleon then left for the Bay of Toulon and entered into the dealings of "taking of Toulon".
Napoleon, was located near the bay of Toulon, firing his cannons at the British Naval Ships, inflicting serious damage around the 20th of September.
*

With these stouch's of the Northern side of the City, Lt Charles Burton Newenham lead his force into defending the Fort. Somehow, the attacking force managed to get into the Fort and they defeated the British defence.

In doing so, C B N was wounded and died within an hour of receiving his wounds.

This death was noted by Lord Hood and other historical sources. Lord Hood felt compelled to say at the least that : "HM has lost a very promising young officer, his gallant defense of the Fort, does him infinite honour".

HMS Windsor Castle's log dated 25th September and Lord Hood's Letter to P. Stephens (aboard the HMS Victory) in Toulon dated 27th September, note of C B N's death (above details are from those letters/logs).

A while after C B N's death, around December 1793, Napoleon finally took back Toulon, the British retreated.
The British made a mistake or under estimated, Napoleon's efforts to hold Toulon.

Now what's interesting about the death of C B N and his force, IMHO, that it was almost a "death march" mission from the start. If C B N had of pulled it off, it would have been by sheer luck.

Everything about this mission, was not greatly thought out from a hierarchical view and from a Fort design sense. Notes about the Fort, say was that it was poorly designed and poorly positioned.

So in essence - 4 things accounted for the death of C B N :

• the British Navy's thoughts/plans and strategies, on how to defend the garrison Fort Pommets
• the design/position of the Fort
• the Force that attacked Fort Pomets
• the commanding skills/weapons at hand of C B N and the experience of his force, whilst under attack
  

But the burning question is, who really killed C B N?

After some research, I thought it was Napoleon, but I can basically rule out Napoleon now (due to his placement in the days preceding C B N's death). But I'm guessing some form of Napoleon Revolutionary Force or Militia formed by Local Republicans. In today's world of the litigious nature, the judicial system would almost have blamed the British Navy and or Nelson or Hood for C B N's death, rather than the Revolutionary's. My opinion is based on the decisions of Lord Hood and Nelson.

Now, when news got back to Ireland, to the Newenham family, it sent shock waves and the family was devastated. All hope was lost for a son to be stationed under the British Navy. In particular under Lord Hood.

In another form of interesting links, many years later and many generations of children/grand children that spawned from Sir Edward and Lady Grace, it almost always included a child named Charles Burton Newenham (or variants of) - the name was based originally from Lady Grace's Father - Sir Charles Burton, but many references also point to the family honouring the Lieutenant, when he fell at Toulon.

With this, 3 children off the eldest son of Sir Edward/Lady Grace - (Edward Worth Newenham 1762-1832) went to serve in the Military.

• Edward Worth Newenham   - 1787-1867
• William Persse Newenham  - 1790-1866
• Robert Burton Newenham    - 1793-1823?

These 3 Grandchildren served in different facets of the Napoleonic era.
The irony here, is that Edward went to War, but became shipwrecked off the French Coast and was captured. He was then sent to Verdun in 1806, well away from the frontline, so he couldn't rejoin his forces straight away - if he escaped. He stayed in Verdun voluntarily until his death.

William fought in many Navy battles and showed quite exemplary service with "courage under fire". He was very well known to Lord Hood.

Robert Burton became part of history, as he served on the days during the June 1815 campaign of Waterloo when Napoleon "fell". Robert survived "Waterloo", but died from wounds in India in 1823.

The last bit of this story, is that a younger brother to the 3 above men, was named after Lord Hood.

Lord Hood was also his Sponsor (Godparent/Guardian)

His name was Henry Hood Newenham - 1805-1895. Henry was a 4th Great Grand Father to me

Lt. Charles Burton Newenham was an Uncle to Henry. Charles was a 5th Great Grand Uncle to me

Below is a Newspaper article depicting some of the above, but also other Newenham family members serving in a very similar situation.

Article was from details supplied by Henry Hood Newenham's daughter Caroline Pitman.

13 March 1897 - Melbourne Argus

Resources : 

• Kent History Forum (now closed to further postings)
  Kent History Forum - HMS "Windsor Castle"
• "Lord Hood And The Defence Of Toulon" by J.HOLLAND ROSE
  (Page 138 contains C B N's death)
• "Sir Edward Newenham - Defender of the Protestant Constitution" by James Kelly (Four Courts Publishing)
• Family Documents
• Trove : trove.nla.gov.au

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15. Still working on Paternal Lineage that leads on to "Native Irish"

Am I of "Native Irish" Blood or I am of Norman Blood?

Since I last posted, I'm getting into something much deeper, than I expected.
That is, my Paternal Line (Y-DNA) has shone a light to mostly being of "Native Irish" descent, but I struggle to comprehend how deep this goes.

I have placed myself in a few DNA projects and finally seeing a trend, that doesn't seem to fit with what I know of. My surname is supposed to carry the story of the Norman Conquest of Ireland in 1169 AD. But interestingly, I do not show the Y-DNA Haplogroup to Normandy or any other earlier European/African DNA structure.

When you visit the Fitzgerald DNA project, it seems to list the Haplogroups in the the oldest origins (at the top) to the newest origins (at the bottom).
The top of the list shows of African descent (earliest ancestor) and at the bottom shows me. In the middle, you can see the human migration coming out of Africa, sprawling out to Middle Europe/Asia/Western Europe, then heads North to Norway or across the sea to England/Scotland then to Ireland.
The very bottom of this list, shows quite a few people that don't yet fully connect with the DNA Project (they have to wait/hope for someone to do a Y-DNA test and help them connect to a lineage in the project)

For some reason, I now fit in the last defined Haplogroup timeline of migration. Why?

I am in thought of this question and what it means. But is very apparent, that my lineage connects to ancient Munster-Ireland and it converges strongly with the Native Irish and some form of Scottish/Viking Ancestors.
Some Fitzgerald's were placed in Munster but left Munster and headed for Scotland (by the way of Wars or they hand no lands and they were displaced - etc etc)

Therefore, the Fitzgerald's of Munster can only be there, around 1169 AD or later. If my Y-DNA proves to predate this era, we most certainly have a Native Irish / Scottish or Viking somewhere in the mix.

I can see this connection, but I don't know which way to read it. Did the Scots come to Munster, or did my Ancestors go to Scotland?
Either way, the Davies-Caldwell names dominate my closest 67 Marker (5th Genetic distance)
The Bonham (English or Scottish?) name also dominates the 25 Marker with majority being exact matches on the 12 and 25 Markers. How interesting.

I've also learnt that the Irish O'Hearn name is still the only dominate name (111 Marker) in my Y-DNA.
This name carries quite a few name variant's - O'Hearne/Ahearn/Ahern/Ahren and all these  seems to stem of the one family name Herron.
Interesting enough, I don't have any of these names in my Autsomal DNA, but I do have a few Herrod's - are they the same? Don't know, but they match pretty close.
From what I have learnt, the O'Hearn name was thought to be of the Dál gCais (or connected with Brian Boru / O'Brien), they connected to the Desmond Fitzgerald's with Lord Roche in wars.
This is as far as I have been able to establish any form of connection, however, there isn't enough evidence to support any "proven" link just yet, just it's a bit co-incidental at this stage. 

It has made me step back a little and try and understand, how much of a "Fitzgerald really am I.

Based on the fact that there is very little Fitzgerald "Surname" involvement (on Autosomal and Y-DNA), we must bear in mind that we (most likely), descend off a Native Male who "adopted" the Fitzgerald surname.
On the upside, we do somewhat connect to a lot of people who mingled with the Fitzgerald's of Munster (O'Sullivan, McCarthy, Barry, Shea - etc). There is also a connection coming out of Limerick and has to do with the Collin's surname. As further testing has revealed that we descend off an offshoot of the Ancient "Collins/O'Donovan" families, could be classified under the Ui' Fidgenti dynasty, with a taint towards a Scottish (maybe Viking) male.

This postulates a hypothesis, that my direct Paternal line of Y-DNA, stops at a Female Fitzgerald and throws a thought that there is Native Irishman, or a Scottish / Viking person in the mix.

I'm guessing that if this is somewhat true, the Female married a lesser (?) Male family line and the Fitzgerald name carried over to the children. Or did indeed a Female Fitzgerald have children or grandchildren that re-entered the Fitzgerald line down a few generations (A daughter or children from any daughter of the Female Fitzgerald re-marrying a Male Fitzgerald)
This is where my DNA is messed up, it isn't clear yet, but the above hypothesis is based from family thoughts that there maybe a Female Fitzgerald as our ancestor.
If you research any of the known Fitzgerald lines, you will come across many different cross-overs of branches due to a marriage - (Desmond's-Kildare etc)

My Maternal ancestry has taught me very well in this area (1st cousins marrying 1st cousins, who's children marry direct cousins). Almost Ashkenazi like.

But the Y-DNA is quite clear on a Fitzgibbon name. About a handful of Fitzgibbon's, appear both on my kit and my Father's kit , with quite a bit of "closeness" (More than expected). But what is weird, is that various versions of the "Gibbon" name - (McGibbon/Giboney/etc), appear on both kits on the Autosomal DNA.
I am seeing a very distant connection via people using GEDMatch and they also connect to Fitzgerald people, but when I try to join the dots, it's very distant.
A recent update to the 111 marker @ 8th Genetic Distance, shows a strong trend to a Fitzgibbon lineage. This is showing quite the strong connection to, again Limerick (River Shannon area)

At the very least, are we a product of Rape (Wars / Plunder & Pillage)? Not ruling this out just yet.

Though in finishing, I'm trying to use a life story of a man called Robert Appleyard Fitzgerald. He was known as a "Geraldine" Fitzgerald from Limerick.
His life in Australia has a weird circumstantial connectivity to my initial Irish Fitzgerald immigrants.
Robert A Fitzgerald, landed in Sydney, Australia within a few days of my immigrants - Jan 1841. Both separate lineages of Fitzgerald's, became part of the same church at the same time (St.James - Sydney).
Both of them had Church ceremonies within a couple weeks of each other - Robert's daughter was married and my 3rd Great Grand Uncle - Robert Fitzgerald was baptised under the St. James Church.
Very interesting how close circumstances were, that the child's name was Robert - but no known sponsors came forward. A little too circumstantial to just drop.
The research continues.

I'll leave it there for now.

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14. DNA Testing, Results and Thoughts Part 2 - Y-DNA & Autsomal DNA Picture Maps

Part 2 - Y-DNA & Autsomal DNA Picture Maps

Well, here is my Y-DNA & Autosomal details as based in images.
(Please click on the images for separate viewing)

FTDNA - Ethnic Origin

 

Gedmatch Details - Admixture with Oracle (4 Populations) :

FTDNA Details of my Y-DNA 67 Marker links :

GEDMatch Autosomal Admixture K13 :

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13. DNA Testing, Results and Thoughts Part 1 - Y-DNA and the Irish Fitzgerald connection.

Part 1 - Y-DNA and the Irish Fitzgerald connection.

About 10-11 Months have passed, quite a lot of data has been collated, but still not fully understood (would have to be a professor to understand it?). But it has shone a light, that I am on to something, quite extraordinary, particularly heading to my Paternal heritage.

In essence, I initially used the DNA to trace connections to my Maternal heritage, but after a while it seemed to become stonewalled, because I could not connect with surety, of other Family DNA matches other than the Irish "Galway" Persse family.
I had no other people who I could communicate with, on known paperwork and how their lines integrated.
There were some Maternal lines names that showed what I thought was a connection, but I couldn't show how.
As I was stonewalled a bit, I took a step back and reevaluated how else I could bridge this wall.
The only way I knew how, even though it was starting from scratch again, was to see if I could connect my Paternal line to my Maternal line, using methods that I learned from checking one family. It sounds simple, but trust me, it isn't.
And the concept now, is to use the Y-DNA to see if I can use a point of reference to come back to my Maternal lines. As a side note, the connection could also lie within my Father's Maternal line, as that was Irish/English (Autosomal).
I wanted to see how much of this "dynastical" Fitzgerald family, I have in me.

The most interesting thing that shows quite a bit of a trend and that it's kinda weird, is that my Maternal and Paternal lines have very strong Irish connectivity, I am seeing a flip flop of connections.
That is, what names connect up on my Father's side, finds a connection to my Mother's DNA.
And what names my Mother's side has, shows up connecting with my Father's DNA.
I suppose in a way, the surname "Fitzgerald", was aptly known for being "More Irish than the Irish". Ha!

For instance, a person named 'Butler' in my Autosomal DNA, seems to have connection with my Father's name (in medieval times - The Fitzgerald's vs The Butler's) and shows some DNA segments in close comparison to the Paternal line, but yet the Autosomal DNA is through my Mother.
My Mother and Myself match the same 'Butler', but yet the DNA segments mimic that Paternal pattern. The 'Butler', is not an Autosomal match to my Father.

And in the vice-versa situation, based on some of my Autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA, 3 O'Driscoll's that match Myself and my Father on the Autosomal DNA around 3rd cousins, show up in my mtDNA (Maternal only DNA) at the 3rd Genetic Distance. What!!??
How can 3 Autosomal Paternal line matches also match to your Direct Maternal lineage?
I am suspecting a connection by the MacCarthy clan here, most possibly of the West Cork/Kerry regions, as on both sides of my parents, they share minor Autosomal matches to different MacCarthy's.
On my Father's Maternal line (Humphries Line), he has a known "Lismore" - MacCarthy link there. This should not affect the Y-DNA, but rather to show up as an Autosomal match? (if that logic holds??)

I haven't found a direct paternal line MacCarthy yet. But I do know there is known Fitzgerald/MacCarthy (Earls of Kildare Lineage) historical ties to one another. I haven't found if we fit into this category yet.

There is also, quite a remarkable connection to the far West Cork area.
Around the Skibbereen district. It involves the O'Shea's and the Collins families.
The Collins name, is on my Father's Direct Maternal line and is supposed to be of English origin, however the DNA is showing more of a "Native" Irish connection, rather than a Normandy/French one. Wow!
The O'Shea's are also part of the South Irish group.

Anyway, what is remarkable so far, is the Y-DNA is showing quite the guiding light.
It isn't the bright white-guiding light, with an angelic figure to guide me the way in a dark tunnel type of thing, but rather a dim frosted - hazy glass light in a dark tunnel laced with a misty fog. Still feeling my way round the tunnel, but I can see where I need to go.
It has revealed that I am of the "South Irish" DNA group. It is also known as "Irish Type II" or CTS4466 Y-DNA Haplogroup.
It is predominantly based around the area known as 'Munster'.

Somehow my ancestors mingled with families in this area. Along the lines of the MacCarthy / O'Sullivan (or connotations to the Eóghanacht native dynasties) and their absorbed clans, it also seems by historical knowledge that my ancestors were most possibly, of the Desmond Geraldine's and they too, somehow became absorbed with this Munster MacCarthy / O'Sullivan connection.

What came of light within the last couple of weeks, is that my lineage mingled closely, with an O'Hearn/Ahearn/Ahern (+ many other variants) family.
In this CTS4466 group, I am of the SNP of A195+, which seems to connect with the O'Hearn's, but it is, only at the 9th Genetic Distance. As yet, Myself or my Father, have no Autosomal DNA match to the O'Hearn (+ Variant) name. But many people around this CTS4466 group, do share Autosomal matches with Myself & my Father, so it compounds the Y-DNA story, that indeed my Y-DNA is of the South Irish. But is the above Y-DNA set to a time period? I am not sure, but it seems to be centered around the 1300's (educated guess). The CTS4466 DNA group, goes on to a much earlier time period - well before 1000 AD.

As I am supposed to be descendant of the Norman Invasion, I suppose I can only be classified as CTS4466 "Native Irish" from before 1169 AD - logical deduction. The Norman domination worked it's way into Munster around 1177 AD.
And my interpretation of this CTS4466, shows it's predominately centered around the 6th/7th Genetic Distance on my Y-67 Marker.

*As a side note in history, the 2 half brothers - FitzGerald/Fitz Stephen, initially raided Ireland in 1169 AD, the Strongbow/Fitzgerald invasion, wasn't until 1171 AD. And the push to Western Cork with the MacCarthy's was around 1177 AD.

What is really interesting on the Y-67, is at the 5th Genetic Distance, it shows a much different scenario.
That is, it shows a weird Scottish, maybe Welsh connection. Davis/Davies and a Caldwell/Colwell seems to dominate this era.
Almost like a line in the sand, we have an ancient connection to the Munster people, but a closer tie to some Scottish/Welsh connections. Based at Northern Ireland (Co. Donegal is mentioned quiet a bit).

Back to the stronger Y-DNA connection, there is some information regarding this O'Hearn family, together with the Desmond Fitzgerald's and Lord Roche based on Military ties in the medieval times.
Some other information ties these 2 families up, but it's still not confirmed which Desmond Fitzgerald this was. Maybe somewhere around the 4-6th Earl?
Some of my information is based upon Dr Paul MacCotter's research.

But due to the fluctuating marriages of the Fitzgerald's in the medieval times - i.e intermarrying between the factions, we could possibly have this issue in my DNA.
And could well be steering me into a promising lead, albeit not the most dominant connection. So in essence, I could be off a Desmond Fitzgerald line, but could have been tainted with a Kildare-ian, White Knight or Knights of Kerry line that could be steering me on a smaller connection, rather than to find the true Paternal lineage.
My Direct Maternal (Irish) lineage is laced with 'intermarrying' cousins - (Persse/Newenham), so I suppose it's only fair for the Paternal to get involved as well. Who would have thought.
This is a Paternal hypothesis, but my Maternal knowledge has taught me to be wary of this problem.

Now, some other weird unconfirmed documentation, supports a hypothesis, that in more recent times, this Fitzgerald / Ahern family mingled.
As I have found a land lease regarding, on what is regarded to possibly be a Fitzgerald connection.
It shows a Thomas Fitzgerald leasing land of the Smith/Ahern family in 1826, on the South Eastern side of Cork City.
It does not show if this is a connection to my line, other than that I can place my 4th GGF in Cork City at the time (he would have been around 16 at the time of this lease date - can a 16 year old own/rent/lease land?)

My Fitzgerald lineage goes back to Cork City, with association to being in the Carpentry (or a Wheelwright?) trade. I know there is listings for 2 or 3 Fitzgerald's around Evergreen Road around the 1830's and that they had been Carpenter's, but I still have not proven if there is connection to these Fitzgerald's.

There is a Irish Birth Record, showing my 4th GGF was born under the Catholic Church (Dunbar Street - South Parish), but swapped religions for the C of I when he got married in the 1837 era (this is suspected, as the note of marriage in the Casey Collection, does not define the Church, but mentions that "Marriages not mainly of Catholic" - That's a great analogy isn't it).
Thomas and Eliza (Elizabeth) Fitzgerald traveled to Australia around the 1841 era. They were noted as under the Protestant Church of St. James in Sydney, Australia by 1841/1842 era. And that his descendants stayed that way until my Great Grandfather swapped us back to the Catholic side. Funnily enough, he married a Sheehan (believe she may have been the driving force of the Catholic swap over?). The Sheehan name is showing signs of a West Cork connection.

The search continues.

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