A good few of my ancestors came from County Kerry in southwest Ireland. They went by various names - Hicksons, Needhams, Ruddles and Byrnes. I visited Kerry for a few days in August and found myself thinking a lot about them, my forebears. I marvelled … Continue reading Back to Kerry. Part 1
Category: People
Chapel Lane
On the thirtieth of October 1872, George Byrne, husband of Sarah Byrne, died at home in Chapel Lane, Killarney. According to his death certificate he was 47 years old, and died of bronchitis, from which he had suffered for two years. He was a nailor … Continue reading Chapel Lane
William Byrne, trooper
My mother’s maternal grandparents were Irish. George and Susie Byrne came from Killarney, though not at the same time. Susie came first, when she was 16, with her parents and siblings, in 1877. George, who had known Susie in Ireland before her family left for … Continue reading William Byrne, trooper
Arrival
Early in the antipodean Spring of 1973 I stood on the deck of an old passenger ship, Ellinis, as it sailed through the heads of Sydney Harbour and made its way slowly towards the iconic Bridge and Opera House. It was the end of a … Continue reading Arrival
The passing of an archbishop
Recently (11 September 2018) I attended Donald Robinson’s funeral. Don was my father’s cousin, 10 years older than Dad. Their mothers were sisters, Gertie and Winnie Ross. I remember Don fondly because, among other things, he was the keeper of the family history, and a … Continue reading The passing of an archbishop
Forgotten tales 