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Ellen Driscoll Hanlon of Skibbereen and husband John Hanlon of County Cork

I am looking for information on my great great grandmother, Ellen Driscoll Hanlon. After many years of research I think have found some information about her, but would like some confirmation or more information.

Ellen was born to Jeremiah Driscoll of County Cork about 1820. Family story states that both Ellen and her husband, John Hanlon, were convicts in Australia. Ellen for stealing a shawl and John for stealing bread. What I found was that Ellen Driscoll, born 1820 was convicted of stealing a shawl in Skibbereen 7 April 1842 and sentenced to 2 months factory work. I found a John Hanlon transported to Australia on the Heber in 1837 for passing base coin. The physical description matches a photo I have of my great grandfather. I know that their daughter Mary was born in South Cardiff, Wales in 1856 and that by 1858 the family was in Ohio, USA. I have no passenger records and no marriage records. On a census document Ellen states that 4 of her children died. I found a John Hanlon, born in 1810 (right year) as a sponsor/witness for what I assume are his siblings marriages in the community of Waterfall. Any help would be greatly appreciated! (Also, planning to make a second trip to Ireland this summer)

Marty Of Ohio, USA

newmartyyoung2…

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Hi Marty,

I did find one record for the baptism on irishgenealogy.ie on the church records tab...since you mention she was convicted in Skibbereen, that is the parish she is most likely from. While there are many Ellen Driscolls in the record, I only found one with a father named Jeremiah, in Skibbereen around 1820.

Ellen Driscoll, 4 Apr 1821, residence - High Street, parents - Jeremiah Driscoll & Ellen Conolly, sponsors - John Davis & Mary Driscoll.

Can you please clarify your post? Did Ellen go to Australia too or just John Hanlon? If so, did they marry there? If so, I think it's unlikely they then went to Wales in 1856 and then the US in 1858. That seems like a lot of traveling for that time period given the long distances and expense.

I am happy to look further at records in Ireland after clarification.

Regards,

Carolyn

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