Holly/Hally/Holley and Carey/Carew families of Golden and Kilfeacle - connections with Ryan family?
William Holley/Holly/Hally and his wife, Nancy (Anne) Carey/Carew, arrived in Sydney, Australia, on the Helen on 21 July 1841, with children Richard (17), Catherine (16), John (13), Juliet (12), Margaret (10), Patrick (9), Thomas (6), Michael (4), and Honora/Nora (9 months).
William was described as 38, a native of Golden, Tipperary, son of Richard, a farmer (dead), and Margaret Quinney/Cooney living there. Nancy was 35, a native of Kilfeacle, Tipperary, daughter of Walter Carey/Carew, a farmer, & Judy Welch/Walsh, both living there. William Holley died in Sydney on 18 February 1884, said to be aged 93. He was probably born around 1795, and reduced his age on immigration to qualify for the Bounty Scheme. Nancy died 0n 11 July 1892, said to be 98, so she was also probably born around 1795.
The only extant Irish records I've been able to confirm for the family are three baptisms, in the Golden and Kilfeacle register:
- In 1836, Thomas Hally was born to William Hally and Anne Carew, and baptised on 8 March that year. Sponsors (godparents) were Denis Ryan and Honora Ryan and the family was living in Springmount, a substantial estate owned by the White family, slightly to the north-west of the village of Golden.
- In 1838, Michael Hally was born (baptised 27 August, with sponsors John Carew and Margaret Ryan); the family is recorded as living in Golden itself.
- And in 1840, Honora Hally was born (baptised 29 November, with sponsors Jas Ryan and Julianne Walsh); the family was living in Golden-land.
The surname Ryan is prominent as sponsors for these Hally baptisms. More recently, DNA links have been found that hint at a strong family connection with Tipperary Ryans who emigrated to Australia and North America. Any help on pinning down this connection would be wonderful!!
