I am researching the Hennessy family from Tullow County of Carlow pre 1829. Michael Hennessy was tried at Carlow on the 26th March 1829 for stealing bank notes and was sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. He arrived in Sydney onboard 'Larkins' 22nd December 1829. I think his parents were Andrew and Bridget Hennessy. I would like to trace this line. Thank you.
Frances Cairns
Frances:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
I assume your Michael was Roman Catholic.
I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find a baptismal record for Michael Hennessy even though the Tullow RC records go back to 1739. However, there appears to be a gap in the baptismal records for 1802 thru May 1807 and possibly Michael was born in the gap period and his record would not be available https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0735 I also did not find baptismal records for any children of Andrew Hennessy and a wife Bridget. Also did not see a marriage record. Perhaps the marriage and baptisms occurred in another parish which does not have records back to 1830 and earlier.
Roger McDonnell
Thank you Roger,
The information about Michael Hennessy was passed to me by Orange NSW Family History Group with a typed report from the Carlow Morning Post dated Monday March 30 1829 regarding the stealing offence.
Is there anyway to check the conviction recorded at the Carlow Assizes on Thursday 26th March 1829 and transportation details in August 1829?
Yes, Michael Hennessy was Roman Catholic.
Would it be possible to find out what became of his mother, Bridget after imprisonment in Carlow Gaol?
Frances
Frances:
I checked the subscription site FindMyPast and the earliest court records they show for a Michael Hennessy in Carlow was in 1857. You don't see many court records back to 1829. I don't have any suggestions on Bridget.
Roger
Thank you Roger. I will look into it.
Hi Frances,
I'm a descendant of Michael Hennessy (great, great...great, I think! grandfather) and I'll be curious to see where your search takes you in finding out more about him. I've visited his grave in Kurrajong, NSW, and know why he was transported here after his and his mother's trial. I'd love to know more about the family going back further than that!
Kind regards,
Vicki Moore
Hi Frances and Vicki
My wife is also a direct descendant of Michael Hennessy and she was born in Australia but moved back to Ireland with me. I traced the family tree back to his parents in Tullow in Carlow. My grandparents are also coincidentally from Carlow. Would be happy to share any information and would also love to find out more about his parents history - I was able to find out that Michaels father later moved to England.
Thanks
John
This enquiry was 4 years ago and I am no longer researching Hennessy.