Im trying to find out more about a Thomas Whelan born Ireland approx 1772 who was convicted and sentenced to 7yrs transportation to Australia aboard the Atlas1 leaving 1801 and arriving in Sydney 1802. Im seeking more information about why Thomas was sentenced and parentage paricularly. Thomas died in Richmond Australia 1820. Any Information would be great thanks.
farramh:
The surname Whelan was/is very common in Ireland mainly found in large numbers in counties in Leinster province which would be the east and southeast of Ireland. The subscription site Roots Ireland has a 1770 and a 1776 baptismal records for a Thomas Whelan but we can't confirm any records without the parents names. Very few parishes have records back to 1772 and it is highly likely that your Thomas was baptized in one of those parishes.
Have you considered a DNA test? Possibly you will have matches that might shed some light on the origin of Thomas Whelan.
Roger McDonnell
The convicts record site notes that there were two Thomas Whelans on the Atlas. Your Thomas was from Queen's Co., Ireland, now called County Laois. This name was and is fairly common in Laois; sometimes it is spelled Phelan. I hope this is helpful.
Thanks so much for the replies. Rogerplease can you confirnm the details for the 1770 baptism as this was the original date I had for Thomas? Lastly is it possible to find ou court details for Thomas deportation? Thankyou Michelle
Michelle:
Thomas Whelan baptized January 31 1770 in the Tullow RC parish in Co. Carlow. Father Edmund Whelan Mother Catherine (no maiden name shown) Sponsors Patrick Hogan Catherine Keely. Here is a link to the parish register entry-left side Family lived in Ballymurphy
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000634589#page/25/mode/1up
Roger
RootsIreland lists two Thomas Whelans baptized in Laois in the 1780s, perhaps too late since your Thomas was believed to have been born around 1772. But the Atlas records state that your Thomas was from Queen's (Laois) not Carlow.
Do you have any other identifying info for Thomas? Names of siblings? children? headstone info? obituary?
Hi Patricia no not really only that Thomas was transported to Australia on the Atlas 1801 arriving 1802. Headstone no information and probably not buried in own grave.michelle
Hi Patricia no not really only that Thomas was transported to Australia on the Atlas 1801 arriving 1802. Headstone no information and probably not buried in own grave.michelle
Hi Patricia no not really only that Thomas was transported to Australia on the Atlas 1801 arriving 1802. Headstone no information and probably not buried in own grave.michelle
Hi Patricia no not really only that Thomas was transported to Australia on the Atlas 1801 arriving 1802. Headstone no information and probably not buried in own grave.michelle