Fielding = Collins, Ballinspittal c1840
Hi, I found information on my ancestors Patrick Fielding who married Catherine Collins in Ballinspital around 1840 (give or take a couple of years). They had the following children, all born in the region: Mary Fielding c1842, Phillip Fielding c1841, Owen/Eugene c1845, Michael Fielding c1844. My ancestor was Mary Fielding. The family moved from the region before 1850 and went to Penarth in South Wales, where my mother was born (1930). I know they married in the local church as I found the record and made a visit a few years ago but I would dearly love to know more about their families. The Fielding name is also known as Phaley and I believe sometimes they used simply Field in Wales. Catherine Collins was said by the family to be a relative of Michael Collins and although I thought this was speculation at first an old aunt in the family told me a story that makes me wonder. She said when she was a little girl of around 8 (living in Penarth) an Irish man, a member of the family visited one day. He had a lovely silver whistle, which caught the little girl's eye and kindly he gave it to her. She ran out onto the street showing it with pride to her friends. One day about a week later she was playing with it still when a policeman walked past and snatched it from her! Bemused, she asked for it back - to be told she couldn't have it back as it was a "real policeman's whistle" - and she never saw it again. The family visitor from Ireland was named Michael Collins. Thank you kindly for your time. Theresa
