FAHEY FAMILY - BALLYMACWARD 1790 - 1841

I am updating a message I posted here in November 2012. Ireland XO has grown so much since then and I believe there are now volunteers in the Ballymacwary-Gurteen Parish helping.

I am searching for information on ancestors John & Honor Fahey/Fahy of Ballymacward, Galway. Their 6 sons were assisted immigrants to Australia. The ship 'United Kingdom' sailed in May 1841 and arrived Sydney, Australia7th September 1841. Itstateson the Galway emigrantindex that both their parents 'had died' in 1841. I can't find anything prior to the Fahey brothers shipping records etc. The eldest son Thomas my Gx3Grandfather was 26 years old at that time and the eldest of the brothers. His wife Catherine (nee O'Neale/O'Neil) and daughter Bridget aged 3 accompanied Thomas on the ship. Unfortunately,Bridget died during the voyage from Measles.

I really want to find out about John & Honor Fahey of Ballymacward. Did they die in 1841, where did they live and where are they buried, is there still family in the area ? I suspect their life was impoverished and if they did pass away in 1841 maybe thats why the 6 sons all found work through an agent and left Ireland for Australia. They commenced paid employement the day after they arrived in Sydney (probably as arranged). They worked in Sydney for a few years and their employer helped them securefarming land at Appin (South of Sydney) NSW. Sadly, Thomas died in 1862. From my research I believethey were all very hard working men with large families to support who had the courage to immigrate to a country they knew little about in search of a better life.

Any help from the Ballymacward-Gurteen Parish would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Michelle