Hi Joan, best of luck with locating your ancestoral parish.
I am working on a project researching 26 Galway men, who were convicted in 1832 and transported to Australia for life. One of the men was John Mulville (Melvin) Melville. Click on link to see some of their stories so far.
https://heritage.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/topics/as-per-ship…
Currently researching John Melville and it seems he came from Kilcolgan/ Kinvara vicinity. This has to be confirmed yet.
John Melville was born in 1800 in Galway, Ireland, his father, was Jeremiah. John married Bridget Kelly in 1825. It is believed he had two children during their marriage. At the age of 32 he was found guilty of the crimes of assembling in arms and forcibly entering the houses of several persons, administering illegal oaths and sentenced to life in Australia. They arrived in Port Jackson Australia on September 6th 1832 on board the ship Eliza. His son Francis Melville (Melvin) immigrated to Australia in 1853 on the ship Earl of Elgin. Other family members also came out on the ship China in 1854 Nephew John Melville(18 yrs) Michael Kelly (21 yrs) John Burke(27 years a cousin, Anne Rowland niece.
It states in the Dublin Observer in April 1832 at the Galway assizes – Monday that “Michael Kelly, John Kelly, John Mulvihill, and Patrick Connane, were capitally indicted for having, on the night of the 23rd September assemble in arms and forcibly entered the house of several persons, specified in indictment, administering illegal oaths, and taking there from arms, There were several counts in the indictments.
The Jury, after a short absence, brought a verdict of guilty against all, recommending John Kelly and Mulville to mercy. The Judge stated that their recommendation should be attended to, but he could not give hope for further mitigation that transportation for life. Sentence not passed. –Argus”.
If I make any connection to your ancestors I will let you.
Paula
