Hi Rachel
My name is Michaela and I am the great Grandaughter of Mary Cavanagh.and James Walsh. I too am conducting ancestry searches on my great grandfather, James Walsh and Mary Cavanagh.
My grandmother, Mary Walsh, born 4th May 1915 in Oughterard, Tuam, Galway and her sister Nora Walsh, born 24th August 1922, were both taken to live in a convent, following the death of my great grandfather James.
My grandmother Mary, revealed, very little information, regarding her early life in Galway. My mother Eileen, Mary's daughter, was told that her brothers were sent over to America to live with relatives, my grandmother gave no explanation as to why this was!. My grandmother said that her father James, was killed at work, where he was working as a groomsman, James, was apparantly, kicked by a horse, this apparantly occured in 1922, unknown location. James and Mary, lived in a cottage, in the grounds of the estate, where Mary , was permitted to remain, for a further twelve months following James's death.
My great grandmother, as stated, then placed the two girls in a convent, Mary, aged eight and Nora, just a baby. It is unknown as to why and the convent name is unknown. In 1924, I believe, my great grandmother, married a Mr. Patrick Byrne, in Tuam, Galway in 1924, and subsequently, followed him to England, where I believe, he came to find work.
Both daughters remained in the convent in Ireland until my grandmother, Mary, at thirteen years of age, somehow, left the convent and sailed to England alone, to be with her mother. Nora was sent for, again, no information, as to whom it was the brought Nora over to England. Neither of them saw their brothers again.
My great grandmother passed away in Leigh, Lancashire, England in 1967. My grandmother, Mary, passed away in 1993.
Any information would be greatly appreciated, to assist me in piecing together, the lives of my grandmothers' brothers.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Michaela