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Richard Walker/Ann Maguire/Life for single mother in 1840's Ireland

KildareCarbury (Kildare)

Richard Walker and Ann Maguire married 5 March 1832 in Carbury, Kildare. They had 3 children Margaret born 1833 (haven't found record), John born 1835 (haven't found record) and Richard born 1836 and baptised January 1837 all in Carbury. Richard was sentencedon 23March 1837 to life as a transported convict to Australia forassualt androbbery. He committed his crime with two others named Michael Maguire (I assume he is related to Richard's wife) and William Halligan who were also transported to Australia with Richard Walker. They were detained in Kilmainham Gaol until 25 March 1837 when they departed Ireland on the convict ship named Calcutta. They arrived in Australia on 4 August 1837. Richard was assigned to Thomas Maquoid who was the Sheriff of the Supreme Court of New South Wales who owned land named Waniassa which today is a suburb of Canberra, ACT. Ann his wife remained in Ireland with their three children until 1847 when they were given permission to join Richard in Australia.They departed Ireland on the convict ship Waverley although they were free settlers. Sadly Ann died from Dysentry at sea 4 days before reaching Australia. This was at the time of the Irish famine and we would like to know something about how single motherswith their children survived or obtained money to buy food etc or even what their living conditions were like. Also anyfurther information on the Walkerand Maguire family would be greatly appreciated. Baptism recordsof Margaret and John Walker would also be welcome. We are visiting Ireland inearly October 2016 to explore further our Irish roots so any information to enhance our visit would be wonderful.

IrelandXO member

3 replies

Nanna C 30:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

In case you have not reviewed the register for Carbury RC parish, here is the link http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0696

I looked on Roots also and found an 1833 baptismal record for a John Waker in Carbury. Mother was Ann but father Henry. See below.

There were no Walkers or Maguires in the 1852 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Carbury parish. However, I also looked at the Griffiths for Dunfierth civil parish which is northeast of Carbury but also went to Carbury RC parish and there was a Maguire and Walker records both in Kilshanchoe townland. Possibly this is where your family came from.

http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/kildare/carbury.htm

http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/kildare/dunfierth.htm

Can't answer your question about single mothers with children and how they survived and obtained money for a voyage to Australia. Possibly someone paid their passage. It was a very difficult time and as you know millions left or died. 

Roger McDonnell

Name:John WakerDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:17-Feb-1833Address:KilmurryParish/District:CARBURYGender:MaleCountyCo. Kildare
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Henry WakerMother:Ann WakerOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Richard GillSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Bess Forin

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Roger for your reply. The John Waker is not our relative as our John Walker (my husband's Great-grandfather) was born in 1835 . I have scrolled through Baptisms on the site of the Diocese but could only find Richard Walker's baptism in January 1837 which I already knew. Is there another Diocese close to the town Kilshancoe, that you mentioned? Ann Walker and her children had their passage to Australia paid by the Government. Instead we were wondering how a single mother with three children could provide food, shelter and clothing for the family in the 1840's.

IrelandXO member

Nanna:

Go to this link http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0696   There is a map on the upper right. Carbury is shown in red. Click on the parishes around Carbury and you will get their registers.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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