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Fletcher women Birr

OffalyBirr (Offaly)

My great grandmother and her mother, Ellen (26?)and Judith Fletcher (61?)were convicted in the Kings County court in 1849 for receiving stolen goods, a tablecloth. They received 7 years and transportation to Van Diemen's Land. They were transferred to the Grangegorman Female Prison in Dublin. Ellen travelled to VDL but I do not know what happened to her mother - I assumed she died.I believe Ellen had two previous prison sentences for stealing food. I would love to know more about them/the area where they lived and wondered if anyone could help me. Transportation records say the tablecloth was the property of a Lord Austin but I have not founf anyone of that name in Ireland at that time. I would be grateful for any help. Ellen married an Irishman from Fermanagh, my father, who was their grandson, became a politician in Tasmania in the 1960s - I would love to know more about these womwn. Thankyou

IrelandXO member

5 replies

Heather:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I alerted our parish liaison in Birr about your message.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

How family history stories change with just two small discoveries..After 7 years of searching I am now aware, through newspaper records and a family contact, that Judith and Ellen came from Crinkhill/hle. Judith had 7 other children John, James. High Williliam, Julie, Catherine and Mary. I now realise the convict record was wrong and the cloth was the property of Earl Rosse. Hugh and William were working for hime at the time. Judith was sent back to Kings County in 1849 - presumably too old or infirm to be transported. Catherine was transported to VDL in 1848 and was Ellen's witness at her marriage. Catherine died of consumption in 1859.

I am coming to Birr on June 19th 2017 - I will only be there 6 hours but I am looking forward to visiting places I know relate to my relative's life and take some photos for the family story. It would be great to meet anybody who could add to my experience.

 

 

IrelandXO member

Heather:

Have a great trip! I will contact our HQ to see if we can locate a contact in Birr.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

It was wonderful to visit Birr and Crinkill. I met with local hstorian Brian Kennedy  and his information gave me great insight into the area and a great feel for my paternal ancestors place in it.  When I made a Facebook post after the visit a maternal relation pointed out that my maternal great great grandmother was born in Birr in 1830 (Ellen would have been 10 years old). Her father was quartermaster at the Crinckill Barracks  What an amazing coincidence. The only relative on my maternal side born in Ireland.

IrelandXO member

Heather:

Thanks so much for the feedback on your trip to Ireland.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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