Thank-you

Thank-you Anne & Tom for your information, it really is interesting.

I have 9 children's baptism certificates for Patrick & Johanna Shortis and their marriage certificate. I do have a Patrick Shortis baptism and a James Shortis too from Cahir, but I wasn't sure if 34 years made Patrick older than most bridegroom's of the time? John aged 30 & Michael aged 24 migrated with unassisted migration from Liverpool 7th January 1863 and arrived in Melbourne April 1863 aboard the Tornado. James, Thomas & John's wife Johanna, by her age of 26 I'm judging sister in law to brothers not sister, arrived in Melbourne November 1864 aboard the Annie Wilson, again unassisted migration. In 1866 another John Shortis aged 22 arrived in Melbourne with a 3 year old Johanna aboard the Tornado. I was always told there were brothers and cousins that immigrated. I have proven with Victorian Marriage & Death Certificates John, James, Michael and Thomas were brothers. The length of stay in Victoria on their death certificates confirms there arrival years above.

I have been corresponding with Father Frank Shortis of the Carmelite order and he states his great grandfather John arrived in 1866 born in Cashel 1/12/1841 to James Shortis and Mary Lonergan. I have found their marriage certificate in Cahir 1/2/1841. On the brother's older sister Johanna's baptism certificate a Mary Lonergan is her godmother. A James Shortis is Michael's godfather. I suspect but would like to prove that Patrick and James were brothers and there father was John Shortis, hence both Patrick and James eldest sons were named John.

Michael married a Bridget Cleary from Tipperary in 1868, I have been unable to locate their marriage certificate, still trying but some records were lost in a bushfire in 1939 at Woodspoint, Victoria. The marriage certificate would state both parents full names. On the first childs birth certificate 1870 Bridget is aged 22, born 1848; last child's Michael's birth certificate in 1887 she is aged 35, born 1852. On her death certificate in 1917, aged 66 (born 1851) and with information from one son, her father is Thomas Cleary and mother Eliza Cleary, maiden name not known. I have located a Bridget Cleary baptised 1847 Lorrha Tipperary parents Thomas Cleary & Eliza Brophy, and another Bridget Cleary baptised 1844 Cahir Tipperary parents Thomas Cleary & Elizabeth Mulcahy. Bridget's eldest daughter was named Eliza. I'm left wondering did Michael (miner) & Bridget know each other before meeting again on the goldfields of Victoria if so this could be the Cahir, if not could be the Lorrha? There's a few possiblities for migration of Bridget Cleary.

Thank-you again for all your assistance, I really appreciate it.

Kerry