From Australia to Cork in Search of Ancestors

Jill Slater, from Australia, was attempting to trace her ancestor Owen O’Sullivan in Cork City. Jill’s ancestor, Mary O’Sullivan, left Cork in the mid-1800s and married the Mayor of Fitzroy, an early suburb of Melbourne city. Mary sent for her family and her mother and six siblings joined Mary in Melbourne.

Mary’s father, Owen, and two brothers remained in Cork. This is the family that Jill was attempting to trace. Jill was helped in her search by IrelandXO volunteer Leslie McNamara. As Jill had the street of Owen and his two sons, the 1911 census data may be of help. As the census data can be searched online, Jill and Leslie spent time walking the streets and visiting St. Finbarr’s Cathedral South. Unfortunately, the library archives were closed, but Jill planned to visit it the next day. She also visited Cobh, from where some of her ancestors left for Australia; that was a very moving experience for her.