Source
Source for: William Henry Worrad, ABT 1815 - 13 JUN 1863
Index
Name source: S519Page: Database online.
Birth source: S519Page: Database online.
Death source: S519Page: Database online.
Name source: S519Page: Database online.
Source
Source for: Sarah Emelia Mackey, ABT 1829 - 14 AUG 1915
Index
Name source: S519Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Name source: S560Page: THE HYDE PARK BARRACKS-FEMALE IMMIGRANT DEPOT Contributed By cherylkayfromm1 · 18 December 2014
Text: THE HYDE PARK BARRACKS-FEMALE IMMIGRANT DEPOT
Contributed By cherylkayfromm1 · 18 December 2014 · 0 Comments
Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth Mackey were returning to their birth country as Irish Female Orphans. They had left Australia 17 years ago in 1833 at the age of 4 and 2. They were now 21 and 19 years old. Unlike the other orphans aboard the ship, they had travel the seas, crossed the equator 4 times before. They had been raised in this side of world (Australia, India, and Burma). Actually, it probably felt like they were going home.
Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth Mackey's first glimpse of Sydney, Australia in 1850 was from the "John Knox" ship looking at Bennelong Point. Pulling into the Sydney Cove, the 192 girls must have rejoiced. The Irish girls had exchanged the rain, poverty and hunger of Ireland for the sunny skies of New South Wales. They had received a new hope for their lives. They had left the legendary sufferings of the workhouses. They had left Ireland where one million people had just died from hunger-related issued because of the Potato Famine. About 1 and 1/2 million had fled to other countries. Ireland's population of 8.5 million had decreased to 6 million. Yet the reality was, Australia was the most Irish place in the world outside of Ireland- with 1 out 4 people coming from Ireland.
After being dropped off, the human cargo of girls walked up to the top of Macquarie Street to the old convict barracks "Hyde Park Barracks" which had become the "Female Immigrant Depot". At the depot, they had housing and waited to find employment or their relatives to come for them. https://familysearch.org/photos/stories/12207087
Page: Traveling with the 63rd Regiment of foot: Edward and Ann Taylor Mackey with children Mary Jane, Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth Cheryl Kay Fromm 2014
Text: Traveling with the 63rd Regiment of foot: Edward and Ann Taylor Mackey with children Mary Jane, Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth
Contributed By cherylkayfromm1 · 7 November 2014 · 0 Comments
Edward Mackey was a sergeant in the 63rd (West Sufflok) Regiment a foot nicknamed the bloodsuckers.
Edward and Ann Taylor Mackey, along with their children: Mary Jane, Elizabeth and Sarah Emelia traveled with the Regiment. The girls were actually born into the British 63rd Regiment a foot. The family traveled and was stationed with the Regiment at Macquarie Harbour, Van Dieman's Land (now Tasmania) Australia, Madras, India and Moulmein, Burma.
1819 to 1826- STATIONED IN IRELAND
The 63rd Regiment was deployed to Ireland. Edward enlisted in the 63rd Regiment on 08 September 1819. His muster roll entries show he was a labourer and born in Currin, Monaghan, Ireland. His regimental number was 143. By the time he was station in Van Diemen' Land he was a Sergeant. He earned a schiliing (10 cents) a day. The Regiment was stationed in Ireland until 1826.
1826-1828- STATIONED IN PORTUGAL
In 1826 the 63rd Regiment was stationed at Windsor. In February of 1826, the Regiment received a warning order that it would shortly leave for New South Wales, but tensions between Spain and Portugal caused the War Office to change its' mind. In December 1826 the Regiment left Portsmouth aboard H.M.S "Melville", "Gloucester" and "Warspite" bound for Lisbon, Portugal. On 1st January 1827 the Regiment took up quarters at the Convent de Grazer under the command of Sir William Clinton. The 63rd formed into a brigade with the 11th and 43rd under the command of Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot. The Regiments tour of Portugal was short: Stationed in Lisbon in January, Alemquer in February, Thomar in Apirl, Santarem in July and Belem in September where it remained until it embarked for England on April 1828. The mission of the Regiment was described as "part of the army of occupation" and "to take part in the raid of Portugal". The 63rd's time in Portugal was mild as the suspected trouble did not happen, in large part due to the presence of the British Army. In April 1828 the Regiment returned to England. Mary Jane was born while her father was in Portugal. She was born on 01 May 1827 at Glen, Monaghan, Ireland.
1829-1833- STATIONED AT MACQUARIE HARBOUR, VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, (TASMANIA) AUSTRALIA. THE GARRISON ERA. (THE FAMILY BEGINS TRAVELING WITH THE 63RD REGIMENT)
The 63rd Regiment was deployed to Australia to replace the 40th Regiment for Garrison Duty. The 63rd Regiment served as guards for the convict ships traveling to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land and had garrison duty for the convicts in the prison system. Edward Mackey served as a Sergeant at Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen's Land. Tasmania is the island state of Australia located just below Australia. Tasmania's capital and Regiment headquarter's are at Hobart. This why records family records come out of Hobart. He was stationed at the legendary Sarah Island. This prison had a reputation as one of the harshest prison settlement. The 63rd was involved in the "Blackline"- the movement of the aborigines from the central plains to the east coast of Tasmania. In 1830 the battalion was also involved in internal security duties on the Van Diemen Land to prevent incidents by the native aborigines. Both daughters Sarah Emelia (1829) and Elizabeth (07 March 1831) were born at Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen.s Land.
(Birth, baptism records, assisted immigration records -1850 and death records state).
1833-1837- STATIONED AT FORT ST. GEORGE, MADRAS, INDIA.
The 63rd was deployed to Madras India in February of 1833. Five companies left in February and the other two companies left in March. Mary Jane was six years old, Sarah Emelia was 4 years old and Elizabeth was 2 years old. On 07 Sept 1836, Ann Taylor Mackey passes away. She was buried in the courtyard of St. Mary's Church located at Fort St. George. She was 36 years old. (Burial record-St Mary's Church Madras). The girls were 9,7 and 5 years old.
1838-1840 DEPLOYED TO MOULMEIN, BURMA. DETACHMENTS WERE BASED AT TAVOY AND MERGUI, BURMA.
After serving in Burma for a time, Edward decides to leave the British Military and be discharged. But Edward dies while traveling away from Burma to the Regimental Depot in Madras. At the Regimental Depot he could officially be discharged and then on to England. The girls experience him being buried at sea on 02 February 1840. The muster rolls for October-December show all the other soldiers traveling to the Regimental Depot in Madras were all discharged on the 30th of May 1840. So he must have died very early in the voyage and had stops along the way. The girls are in Madras, India now at the Regimental Depot. The girls are then "reared and trained" in the British Military Female Orphan Asylum at Madras. The girls received an excellent education. This is a large benefit and rarity for a female to be educated in the 1830-1840's alone plus being an orphan. Their Uncle and Aunt are caretakers at the orphanage. The girls called the orphanage "Castle Comorin". The orphanage is a large structure and located near Cape Comorin.
There is a surprise ending contained in the Military Records for Edward Mackey. It is discovered within "The Chatham Depot Casualty Returns ". It states: At the time of is death, he was still a Sergeant with the 63rd Regiment AND his final credit was sent to his son, Francis of Currin, Monaghan, Ireland. https://familysearch.org/photos/stories/11416864
Event source: S121Page: State of New South Wales through the State Records Authority of NSW 2016. Assisted Immigrants Database
Text: MCKAYElizabeth19John Knox1850Sydney and/or Newcastleand sisterReel 2136, [4/4786] Page 577; Reel 2461, [4/4917]
MCKAYSarah21John Knox1850Sydney and/or Newcastleand sisterReel 2136, [4/4786] Page 577; Reel 2461, [4/4917]
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/searchhits_nocopy?page=10&id=9&surname=&firstname=&ship=John%20Knox&year=1850&arriving=Sydney%20and/or%20Newcastle&remarks= https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/searchhits_nocopy?page=10&id=9&surname=&firstname=&ship=John%20Knox&year=1850&arriving=Sydney%20and/or%20Newcastle&remarks=
Event source: S560Page: THE HYDE PARK BARRACKS-FEMALE IMMIGRANT DEPOT Contributed By cherylkayfromm1 · 18 December 2014
Text: THE HYDE PARK BARRACKS-FEMALE IMMIGRANT DEPOT
Contributed By cherylkayfromm1 · 18 December 2014 · 0 Comments
Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth Mackey were returning to their birth country as Irish Female Orphans. They had left Australia 17 years ago in 1833 at the age of 4 and 2. They were now 21 and 19 years old. Unlike the other orphans aboard the ship, they had travel the seas, crossed the equator 4 times before. They had been raised in this side of world (Australia, India, and Burma). Actually, it probably felt like they were going home.
Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth Mackey's first glimpse of Sydney, Australia in 1850 was from the "John Knox" ship looking at Bennelong Point. Pulling into the Sydney Cove, the 192 girls must have rejoiced. The Irish girls had exchanged the rain, poverty and hunger of Ireland for the sunny skies of New South Wales. They had received a new hope for their lives. They had left the legendary sufferings of the workhouses. They had left Ireland where one million people had just died from hunger-related issued because of the Potato Famine. About 1 and 1/2 million had fled to other countries. Ireland's population of 8.5 million had decreased to 6 million. Yet the reality was, Australia was the most Irish place in the world outside of Ireland- with 1 out 4 people coming from Ireland.
After being dropped off, the human cargo of girls walked up to the top of Macquarie Street to the old convict barracks "Hyde Park Barracks" which had become the "Female Immigrant Depot". At the depot, they had housing and waited to find employment or their relatives to come for them. https://familysearch.org/photos/stories/12207087
Birth source: S393Page: Surname : McKay First Name : Sarah
Text: Surname : McKay
First Name : Sarah
Age on arrival : 21
Native Place : Stepney, Coathill [Cootehill], Cavan
Parents : Edward & Ann (both dead)
Religion : Church of England
Ship name : John Knox (Sydney Apr 1850)
Workhouse : Cavan, Cootehill
Other : Shipping: house servant, can read & write, relations in colony: an aunt, a cousin, Ann Gilroy, living in Sydney. Sister, Elizabeth, also on board John Knox - see her entry for more details. http://www.irishfaminememorial.org/orphans/database/?page=8&surName=&firstName=&nativePlace=&parents=&age=0&religion=&ship=18
Event source: S891Page: Cootehill, Co. Cavan
Text: Cootehill Poor Law Union was formed 10th August 1839, and covered an area of 164 square miles. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 18 in number, representing its 12 electoral divisions as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):
Co. Cavan: Ashfield (2), Cootehill (2), Drumgoon, Drung, Knockbride (2), Larah, Rakenny, Tullyvin.
Co. Monaghan: Aghabog (2), Cormeen (2), Dawson Grove (2), Drum.
The Board also included 6 ex officio Guardians, making a total of 24.
The population falling within the union at the 1831 census had been 63,472 — ranging from Tullyvin (population 3,033) to Dawson Grove (7,511) and Cootehill itself (7,335).
The new workhouse, built in 1841-2, was designed by George Wilkinson. It occupied a six-acre site a mile to the east of Cootehiil, and could accommodate 800 inmates. The cost of the building was £7,360 plus £808 for fixtures and fittings etc. It was declared fit for the admission of paupers on 15th September 1842, and admitted its first inmates just under three months later on the 2nd December.
----------
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals.
Cavan County Library, Farnham Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan. Main holdings: Guardians' minute books (1839-1917). Detailed list.
Bibliography
Crossman, V (2006) Politics, Pauperism and Power in Late Nineteenth-century Ireland
Gould, Michael H (1983) The Workhouses of Ulster
Gray, P (2009) The Making of the Irish Poor Law, 1815-43
O'Connor, J (1995) The Workhouses of Ireland
Links
None. http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Cootehill/
Death source: S329Page: O'HERN Bertha Sarah Funeral notice 14AUG1915 Funeral Sydney Morning Herald 14AUG1915
Death source: S262Page: Death - 12218/1915 O'HERN BERTHA S 86 YRS GRANVILLE GRANVILLE
Name source: S519Page: Database online.
Birth source: S519Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Page: Database online.
Event source: S123Page: Emails between 2005-05-20 and 2010-07-05 concerning Pete's research at the National Archives, KEW during that period
Text: Pete Lawton
Attachments - 05/07/2010
Have been down to the Archives again and found out a bit more for you. Most of it really just puts detail on what you already knew.
Edward Mackay did indeed die in transit to England; this was on the 2nd February 1840. No details of what killed him, but I believe he was on board a ship called ‘Diamond’, which incidentally, was the ship John Cassidy went out to India on (very possibly on its return trip).
I’ve attached photos of:
Muster Roll WO12/7272: (runs from April 1839 to March 1841)
WO12/7272 shows him ‘Embarked for England’ in October and then ‘Died at Sea 2nd February’ (oddly this is in the November 1840 column – presumably when they arrived in England)
WO12/7272 (2) is at the end of the quarter section of the Muster Roll, here there is a separate listing for new recruits and those who have left the regiment – including those died. This has details of when he enlisted (8 September 1819); where he was born (looks like Currins – Currin is a civil parish in C. Monaghan – ref. www.irelandgenweb.com/monaghan/) and his job on enlistment (labourer).
WO25/1947 is the entry in the 63rd Casualty Return (1838 – 1842) – reiterates what was in WO12/7272. Unfortunately there are no other associated documents in the Casualty Roll (some men have details of will and possessions attached, but Edward isn’t one of them – bugger).
WO25/1947 (2) is just a close up of this.
Next time I’ll have a scout round to see if there is any more to be found, but I think that may be it. I asked about records of his family and they may be in one of the WO25 embarkation and disembarkation documents – will check these.
As for James Bird he did die at Guznee – but this was 1839, not 1837 as you thought. I couldn’t find him in the 1837 casualties, so I looked in the Muster Rolls and he was alive and well and on guard duty July/August 1837.
By the time I’d got him it was closing time (what is it with your relatives, they only leap out of the pages when the place is about to shut)
Anyway he’s in:
WO12/2046: Muster Roll for 2nd Foot (Queen's Royal) 1839 – 1840. He’s sick at Guznee in the July Muster and died in the August Muster (died on 31st July)
WO12/2046 (2) is at the end of the quarter section of the Muster and shows him just as ‘Died’, those either side of him are marked as ‘Died of Wounds’, so I’m assuming that he didn’t die of wounds from battle. I’ll go back and check out the WO25/1514 (2nd Casualty Return) next time, unfortunately when I looked at this earlier in the day I was looking at 1837, not 1839. I’ll also see if I can trace when he joined which may show where he enlisted/was born.
Anyway that’s it for now, will be in touch. As I say, this really just confirms what you know, but hope it’s of use.
Name source: S903
Page: Email to Gerard Whelan dated 23JUN2014 subject "Hello - and more Combers"
Text: To recap:
You and I are both related to Edward Comber and Elizabeth Mackay, who married in 1851 (thank you for their marriage certificate - where did you find it, as it does not show up in the online NSW BDM searches!!)
Elizabeth Mackay's surname has been spelled a number of different ways, including:
Mackay
Mackey
Mackie
McKee
McKey
McGee
We know that Elizabeth had two sisters:
Mary Jane, who married Robert Devlyn Smyth (also spelled Robert Devlin Smith). Mary Jane moved to Utah with Robert and raised 14 children
Sarah, who emigrated from Ireland with Elizabeth per the JOHN KNOX in 1850 as Irish Famine Orphans
You and I discussed the info I had found about Elizabeth and her family:
Elizabeth was baptised in VDL in 1832
Her father was in the 62nd Regiment and was eventually stationed in India, where his wife Ann and children lived. He and Ann died of (probably cholera) and the girls were returned to Ireland as his place of enlistment.
Elizabeth & Sarah are both shown on documents recording their entry into Australia as Irish Famine Orphans, and on one of those documents shows that there is an entry indicating a relation in the colony
List of Immigrants per Ship JOHN KNOX as inspected by the Immigration Board, on 1st May 1856
Number 18 McKay Elizabeth aged 19 House Servant Macquarie Harbour Van Dieman's :amd Edward & Ann both decd CoE R&W an Aunt - a [coz] Ann Gilroy living in Sydney (health) Good (behaviour on ship) None
Number 19 McKay Sarah aged 21 House Servant Stepney (Cootehill, Cavan) ditto ditto ditto ditto Good None
So, now the reasoning:
I have found quite a lot of info about Elizabeth - we have shared most of that info during my visit with you
I have quite a lot about sister Mary Jane and her family in Utah
I HAD almost nothing about sister Sarah.
Examining Edward & Elizabeth's 1851 marriage certificate, I spotted as witness ANN MURPHY - I have NO proof and have not been able to find a marriage for the Ann Gilroy of the Immigration register, and I wonder if this might be the same ANN. (SUPPOSITION #1)
I have always been confused about the naming of one of Elizabeth's children George Westby Walker Comber
recently, I was doing sporadic searches of TROVE using names out of my genealogy files.
I found an entry for a Dr Westby Walker who lived in Sofala. I've attached the items I found herewith.
Dr Westby Walker appears to have married a woman by the name of Bertha SARAH - have been unable to find a marriage registration
Dr Westby died in 1872
the same Bertha Sarah married John O'Hern - she died 1915 aged 86. By my maths, 1915 minus 86 equals 1829
Surprisingly (or I am making it surprising!!) Sarah Mackey was born c1829. This info confirmed on the Immigration document
(Supposition #2) Elizabeth and her sister Sarah remained in contact and Elizabeth named her son George Westby Walker Comber in recognition of her sister's husband.
I think Supposition #2 is highly likely.
I am hoping that Supposition #1 is accurate.
Do you have any data on Sarah (or should I refer to her as Bertha Sarah???)?
So looking forward to hearing your response!!
Your Third Cousin once Removed Email Source - Whelan, Gerard, Email to Gerard Whelan dated 23JUN2014 subject "Hello - and more Combers". To recap: You and I are both related to Edward Comber and Elizabeth Mackay, who married in 1851 (thank you for their marriage certificate - where did you find it, as it does not show up in the online NSW BDM searches!!!) Elizabeth Mackay's surname has been spelled a number of different ways, including: Mackay Mackey Mackie McKee McKey McGee We know that Elizabeth had two sisters: Mary Jane, who married Robert Devlyn Smyth (also spelled Robert Devlin Smith). Mary Jane moved to Utah with Robert and raised 14 children Sarah, who emigrated from Ireland with Elizabeth per the JOHN KNOX in 1850 as Irish Famine Orphans You and I discussed the info I had found about Elizabeth and her family: Elizabeth was baptised in VDL in 1832 Her father was in the 62nd Regiment and was eventually stationed in India, where his wife Ann and children lived. He and Ann died of (probably cholera) and the girls were returned to Ireland as his place of enlistment. Elizabeth & Sarah are both shown on documents recording their entry into Australia as Irish Famine Orphans, and on one of those documents shows that there is an entry indicating a relation in the colony List of Immigrants per Ship JOHN KNOX as inspected by the Immigration Board, on 1st May 1856 Number 18 McKay Elizabeth aged 19 House Servant Macquarie Harbour Van Dieman's :amd Edward & Ann both decd CoE R&W an Aunt - a [coz] Ann Gilroy living in Sydney (health) Good (behaviour on ship) None Number 19 McKay Sarah aged 21 House Servant Stepney (Cootehill, Cavan) ditto ditto ditto ditto Good None So, now the reasoning: I have found quite a lot of info about Elizabeth - we have shared most of that info during my visit with you I have quite a lot about sister Mary Jane and her family in Utah I HAD almost nothing about sister Sarah. Examining Edward & Elizabeth's 1851 marriage certificate, I spotted as witness ANN MURPHY - I have NO proof and have not been able to find a marriage for the Ann Gilroy of the Immigration register, and I wonder if this might be the same ANN. (SUPPOSITION #1) I have always been confused about the naming of one of Elizabeth's children George Westby Walker Comber recently, I was doing sporadic searches of TROVE using names out of my genealogy files. I found an entry for a Dr Westby Walker who lived in Sofala. I've attached the items I found herewith. Dr Westby Walker appears to have married a woman by the name of Bertha SARAH - have been unable to find a marriage registration Dr Westby died in 1872 the same Bertha Sarah married John O'Hern - she died 1915 aged 86. By my maths, 1915 minus 86 equals 1829 Surprisingly (or I am making it surprising!!) Sarah Mackey was born c1829. This info confirmed on the Immigration document (Supposition #2) Elizabeth and her sister Sarah remained in contact and Elizabeth named her son George Westby Walker Comber in recognition of her sister's husband. I think Supposition #2 is highly likely. I am hoping that Supposition #1 is accurate. Do you have any data on Sarah (or should I refer to her as Bertha Sarah???)? So looking forward to hearing your response!! Your Third Cousin once Removed!.