Hi Biggles - just wondering if you are still active.
I visited Thomastown in 2005, found a gentlemen around the Catholic Cemetery and he told me I had just missed the PP at the time.
My ancestors where from Thomastown / Deansrath - James Burns married Margaret Cummins, 22 Nov 1824, Thomastown, witnesses: John Headen & Mary Tobin. They had three children William, Francis and Mary.
William bapt 20 Jun 1827, sp. Edmund Nurry & Anastatia Aylward, residence Deansrath
Francis bapt 2 Sep 1829, sp. James Laracy & Mary Wall, residence Deansrath
Mary bapt 6 May 1832, sp. James Wall & Judith Larrissy, residence Deansrath
Margaret and Francis emigrated in 1855. Arrived in South Australia and settled originally around Clare.
Family history - passed down from Francis to his grandchildren (my g aunts/uncles) - says that James was a Doctor, and that he, William and Mary all died sometime prior to departure. Margaret became a large landowner in SA, very uncommon for females, so she must have had some money behind her, hence/maybe supporting Dr story??; Francis worked the land for her - and together they increased the land holding. Side story - when building the Catholic Church in a new settled area - Francis was granted permission and chose the name St Canices.
I am wondering whether you can help me to ascertain any information on the names Burns/Cummins - how common are/were they in the area?
Do records of Doctors exist?
Burials at the time - does Deansrath have a Cemetery?
Any help would be appreciated no matter how small.
Thanks
Shane