I am looking for records to verify the identity of Mary Fahy.
She arrived in Sydney, Australia on the John Vanner on 23rd November 1863. The immigration record states that she is 20 years old, Roman Catholic, cannot read or write and is a Servant from "Balleyboy Co. Clare"(?). Parents names appear to be Michael Fahey and Bridget McMahon from "Balleyboy"(?). A extract of the immigration record is attached.
On her marriage certificate (and church records for the marriage), 2nd April 1874, Mary is listed as Mary Ann McFeahy from England. Parents names James McFeahy (Farmer) and Ellen Gabbot. This is the only reference to Mary being from England on all other records I have in Australia, she is listed as being from Ireland so I am assuming (bad idea but...) I think the Irish information is probably most likely.
I am also not sure of her actual age. Based on various records in Australia, her age at the time of arrival, may have been only 15 not 20...
1866 - she is recorded as 18 years old (benevolent society records)
1870 - she is recorded as 21 years old (benevolent society records)
1875 - she is recorded as 25 years old (birth certificate of her child)
1876 - she is recorded as 26 years old (birth certificate of her child)
1881 - she is recorded as 35 years old (birth certificate of her child)
1886 - she is recorded as 38 years old (police records)
1888 - she is recorded as 40 years old (police records)
1893 - she is recorded as 43 years old (police records)
She died on 23rd September 1909 - her death certificate lists her as 70 years old from Ireland and having spent 52 years in Australia.
I have also identified some “matches” for Mary Fahy in some online family trees which indicate she was born approx 1848 and was from Ballaghboy, Ennis, Clare, Ireland but I have not been able to verify this.
Any help would be appreciated!
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Topic: Mary Fahy (Read 1896 times)