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Researching the papers of a much loved but recently deceased aunt, I came across a reference to an ancestor's having been "a Freeman of the City of Dublin, who declined to pay 100 pounds to pass the title to his grandson (his own son having died)."

This ancestor was allegedly my grandfather's maternal grandfather. His mother was a Browne, and her father was Stephen Browne, a bootmaker.

Can someone please explain what a "Freeman" was, and if the note sounds at all plausible?

Thank you in anticipation.

I recently came across and photographed the grave of Robert Jocelyn Crawley, born Ratheriland 8 May 1848, and died at Bourke, New South Wales, Australia on 27 August 1880.

If any family member or researcher would like a copy please PM me.

Terry

Greetings from Australia,

I am a novice trying to trace my ancestors in Ireland. I have had some success with those from Northern Ireland, but I have become stuck with these two, my great grandfather and great great grandfather.

Both share the same name, and both were accountants at Guinness Mahon Bank in Dublin.

The elder died in Dublin in 1847 of typhus when the younger was only 5, and all that we know of him apart from his prime employment at the bank is that he taught at his church's Bible school.

The younger was born in Dublin about 1842, and died on 1 December 1895 of complications following what must have been a very early colostomy operation. He married an Isabella Brabazon (1839-1923) (sometimes spelled Brabason) and they had 6 children, of whom John Wesley SMITH (Born Bray, Co Wicklow 9 September 1878, died Adelaide South Australia 6 February 1961) was my grandfather. Lady Lilly Anderson CBE of Derry was another of the children.

I am wondering if any other chatters have any knowledge of this family?