Irish Orphans

[DixieFamily]

Hello all

I have read the book Barefoot and Pregnant by Trevor McClaughlin regarding the orphan girls
sent to Australia from Ireland due to the Irish Famine - started about 1848.  Girls were sent to NSW, Victoria and SA.
I believe a type of indenture book was kept in NSW, but does anyone know if a similar book was
kept by the SA Government identifying the girls and where they were sent?  Most I believe were
sent to do domestic work.  Any advice on what is available would be appreciated.

thanks and regards

[rosball]

Hi DixieChickPerth
There are a couple of links here - they seem to cover all states

http://www.irishfaminememorial.org/en/orphans/

http://www.irishfaminememorial.org/

and this one on Victorian Irish Famine orphans http://wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/Irish_Famine_Orphan_Immigration

regards,
   Ros

[DixieFamily]

Hi Ros

thanks for prompt reply and information.

regards

[Billyblue]

Unfortunately, it's very hard to find out about the Irish orphans who landed in South Australia,
mainly because of the parlous state of that State's record-keeping at that time.

One of these was my GGM on Mum's side.  We only know it's her because of a fairly uncommon name.  She supposedly got married in NSW only a few years after landing and we have no idea of how she got from SA to NSW in such a short period.

Have you consulted the S.A. Biographical Register?

Dawn M

[DixieFamily]

Dear Dawn M

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

It is very frustrating to find my relative! 

Is there a site to view the SA Biographical REgister on line? 

thanks and regards

[Billyblue]

Sorry, my mistake doing it from memory.
It's the South Australian Biographical Index (though it's a bit more than an index)
See http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10899838?q=subject%3A%22South+Australia+--+Genealogy.%22&l-decade=199&c=book

Jill Statton who edited the 1986 version is/was a professional genealogist specialising in Sth Aust.
She helped me find my GGM, and often bemoaned the lax South Aust government of the day when the Irish orphans came into S.A.    

Dawn M

[DixieFamily]

Hi Dawn M

Thanks for checking and advising me of the information.

I have looked at this years ago - with no luck, however, will look again. You never know in this business
sometimes you can miss things.

So pleased that you had success with Jill Statton and your family. How satisfying.

thanks again and regards
Dixie

[rosball]

Hi Dixie,
  I see there were over 4000 Irish famine "orphans" brought here in 1848-50. Quite surprising.

  Why not post the name of the one you are interested in and see if we can find some more.

cheers,
  Ros