Hi
Hoping someone can assist with locating Joseph O'Brien and his parents/siblings and their story in Ireland. I understand records from this era are challenging to find and have exhausted my researching skills.
The information I have to date is:
Joseph O'Brien died in Australia in 1852 aged 49years. Thus making his DoB very approximately 1803 in Ireland.
He married Bridget Woolhan 27/11/1827 at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral Dublin. Witness to this are Cornelius O'Brien and Michael Riley. I don't know what relation if any Cornelius is to Joseph, however Cornelius is a name that runs through future generations.
To my knowledge they had 2 sons born in Dublin:
1. Cornelius Michael is baptised 27 Sept 1828, baptised at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral Dublin. Witness' are Michael Reily and Ann ?Butler. The Residence given on the documentation is Purden Street, Dublin.
2. Edward is born in 1831 and is baptised at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral Dublin. Witness' are William Crostie and Judith Elliot.
In Australia they had the following children which I have traced.
3. William
4. John
5. Joseph 1845 - my line
Bridget's maiden name tends to change from Woolhan to Coolahan and by the time her children are born in Australia it has changed to Halligan. I imagine this dialect/spelling challenges.
Joseph and Bridget left Dublin in 1833 for Van Diemen's Land on board the Strathfieldsay, along with their 2 sons Cornelius aged 5 years and Edward 1 year. They were part of the £20 Advances Scheme. Joseph's occupation is recorded as Shoemaker on the letter requesting the £20 scheme.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I look forward to any help.
Kind regards
Pauline
