I wonder if there is anybody who may be able to identify themselves with me as a relative of my great-grandparents, Michael and Elizabeth (nee Maguire) Connor who departed Ireland around 1864.

Michael and Elizabeth departed Liverpool England on 23 April 1864 aboard the ship "Morning Light" arriving in Melbourne Australia on 26 July 1864. Accompanying Michael & Elizabeth on the voyage to Australia were Elizabeth's sister, Margaret aged 18, and a Michael Donovan, aged 23. They were met by Margaret and Elizabeth's brothers, James and John who had arrived on the "Tasmania" in 1858.

Michael was the youngest of three sons of Michael and Mary (nee Casey).
From baptismal records kindly provided to me by the Dun na Si Heritage Centre in Moate, he was baptised in the Parish of Tubber & Rosemount on 3 June 1833 (Sponsors - Patrick Cuff and Catherine Lynham). His two older brothers, also baptised in the Parish of Tubber and Rosemount, were Patrick, baptised on 16 October 1825 (Sponsors - Edward Casey and Catherine Kelly)., and George, born about August 1828 1833 (Sponsors - Owen Harrington and Ellen Gaunor).

He married Elizabeth Maguire on 7 August 1863 in the Parish of Tubber & Rosemount. “Sponsors” are recorded as Thomas Gorry and Mary Tiernan.

Elizabeth was the seventh daughter of Michael Maguire and Catherine (nee O'Connor). She was born in Ballinderry, Moate and baptised on 24 January 1841 in the Parish of Tubber and Rosemount. She died on 17 June 1888 in Garvoc, Victoria, Australia. As a matter of interest, the countryside around Garvoc (which is in the western district of Victoria) is almost identical to that surrounding Ballinderry.

ElizabethÂ’s siblings, their baptism dates and sponsorÂ’s names were:
Thomas, 19 April 1826 - Patrick Connor and Bridget Maguire,
Anne, 20 March 1830 - John Maguire and Mary Connor,
John, 24 February 1832 - Michael Feerock and Bridget Connor,
Michael, on 6 June 1834 - Michael Connor and Anne Carrol,
Catherine, on 29 May 1836 - John Maguire and Elizabeth Connor
James, on. 30 June 1838 - John Daly and Judith Kelly,
Margaret Mary on 9 February 1844 - Brian Carroll and Anne Maguire, and
Thomas Maguire, on 21 September 1845 - John Maguire and Judith Kelly.

My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting various parts of Westmeath during our visit to Ireland in 1998. Unfortunately, at that time we were not armed with sufficient information to be able to achieve any family contact.
We intend visiting Ireland again in June-July 2000 and would dearly appreciate being able to meet any descendants of Michael and Mary Connor and Michael and Catherine Maguire or of their Baptism sponsors.

Bernie OÂ’Connor
Melbourne
Victoria
AUSTRALIA
e-mail: boconnor@melbpc.org.au