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Archiver > AUS-Tasmania > 2000-01 > 0947124646


From: "Gary Brown" <>
Subject: irish orphans/ Blessed or Little sisters of the poor Melb.
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 12:10:46 +1000


Wonder if anyone could give me some leads to clear up a brick wall i have
with my family tree.

I have 3 young Irish girls - all sisters arriving in Australia as follows
Maybe Irish orphans

Bridget Mary O'Farrell - b abt 1828 Meath - d 1890 Vic.
Sarah O'Farrell - b abt 1829 Meath - d 1902 Vic.
Rose O'Farrell - b abt 1835 Meath - d 1910 Vic.

All of the above were children of Edward O'Farrell and Bridget Farrelly

I have found no records of the parents in Australia at all other than the
names listed on death and marriage certificates of the 3 girls. and all
stated father was a Gardener/Farmer.

Bridget's death certificate states she was born abt 1836 in Meath but her
wedding certificate paints different picture stateing she was born abt 1828
in Meath. I tend to go with the earlier date of wedding as she married a man
12 years her elder and wouldn't lower her age maybe increase it yes ?
On her death certificate it states that she came to Tasmania at age 10 or 11
and then moved to Victoria at age 25-26

Sarah at age abt 31 was witness to Rose's catholic wedding to David Kay Feb
20 1860 in Melbourne.
But not so on her wedding the next day in the Church of England.
Sometimes 2 weddings the case of appeasing both churches in those days
So from this Sarah was in Melbourne prior to 1860

Rose's death certificate states that she came to Victoria in 1845 at age 9
or 10 no mention of Tasmania
although she spent some time there having her first 3 children of 6 starting
1862

Bridget actually fostered/adopted 2 of Roses children prior to 1879 - not
sure when legal adoption started in Victoria/Tasmania as one of these
children came to Victoria abt 1876 whats more confusing is that her mother
Rose was here in Victoria at that time and had been since 1866 when she gave
birth to the second "adoptee"so i assume that prior to this date the the
first child stayed somewhere in Tasmania away from her family.
To confuse you more the second "adoptee" was never in Tasmania and was
given to Bridget prior to 1879.

On the death certificates of Bridget and her husband - a solicitor stated
no issue however on the fathers will after his death in 1879 he mentions
"his 2 young adopted daughters"

So when did fornmal adoption start???

On Bridget's will in 1890 she left an amount of money to the "Blessed
sisters of the poor - melbourne"

I know that there is an order called "little sisters of the poor" in
melbourne maybe the same order.
maybe they have something to do with the 3 girls coming to Australia.
Really not sure
does anyone have any info on the above order?

Any ideas on foster homes/ adoption Tasmania or in Melbourne during the
1840's ? are welcome

Thanking you in advance

Gary Brown
Melbourne

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