Mary Anne Byrne – a Dublin Retail Trader & Businesswoman Hilary McDonagh M.A.G.I Situated at 17 Berkeley Road, Phibsboro, Dublin, Richard Byrnes Victuallers was established in 1877 by newly married couple, Richard Byrne and his wife Mary Anne Sweeney. The couple were neighbours before they were married, living next door to each other on Great Britain Street [now Parnell Street]. While Mary Anne’s father, Peter Sweeney was a fruiterer, Richard’s father, Simon, was a victualler. Between them, they had the makings of a formidable team. Sadly, Richard died in 1878 of smallpox just a year after they were married leaving … Read More

My Grandfather John Hassett Presenting Grace Boyle, aged 100 years, her New Pension Book, 1929 Jillian Van Turnhout,  AGI Affiliate My grandfather, John Francis Hassett (1904 to 1945), was born in Glin, Co. Limerick, grew up in Knockanean Co. Clare, married Mary Foley (1905 to 1944) of Cromane, Co. Kerry in Dublin and died when based in Cork in 1945. In 1924, John Hassett qualified to become a Customs and Excises officer. I know from newspaper reports he was based in Dungloe, Co. Donegal, from 1929 to 1933. Amongst John F. Hassett’s photos of his short life is this gem … Read More

Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France baptized in Kenmare Co. Kerry …???!!! Helen Kelly, F.A.G.I. During the course of a search of Kenmare R.C. Parish registers on www.nli.ie, I was fascinated with an entry which was recorded in the baptismal register 30 June 1823 by Ed. O’ Callaghan. The entry, part of which is difficult to decipher, states: ‘Ego Ed O’Callaghan Bap. Napoleon Francis Charles Bonaparte, Emperor of France, King of Italy and Protector ? of the …………..of the………? At first glance, one could be forgiven for concluding that Napoleon Francis Charles Bonaparte was baptised in Kenmare R.C. Parish, 30th June … Read More

Vivian Johnson: Forever Young Gill Johnson, AGI affiliate As a child, I always enjoyed listening to family lore as told by my grandparents, especially my grandad Digby Johnson. I listened intently to all their stories and spent hours going through old photographs of faces that had long passed before my existence. However, one in particular always stood out to me, a picture of my great grandmother Vivian Johnson nee Bestall holding who we believe to be my grandad, or his younger brother Wilvy. I always loved this photograph as I was drawn to Vivian and she bears a striking resemblance … Read More

Sir William Betham 1779-1853 Georgina Scally M.A.G.I. A recent commission to explore some gravestones at Carrickbrennan Graveyard in the south Dublin suburb of Monsktown provided a welcome excuse for an excursion. Entering the graveyard through a small gate in a ivy clad high stone wall on the east side of Carrickbrennan Road the atmosphere, familiar to those used to visiting old, disused, and overgrown graveyards, was immediate. ate. Carrickbrennan Graveyard is the final resting place of many individuals who provide a window into historical events of the 18th and 19th centuries in Ireland (amongst them Charles Haliday [1789-1866] historian and … Read More

The next lecture in the National Archives of Ireland evening lecture series, titled ‘Researching your Church of Ireland Ancestors’, will be given by Sandra Doble, MAGI. It will cover records of genealogical interest produced by parishes such as church registers and vestry minute books. Access to these records will be outlined and advice given on using online transcriptions of baptism, marriage and burial records. Sandra Doble is a former accountant but switched career to pursue her passion for family history. In 2012 she set up her own research company, Irish Family Footsteps. She became a member of Accredited Genealogists Ireland … Read More

HAND IN HAND WITH MARGARET AULSBERRY IN HER WIDOW’S WEEDS Tony Hennessy, M.A.G.I. Here’s a lovely old photo of my great grandmother Margaret Power nee Aulsberry at  her home at Whelansbridge in Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford. The child holding her hand is probably my mother Breda (nee O’Connor), as all her siblings had curly hair – so 1934 or thereabouts. Margaret was baptized on 17 June 1860 in the local catholic church of Ballyduff.  She was the daughter of Thomas Aulsberry and Mary Cuddihy, locally known as Cuddy, who were married during the Famine in 1847.  Aulsberry is a rare surname … Read More

FOR THEM AND POSTERITY Eilish Feeley M.A. The living come with grassy tread To read the gravestones on the hill; The graveyard draws the living still, But never anymore the dead. (From “In a Disused Graveyard” by Robert Frost) Graveyards hold a particular attraction for genealogists and nothing beats that sense of discovery when you uncover the inscription and carvings on an ancient memorial lost to the world for decades under a heavy mantle of moss and ivy. The best time to visit a graveyard is in early morning sunlight when the oblique rays of the sun shine on the … Read More

Our AGI colleague Tony Hennessy will be running a 10 WEEK ONLINE GENEALOGY COURSE (2.5 hours per week) beginning on 16th February coming. The course is open to members of our mighty diaspora too so whether you are from Boston or Ballina, Toronto or Tipperary, Sydney or Sligo, Liverpool or Laois you are all very welcome. For further details email tony@tonyhennessygenealogy.com or checkout his website www.tonyhennessygenealogy.com.

A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS … Des Murtagh MAGI This 1912 photograph of the wedding of Daniel Harrington and Mary Ellen Byrne captures three generations of the Byrne family in Lucan, County Dublin. It was taken in the front garden of the bride’s parents’ home, which comprised of a 2/3 roomed cottage. Perhaps another photograph was also taken of the groom’s side of the family. Perhaps that photo may have been given to his parents or a family member to be framed and hung in a Harrington household in Cork. While this photograph captures a moment in time, from … Read More