| The Family of Catherine Carroll(1841-1889) |
Often people are frustrated in their search for family history by on-line genealogy trees that link people without any sources. One of our members Graeme Lamb has kindly shared his frustrations with us concerning on-line family history sites with unlikely hints in family trees. Graeme’s story began with Catherine CARROLL (1841-1889).
Michael CARROLL and Mary JOICE arrived in Port Phillip aboard the Coromandel in July 1840 and married soon afterwards at St Francis church. Catherine, their first born, arrived in 1841, but the search for her life details located only one official document, her baptism certificate. Hints from genealogy sites linked her to a Bryan Ryan and dying in 1933 at Pakenham, with their children born in the Warrnambool area. I was confused, our family history never mentioned the name Ryan, nor Pakenham nor Warrnambool.
Moving to the Port Phillip Pioneers Group website and their indexes prepared by Lester Stephens I found a reference to Catherine CARROLL marrying James McNeil.
Searching McNeil in Vic BDM revealed their marriage, births of children and death details, confirming my suspicion the following on-line hints were incorrect for my ancestor’s line:
- Catherine Carroll/Ryan born 1845, Thurles Ireland, daughter of Richard Carroll and Johanna McLoughley,married 1879 Thomas Ryan, (Vic BDM 3127) and died 1933 Pakenham, (Vic BDM 16658)
- Kate Carroll/Ryan born 1859, Southern Cross Victoria, daughter of Patrick Carroll and Elizabeth Bolton, of Warrnambool, married 1879 Bryan Ryan (Vic BDM 3158), died 1887 Koroit (Vic BDM 15634)
Graham provided a summary and timeline of Catherine CARROLL/MCNEIL’s life:
- Catherine CARROLL/McNeil born 1841, Melbourne, daughter of Michael CARROLL and Mary JOYCE, married James McNeil 1864 (Vic BDM 3914), died 1889 St Kilda (Vic BDM 19101)
- 1841 birth, Melbourne (Vic BDM 36065) daughter of Michael CARROLL and Mary JOYCE (JOICE)
- 1864 married at Brighton James McNeil (a Scot) (Vic BDM 3914)
- 1867 birth of daughter Mary Ann (Vic BDM 17185)
- 1869 birth of son William Patrick (Vic BDM 10646) – surname spelt McNeal
- 1871/72 birth of daughter Helena Maple Branch – no birth record, derived from death certificate
- 1872 death of daughter Helena Maple Branch (Vic BDM 2283/1872 age 7 months)
- 1875 birth of son John James (Vic BDM 11235)
- 1877 birth of son Thomas Joseph (Vic BDM 17492)
- 1879 birth of son James (Vic BDM ref 10962)
- 1880/81 birth of son Westley – no birth record, derived from death certificate
- 1881 death of son Westley (Vic BDM 11499 age 7 months)
- 1882 death of father Michael CARROLL, Catherine listed on death certificate as living
- 1885 – 2 January death, James McNeil, Traralgon, (Vic BDM 3701). Coroner’s Inquest found death due to heart failure. Probate granted to Catherine on 12 February 1885 ref 29/216
- 1889 – 27 December, died age 48, Catherine MCNEIL nee CARROLL (Vic BDM 19101), buried St Kilda General Cemetery, RC section, compartment C, grave 676.
Contributed by Graeme Lamb PPPG Member No. 1552