Australian relatives trying to reconnect with distant cousins in Ireland
Kim Brockhurst in Perth writes:
'BOWEN' family (Moneygall. Co Offaly. Ireland.)
I am a descendant of a Michael Bowen who lived & worked, along his parents & siblings, on the 'Greenhills' estate, owned by the Rev. William Minchin near Moneygall, Co. Offaly.
Michael's parents were Patrick Bowen (? - 1847) married to a Judith Heenan ( ? – 1847).
(Patrick's siblings were: Cornelius, Darby, John & Michael)
Patrick & Judith had seven children, all of whom were born whilst at 'Greenhills'.
Michael (bap. 29 Apl. 1824 – 1893)
Allie (1826? - )
Cornelius (bap. 2 Nov. 1828 - )
John (bap. 17 May 1831 - 1908)
Matthew (born between 1833-1835?)
Patrick (bap. 5 Nov. 1837 - ? )
Mary (bap. 20 Aug 1841 - 1842)
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Patrick & Judith both died in 1847 from cholera, during the Potato Famine. Michael (the eldest of their children) continued to live and work at 'Greenhills' along his siblings, after their parent's deaths.
Michael, in 1853 sailed to the Swan River Colony, now known as the port city of Fremantle, near Perth, in Western Australia
I have in my possession letters from three of Michael's brothers dated between 1904 -1908, written in their latter years. Sadly, contact has been lost with the families' descendants over the years, and the only information we have to assist with our search is below.
Con (Cornelius) Bowen wrote from Dover in Kent. England. We know of a daughter named 'Allie', whose married name was Mrs Allie Martin, living in Dublin in the early 19th century.
John Bowen wrote from Nurney. Co.Kildare. Ireland. We have knowledge of three sons namely: Con, John & Michael.
Matthew Bowen wrote from Ashton-Under-Lyne (east of Manchester) England. The children we have knowledge of were: Alice, Julia, Mary Agnes & Willie (William).
The current extended descendants of Michael number over 200, mostly living in Western Australia. We have a yearly family reunion, and we would love to be able to invite our Irish cousins to visit and meet their distant Australian relatives.
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If any of the above information matches any of your own ancestry, I would appreciate it greatly if you made contact with me. If anyone else knows of this family or, has any information on the whereabouts or history of any members of the family, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you as well.
Looking forward to making some connections!
Kim in Perth, Western Australia