What historical events did your ancestor witness or live through? Don’t forget that local history is just as important as world history!
My 2x great grandmother, Ellen Boyle was a witness to history, both in Ireland at the time that the potato famine decimated the potato crops, and left much of the population destitute. After the death of her father, Ellen found herself in the workhouse, when her mother was no longer able to care for her. She was eventually selected, from the workhouse girls, to go to Australia under the Orphan Emigration Scheme. It was in Australia that she witnessed the birth and growth of the new country.
Each year in November, there is a commemoration of the Irish famine girls on the foreshore at Williamstown, Victoria. This is where many of the orphan girls first stepped onto Australian soil. Last year, I was invited to be a guest at the commemoration, where I presented the story of my 2x great grandmother’s experience of arriving in Australia, and her life after arrival.
Following is a transcript of the presentation that I gave on the day that commemorated the arrival of the Irish famine girls in Australia. There were many descendants of other orphans there on the day, with many stories to tell. Following is the story of Ellen Boyle, as she possibly would have told it herself.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION 2023 – IS MISE ELLEN BOYLE
Is Mise Ellen Boyle – I am Ellen Boyle.
I was born in Inver, Co Donegal, in the north-west corner of Ireland. It’s a wild and beautiful place. We were poor tenant farmers. Life was hard, but our family and our community were strong. We grew potatoes; a good crop in the lazy beds of our small plot, that gave enough for us to eat and pay our rent.
And then the hunger came. The potatoes rotted in the ground. People were evicted from their homes. My Da, Daniel, died. Left alone, and with the Famine raging, my mother Ann struggled to look after us all. So I went to the poorhouse. It was a feared place, but I would have food and shelter, and I could work for my keep.
There, families were separated, some never to see each other again. We were called inmates, wore rough uniforms, and slept on pallets on the floor in crowded dormitories. We women did household chores, sewing, carding, knitting and spinning. Punishments were harsh, so we obeyed all the rules. I sometimes feared I might live my life in the workhouse, and be buried in the graveyard at the back, like so many others.
But in 1848 we were told of a new scheme. Girls aged 14 to 19, if healthy and of good morals, could go to Australia to work and live. It was a fearful thought, it was so far away. But it was exciting too; we would be free in the New World. We could make our own lives, and our own luck. And when I did well, I would bring my family to Australia too! I was chosen and, in my 16th year, set out with my new clothes, shoes, Bible and travel box.
We sailed from Plymouth on a big ship called the Lady Kennaway. There were 191 Irish orphan girls on board. The trip took three whole months. We shared bunks in steerage and ate in a small mess area. We were kept apart from other passengers, overseen by a doctor and matrons. The creak of the ship became a comfort as it rode the waves. The sea was so big, we could scarce imagine it! And the smell of the salt air sometimes reminded me of home in dear Donegal.
On 6 December we sailed into Port Phillip, where we anchored off a settlement called Williamstown. We gathered on deck looking at the busy docks and workers, dusty streets, and mix of wooden and stone buildings. Strangest of all, the day was hot – in December – I never knew such a thing!
We were helped down the side of the ship and into small boats that bounced over the waves as we were rowed to the shore. Spray from the water was fresh on our faces, and there was nary a cloud in the big, blue sky. Usually, we would chatter in excitement, but most of us just sat in silence and looked on our new land with wide eyes and beating hearts.
The city of Melbourne was only a few miles away. It was big and bustling. We stayed in dormitories at the Immigration Depot, tidying ourselves to make a good show for employers. I couldn’t read or write, but I was a good worker. I was there for six days, when I got work with Mr Charles Ryan. He was from Co Kilkenny, and I was happy to be chosen by someone from home. I was a housemaid, engaged for three months at £12 a year with rations. Mr Ryan had a farm – they called it a station. It was a very long way from Melbourne, on a river called the Goulburn. The station had a funny name, Dungallack. Did ye ever hear of such a name?!
It was the start of a good life for me. I met a wonderful man, William Calnan. He was a Kilkenny man and, one year on, we were married in St Francis Catholic Church in Melbourne. We moved to the country, finally settling at Violet Town where we built our own farm, and were blessed with 12 children – six boys and six girls.
Then, in 1857, I was given a true miracle, when my dear mother, my brother Patrick and his daughters were able to migrate to Australia. They settled near us, at Violet Town. After 33 years together, I lost my William. I ran the farm for a few more years, then moved into the township.
It was 13 years later, in 1896, when my life’s great journey would come to an end. I was 63 years on this earth. I had lost people I loved, endured the Great Hunger, survived the dreaded workhouse, and fled to the other end of the world. But it was also my luck to marry a good man, raise fine children, and reunite with my mother and brother. Many poor souls were not so lucky.
I was an Irish Famine orphan girl, and I was blessed with a grand life. Is mise, Ellen Boyle.
Written by: Siobhan O’Neill, Irish Famine Orphan Girls Committee, 14 Nov 2023.
Presented by Jennifer Jones, 2x great granddaughter
Ellen Boyle arrived travelled to Australia, with the Earl Grey Orphan Scheme on the SS Lady Kennaway
Below is another post that I wrote about Ellen Boyle and the Earl Grey Orphan Girl Scheme:
Ellen Boyle, Earl Grey Famine Girl
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Recently, Aussie genealogy blogger, Jill, aka Geniaus put out a reminder of an Australia Day Geneameme that was devised by Pauleen, aka CassmobCASSMOB in 2014. This meme is still current today, so I’m taking up the “C’mon Aussie” call to reply. Big thanks to both Pauleen and Jill.
My first ancestor to arrive in Australia was Thomas Jones. I haven’t been able to find any information about his arrival. I know that he was in Tasmania in 1839, when his son was born. His wife was informant on his death certificate and she noted that he came to Australia as military.
I have Australian Royalty: My 4x great grandmother, Hanorah Ahern, was convicted of stealing and transported to Australia for seven years on the SS Catherine.
I’m an Aussie mongrel, my ancestors came to Oz from: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Did any of your ancestors arrive under their own financial steam? A few did, but most were assisted immigrants
How many ancestors came as singles? Only a few.
How many came as couples? Andrew Louden and Elizabeth Anderson were married in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1852. They left Scotland five months later on the Aberfoyle, bound for Australia.
How many came as family groups? Most of my ancestors came with children, as family groups.
Did one person lead the way and others follow? My 2x great grandfather, Farquhar Morison came out in 1848. There were others who followed. My 2x great grandmother Ellen Boyle, came to Australia as part of the Earl Grey Famine orphan scheme. Eight years later, her mother, brother and her brother’s children followed her out to Australia.
What’s the longest journey they took to get here? They all came from Britain, so the journey was long for everyone
Did anyone make a two-step emigration via another place? Not that I know about.
Which state(s)/colony did your ancestors arrive? NSW, Tasmania, Victoria, and a few to South Australia
Did they settle and remain in one state/colony? A few who arrived in NSW, went on to Tasmania. Members of the Jones and McQueen families moved to Victoria, from Tasmania. There were Victorians who found their way to NSW and Queensland.
Did they stay in one town or move around? There were many who moved around to follow the gold rush and also other work.
Do you have any First Australians in your tree? No, I haven’t come across any.
Were any self-employed? A few were self employed
What occupations or industries did your earliest ancestors work in? They were mostly farmers and labourers.
Does anyone in the family still follow that occupation? I would say there are few farmers but probably many labourers
Did any of your ancestors leave Australia and go “home” No they all stayed in Australia
NOW IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU
What’s your State of Origin? Victoria
Do you still live there? Yes
Any special place you like to holiday now? At the moment, it’s The Sunshine Coast, Queensland, where my son and grandchildren live.
Share your favourite spot in Oz: Falls Creek, in the Victorian High Country
Falls Creek Waterfall
What’s on your Australian holiday bucket list? I would like to travel to King Island, in the Bass Street. I have family members who died there in Australia’s largest civilian maritime disaster. I would like to see the memorial that has been erected, and visit the museum that commemorates the event.
How do you celebrate Australia Day? When I was President of a local community group, the day always began early with an Aussie Barbie breakfast followed by an Australia Day ceremony. These days we have a relaxing day at home usually. This year on Australia Day, we will be heading to Bright at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, for a week’s holiday.
©2024 copyright. All rights reserved jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com
This aim of this challenge is to write about one ancestor every week in 2024, according to a given prompt. I will be writing about my ancestors and also about other family members.
“…………Tell the story of a favorite photo: Who is in it, when and where it was taken, and why it was taken. (That last part is often left out!) Feel free to leave your links and stories (and photos!) in the comments”. – Amy Johnson Crow
The photo below is my favourite of the few photos that I have featuring my ancestors. The photo was taken on my great grandparents wedding day.
Earnest Welfare WATERS married Hilda Mary Beatrice GILMOUR on 29 January 1902. At the time of their marriage Ernest was living at Rochester, but they married at the Salvation Army in Fitzroy. Hilda’s home was Fitzroy. They were both committed members of The Salvation Army. After their marriage, they made their home at Rochester.
After their marriage, Earnest and Hilda continued their Salvation Army connection. I can well remember my grandparents wearing their Salvation Army uniforms at all times. They were both very active members and very highly respected by all at their Salvation Army corps. As a young person, most times when I came into contact with a Salvation Army elder, they would want to talk to me about my great grandparents. They were very highly respected.
This was the second marriage for Ernest. He was married to Elizabeth MACROW on 21 February 1899. Elizabeth had been a Salvation Army Officer, but was required to step down from that position when they married, as Salvation Army Officers could only marry other Officers. Elizabeth passed away, almost two years after their marriage on 11 January 1901.
You will notice the musical instrument my great grandfather is holding in his wedding portrait. It is a cornet which he played for many years in the Salvation Army Band. I have the feeling that this cornet was his pride and joy. I remember it well, and it’s still in the family.
Earnest and Hilda were the parents of my grandmother Leola Jean WATERS
Earnest Waters and Hilda Mary Beatrice Gilmour on their wedding day
In the News
The newspaper article below was taken on the occasion of my great grandparents, Earnest and Hilda’s sixtieth wedding anniversary. It was taken in my aunts lounge room. I know that because I was there. That is me, inb the family photo, above, third from the left, behind my great grandmother. My mother is on the couch, on the right, holding my younger sister.
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This aim of this challenge is to write about one ancestor every week in 2024, according to a given prompt. I will be writing about my ancestors and also about other family members.
Genealogists often get the question, “Where is your family from?” With this week’s theme, you could explore an immigrant ancestor, but you could also think about the origin of other aspects of your family. Who was the first person in your family to settle in a particular town? If you have a long line of people with the same occupation, talent, etc, who was the first person you know who did it? – Amy Johnson Crow
When I first started researching my family, almost three decades ago, I was hoping to find something exotic in my ancesty. I was very quickly disappointed as I searched, to find that it seemed I was very British. When DNA became available, I tested hoping once again to find something surprising. My DNA results confirmed that my research was correct. I was almost completely British, except for a tiny percentage of Nordic.
Following is a listing of the ancestry lines that I have been reseaching, and their place of origin.
BOYLE – Donegal, Ireland.
CALNAN – Kilkenny, Ireland
COX – Steeple Ashton and Bath, Wiltshire, England
GILMOUR -Ireland
JONES – London, England
LLOYD – Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
LOUDEN – Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland
LOVE – Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England
McPHERSON – Sleat, Inverness, Scotland
McQUEEN – Trelawny, Cornwall, Jamaica
MORRISON/MORISON = Glenshiel, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland
TAYLOR – Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
WATERS – Dunton, Bedfordshire, England
WEBB – Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire, England,
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024
This challenge is to publish one post weekly, every week in 2024, about an ancestor or another person in yur family tree. The post is to be written according to a prompt. I haven’t done this challenge for a couple of years, so thought it was about time to give it another go. The prompts this year look quite challenging, so I’ll have to give them quite a bit of thought, and possibly get a bit creative with them.
Blogging April A to Z Challenge
Once again, I plan to participate in the Blogging April AtoZ Challenge. This challenge is to publish a post every day, except Sundays, in April. In February this is 26 days. However, in 2024, I’m not doing the A to Z Challenge on this blog. I will be participating on my new One Place Study blog.
RootsTech
As usual, I’m looking forward to Rootstech, the largest genealogy conference in the world. This conference is held annually, in Utah, Salt Lake City, but during the covid years, it was held online. I attended the conference in person at Salt Lake City, in 2016 and loved the experience. Since then, I’ve attended each year that has been online, as it will be again this year. I will be posting about sessions that I attend.
Scottish Indexes
The Scottish Indexes conference is an all day conference that has been held about six times each year, since it began during the pandemic. This conference is online and free, and provides a huge amount of valuable information.
Inquests – There will be further posts in the Inquest series, featuring inquests in my family history.
Irish Research – A focus of my research this year will be Irish research. I’ve done very little Irish research and have much to learn, but I’m hoping to make progress and post my findings.
Timelines – There will be further posts in the Timelines of my Ancestors series.
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The point of this challenge is to write about one ancestor every week in 2024, according to a given prompt. I will be writing about ancestors and other family members.
Many of us have heard stories from our grandparents about incredible feats our ancestors did or a famous person we’re related to. What’s a tale that has been passed down in your family? Did it end up being true or did it turn out to just be a good story?
There have been very few stories passed down in my family, so I’ve been battling to think of something to write for the very first prompt for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024. There is one piece of family lore that I very much doubt, but have no evidence at all for being doubtful about it. I’m just going by my instinct.
My grandmother, my father’s mother, was Emily TAYLOR. I didn’t know her at all, as she and my father’s father, died when my father was 6 years old. Emily was born in 1886 at Bundalong, near Yarrawonga, Victoria. On 25 April 1910, Emily married William Lowe JONES at Richmond, Victoria.
Many years ago, when I began to research our Jones family history, my father told me not to waste my time researching his mother’s side of the family, as she had no family. I quickly found out that her family was very large. Emily had nine brothers and sisters, and that was just the beginning. As my research progressed, I found that those brothers and sisters also had large families. I will never forget my father’s shock, each time I told him about yet another cousin, aunt or uncle that he had never known about.
It wasn’t long before cousins, some close and others more distant, were making contact with me. It has been a huge highlight for me to meet up with many family members over the years. Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to meet the oldest living member of my grandmother’s family, her nephew’s wife. At the time of meeting her, she was in her 90s. I was very excited to meet her, just because I had heard what a wonderful person she was, but also because I was sure she would have known my grandmother. However, she very quickly took me aside, to very quietly tell me that I had the wrong family, as there was her husband hadn’t had an aunt named Emily.
I had documentation to show her, which surprised her very much, and she had to admit that, yes, Emily was definitely her husband’s aunt, even though she had never previously heard her name mentioned by the family.
So, the question is, why did Emily not have contact with her family, after her marriage. According to some members of my family, it was obvious that Emily had fallen out with her family over the man that she had chosen to marry. I’m sure it isn’t that simple. Before her marriage, Emily had been working in Melbourne and would have met her husband at that time. I’m sure her leaving home, and going to live in Melbourne had nothing to do with her future husband. It’s possible that she went to work in Melbourne, and due to the difficulties of staying connected at the time, just lost contact with the family.
Whatever the reason, it’s very sad that the family seemed to have split. It really doesn’t matter to me, what the reason, but I’m very pleased that I discovered family history and have been able to connect with my grandmother’s family.
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from: The Argus, Melbourne, Vic: 1848-1957, Friday 27 December, 1867, page 5
The anniversary of the great Christian festival, on Wednesday, was celebrated in Melbourne in the manner which has assumed with us all the regularity of established custom. In the morning, religious services were performed in the various places of worship connected with the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, at which large audiences assisted; and the customary festivities of the season were observed by all classes with as much heartiness as any time since the early settlers sat down to their first Christmas dinner in this colony, surrounded by the now almost extinct aborigines. The busy scene enacted on the previous evening at the Eastern market, and in the shops of all the provision dealers, sufficiently showed the satisfactory circumstances under which preparation was being made for that day on which
” E’en from the peasant to the lord
A turkey smokes on every board “
and to judge from the crowds of contented looking people who were to be seen bargaining for the classic sirloin and materials for the huge plum pudding of the old, English Christmas dinner, there has been no merrier Christmas spent here than that just passed.
There were, no doubt, silvery voices, jolly songs, and festive boards, surrounded by brave company to grace the good cheer; and let us hope, that in this lime of feasting and wassail, the unfortunates in the various charitable institutions, who have spent merry Christmases too in their days of prosperity, were not altogether forgotten in the mansions of the rich.
The day was somewhat cloudy and threatening, and a smaller number of people than usual, spent their Christmas in the open air, as Australians are wont to do. A considerable number of excursionists ventured out, nevertheless; and a great many pleasure seekers betook themselves to the companionship of “the sad sea waves,” at Queenscliff, Brighton, St. Kilda, and Schnapper Point. The parks and public reserves were rather thinly attended, and the river had little of a holiday appearance to show.
The suburban railways were kept tolerably busy, but it was anything but a day of bustle and excitement, and the city was almost as quiet as on Sundays. Of Boxing Day, however, the Christmas holiday par excellence- there will be a very different story to tell.
BOXING DAY.
The first burst of the Christmas holidays is now over, and in a few days we shall have forgotten them, in favour of a little proper excitement about the New Year. Upon the whole, it has been very pleasant, although things promised differently. Christmas Day broke disagreeably: a hot wind lightly fanned us with an air that made the perspiration come out like beads on the forehead and weigh heavily on the lungs. As the good folks came out of church in the morning the wind shifted to the south, and the popular enjoyment was increased by at least 300 per cent.
However the wealthier classes might have managed it, the poorer people, to whom holidays are rare, would have felt it keenly; and on them would have come the full force of the many temptations to drink in excess which the sirocco brings. The cool breeze continued throughout yesterday, which was one of the most beautiful days of the season, and consequently the chief outdoor amusements of the day, the fête at the Zoological gardens, the cricket match, and the review, were crowded with pleasure seekers, who got what they looked for.
It was thought by some, that our Christmas pleasures would be somewhat curtailed because of the money spent in receiving the Duke. If the fact be so, it has not appeared yet, and is only known to those whom it concerns. On every side all classes seem to have ” gone in” for pleasure with unabated eagerness, and apparently with purses ordinarily full. The reason of this is, it may be, that Victorians, at least those of Melbourne, are gradually learning thriftiness, and find that they have in the past allowed their pleasures to cost them a little more than they need. Be that as it may, the metropolis and the whole colony are making high holiday, and, it is to be hoped, thanking Providence for the weather that has made the Christmas of 1867 so delightful. We shall notice in detail a few of the more prominent events and amusements of the day.
*Please note: Punctuation and paragraphs have been added to the above transcription for ease and speed of reading
1867 ‘CHRISTMAS DAY.’, The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), 27 December, p. 5. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5786891
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Each year blogger Jill ,aka GENIAUS, has thrown out the challenge to family history bloggers, to review their year in genealogy and find the positives in their blogging year by responding to given prompts, in a geneame created by Jill. This year is the 12th geneameme and once again, I can’t resist participating.
1. On revisiting some old research I found that over my years of research, I have collected many snippets of information about Haverfordwest, Wales, where my 2x grandparents John TAYLOR and Martha LLOYD were born. I had recently passed on my Axedale One Place Study to another researcher, and had been trying to decide on a new place It came to me that I had the makings of a beginning in my notes.
My new One Place Study Haverfordwest History was then born.
2. In 2023 I hooked up with a new (to me) living cousin: I haven’t made any new family connections this year. 2023 has been very quiet on that front, mostly due to my work commitments. Planning on being more available next year.
3. I’m pleased I replaced a tool I had been using with a much needed new computer and monitor.
4. My sledge hammer did great work on this brick wall: I haven’t used the sledge hammer this year, but I have managed to fill in a few long term research gaps. During the year I have been creating timelines for my direct ancestors. There have been a few instances of these timelines pointing to gaps in my research which needed to be filled, giving me a new research focus.
5. I was pleased that I finally read The Good Genealogist by Danielle Lautrec which has been sitting on my Kindle since it was published. It’s a wonderful book that I will continue to use as a reference.
6. I enjoyed my geneajourney to… I have to say that this year has been very quiet due to work overwhelm, and I haven’t done any actual geneajourneying. I have however geneajourneyed, virtually. I’ve really enjoyed doing a deep dive into Haverfordwest for my One Place Study, learning all that I can, and conducting research for my study.
7. In 2023 I finally met Noeleen who had become known to me as the administrator of the Irish Orphan Girl Facebook page. Our initial contact was online, when she invited me to be guest presenter at the annual commemoration of the arrival in Australia, of the Irish Orphan girls, at the Famine Rock in Williamstown. When we finally spoke by phone, it was wonderful and a big surprise when we discovered that we had a family connection by marriage.
8. I was the recipient of genearosity from fellow family researchers and cousins, Mary in England, and also Graham in Australia. They both read my blog with interest and share stories and photos with me regularly. I do appreciate the connections we have made.
9. I am pleased that I am a member of The Society of Australian Genealogists. have watched many of their webinars this year, that have been valuable to my research. I have also joined a couple of their groups that have met multiple times during the year. I hope to join in more next year. I haven’t been able to join in live as much as I would have liked, but intend to have more availability in 2024.
10. I made a new DNA discovery – DNA Traits. It has nothing much to do with serious research, and I look upon it only as a bit of fun. However, I did enjoy reading about my traits and thinking about their accuracy. In many instances they were spot on. For example: Introvert or extravert? I was on the introvert end of the scale, which I feel is correct. There were others, that I thought had very little relevance to me. As I said, just a bit of fun.
11. An informative journal or newspaper article I found was a lovely detailed report of the wedding of my great grandparents, Ernest Waters and Hilda Mary Beatrice Gilmour. Also, a newspaper report of their Golden Wedding Anniversary with a photo of four generations including myself.
Ernest Waters and Hilda Mary Beatrice Gilmour
12. A newspaper archive (Trove?) helped me to find articles about my One Place Study, Haverfordwest. Just a reminder to check Trove for information on the far off places, where your ancestors originated.
13. I enjoyed my wander around Kyneton cemetery. It wasn’t so much a wander but a quick visit on a cold, wet and windy day. The White Hills Cemetery is only a block from my house. I have no family members that I know of buried there, but I often wander through there, when I’m out walking. This cemetery is steeped in the history of the Central Victoria Goldfields.
14. AI was a mystery to me but I learnt that there is a place for it, and it could be useful for family history and other research purposes. I have been playing around with it lately as an experiment.
15. The best value I got for my genealogy dollars was my subscription to Legacy Webinars. I take a subscription every year as I feel it is great value for money and an excellent educational resource. I try to watch at least one webinar each week, but usually more.
16. It felt good to contribute to the transcribing of Scottish Prison Records earlier in the year.
17. It was wonderful to catch up with genimates. My catching up and connecting this year has been virtual, through social media and attending zoom presentations. I’m very happy that I can keep connecting in this way with genie friends, even if it’s difficult at times to attend an in person event. I attended the All About That Place on line, 10 day conference where I enjoyed reconnecting with One Placers and getting to know more about their place.
18. I wouldn’t be without this technology. It has to be Zoom, which we discovered during the lock down periods of the pandemic. My love affair has continued with it ever since. I live in Central Victoria which is quite a distance from where most genealogy sessions and conferences are held. Before Zoom, I often wasn’t able to attend. I love that I’m now able to conferences that held both in Australia and overseas.
19. I wrote on my blog about Australia’s largest civilian maritime disaster, when the SS Cataraqui smashed into rocks off the coast of King Island, killing 399 people. Members of my Izzard family, from Bedfordshire, were onboard and lost their lives. Wreck of the SS Cataraqui
19. I got a thrill from opening someone’s eyes to the joy of genealogy. A colleague at work mentioned to me that he would love to find out about his father and grandparents but had no idea how to start. During a lunch break, I showed him how to find information on Ancestry. In that hour we found the deaths of his grandparents and he had a good starting point for research.
20. Another positive I would like to share is: In 2023 I decided that I would like to host a linkup of genealogy/family history bloggers in 2024. This has been in the planning stages only, but will come to reality in the new year.
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There was controversy about the Irish Girls who arrived in Australia between 1848 and 1852, under the Earl Grey Orphan Scheme, to start their lives over. Headlines appeared in many newspapers across Australia.
Recently, I was guest speaker at the Irish Orphan Girls Commemoration held on the foreshore of Williamstown, where ships carrying the girls, arrived. I spoke about my 2x great grandmother, Ellen Boyle, a destitute girl of 15, from Donegal, who arrived in Australia on the SS Lady Kennaway. Link to further information about my 2x great garandmother: Ellen Boyle
The following article is one of the more considered articles that appeared.
from: Freeman”s Journal (Sydney, NSW: 1830-1952), Thursday 11 July 1850, page 5.
IRISH ORPHAN GIRLS
” Where is my cabin door, fast by the wild woods?
Sisters and Sire, did you weep for its fall?
Where is the mother that looked on my childhood?
And where is the bosom-friend dearer than all?”
A French writer says, ” that man is born a tyrant, and that he seeks for the helpless and forlorn as victims for the exercise of his tyranny.” We doubted, for a time, the correctness of this misanthrophic assertion, but from the unfeeling manner in which a portion of the Sydney and Melbourne press has treated the homeless Irish Orphans, we have been induced to think that there is some truth in the sarcastic observation of the French philosopher. Well may these helpless orphans exclaim in the pathetic words of the Exile of Erin, when they hear of the ruthless and unmanly attacks made on them by the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Argus.
“Where is the mother that looked on my childhood?
And where is the bosom-friend dearer than all ?”
Both these chivalrous and gallant assailants of helpless girls, dipped the point of their spears in the juice of wormwood, and the Argus poured a strong infusion of falsehood into the decoction, in order to inflict a more, deadly wound on the objects of his cowardly assault.
The principal charges made against the Orphans are, that they are more expensive, and less useful than other immigrants; that they are unacceptable to the Protestant contributors to the Land Fund. The immaculate Argus goes further and brings a wholesale charge of vice and immorality against the; Proh pudo !
We shall make a few remarks on each of these charges, and will premise that we are no advocates for sending out so many o£ these girls, and in such rapid succession. We think, however, that this is owing to the answer returned to Earl Grey’s first despatch on the subject by the Immigration Committee in Sydney to the effect, that thirteen hundred Orphan Girls could be provided for, annually in New South Wales, for some time to come.
This opinion was given before the committee were aware of the great influx of other immigrants to the colony. For our own part, we would prefer to leave many of these girls exposed, even to the dangers of starvation at home, than to have them exposed to the taunts and bad treatment, which some of them have experienced here.
Several of them have been obliged to get their indentures cancelled, under various pretexts, in order to escape from the brutal grasp of licentious masters. As to their being too expensive to the colony, we hold that they have been the occasion of a great saving to the colonists, by reason of the reduction in the wages of female servants, consequent on the low rates at which these girls have been hired. We know that several discharged their servant women, who were in the receipt of high wages, as soon as they got an Orphan Girl at £6 or £8 per annum, and then insisted on these girls doing all the work of their former servants; though these apprentices, were neither supposed, nor expected to be equal to the work of thorough servants- hence arose much of the complaints of their being useless, because they were not as expert as older and well-trained servant women. No doubt there were several useless ones among so many hundreds; and so, also, are there many useless amongst the ordinary immigrants.
That some of the Protestant contributors to the ‘Land Fund’ do not like such an importation of Irish Papists, as they are pleased to call them, we freely admit. When the purchasers of crown lands get value for their money in the shape of broad acres, any further right upon their part to demand a second equivalent, in the selection of immigrants of their own peculiar way of thinking, cannot be admitted, for as Earl Grey, in answer to Dr. Lang on this point, justly remarks, the money arising from the sale of crown land forms an Imperial Fund available for the purposes of emigration from England, Ireland, and Scotland, in proportion to the relative number of inhabitants of the three countries, and not according to the religious opinions of any parties wishing to emigrate, to these colonies.
No doubt we have amongst us some who would fair see inscribed on the ‘ Sydney Heads’ the motto that once adorned the gates of bigoted Bandon— ‘ A Turk, Jew, or Atheist Is welcome here, but not a Papist.” Hence more sympathy seemed to be shewn by certain parties towards the Pagan Savages of Cannibal Islands, who had been kidnapped some time back from their homes, by sordid speculators, than towards these Christian children of Catholic Ireland. There is a curious incident regarding these Orphans, which is, that their arch reviler and the inveterate declaimer against their religion, is now, with matchless effrontery, soliciting the votes of Irish Catholics to return him to the Legislative Council, as the great champion of liberty and equality. Truly wonders will never cease !
The most shameful and groundless charge of immorality made against the Orphans by the Argus, and re-echoed by the City Council of Melbourne, has been taken up and most triumphantly refuted by the Irish residents in Port Phillip. From the written evidence of the Chief Constable, the Sergeants, and members of the Police Force, produced at the meeting of St. Patrick’s Society, it has been proved that not more than three, or six at most, out of the thirteen hundred Orphan Girls landed at Melbourne turned out disreputably.
The Mayor and Immigration Agent certified the same, and spoke in high terms of the moral character of these girls. We doubt not but that a similar conclusion would result from a like investigation in Sydney not withstanding the many snares and temptations by which these Orphans have been surrounded. Wherever any of them have fallen, it has been the work of seduction or violence. We have received satisfactory information from several respectable parties in the interior, as to the general good character of the Orphans in their localities.
We freely admit that the majority of them are not thorough servants, but in general they are, honest, sober and hardworking, three qualities not always found united in the female servants of New South Wales. And as a proof that these girls are beginning to be appreciated, we may adduce the fact, that out of about 280 arrived a few weeks since by the “John Knox,” 200 have been hired in that time from the Depot in Sydney.
The Herald complains of the expense of supporting these girls for a few weeks at Hyde Park Barracks, but these expenses are small, when compared to the benefit that the public derive from having a sufficient supply of female servants. at hand, and that at reduced wages. No, neither the expenses, nor the pretended uselessness of these girls, is the real cause of the outcry against them, but it is because they are under the ‘curse,’ of which Dean Swift so bitterly complains — they were born in Ireland, and that is aggravated in the eyes of some, because the majority of them have held fast to the ‘ Faith’ of their forefathers; Hinc illæ lachrymœ. Hence the tears of the Herald. This is the “Head and front of their offending.”
Several of their employers differ from them in religion, and some revile and insult them on account of their Faith; but this is not the way to train them up to be docile and useful servants. No right-minded person will ever ridicule another on account of his religious opinions. Many of the Orphans have reason to complain of the many impediments thrown in their way to prevent them from attending their place of worship, although this is expressly provided for in their Indentures — this sours their temper and then they become sullen, and indifferent to the fulfilment of their duties, and then new causes of complaint arise, which a little kindness and forethought on the part of their masters, and especially of their mistresses, might have prevented.
We have dwelt rather long upon this disagreeable subject, but we were anxious to remove from the public mind some part of the prejudice which has been excited against these unoffending Orphans; and to point out the real cause of that prejudice.
The Famine Rock on the foreshore at Williamstown, memorialises the many Irish Orphan Girls
who came to Australia, under the Earl Grey Scheme between 1848 and 1852
– Image: Irish Famine Girls Commemoration (Facebook)
*Please note: Punctuation and paragraphs have been added to the above transcription for ease and speed of reading
*Proh Pudor is Latin for shame
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From Ireland to Australia
The Earl Grey Orphan Scheme sent over 4,000 orphan girls from Irish workhouses to Australia, between 1848 and 1850. The scheme was named after Earl Grey, who was the secretary of state for the colonies. The main objective of the scheme was to send females from Ireland to Australia to fill positions as domestics, and to become wives for the men in the colony. Due to the famine in Ireland, the workhouses were very over crowded and numbers needed to be reduced. Sending young destitute girls from the workhouses was seen as a way to reduce those numbers.
Orphan girls of good character were required to be between the ages of 14 and 18, and of good health. They were transported on specially chartered ships, where they were accompanied by a matron and a surgeon. They were provided with clothing, bedding, and provisions for the voyage, which lasted about three months.
On their arrival at port in Australia, they were housed in immigration depots, until they were indentured to employers for a periods of up to two years. Their positions were dependant on their age and skills.
There was controversy and criticism when the scheme was accused of sending girls of unskilled and uneducated, dubious character. They were also accused of exploitation and abuse. There were many derogatory newspaper headlines, which caused the girls to face discrimination and prejudice from the general population.
The scheme was also said to be lacking support for the orphan girls as they were left alone and, without any assistance, to adapt to their new environment. Some of the girls faced homesickness and depression.
Despite the challenges, many orphan girls manage to make a success of their life in the new land, and contributed to the development of Australian society.
My 2x grandmother, Ellen Boyle, was one of these orphans. She took the opportunity to start a new life in Australia. She married, had 12 children, and lived a long, life, until her death in 1888.
More about the life of my 2x great grandmother, Ellen Boyle, can be found at the links below:
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2019/10/22/ellen-boyle-earl-grey-famine-girl/ https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2019/10/29/irish-famine-girl-ellen-boyles-will/
The following poem about the orphan girls was published in the Port Phillip Gazette in 1849.
from: The Port Phillip Gazette & Settler’s Journal (Vic: 1845-1850) Tuesday, 5 June 1849, page 4
ORIGINAL POETRY.
LINES ON VISITING THE ORPHAN GIRLS ON BOARD THE ” PEMBERTON . “
Welcome, Erin’s youthful daughters,
From the land of want and toll,
O’er the deep wide waste of waters
To Australia’s fertile soil.
Joyful is my heart to find you
Landed on this happy shore
Where the Almighty has designed you
To enjoy his bounteous store.
Youthful innocence and beauty,
Dwell in each sweet blooming face
May you be, through love and duty,
Mothers of a noble race.
Now you tread the soil of freedom,
Where no pauper prisons stand
Wisely governed men ne’r need them,
They but suit a misruled land.
Here disease and pining hunger,
Dwell with idleness and crime
Upright be, and fear no longer
Woe nor want in blessed clime.
Selfish hearts, let shame betide them,
Dreading lest high wages fall
My last pence I would divide them,
Were not plenty here for all.
May you be by grace protected,
From deceitful villains’ wiles
And your path to Heaven directed,
Whether fortune frowns or smiles.
Glass wall with Orphan Girls names engraved, Hyde Barracks Sydney
Sources:
https://laoisheritagesociety.ie/the-earl-grey-scheme-and-the-emigration-of-girls-from-the-workhouses-of-laois/
irishfaminememorial.org irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-story-of-the-irish-famine-orphan-girls-shipped-to-australia-1.4075722
irishfaminememorial.org
1849 ‘ORIGINAL POETRY.’, Port Phillip Gazette and Settler’s Journal (Vic. : 1845 – 1850), 5 June, p. 4. , viewed 22 Nov 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223154482
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Tracking Down The Family 