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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: redmr2red on Friday 20 November 09 09:09 GMT (UK)
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Hi all, I'm trying to find when Hugh Gaffney arrived in Tasmania.
The first I have of him is his marriage to Catherine Whelan in 1851. They have 13 children to 1876, I have all them. I have also found the Beta Newspaper article on his unfortunate demise under a train in 1886.
But I can't seem to find him in arrivals to Tasmania nor in any Convict lists to Tasmania.
Any help appreciated, Kevin
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http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=2
- if you look at the departure lists you see a couple records for Hugh Gaffney in the 1850s, heading to Melbourne (presumably just visiting?). It says he was free/free by servitude, and came on the Isabella Watson.
In the convict records he is listed as "Hugh Gafney" came in 1842 on the Isabella Watson, also there is a Francis Gafney on the same voyage (brothers?). There are parts of the convict records that are online that you can look at.
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Thanks Jorose, yes I did see those two listings, I assume he had business in Melbourne. One of his sons was Francis b. 1867 so it could be a brother. One of those listing says "free by servitude", does that indicate he was a convict?
I am unable to find when he first came to Tasmania. He married in 1851 so it had to be before then.
Kevin
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Yes, "free by servitude" indicates he had been a convict (but his time had finished) and the name of the ship, Isabella Watson, that he came on is also listed. (That's what 'Ship to Colony' means, the original ship which he came on from the UK).
If you look at the convict records he is there. The surname is just listed as "Gafney". The ship - "Isabella Watson" matches the departure records. Some of the records have been digitised - in the conduct records he is on page 73, summary of that info:
Convict "Hugh Gafney" was tried at Cavan in 1842 and sentenced to 7 years for Robbery, he was a Roman Catholic, aged 27, b. Co Cavan. He was tried with his brother, who was also on the ship. Francis has similar details but was aged 19.
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Many thanks Jorose, ;D ;D ;D
Now off to Ireland to find out what I can.
Kevin
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Anyone got any Irish contacts to find the parents of Hugh Gaffney (or Gafney) born 1814 in Co Cavan and his brother Francis Gaffney born 1822 possibly in Co Limerick, assuming the parents moved around.
I have tried on the Irish section
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=420721.new;topicseen#new
with no luck with finding the parents so far, and the Irish Roots pay site is unbelievably expensive at 5 Euro a single search.
Kevin
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Hi Kevin,
I too am stumped with Hugh Gafney. I know quite a lot about his Australian family, have some photos (but not of him) and a copy of his marriage certificate and his death certificate. Both of which are unhelpful in getting me further back. His wife was born at sea and on her death certificate it is listed that she had 11 children. Is it possible that Hugh had other children in Ireland or a previous marriage??? His eldest daughter Catherine - born in TAS - was one of the founding members of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration so I have contacted the Catholic Church in the hope that they may have some biographical information. Catherine aka Mother Stanislaus, travelled to Ireland later in her life and died in Wexford. I don't know if she had relatives there or not. I also know that there is some connection to Nenagh, Tipperary but cannot be sure that the connection is through the Gaffney line. But might be worth looking into. There were certainly a higher concentration of Gafneys in Cavan than in Nenagh around that time though. I would love to know any information you might come across. I will be sure to share any that I find or have.
Kindly
Kate
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Hi Kevin,
Will do. Check emails.
xK
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Thanks, BTW Welcome to Rootschat. It is a fabulous Forum. ;D
Kevin
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Hi
I am also having trouble finding info on the Gaffney"s.
I have found the info you all have stated here. hard to find photo's of any of them, the only photo's i have are of Hugh Frances b.1886 and his wife Alice maud Smith.
This is what i found on Hugh on the convict database Tas state library. dont know if any of you have it.
Convict per "Isabella Watson"
Departed Dublin 2 May 1842
Arrived Hobart 3 Aug 1842
In 1842 the vessel had carried 197male convicts (incl. 2 who died) to Hobart.
Lastname: GAFNEY Firstname: HUGH
Sex: M Age: 27
Trial place: Co. Cavan
Trial date: 28/02/1842
Crime desc: Robbery of arms
Sentence: Transportation 14 yrs commuted to 7 yrs
Document ref1: TR 4, p 18
28 feb 1842 - arrived hobart 3 aug 1842
roman catholic
can read & wright
labourer
height 5/3
complexion fresh
head oval forehead broad
hair dark brown
eyebrows black
eyes hazel
nose large
breast and arms hairy
scar on right eyebrow
2 scars on forefinger lefthand
2 scars little finger left hand
period of probation 2 years 13/12/1844 (6 weeks from this date)
released from 1st stage of probation 24 jan 1845
ticket of leave 17 nov 1846
suspectected of mutany?.
Deb
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The other convict records CON14 have more information. Go to CON14/1/15 from the Gafney search. It is a book of 277 images. Go to 135 to find Francis in this landscape book. Next image, 136, is the right hand side page. It has father James, mother Catherine, brother Hugh (on board), Michael at home, sisters Rose, Ann, Mary, Biddy. This might help if you find some likely Gafney/Gaffney families in Cavan.
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Hi Deb, welcome to RootsChat. ;D
This Gafney / Gaffney search is becoming more and more interesting. I've sent you a PM (Private Mail)
Great find Wivenhoe, I'm off to look at it now.
I have, ... well Kate discovered that Francis Gaffney sailed off to San Fancisco soon after his time was up, so that's why there is nothing about him in Tasmania after his convict days.
Cheers, Kevin
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Hi kevin
Have emailed you.
Can any one help with some questions. I have on on the Gaffney's in tasmania.
1. I have found a son in john francis Gaffney's will that i did not find in the indexes. was Phillip Patrick Gaffney born after 1900.
2. I was told that at least 1 or 2 of the spouse's married 3 or 4 times, no idea if true. no idea who. again cant find anything in indexes.
3. One of the lady's married one of the men who started the Mount Lyall Copper Mine .
Deb
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North Mt Lyell Copper Mine founder was a James CROTTY.
http://www.queenstowntasmania.com/Mt_Lyell_Page.php
Cando
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From that Mt Lyle Web Site, thanks Cando :)
In 1883 three gold diggers, Mick and Bill McDonough and Steve Karlson pegged out 50 acres of land
Christina Gaffney (daughter of Hugh Gafney) married (1) Patrick McDonough and (2) William McDonald so there most likely is a connection there.
I don't have a Phillip Patrick Gaffney, born after 1900, but will have another look.
Kevin
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Does anyone know of a family link between Hugh Gaffney and Michael Gaffney?
Michael born 1831 was also transported to Tasmania (see below - Ireland-Australia Transportation Database). All of Michael's children were born at Sassafras/Port Sorell and he was married at Westbury in 1859. It would seem to be too coincidental that Michael ended up in the same region of Tasmania as Hugh in the mid 1800's without there being a family connection. This region was fairly remote at the time. Hugh's children were born (1853-1876) in the Westbury-Deloraine area (except the first child born in Launceston) which is only 30-40km SSE of Sassafras-Port Sorell.
(http://www.nationalarchives.ie/topics/transportation/search01.html)
Lastname: GAFFNEY
Firstname: MICHAEL
Sex: M
Trial place: Co. Mayo
Trial date: 27/12/1848
Crime desc: Robbery
Sentence: Transportation 7 yrs
Ship: LORD AUCKLAND, 00/09/1852
Document ref1: TR 8, p 120
in addition
(http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON14-1-32,252,178,L,80)
Height: 5.3 3/4
Religion: Roman Catholic
Age at trial: 23 yrs (in record but this does not equate to Family links database)
Married
native Place: County Galway
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Hi Robbie, I don't believe they are, or at least I have not found any evidence linking the two families. I'm not sure of the correct spelling (one 'F' or 2 "Fs) or if Gafney was a spelling error, but Michael is Gaffney, while Hugh and Francis are Gafney (later Gaffney).
County Galway and trial in Mayo, is also some distance from County Cavan, even still they could be related back in Ireland.
Recollections from the family suggest that another Gaffney family moved in close by that did cause some cofusion with mail and other deliveries, each receiving items meant for the other. This is not the case with close relations that lived close together.
Kake found a newspaper entry indicating that Francis Gaffney went to San Fancisco U.S. soon after his freedom, suggesting why I haven't found a marriage or children for him.
Robbie, are you linked wth Hugh or Michael?
Kevin
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Linked to Michael. My grandfather (no longer alive) always claimed that the Gaffney's on Tasmania's West Coast (ie. Hugh' descendants) were distant cousins. Michael was his grandfather.
Michael Gaffney is also spelt with a single 'f' on some links to the Tasmanial Colonial Links database.
Robbie
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Can any one help with some questions. I have on on the Gaffney's in tasmania.
1. I have found a son in john francis Gaffney's will that i did not find in the indexes. was Phillip Patrick Gaffney born after 1900.
2. I was told that at least 1 or 2 of the spouse's married 3 or 4 times, no idea if true. no idea who. again cant find anything in indexes.
3. One of the lady's married one of the men who started the Mount Lyall Copper Mine .
Deb
Birth of Phillip Patrick Gaffney:
GAFFNEY Phillip Patrick b. 16/03/1903 at Strahan, TAS. #4260
Parents are John Francis Gaffney & Catherine Alice Dwyer
Do you have any other names you would liked checked in the indexes?
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Hi Robbie,
It was also my understanding that the two Gaffney families were unrelated but lived close by each other which was the source of a great deal of confusion, especially as both families were quite large. However, on Francis Gaffneys convict record it does list a brother "Michael" and three sisters at home with his parents back in Ireland. There could possibly be a connection which might be worth exploring. Do you know the specifics of Michaels robbery charge??? Hugh and Francis were convicted for stealing guns. I also know that Hugh could read and write and was better educated than most convicts. I assumed their crimes may have been politically motivated. However, I don't have access to their trial records. I think they may have been destroyed.
regards
Kate
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Hello,
Irish transportation records here
http://www.nationalarchives.ie/search/index.php?category=18
your Gafney men and several other Gaffney as well
And a 1821 census for Cavan here :
http://www.cmcrp.net/OtherCty/index.html
Some Gaffney but very limited transcription.
regards
Robyn
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Thanks Robyn, two very interesting Web Sites.
I can't find Hugh Gaffney born around 1814 and trasported 1842, so I should expect to find him in the 1821 Census for Co. Cavan. However if his brother Francis WAS born in Co. Limerick around 1821, it possible we would find him there.
Is there a similar Census for Co. Limerick?
Kevin
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Well I have very limited experience with Irish records, all the persons I am tracing were in Australia by 1850 and born 1790-1830 and I haven't beenable to trace themin Cavan or Tyrone at all.
All I have is sites I have looked at and some links are now not working.
The Irish resources board may be helpful
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,385.0.html
and perhaps on teh Cavan board there start a topic with a link to this one.
regards
Robyn
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My Great-Great grandfather was named Francis Gaffney. he died in 1899 at the age of 79 in Garrymore, County Cavan, Ireland. This is just outside Ballinagh (Bellenanagh) not far from Cavan Town in County Cavan. I don't know much about him, other than he married a woman named Margaret Conlon. His son Patrick, born in 1866 was may great grandfather. Perhaps he is the elusive Francis? I understand that Francis did leave Tasmania.
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Hi Johnfisher66, WOW 5 years later!! What I now know (believe) about Francis Gaffney is that he was born in Co. Cavan in 1821. He had six siblings, Hugh (Tasmanian convict also), Michael, Rose, Ann, Mary and Biddy. His parents were James & Catherine Gaffney. I have him leaving Tasmania aboard the "Spartan" bound for San Fancisco 5 May 1850. I have nothing for him after that. It is quite possible that he returned to Ireland and most likely would have never mentioned his convict past. If any of the above fits, it would be great to investigate further.
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Well - it is possible. Went through a few old notes. I know my Francis had a sister Bridget - that would coincide with your Biddy. He had two sons named Patrick and Eugene - both stayed in Ireland. I know he had other sons in Anerica. My problem is that I find it hard to believe that he would have emigrated back to Ireland. In 1850 San Francisco was booming with gold rush pioneers while Ireland was in the middle of a famine. I will look some more and let you know. I doubt your Limerick Gaffney is correct. There would be very little reason for Gaffneys born in Limerick to move to Cavan.
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I found a Hugh and Francis Gaffney in the 1821 Census in Legwee, County Cavan. This is about two miles from the Francis Gaffney that is my g-g-grandfather, so they might be the same? There is a brother John.
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Hi JohnFisher66, if you are sure that is your Francis Gaffney, then it certainly is my Hugh Gaffney. I already had a copy of the 1821 Census. Hugh and Francis were 7 years apart, and Hugh's parents were James and Catherine. Just a shame there is no other information on that census.
Can you tell me more information about your g-g-grandfather Francis. The last I have him is on the ship to America. Feel free to share information by email: kclarence at netspace.net.au (replace at with @)
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Hi I am related to Hugh he was my great great granfather, his daughter Zillah was my Grandmother and my father was Frank Gaffney, happy for you to contact me. Gwenda Gaffney
Hi
I am also having trouble finding info on the Gaffney"s.
I have found the info you all have stated here. hard to find photo's of any of them, the only photo's i have are of Hugh Frances b.1886 and his wife Alice maud Smith.
This is what i found on Hugh on the convict database Tas state library. dont know if any of you have it.
Convict per "Isabella Watson"
Departed Dublin 2 May 1842
Arrived Hobart 3 Aug 1842
In 1842 the vessel had carried 197male convicts (incl. 2 who died) to Hobart.
Lastname: GAFNEY Firstname: HUGH
Sex: M Age: 27
Trial place: Co. Cavan
Trial date: 28/02/1842
Crime desc: Robbery of arms
Sentence: Transportation 14 yrs commuted to 7 yrs
Document ref1: TR 4, p 18
28 feb 1842 - arrived hobart 3 aug 1842
roman catholic
can read & wright
labourer
height 5/3
complexion fresh
head oval forehead broad
hair dark brown
eyebrows black
eyes hazel
nose large
breast and arms hairy
scar on right eyebrow
2 scars on forefinger lefthand
2 scars little finger left hand
period of probation 2 years 13/12/1844 (6 weeks from this date)
released from 1st stage of probation 24 jan 1845
ticket of leave 17 nov 1846
suspectected of mutany?.
Deb