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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: goldsy19 on Tuesday 13 January 15 02:47 GMT (UK)

Title: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Tuesday 13 January 15 02:47 GMT (UK)
My great-grandfather James O'Meara (as per his death certificate in Australia 1939) was born in Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, circa 1859.  He migrated to Sydney Aust. circa 1878 and married Mary Agnes Dawson from Co. Limerick in 1885, confirmed by his marriage certificate.

His parents were Matthew O'Meara, and Mary Delaney.  Her parents were Patrick Dawson and Margaret Sullivan.

He had several children;  two were registered at birth with surname O'Mara, the remainder as O'Meara.

His brother Michael also migrated to Australia, around 1889, also fathered many children with his wife Johanna Fitzgerald (born in Burwood, NSW).  Her parents were Edward Fitzgerald and Mary O'Connor.

They were staunch Catholics and supporters of the Church in Kogarah, a suburb of Sydney.

They were very successful in their lives in Australia, as contractors, farmers, dairy owners, property owners, and real estate developers.

James died in 1939, and Michael in 1949.

I cannot find any record of arrival for either of these men, or a birth record for James in Ireland, but they were well-known and respected here in NSW especially Kogarah, and Coraki (Far North NSW).

On the Shipping List I have searched every ship from 1877-81 for James, and 1887-91 for Michael, every family record, every single man record, for O'Meara, O'Mara, Omeara, Omara, Mara, Meara.
N.B. There is a listing for James O'Meara on the Erato with a wife and child but I have discounted this as he married a couple of years later to Mary Agnes, and being a devout Catholic would not have divorced.

I do not have any living relatives of past generations to help me with my search, and hope that you might find some information for me.

Any help would be most welcome
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: majm on Tuesday 13 January 15 05:10 GMT (UK)
Hi there,

I wonder if perhaps the 1885 marriage cert gives you his status as a bachelor to further help you eliminate the Erato sighting.     That mc should also give you his then age, place of birth, his parents details, his occupation, his then usual address (and same for his bride) .     

Just in case,  the NSW SRO's passenger list for the Erato, has arrival as 13 May 1878, and the family as
James OMEARA, 23, a Labourer, native of Tipperary, a Roman Catholic, and he could read and write.
Hannah OMEARA 27, of Limerick, a Roman Catholic, and she could read and write.
Mary OMEARA, an infant, of Tipperary, a Roman Catholic, and she could not yet read and write.

http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.asp?series=NRS5316&item=4_4802&ship=Erato

ADD  SMH 5 August 1939
O'MEARA.—August 4, 1939, at his residence,  856 Rocky Point Road, Kogarah, James O'Meara, 
beloved father of Mary (Mrs. P. A. Hoare, Kogarah), Matthew J.  (Brighton), Margaret (Mrs. M. Slattery (Enfield), Kathleen (Mrs. T. F. Milgate, Coraki), and Patrick (Kogarah), aged 83 years.  Requiescat in pace.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17593378

Cheers,  JM
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Dundee on Tuesday 13 January 15 05:33 GMT (UK)
Hi goldsy19,

N.B. There is a listing for James O'Meara on the Erato with a wife and child

Kerry

This chap named his parents as Pat. and Mary.

Civil reg. in Ireland did not start until 1864 so you won't find a birth record for James.  Have you tried the indexes of church register baptisms on online sites like ROOTSIRELAND - you can search the whole county - although he might have lived in Toomevara perhaps he wasn't baptised there.  I think I would try to find his parents' marriage first.  Apparently the Catholic Registers were kept locally so survived the 1922 fire.

http://www.rootsireland.ie/index.php?id=parishregisters

If the O'MEARAs paid their own fare to Australia they may not be recorded by name, but just as one of x number of steerage passengers - they might have come on a cargo ship or worked their passage, and not all passenger lists have survived.  They may have come via America or NZ. To be honest, if they didn't arrive under an immigration assistance scheme or with a family group it can be hard to identify individuals.  Have you tried looking at Trove as sometimes you will find immigrants listed there.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper?q

Debra  :)
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Tuesday 13 January 15 06:17 GMT (UK)
Thank you Debra and JM for responding to my query.
On his marriage and death certs. his parents are definitely listed as Mathew (farmer) and Mary O'Meara (nee Delaney) and his birthplace as Toomyvara.  I think this eliminates Hanna as his wife.

He also states he is a bachelor and is 26 yo, a labourer living in Bay Street Glebe, Sydney.
Mary is listed as a spinster, aged 24, housekeeper of the same address.

Thank you for the Trove articles (I do have them) and dozens of others.  As I said he was well-known and respected in spite of being successful and, by the time of his death, quite wealthy.  I have a copy of his well and he had many properties, as well as considerable funds in the bank.

Thank you for your help - at least I know now that birth records were not kept at the time of his birth.
If you find anything else I would be very grateful.
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Dundee on Tuesday 13 January 15 06:26 GMT (UK)
It appears that there are gaps in the known Toomevara church registers.  Unfortunately it might be at the same time as both the parents' marriage and James' baptism.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01eit/

The children of Matthew and Mary registered after 1864 are listed on FamilySearch:

https://familysearch.org/search

Debra  :)
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Tuesday 13 January 15 07:10 GMT (UK)
Thanks Debra, yes I have those.
James is my direct ancestor, Great-grandfather, so his record is the one I really need, though I do have some side branches on the tree
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Maggsie on Saturday 09 May 15 15:12 BST (UK)
Hi Kerry,
Your James from Toomyvara, may be a cousin to my Great Grandfather, Michael O'Meara. I know a few of his cousins did go to Australia and the USA. They would have been the same age.
The town land was called Rossgourdagh, Toomyvarra.
Father Hurley was the Parish Priest at that time.
I see the Baptism lists for Mathew 1863, but Michael, Thomas and Anne, they were born at the time the Civil records were introduced by Queen Victoria after 1864.
St Joseph's, this is the Church, celebrated 200 years in 2009. I had a look to see if I had the Church records, but only the 1849 evictions, (this was a disgrace) so sorry about that, I wish I had them for you. In July this year, the Church records will be on line so you will be able to see them.
I spend a few days every year over in Dublin looking at the reels and reels of records, so now this will save me a trip.
Anyway, I will look to see if and how we are related and let you know.
Maggsie

 
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Saturday 09 May 15 22:17 BST (UK)
Thank you Maggsie for responding to my plea.
Last week I sent an email to the Parish Priest at St Joseph's but have had no reply. 
I will write a letter in a couple of weeks time to see if they are able to help, if I get no response to it.
Did your Michael O'Meara come to Australia also?
I have James' brother Michael here marrying in 1895 (I think, just can't find his marriage certificate at the moment).  He and Johanna had 11 children.
I have a US census record of 'a' Michael O'Meara in New York very briefly it seems, in the 1900 census but don't think it is my Michael, as he is listed as a printer, and all other records have him as a labourer prior to becoming a wealthy man here in Australia.
You said that you spend a few days in Dublin every year so I am guessing you don't live in Australia.  I went there in 1994 but was not interested in family history at the time, but it is amazing how close to the significant towns I actually was.  I remember saying to friends that being in Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and Cork was somehow familiar, and just recently discovered that is where most of my ancestors were born.
Yes I can't wait till those records go on line.  If I make any discoveries I'll pass them on, and hope you will too.
Cheers and many thanks for contacting me
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Maggsie on Sunday 10 May 15 10:36 BST (UK)
Hi Kerry,
Last week I sent an email to the Parish Priest at St Joseph's but have had no reply. 
----------------------------------------
It may take a few weeks, so don't worry, they are always searching records for people.

Did your Michael O'Meara come to Australia also?
----------------------------------------
No,  he stayed in Ireland, it was just by chance I was looking for my Kennedy side for info to send to Australia (gold coast) when I went into a graveyard, I saw a lonely headstone, it was Michael, Bridget and Denis, I was so taken back. My Great Grandfather, his wife  and their son. I did get their dates of death and went and requested their certs. I knew they had a son called Denis and he died aged 3.

You said that you spend a few days in Dublin every year so I am guessing you don't live in Australia.  ---------- No I was born in Nenagh just up the road from Toomevarra lived in Congor Borrisokane for 6 months and then came to England, we now live in Wales.
I went there in 1994------------------- we were in Australia in 1995.
Yes it's like being at home in Ireland.

Yes I can't wait till those records go on line.  If I make any discoveries I'll pass them on, and hope you will too.
------------------------- yes I will.

Cheers
Maggsie
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Sunday 10 May 15 21:12 BST (UK)
Thanks again Maggsie, every little bit of information either helps or is interesting.

When you were in Australia on the Gold Coast did you hear of Coolangatta, it is one of the Twin Towns, the other being Tweed Heads, and that's where I live.  If you come again, let me know and we can get together.  Small world isn't it.

As for Michael O'Meara - wow that was fantastic.  I'm beginning to think that there is not much imagination regarding names in Toomyvara.  So many James and Michael o'Meara s came here in the 1800s

Cheers and thanks again, I'll keep hoping for news from the parish
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Neil Todd on Sunday 10 May 15 23:09 BST (UK)
The name Jim O'Meara struck a chord with me when put with Kogarah Sydney. You may have seen or already know about this Old Fellow from MCK.

http://www.mck.nsw.edu.au/oldsite/centenary/students.html

This as well.
http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/article.php?classID=3&subclassID=9&articleID=2128&class=Features&subclass=A%20conversation%20with

Neil
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Monday 11 May 15 00:15 BST (UK)
Thank you Neil - I did know of some of those outstanding scholars attributed to Marist Brothers, Kogarah, and Kerry O'Keefe of course.  Fr Jim is a cousin of mine, and his g-g-grandfather is the Michael O'Meara I cannot find.
My mother's brothers (another) James, and Patrick O'Meara also went to the school.  My family has very strong connections with Kogarah generally.
My g-grandfather, the elusive James O'Meara and his brother Michael developed a lot of the early sub-divisions and between them owned the dairy, the Chinese Market gardens and several grand homes.  They were staunch supporters of the RC Church, provided the marble altar and statuary, contributed to every collection that was going.  My mother attended the school next door, was married from that church and I was baptised there.  Two of Father Jim's brothers were ordained there, and my grandfather was head gardener at Moorefields racecourse opposite the church.  The O'Meara family had two streets named in their honour, Toomevara St, and O'Meara St in nearby Carlton where the major subdivision is located.
Do you have an interest in the O'Meara family?
Thanks again for the links
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Neil Todd on Monday 11 May 15 01:36 BST (UK)
No direct connection, but I do know many of the people connected to the family as the area is a strong part of my early years and two of my elder brothers went to MBK, both went to the centenary celebrations. I believe I also know the Slattery family connected but from a brother to your family connection. Slattery and Co Solicitors, Bexley and Earlwood. I believe I also played football (1960s)with a O'meara but am unsure if he was connected, plenty of them in the area. ::)

Have you been in touch with Jim, he has a strong history background and may have direct knowledge of your family history.

Neil
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Monday 11 May 15 02:59 BST (UK)
I'M presuming you mean Fr Jim??  I was in touch with him but he died last December.  He did not seem particularly interested in my research, only what I found out about his family, so another dead end.
James O'Meara's daughter married a Slattery, and I suppose I knew them when I was young, but that was quite a while ago.
So another dead end
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: majm on Monday 11 May 15 03:09 BST (UK)
Part of an obit from online  for Rev O'Meara  (SMH 12 Dec 2014)

"Reverend Father James John O'MEARA
08.10.1931 - 06.12.2014

Ordained St Mary's Cathedral July 21, 1956. After serving in the Parishes of Kensington, Camperdown, Carlingford, Liverpool, Manly, Greenacre, Revesby, Sylvania, Moorebank and Epping, Father Jim was appointed Parish Priest of Springwood in 1977. Belfield in 1986 and Sans Souci in 1992 until his retirement in October 2011." 


http://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/smh-au/obituary.aspx?pid=173438337

Cheers,  JM


Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Neil Todd on Monday 11 May 15 03:26 BST (UK)
Well a stretch of the imagination but, what if James first wife died after arrival sometime between 1878 and 1885? ???

I know the fellow on the Erato said his father was Pat and mother Mary but Pat and Mat sound very much alike. Clutching at straws maybe :P But I cannot see a death of another James with parents Pat and Mary.

There are quite a few deaths of female O'Meara's which could have been a wife in that time period.

Neil
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Monday 11 May 15 03:34 BST (UK)
I discounted the arrival of James O'Meara with wife Hannah and child on the Erato because on his 1885 marriage certificate he states he is a bachelor.

He married Mary Agnes Dawson at St Benedict's RC Church, Broadway, Sydney

I also cannot find any death record for Hannah, or any mention of her anywhere
.
James, my g-grandfather is buried in Woronora Cemetery with his 2nd wife, Mary Elizabeth, nee Flynn.
James and Mary Elizabeth married in 1916, she died in 1935 and he died in 1939.

Yes, thank you for the obit, I got a shock when I stumbled across it a couple of weeks ago
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Neil Todd on Monday 11 May 15 03:36 BST (UK)
Could this be the wife of the James on the ERATO?

HANNAH M   O'MEARA, FATHER JOHN, MOTHER SARAH E, AT NEWCASTLE REF # 8041/1878
Hi there,

I wonder if perhaps the 1885 marriage cert gives you his status as a bachelor to further help you eliminate the Erato sighting.     That mc should also give you his then age, place of birth, his parents details, his occupation, his then usual address (and same for his bride) .     

Just in case,  the NSW SRO's passenger list for the Erato, has arrival as 13 May 1878, and the family as
James OMEARA, 23, a Labourer, native of Tipperary, a Roman Catholic, and he could read and write.
Hannah OMEARA 27, of Limerick, a Roman Catholic, and she could read and write.
Mary OMEARA, an infant, of Tipperary, a Roman Catholic, and she could not yet read and write.

http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.asp?series=NRS5316&item=4_4802&ship=Erato

ADD  SMH 5 August 1939
O'MEARA.—August 4, 1939, at his residence,  856 Rocky Point Road, Kogarah, James O'Meara, 
beloved father of Mary (Mrs. P. A. Hoare, Kogarah), Matthew J.  (Brighton), Margaret (Mrs. M. Slattery (Enfield), Kathleen (Mrs. T. F. Milgate, Coraki), and Patrick (Kogarah), aged 83 years.  Requiescat in pace.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17593378

Cheers,  JM

Neil
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Monday 11 May 15 03:53 BST (UK)
James and Mary's marriage cert.
bachelor and spinster, age 26 and 24 respectively, both living at Bay St Glebe
His parents Matthew O'Meara and Mary Delaney, and he was born in Tipperary.
Her parents Patrick Dawson and Margaret Sullivan
He was a labourer and she was a housekeeper

Maybe I should apply for Hannah's death cert to settle the issue finally  ;D

James' daughter Margaret married Matt Slattery (son of Michael Slattery of Rooty Hill, Sydney) at Dungarubba (nr Coraki) in May 1913. 
They made their home in Sydney and I have found references to them as living in Kogarah at one time, but she was living at Enfield when she died in 1975.  They had 9 children.

OOPS - Mary Elizabeth died in 1953, not 1935

Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Monday 11 May 15 09:41 BST (UK)
James and Mary's marriage cert.
bachelor and spinster, age 26 and 24 respectively, both living at Bay St Glebe
His parents Matthew O'Meara and Mary Delaney, and he was born in Tipperary.
Her parents Patrick Dawson and Margaret Sullivan
He was a labourer and she was a housekeeper

Maybe I should apply for Hannah's death cert to settle the issue finally  ;D

James' daughter Margaret married Matt Slattery (son of Michael Slattery of Rooty Hill, Sydney) at Dungarubba (nr Coraki) in May 1913. 
They made their home in Sydney and I have found references to them as living in Kogarah at one time, but she was living at Enfield when she died in 1975.  They had 9 children.

OOPS - Mary Elizabeth died in 1953, not 1935

Kerry
Neil, sorry for the interruption, I suddenly could not find the thread. 
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Maggsie on Monday 11 May 15 16:01 BST (UK)
Hi Kerry,
When you were in Australia on the Gold Coast did you hear of Coolangatta?
Well yes we landed there on our way to Sydney.
Coolangatta is named after a wooded area near to Lough Derg, Tipperary, Ireland, if you find Lough Derg you will see Terryglass, follow the road to Ballinderry, and the road bends and goes over a river, the left hand side of this is Coolangatta, a wooded area.
That's why when I contact people in Australia, I ask please put the country after the name.
Avoca is in Wicklow, Londonderry is part of Derry in Northern Ireland. Southport is north of Liverpool (England) hehe!
My Kennedy family went to Grafton now the last group are in Ashmore.
Small world!
Maggsie

 
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Neil Todd on Monday 11 May 15 19:37 BST (UK)
Hmm not too many Aboriginals in Ireland?

From WIKI.

Coolangatta is a local aboriginal word meaning "splendid view".[2][3] Behind the settlement is a tall hill known as Coolangatta Mountain. In 1822 Scotsman Alexander Berry settled and built an estate (Coolangatta Estate) in the area, he was the first European to settle in the Shoalhaven area. In 1846 the brigantine ship Coolangatta, named by Berry for his estate, was wrecked on what is today Queensland's Gold Coast. It's from that ship that the better known Coolangatta, Queensland gets its name.[4]

Neil ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Maybe there's two, to be sure, to be sure....
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Monday 11 May 15 21:33 BST (UK)
Not many people know there is also a Coolangatta in NSW, south of Sydney near Nowra.  I accidentally discovered it while driving there about 30 years ago - being born in Sydney I could not believe I had not heard of it.

You are correct Neil, it was named for the ship that sank near Flagstaff Hill right on the border of Queensland and NSW - it's a fantastic view, if you are planning a visit
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: majm on Tuesday 12 May 15 01:01 BST (UK)
While I am very familiar with Coolangatta, NSW and have been all my life, I have not ever been to the one in Qld, and I was totally unaware of the Qld one until I was in my mid 20s....   So, when dealing with locations in Australia, it is best to include not just the name of the locality, but also the state and then the country.  Even then it can still be confusing.  In NSW there's quite a few localities with same name, and that same name can occur in other states as well.    :)   We have post codes that help to separate these apparent duplications.     

The concept of deliberating naming localities after Aboriginal names for those localities dates from Governor Macquarie's era (1810-1821) and was actively promoted by the NSW Surveyor General, Sir Thomas MITCHELL during his time in that office (1828-1855).    On the other hand, Parramatta NSW (not the one in the Cairns district in FNQ) was likely named that by the first Governor back in 1788, and it too comes from the local Aboriginal name for that district.

Cheers,  JM   
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Maggsie on Sunday 07 June 15 11:43 BST (UK)
Hi,
Coolangatta
Well we just come back from Ireland and found out about the name.
The people who live there, are from Ballinderry, Tipperary, Ireland, moved out to and lived in Sydney for a long time. They moved back 18 years ago and called their house Coolangatta. It was chosen by their children. This is in the wooded area as I said, but now I know why it's called that.
It's the little people!
Maggsie
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Kathy1953b on Thursday 14 June 18 06:44 BST (UK)
Hi
Matthew and Mary O'Meara were also my great grandparents - Matthew and Margaret Slattery were my maternal grandparents.
We must be cousins!
I want to research Matthew O'Meara's family in Toomevara back further. Did you know that one of the O'Mearas from there was Napoleon's physician on St Halena and another was a very important Irish painter who knew Monet.
Do you have any earlier information?
Kindest,
Kathleen Gregan.
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Frank Omeara on Saturday 27 July 19 10:51 BST (UK)
G'day Kerry,  I don't know whether this is about to make your day, but before I croak (I'm 82, and plan to live till I'm 128, twice Paul McCartney's ("Now I'm) 64"), I really must tell you that Michael O'Meara, who donated the marble altar in St Patrick's Kogarah - with my (in fact my Uncle Frank's) name on it ! - is my paternal grandfather.  Among his nine children were Jim, my Dad, who had seven children.  I am the youngest of four boys (my brothers are all dead; of my three sisters, two are still alive).  Summarizing my story would be difficult, but let's for the nonce just say that I used to be a Franciscan priest (concelebrated my First Mass with my two priest-brothers on the altar in question), studied for a doctorate in Theology in Paris, married a French woman, fathered three children in the U.S. during our ten years there; I was a lay diocesan Director of Religious Education and Professor of Religious Pedagogy in an American University.  I have become an atheist, created a blog (blindfaithblindfolly.wordpress.com), have retired from an international career, have lived in France for over forty years, and am presently enjoying life On Zeee Beeeh in my secondary residence in Bidart, near Biarritz.  I know little about "Jimma", your great-grandfather, except that he and his brother went back to Ireland to kill the Brits around 1920, were put under house arrest for six months, never killed a soul, and then went back to Kogarah, never to return to Toomevara.  Would love to hear from you.  You can check out my mug-shot in the blog.  I know : I look 27.  Like you, I have vivid memories of Toomevara Street, home of your ancestor and mine.  I would be delighted to RootChat with you.
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Saturday 27 July 19 14:42 BST (UK)
Hi Frank
How great to hear from you at last.  I have sent a few emails to an address I stumbled across a couple of years ago when I read about your 'conversion' and your book.  But it must be out of date as I have not had a response.
You probably don't remember me, but I was at your ordination (also James’ I think), and also met Aiden that day.  I think I was about 16 at the time.

Father Jim died a couple of years ago, just after I contacted him to get some family information.  Unfortunately he was not very forthcoming, just wanted to talk about himself really.

I have made contact with a Toomevara cousin in Ireland, Margaret, grand-daughter or possibly g-grand-daughter of Matthew, brother of James O'Meara, (my g-grand-father), and also Mary who is a grand-daughter - Mary's father Matthew James was a brother to my grand-father Patrick Thomas.
I recently met Mary in Sydney, and we had a great day touring all the Kogarah haunts of our childhoods.
I am trying to put together a family history but as you probably know, Irish records are spasmodic to say the least.  But now, some are finding their way onto the Internet. I hope you are prepared to have your brains picked!
Thanks so much for getting in touch.  Like you I am not getting any younger, and I just want to fill in some gaps in my life.
So great to make contact at last
Cheers for now, I'm off to bed as it is nearly midnight
Kerry

Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Frank Omeara on Saturday 27 July 19 15:48 BST (UK)
Our lucky day, Kerry !  Just to establish a little perspective - eight years difference in age doesn't mean much when you're in your seventies or eighties, but it does affect one's perception of the events we lived.  Mick, my eldest brother, left home in Westbourne St, parallel to O'Meara St, the other border of the five-acre property that was Michael O'Meara's backyard, limited by Anglo Square, the front yard being limited by Princes Highway, when I was four.  He was ordained in 1951.  Jim was ordained in 1956 and I was ordained at the minimum age of 24 in 1961.  Mick died of Alzheimers at the young age of 67.  Jim died when he was just a bit older than I am now.  They took with them many of the stories - and legends - of our family history.  To my own amazement I am at present the Patriarch of the clan.

In my book, the first of the three brief autobiographical chapters, "Bred and Buttered at Botany Bay", tells of the fifteen years I lived at home before leaving to become a Franciscan (!).  As my self-published book had what I would call, in a gross understatement, a limited distribution, I decided to publish it in my blog (blindfaithblindfolly.wordpress.com).  You will find this first chapter of my life-story in the Archives, dated September 28, 2015.  Check out the posts of that same year, September 27, September 28 and 29, October 22 and October 23, as well as October 26, for the rest of the autobio material.  The rest of the book consists of 227 Reflections for Believers on the Brink.  My blog, which is the continuation of the book, already contains nearly 900 posts.  Recently I decided to publish in the blog the book's Reflections, beginning with the post "God Could Care Less", the first in Chapter 4, and I am presently publishing the twenty or so posts on Darwin which constitute Chapter 5, the latest being "Intelligent Design or Progressive Adaptation".  You doan hafta read this scandalous, perversive material, which I am making available to the world at large.  But in case you wanna, it may answer your question about why the hell I became an atheist.

To my shame, when I visited Ireland for the first (and last) time some years ago, I passed thru Toomevara, taking in the church and the pub that like practically everything else in our ancestral town is still run by an O'Meara - but missed out on meeting any others of the clan, including the famous farmer Matt, well-known to my brother Jim and another member or two of the Kogarah O'Mearas.

How's that for starters, mate ?

Frank O'Phile   
   
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Frank Omeara on Tuesday 30 July 19 07:54 BST (UK)
Wherefore art thou, Romeo ?  I was hoping you would reply to my last mail, so as to pursue our discussion of Jimma and Mick.  What do you know about their trip back to Tipp to help Michael Collings kill the Brits ?  I have a story for you about Mgr O'Driscoll and our ancestors.  Hope you're OK, mate.  Frank in France.     
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Tuesday 30 July 19 09:05 BST (UK)
Sorry Frank, I've been madly sorting out all my articles regarding that branch of ancestors so that I can work out some questions to ask you.
I've also been trying to work out how to send a private message, so that I can give you my email address so that we can contact directly.
A couple of years ago I asked someone to answer directly, provided my email, and was promptly told off.  Do you know how to do it?  If yes, please explain it for me in words of one syllable.  I am hopeless at learning new stuff on computers.

I am completely in the dark about the trip back to Ireland apart from the fact that they went.  I did know that they contributed to the funds collected here in Australia as I have articles from newspapers of supporters of the cause.
Re: the Ireland trip.  Do you know if Patrick Thomas (my grandfather) going with them?  He would have been 25 at the time.  I remember him telling me that he had been to Ireland and would not go back as the chooks were under the table as they ate meals.  And he was a great chook lover!

I am sure anything you tell me (well, hopefully anyway) will connect with stuff I have discovered and in the meantime I will press on with the filing.  If only I had concentrated on one set of g-grandparents instead of taking on all 8!
Both James and Michael died wealthy men, with extensive property holdings, and cash in the bank!
Hope this response will placate you, at least temporarily, and I'll get back to the paperwork.
Cheers for now
Kerry
Msgr O'Driscoll seems to pop up regularly in the lives of those two.
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Frank Omeara on Tuesday 30 July 19 10:14 BST (UK)
No worries, Kerry.  Mind you, I myself was a bit worried - at our ages people tend to keel over and croak before you can say "Mgr O'Driscoll".  First off, a possibly true story about the famous PP of Kogarah.  Knowing the O'Meara generosity and dedication to all things Catholic, "the Mons" went down Rocky Point Road to ask Michael for a(nother) donation.  "I'll be needin' a statue of St Joseph for my Calvary above the altar you so kindly donated, Mick.  Yer bruther Jimma has already funded the statue of Mary, and you wouldn't be wantin' to be outdone by him, now woodya ?".  Naturally my grandfather coughed up the dough.  O'Driscoll crossed Toomevara Street and told Jimma that his brother had funded the statue of Joseph, but that the Calvary still needed one of Mary.  "Now you wouldn't be wantin' to be outdone by your brother, woodya, Jimma ?".  You can still see the complete Calvary today in St Patrick's, where I ran to Mass every day when I was a kid (!).  The altar still has my (uncle's) name on it : I checked.

Rootschat and everyone else warns against publishing e-mail addresses.  If you sent yours to me by snail-mail, I could give you mine by return e-mail.   I seem to recall your family having a home facing the beach in Brighton.  I guess you knew that my Dad's mate at Marist Bros Kogarah, a certain Norman Thomas Gilroy, lived in Brighton.  He and my Dad were first-day students at the opening of the school in 1909.

Now we're rollin', Kerry.  I look forward to learning a lot from you. 

More dramatic is the story of the burly brothers from Tipp returning to Ireland in the early twenties to lend a hand to the IRA which they helped fund.  Someone dobbed them in upon their arrival, and they were put under house-arrest for six months in Toomevara.  They never killed a soul and went back to Kogarah, never to return to Eire.   (Apparently end of available space !)  Frank
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: sarah on Tuesday 30 July 19 10:38 BST (UK)
Quote
Rootschat and everyone else warns against publishing e-mail addresses.
Hi Frank and Kerry yes you are very correct not to publish your details in public spaces. The safe way is to exchange a private message with one another. Look at the profile name of the person you wish to contact and beneath you will see 3 round dark circle buttons, the one on the right is the pm button ;)

Regards

Sarah
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Tuesday 30 July 19 10:45 BST (UK)
Thank you so much for your assistance with this process Sarah, much appreciated.
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Frank Omeara on Tuesday 30 July 19 11:17 BST (UK)
I'm looking forward to getting your e-mail, Kerry.  I join you in thanking Sarah.

Frank
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Saturday 21 September 19 08:30 BST (UK)
hi Frank
It is now almost 2 months since our last contact, and I have sent several private messages (as instructed) but have had no replies.

Are you ill, or just not interested?

Please let me know
Cheers
Kerry
Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: Maggsie on Saturday 21 September 19 15:18 BST (UK)
Hi Kerry and all the Meara/Mara's and Delany from Toomevara.
Please go through these records I am 99.9% sure they are correct.

Rosgoordagh Townland, Co. Tipperary
https://www.townlands.ie/tipperary/upper-ormond/aghnameadle/latteragh/rosgoordagh/


Going back to Kerry's first post about the births of James.
These are the Birth dates.

Mary Meara   18 Dec 1854

James Meara  14 Jun 1856

Mary, James and Mathew's records..... go to
https://registers.nli.ie/
Choose Tipperary.....then Toomevara
Choose Baptism year and month.
Look for the date and you will see the record.

Also for ………...Thomas and Ann we have the Civil records. from 1864.
Thomas   number 496
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1867/03474/2276260.pdf
Anne   number 332    ……………..Anne Died a few days later. There is a record but no image.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1869/03372/2236255.pdf

Thomas Meara……………….. Marriage Only one with Matthew as the father now living in Lower Grawn.  Number 209
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1902/10264/5735781.pdf
As his father is sated as alive……
Back to 1901 to the Census of Ireland
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tipperary/Latteragh/Garrane/1701563/
Actual return doc. With Matthew’s signature.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003901627/
1911 Census
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tipperary/Latteragh/Rosgoordagh/834382/
Matthew the father is living with Matthew the son
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003354012/
Mary‘s death 1909
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1909/05443/4522864.pdf
Mathew Meara b 1911 lived next door to Mathew who was the son of Mathew and Mary Delany.
His father was Mathew and was married to Johanna Gleeson.
His birth
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1911/01528/1619759.pdf

1911 Census of Ireland house number 1
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tipperary/Latteragh/Rosgoordagh/834381/

Maggsie

Title: Re: James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Post by: goldsy19 on Monday 30 September 19 03:41 BST (UK)
Hi Maggsie
Thank you so much for all the links that you generously provided for me.
I apologise for the delay in acknowledging your response.  I was having work done at my house and was unable to get to my computer, and then when I was able, I could not work out how to send a reply.  Just now I discovered that I was not logged in...........duh.
I have not checked any links yet, but comparing to what I have discovered recently, I'm sure you are on the right track.
I will let you know how I get on, but please be patient, it may take a little while.
In the meantime, thanks again, your effort is very much appreciated.
Cheers
Kerry