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Hi Iain, We must be related I also descend from the same Thomas Robertson
and the same story has been told in our family for at least  three generations about helping to cast GreyFriars Bobby's statue. I'm very keen to make contact with my Robertson family. We live in Australia after migrating from Scotland in the early 1970's. My grandmother was Barbara Young Robertson and she was born in Haddington. Regards Yvonne

Hi Julia!  Great stuff ! Thank you !  I'm sure Raymond and Bill will also much appreciate. Kind regards Kim.

Raymond, your last post about your grandfather was very moving . Life seemed to be so unjust  and unfair for his generation. My grandfather  (Mary Isabella Halpin's son) was in the Australian Imperial Force and had his knee cap blown off and leg split apart by a German shell explosion in a forward position at the Somme in1916. His war experiences  had a profound effect on him and the family for the rest of his life and my father's life.  Thank you again for all your wonderful Halpin research which is much appreciated.
Kind regards Kim.

Hi Raymond, Now I know where we Aussies get our rebel streak from! Sad about the records. Julia (Villiers)Halpin was mentioned by family over here as a French Hugenot. Your research is much appreciated I just love the quality info you have discovered! Like the examination in chief formats on George Halpin Jnr and Snr.  To actually read their own words was such an experience!If we are defeated by history on mapping the Halpin Dublin Wicklow relationship then maybe when the cost is reasonable a DNA test might help. Of course thats assuming a relative hasn't been in someone elses sheets at some time in history to interfere with the DNA chain. Maybe we can keep the DNA test up our sleeve as a last resort. The good thing is if it does show a genetic link then our two streams of Halpins will have some time come from a common family. I was only a small child at the time but remember quite vividly being told by elderly relatives about our  Halpin family links to the laying of the cable and mention of several family members on the  cable ship. Including the story about fears of sabotage and another family member working on the actual section dropping the cable into the sea from the ship. Kind regards Kim  ps I'm not sure on how to copy Bill

Re George Halpin Snr and Jnr.  The note from the Irish Lighthouse Commissioners cited  a date which was incorrect instead of  July 1954 it should read July 1854.

I will also include the letter sent to the Irish Lighthouse Commissioners. Other records havindicated George Halpin Snr died as a result of an accident whilst inspecting one of the lighthouses in his Department.

Hullo from Perth Western Australia!

 

 George Halpin senior was my x2great  grandfather   and I noticed Frank Pelly had written a very good short historical summary of George’s career in 2006.

 

George’s grandson came to Australia in the 1880s. Very little history of the family or records seems to be available. I’ve one or two photos of  grandson also a George Halpin. (George’s eldest daughter Mary Halpin married Alfred Mettam)

 

As a small boy I was told of George Halpin Snr and George Jnr, and also of a Halpin family link to the ship the Great Eastern.  I.e. that a member of the family was the Captain and other family members served on the ship laying the transatlantic cable.

 
Captain Robert Halpin was the commander of the Great Eastern and I have managed to obtain a copy of the book on his life.

 
Capt Robert was also involved in harbor and marine structures I think at Wicklow.

 
I suspect he was a cousin or nephew of George Halpin senior and am endeavoring to find out as much as possible about these early Halpins and whether anyone can confirm a link between the two famous Halpins.

 
 They were certainly high achievers and I’m very proud of their competence and contribution.

 

I wondered if you might have some archive material on George Halpin senior and his family. I would also welcome any suggestions, or persons you would recommend I contact.