Hi Gill
We certainly are related, my grandmother was the youngest daughter of John and Katherine - Bridget. I have a lovely photo of Katherine and have traced the Whelans to Patrick Whelan marrying Anastasia Hussum(or Hufsham) in 1846. Family tradition says that Anastasia's grandfather was Dutch but I can't confirm that. One of the real heros was the second eldest son of John and Katherine, he was also a sea captain and had ships sunk twice on him during WWII but he also was captain of a small Irish freighter that rescued 168 German sailors after the remains of a sea battle in 1943. If you google MV Kerlogue you will get details of the rescues.
Let me know you email address or postal address and I will send you copies of what I have.
Again according to family history Anastasia's husband was killed in a mine explosion and they had a daughter Nancy - is that right ?
Lovely to hear from you
Paul