Hi Shane,
The birth years for the children are approximate.
Jane: c1841. She was an assisted passenger to Australia in 1855.
John: c1843. He was an unassisted passenger to Australia in 1867.
Susan: c1847 No information on her except that she was alive in 1868.
There may have been a James (Jemmy) and another born between 1850-1860.
Michael Canavan mentions in a letter to his son John, dated 1868, that the union was building a new Trade Hall in Aungier Street, near St. Peters church. He said he had been at Sibthorpes for three days (probably painting). He said he had borrowed 30s from the union and owed them his dues + the borrowed money. He talks of many men who had died recently but didn't say how they died. He didn't know where John had gone and was glad he escaped (doesn't say from what). He mentions Catherine has another baby and Jemmy sprained his arm.
I had contact from a man in Dublin who mentioned he had found a Michael Canavan who died in Dublin in 1880. He had been living on Dignam's Court (tenement houses).
I later found three Canavan babies who died and had been living at Dignam's Court. Two of the babies had the names Michael and Catherine Canavan. So it is possible they were Michael and Catherine Canavan's children.
I have not been able to find any more links or certificates to link them together or to discover any further relatives.
Thanks,
Jenni
