DONOVAN - CROWE help please

[anna_tom]

Hi Sue,

Yes I have pursued this line to a point ..

A long time ago I purchased Mary Butlers death certificate. It revealed that she died on Xmas Day 1855 at Brighton. Thomas Hallinan friend and witness to her death. Certificate says that she was married to John Donovan at Four Mile Wake in Waterford approx 1834. She had lived in Victoria for 14 years which gives an emigration year of approx 1841. Children given as James (13), John (12), Bridget (10), Ellen (, Thomas (6) and Catherine (2).

I haven't chased this lead up for a few years - might see if I can uncover something. For memory I don't think I could find any record of the marriage in Ireland. I also seem to recall that one of the children was born in the Geelong or Mount Moriac area (where the Crowe family lived).

Any help appreciated - thank you so much I am very grateful.

Anna.

[anna_tom]

Hi again Sue,

I also have John Donovan (born to Mary Butler and John Donovan) baptism record. Looks like witnesses were Mary Garey and a possible Thomas Flannery (hard to transcribe name)

[anna_tom]

Hello again!

I am hoping someone may be able to assist as I continue in my efforts to smash through this frustrating brick wall.

I have returned to the marriage certificate of John Donovan and Mary Ann Crowe and note that the names given as witnesses are:

William Patrick Corcoran, Amanda Corcoran, Maggie Corcoran and Patrick Crowe.

William Patrick Corcoran was a hotelier who owned the Prince George Hotel in Swanston St, Melbourne.

I have discovered that his wife at the time of John Donovan and Mary Ann Crowe's marriage (1873) was Mary Alice O'Connor (parents Jeremiah O'Connor and Margaret Crowe), the cousin of Mary Ann Crowe.

Further investigation revealed that he had two previous wives and numerous children.

Wife #1 Rachel Fitzsimons (m 1843 in Dublin, residence given as Powerscourt). The couple had two boys, Francis John Corcoran and William Edward Corcoran in Ireland. I am assuming Rachel must have died but I haven't been able to find any death record for her in either Australia or Ireland.

To add to my problem, I am also having trouble finding an emigration record for William Patrick Corcoran and his sons!

Wife #2 Mary Ann Burns McGonigall (m Melbourne 1856). They had five children that I could find: Amanda, Margaret Ann Jane, Frances Mary, Adelaide Victoria Creed, and Annie Alex. The only child I can only find marriage details for is Frances Mary (who wed Charles Thomas Lake).

Mary Ann Burns McGonigall died in Melbourne in 1870.

Wife #3 Mary Alice O'Connor (m 1873). I can't seem to find any children to the couple - and it seems just two years later, in 1875, William Patrick Corcoran died.

I am hoping to discover what happened to Mary Alice O'Connor, who must have been left with these step children she would barely have known. I can't find a marriage record for her and am asking for assistance if anyone could help me.

I am hoping that if I can uncover any clues it could perhaps help me in my search for the elusive John Donovan!

I also notice on this board a lady who is researching Joanna Crowe who is one of Mary Ann Crowe's family members but so far have had no luck in making contact with her.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

[anna_tom]

Sorry - re: Mary Alice O'Connor marriage record - I have her marriage certificate to William Patrick Corcoran but cannot find any further marriages after her husband's death in 1875. Hoping someone can shed some light ..

[HeatherWade55]

Anna

I have also tried to find Mary Alice Corcoran nee O'Connor.  The two references I have to her are:
 
13 Nov 1877, The Argus. 'Notice.  Smith's Royal Hotel, cnr Queen and Bourke Streets, Melbourne.  Mrs Thomas Smith of Mack's Hotel Geelong and Mrs WP Corcoran, formerly of Prince George Hotel Melbourne.  The hotel has been thoroughly renovated and altered to suit the convenience and comfort of visitors.'

Margaret O'Connor nee Crow's death cert - Mary Alice was deceased by 18 Sept 1911.

My link to Mary Alice is Theresa O'Connor, her sister (born 1870 in Ballan) whose birth was not registered but is listed as a twin to Ann on Margaret's death cert. On Jeremiah O'Connor's death certificate the girls are named Eliza Ann and Bridget Theresa.

You mention Deniliquin in your post.  Theresa had two illegitimate children in Deniliquin by John Mollenhour/Mollenhaur/Mollenhauer, a musician, in Jan 1893 and Feb 1894.  He was being chased for maintenance in 1894.  Both children were put into State care as Theresa was unable to support them.  Mollenhaurer drowned at Thursday Island 14 Dec 1899.

Theresa from Ballarat married John William Brooks from Elmore at Rochester in May 1895 and they had a son the same year. Brooks advertised in The Argus in May 1902 - 'ANYONE knowing the whereabouts of THERESA BROOKS (nee Theresa O'Connor), who formerly resided at Ballan, will kindly communicate with J.W. Brooks, Elmore.'   

It has been hard to trace Theresa's movements - the last one being -  12 Jan 1930, Sunday Times, Perth.  'Missing Friends - O'CONNOR (Bridget Teresa), aged now about 60 years, born at Ballan, Victoria, will hear something to her advantage by communicating with National Trustees Company, 113 Queen-street, Melbourne.' 

Kind regards
Heather

 

[JulieN4211]

Hi Heather

I saw where you posted that about Giralda O'Connor. Giralda O'Connor was my Grandmother although we don't know if that is really her first name. On her wedding certificate it is Christina May O'Connor plus she used Christina. I only knew her as Christine. Her sister was Olga Grade O'Connor and she married Edwin George Wade. They had one son called John. My Grandmother had 5 children, Madeleine Joan (my mother), Bruce, Buddy (Noel), Claire and Mary (Molly). Claire and Molly married two Americans and lived in the USA until their passing. Anything else you need to know, just ask. Cheers Julie

[JulieN4211]

My apologies for interrupting this thread but it was the only way to find HeatherWade55. Thank you

[HeatherWade55]

Julie
Lovely to hear from a descendant of Giralda.  I have spent many hours trying to find her as I have their mother.
Who did Christina May O'Connor marry?
Regards
Heather

[JulieN4211]

Morning Heather

My Grandmother married Noel Ernest Maddison. You have her Mother?

Cheers Julie