James and Michael O'Meara from Toomyvara, Co Tipperary, Ireland

[goldsy19]

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

[Neil Todd]

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

[goldsy19]

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

[Neil Todd]

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

[goldsy19]

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

[majm]

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

[Neil Todd]

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 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

[goldsy19]

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

[Neil Todd]

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