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KEENAN FAMILY in Australia |
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CORRESPONDENCE Last updated 2 August 2010 |
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NOTE: In addition to this page, there is correspondence in the Guest Book. You can post your own comments and queries in the Guest/Visitors Book for the whole internet world to see! |
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Email from Peter Keenan (Aust) to Jim Keenan (USA), 2 August 2010 Hi Jim,
When you last wrote to me you asked what the connection was between us.
In order to have a go at answering this question, I have assumed that you and Kay Kuebler are from the same family “line”. In other words, I assume that you are both descendants of John Keenan, b.1847 d.1930, who married Elizabeth Gamble (b.1849) in Wheeling, West Virginia, USA, in 1872.
I understand that this John Keenan was son of Daniel Keenan (d.1872) and Elizabeth Wallace of Tyanee, Northern Ireland.
My guess is that this Daniel Keenan (d.1872) was a brother of Henry John Keenan (b.1808).
As my great-grandfather was a son of Henry John Keenan (b.1808), it appears that our great-great-grandfathers were brothers.
Best wishes, Peter Keenan, Sandringham, Australia. 2 August 2010 |
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Email from Jim Keenan of Ohio, USA, July 2010 Hi Peter:
Good to hear from you. Sorry for the typing errors. I am always trying to find more information about my “Keenan” line. From this census I was able to determine that my grandfather had three sisters. I have visited Ireland in 2004 and 2007 and spent some time in the Portglenone area. I have also seen in the Griffith’s Valuation the following:
Keenan, Daniel. Tyanee, Tamlaght Ocrilly, Derry. Keenan, Henry. Tyanee, Tamlaght Ocrilly, Derry.
I am wondering if Daniel Keenan who is my great grandfather would be a brother of Henry Keenan who is in your “Keenan line. I have viewed your Keenan website and enjoyed reading all the information. You certainly have done an excellent job on it. I just wish we could somehow determine if we are related.
Jim Keenan, North Canton, Ohio |
Emails from Charles (Chuck) Keenan of West New York, USA, 18/2/2010
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Hello Peter ....
My Keenan line descends from Felix and Sarah (McQuoid) Keenan; b.1814/1809; IRL. Their son, John, my gg grandfather, was baptized in Kircubbin, Co. Down in 1835. Felix and family immigrated to the Dearham, Cumberland, ENGLAND area about 1845. One branch of my tree stayed there, my line eventually made it to the Western NY area around Rochester, NY in 1910.
One of the Cumberland, ENG Keenan's who I have found a tie to, Joseph Keenan settled in your part of the world and was very influential in the Labor movement in NSW. If you are on Genes Reunited, let me know to send you my tree or if you would like a gedcom just ask.
I am still trying to find the town of origins for Felix and Sarah, my personal brick wall. Have any of you male Keenan's done the dna test kit? I did with Family Tree. There is some DNA info shared on WorldFamilies.net for Keenan surname group. My Halo group is R1b1b2 with the 37 marker. I will have my aunt Joanne (Keenan) Rothfuss, check out your site. She is the true historian in our branch.
Happy searching. Best regards from Western NY, Chuck Keenan charlesmkeenan1@yahoo.com
LATER ...
If you come across any Keenan's that are connected to the Cleator Moor, Cumberland, ENGLAND Keenan's who settled in Australia, tell them to drop me a line as well. DNA testing might be surprising as the results predate the use of surnames. Best regards from a wintery Western NY, Chuck Keenan.
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Email from Church of Ireland 12/6/2009
Hi Peter,
Unfortunately the early Portglenone registers, including baptisms to 1873; marriages to 1845 and burials to 1871 were all destroyed in the fire at the Public Records Office of Ireland in 1922. No copies survive. However, for information about headstones the best approach would be to contact the local rector who is the Revd Mark Loney: rev.loney@btopenworld.com
Dr Susan Hood
Assistant Librarian and Archivist / Publications Officer
Church of Ireland
RCB
Library
Braemor Park
Churchtown
Dublin
14
(+353-1-4923979
+
susan.hood@rcbdub.org
Website http://www.library.ireland.anglican.org/
Email from Peter Keenan to Church of Ireland 9/6/2009
Hi,
I am from Australia. My ancestors (KEENAN) came from Portglenone. My wife and I visited Northern Ireland in 2002 and, acting on information from family historians here, visited the Church of Ireland in the Portglenone township, where we came across two headstones, side by side. One for Henry John Keenan and the other for James, both of whom were buried in the 1700’s. (I can send photographs if necessary.) I would like to find out more about these people from the Church of Ireland records. (I have been unsuccessful at the common genealogy websites.)
Yours faithfully,
Peter Keenan, Sandringham, Victoria, Australia. 9/6/2009
Email from Shellie Cummings (Western Australia) on 2 May 2009
Hi Peter,
I came across your wonderful website tonight while researching on the net.
I am a descendent of Stewart and Isabella Keenan of Western Australia through
their daughter Eliza who married James
Armstrong. I am hoping you maybe able to clarify some information I
had been given.
I have been
told that Stewart was the son of Henry and Nancy Keenan nee Gamble. Henry
christened 21.12.1802 and died 9.9.1869 Ballymena, Ireland. Nancy was the
daughter of John Gamble and Mary Williamson born 1.9.1811. This is
different to what you have and I was wondering what evidence you have that
Stewart’s parents were Henry and Mary. You have that Henry and Mary married in
1834 do you have a marriage certificate. Also the details relating to Henry’s
date of birth and death. Can you tell me what evidence you have to confirm
these?
I appreciate any help/clarification you can provide. I have appreciated all the
help family members to date have provided but sometimes what we think is right
is only sought of right. I am learning quickly that patience is needed
when trying to unravel the past.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Shellie Cummings
Perth, Western Australia
Email from June Reid (New Zealand) on 1 March 2009
Hi Peter from
New Zealand
We first had a conversation re the Keenan family a year or so ago. I have been
spurred on again after a visit to Scotland and discovered my cousin in East
Kilbride is also trying to uncover the family history.
I have just had
a look thru your site which is just great & emails sent to you. The one I found
most interesting is from yourself to John 19.4.08 where you mentioned Robert
Keenan & Emily Kerr – my great grandparents. My grandmother was Marion Hastings
Keenan ( Date Death 1975 not 1973) , married to John Leiper Riddell. I was
really surprised that my great grandparents were farmers .
Because of the
information on your site which is very exciting , I rang my Dad ( who lives in
Christchurch) and is 83yrs old and the grandson of Robert Keenan & Emily Kerr ,
great grandson of James & Maria. Dads name is Robert Keenan Riddell. Dad just
marvelled that so many generations of a family can be unravelled and in contact
in such a way , he is now quite frail but the brain was put into action & lots
of memories flooded back.
Dad remembers
staying with his grandparents at the farm , feeding the chickens & riding the
horse & cart. He seemed to remember lots of “burns” to cross and a large load of
peat at front of the property. He remembers his grandmother smoking a white clay
pipe and always with a crutch and there was two half doors into her house. He
thought Elizabeth had died of St Vitus Dance !
Although I
don't live close to my Dad it brought him a great deal of pleasure today to make
contact with the past , I am going to print of what I can of your site & send to
him to read at his leisure.
Regards
June Reid
Letter from Lynda Palmer, Largs, Scotland, 16 February 2009
Hello Peter,
Just a wee note to put in with the file I have been trying to send you. ....
I hope you managed to decipher the family tree file that (my sister) Hazel (Smith) and I sent you. It wasn't very professionally laid out so I hope you could understand it OK.
My grandpa Keenan met my gran, Margaret Ralston, when he came over from Ireland around 1920 to work as a riveter in Kincaid's Shipyard - Greenock, on the Firth of Clyde. (Before that he still lived in the old homestead in Portglenone and mostly worked the land with his family.) He was still working at Kincaid's Shipyards when World War 2 broke out and the work he was doing -- shipbuilding -- was deemed important to the war effort so he was not drafted in to the army to fight.
Greenock however was a prime target for bombing raids because of the shipyards, and my grandparents were bombed out of their home in St Laurence Street in Greenock. They then walked, with their six children, to the nearest place of shelter, which was the small village of Inverkip. There they stayed for a few weeks in the church hall, till it was safe to move on again, eventually settling here in Largs. My Uncle Bob (Robert) was just a baby at the time and my mum Edna (Edwardina) was only a toddler. My Aunt Betty, Uncle Jim, Uncle Tommy and Aunt Margaret were all much older.
Out of them all Tommy, Margaret and Robert still live here in Largs, as do their children and their grandchildren.
My mum Edna died in 1981, aged 42. She had been left with a heart condition after contracting a childhood illness during the war. My Aunt Betty (Elizabeth) died three years ago in her 80s, and my Uncle Jim just last year.
Hazel and I are going to try and find some time to sit and go through photos for more up-to-date ones of the family, Granpa (James) Keenan etc.
In Largs we are all known just as "one of the Keenans" (no matter what our surnames are now) as we will look so alike. It is quite comical if you are in the butchers to order steak pies etc and he asks "which one are you?", then "Oh never mind, I'll just put it under Keenan" ha ha.
Well I suppose I'd better head out into the wind and rain again to go and bring in my daughter Dawn's pony, Loki and my wee mare, Fern. I wasn't joking when I said I wore woollies and wellies (ha ha).
I look forward to keeping in touch and hope you enjoy the photos I send now.
Best wishes, Lynda.
Email from Jamee Taylor and Suzannah Keenan on 4 February 2009
Good evening fellow Keenan family members,
We have immensely enjoyed viewing the website containing our proud family
history, however we have noted an error with the spelling of two family member
names. Could you please make the following amendments to your records to
ensure that the website remains accurate:
Jamie Keenan (daughter of James and Joanie Keenan) should be corrected to Jamee
Taylor (nee Keenan)
Suzanne Keenan (daughter of James and Joanie Keenan) should be corrected to
Suzannah Keenan.
Also there have been some new additions to this branch of the family, details as
follows:
Georgia Mai Boyanton (B. 2003) daughter of Samantha Keenan
Benjamin Keenan Boyanton (B. 2006) son of Samantha Keenan
Jacob Michael Taylor (B.2006) son of Jamee Taylor (nee Keenan)
Sophie Rose Taylor (B.2008) daughter of Jamee Taylor (nee Keenan)
We have also included a recent family photo with all members of our family.
Regards,
Jamee Taylor and Suzannah Keenan
Email from Mike Keenan of USA on 6 February 2009
Dear Peter,
I don't know where to start. My name is Michael Keenan. My grandfather is Howard
W. Keenan, whose father was Thomas James Keenan.
I want to thank you for all of the "tingles" you have sent up my spine. I am 38
years old and do not know a lot about where I came from. All of the work that
you have done is GREATLY APPRECIATED. My searching was actually started by my
father, John Howard Keenan. He had told me of some things that he had heard, and
I started to "google" around. I was amazed at all of the information available.
I have 4 kids. Thomas 18, Brittany 16, Michael 11, and Kaitlyn 8. The older 2
are step kids. I mention this because I was amazed when I saw the pictures of
the children taken Oct. 1, 2006. Their eyes! My kids have the same beautiful
blue eyes. I was floored. Thank you again.
If I can help provide any more recent information from this side of the pond, I
would love to. I don't want to be a bother, so let me know by replying to this
email. God Bless
Mike Keenan
Email from Hazel Edwardina Smith on 22 January 2009
Dear Peter
We are so happy to have found this site as our grandfather was James Taylor
Keenan born in Portglenone 1898. His Father , James born 1845..mother Elizabeth
Taylor. I have included an attachment of our family tree, of which my sister and
I are so proud of, to be a part of the Keenans.
I would love to hear back from you, as this is the first time we have managed to
find more Keenans, though we are planning to visit Portglenone in February.
My sister Lynda and I, two of my uncles, Thomas and Robert Keenan, also my Aunt
Margaret, and most of their children are living in this town on the West coast
of Scotland where my gran, grandpa and all their children moved to when blitzed
out of Greenock, Renfrewshire in WW2. My grandpa moving there from Ireland to
work in the dockyards.
Hoping you get in touch, and enjoy our family tree included.
Yours sincerely
Hazel Edwardina Smith
Largs , Ayrshire, Scotland
Email from Lynda Palmer on 23 January 2009
Hi Peter,
It is so good to find another Keenan that is interested in our heritage.
My sister Hazel and I came across your website when we were trying to do some
more research and were fascinated by what we were reading.
I have tried to research what I can, but I'm at the stage where I am getting
confused between Maria (nee Hastings) Keenan and Elizabeth (nee Taylor ) Keenan.
In fact I'm beginning to wonder if my great grandpa James may have been married
to both, ha ha.
I hope you received the amended tree with the correct dates etc, I hope it all
helps to expand our combined Keenan trees.
May I also thank you for replying to the e-mail Hazel and I sent you so quickly,
we were so surprised to have an almost instant response.
I have attached some old photos with what information I have with them, I hope
you enjoy them.
Perhaps you will be as astounded as we are at some of the likenesses that appear
in the family to this very day.
Hazel and I will try and send some more up to date photos to show you, it's
quite spooky.
As for adding our tree and contact information to your tree etc, well we would
be honoured to say the least. Thank you.
I look forward to keeping in touch and finding out more about our ancestors.
keep well
from freezing cold Largs in Scotland
Email from Christine Conwell on 8 December 2008
Dear Peter,
Keeping you informed, as promised.
Mr Elston said in email that the ancestor was surnamed Elvins. (No wonder I couldnt' find a Levine or LEvins). Found a Thomas Elvins who travelled on the Prince Consort in 1864 on the passenger list in the book "Tall ships on the river " by Grimes and Gassan, and also on the Qld State Archive online Site, immigration index , microfilm reference at the ARchives Z1957. Thomas Elvins was 19 years old when he travelled on the Prince Consort which arrived in Australia on the 30th March 1864.
Also on the Qld
historical indexes there was a marriage record for an Arthur Joseph Parendy
Elvins to Martha Weir Boyd in 1927 in QLD 1927/ B2073.
Thanks again
for sending on my email to Mr Elston.
Sincerely, Christine
Email from Phillip Boyle on 25 October 2008
Hi Peter,
I was just going through your website (again) and looking at the photographs of
the Fosters and Keenans. I just felt I had to e-mail and thank you for compiling
this website. There were photographs of my grandmother Isabella Jane Naughton
(nee Foster) with I presume my great-grandfather Henry Foster. Although I, to
this day, still have a clear visual memory of Isabella I never knew my
great-grandfather Henry nor had I previously seen a photograph of him. The
photos also brought memories flooding back of George and Nora and of Don Keenan
as a young married man with his wife Aileen. It was good also to see Brian as an
adult (I haven’t seen him since he was about 4 or 5 years old) with his mother
Aileen.
Email from Phillip Boyle on 23 October 2008
Upon further
reading of your website I see that I haven’t added much that you didn’t already
know. One thing I noticed was the date of Don Keenan’s birth – I have it as 1923
and you have it as 1924. My mother (now 103 and still going strong) keeps a list
of births and deaths and I doubt she’d be wrong. Are you certain about the 1924?
I don’t mind your adding my e-mail address however the only people likely to
contact me is Margaret or Brian both of whom I met when we were children. George
(KEENAN) was one of my favourite uncles and had a great sense of humour, a
real gentleman in every sense of the word. His wife Nora was also one of my
favourite aunts and I sometimes stayed with them when I was young. Norah went
out of her way to entertain me on those occasions even though her son Don had
long since left home.
Phillip
Email from Phillip Boyle on 23 October 2008
Hi Peter
I was idly searching the Naughton’s in Tumut on Google and found your link to
Honora (or Nora as we called her). All I have on Nora is:
Honorah Mary NAUGHTON
Born: 23 Nov 1902 in Tumut, N.S.W., Australia
Died: 05 Jan 1990 Tumut Hospital, NSW, Australia
Married George Aaron KEENAN
They had only one surviving child, a son, Don who was born 22 Mar 1923. Don
married Aileen CONNORS. He died in 2002 in Queanbeyan. Don and Aileen had a few
children but my memory only recalls Margaret and Brian. For a time Don and
Aileen lived on the Batlow property with George and the other Keenan brothers.
George’s house was called “Little Snuba” and has, since Nora’s death, been sold.
Honora was my aunt (my mother’s sister). Nora’s parents were:
John NAUGHTON and Isabella Jane FOSTER.
Phillip Boyle
GUEST BOOK ENTRIES FROM 15/6/2008 TO 14/7/2008
I am trying to trace the ancestors of William Keenan, who joined The Royal Scots Greys at Ballincollig around 1884. His service papers indicate he was born in County Down, In his marriage certificate, he lists his parents as James Keenan & Mary Campbell …. I have William's Attestation papers for The Royal Scots Greys …. On 3rd December, 1883 William is "processed" and gives his place of birth as "In the Parish Londonderry, near the Town of Londonderry, in the County of Londonderry" …. He gives his age as 19 Years 0 months …. This means he was born in 1864. On 26 January, 1886 William is married in Glasgow to Jessie Livingston and gives his parents as James Keenan, Blacksmith; and Mary Keenan, nee Campbell. His address is given as "Barracks, Aldershot". He gives his age as 20 which means of course a birth year of 1866 but could be 1865 …. their first child was born in May of 1886 …. Having completed his 12 year engagement, William is given an honorable discharge on 27 November, 1895 …. Five years later (almost) William re-joins his old regiment and signs up for one year with 2 Dragoons, Royal Scots Greys, on 19 May 1900. He gives his age as 36 years, 0 months which now gives us a date of birth of 1864. He gives the same place of birth as Londonderry. Any help or advice would be most welcome and greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Robert Allan.
A wonderful site, beautifully done. If you stumble across my line of Keenan's from Co.Down>Cumberland,ENG>Rochester, NY, USA please drop me a line. Best regards from Groveland NY, Chuck Keenan charlesmkeenan1@yahoo.com
I have obtained two photographs of Glenbourne Homestead from the website of the Heritage Council of Western Australia. They are now added to the relevant page of this site. Any additional photographs of the house would still be welcome. Peter J Keenan.
Does anyone have a photograph of Glenbourne Homestead, the heritage listed small farmhouse situated on the northern bank of Ellens Brook, Margaret River, Western Australia, and built by Stewart and Isabella Keenan in the late 1880s? If so, please contact me, because I would love to put a copy on this website for the Keenans of Western Australia. Peter J Keenan.
Hi Kathryn. It's great to hear from you. My wife (Margaret) and I met your mother and father on our trip to Northern Ireland in 2002. We have been writing occasionally since then. They have sent me a photo of you and your brother. In 2002 they took us on a tour along the Antrim coast and then back to Innishrush to meet "Aunty" May Keenan. My wife and I also travelled to Scotland, where we met your uncle Jack Harkins. I am gradually preparing, for publication on this website, a series of family trees, with the aim of showing the families in Australia and Northern Ireland. I would appreciate receiving any information that might help me. For example, I know that your great, great grandmother was Agnes Keenan, but don't know her maiden name, DOB, etc. I think her husband was William Keenan, and that his father was James Keenan, but that's all I have at this stage. Thanks, and best wishes to you and your family. Peter James Keenan, Sandringham, Australia.
Hi I would like to say hello to all my Keenan relatives throughout the world. I am Nancy J Harkins (nee Keenan) granddaughter. My name is Kathryn Mary Nightingale (nee Johnston) daughter of Sheila and Richard Johnston. I now live in West Yorkshire England, married to Shane Nightingale and we have a son Samuel who turned 1 recently.
my name is robert keenan my wife & I left belfast northern ireland in june1962 for australia & we have lived in Canberra ACT since. My grand-father was john Keenan & I believe he came from some where in antrim & I am still trying to find out where
Email from Sheila Johnston of Northern Ireland on 24/9/2008
Dear Peter,
Glad to hear you and Margaret are well. I will send some of the old family
photos that I have.
My grandfather was William Keenan and his wife was Margaret Agnes Whyte. My great grandparents were Maria (Hastings) and James Keenan. Their children were, Elizabeth (America) Margaret (America) David (America) Robert (Scotland) James (Scotland) Henry (Scotland) William (Innisrush) Annie (Portglenone) Samuel (Scotland) - he is buried in Belgium , he was killed in the first world war his name in on the Commonwealth grave site his full name is Samuel Frackleton Keenan and he was in Seaforth Highlander Regiment and Stewart (Australia).
I have all their photographs except James and Henry and
will send these to you soon. We are just back from a holiday in Majorca with
Kathryn and family.
All for now, Sheila
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Email from Therese Alting on 9/6/2008 "Re Henry Keenan
I'm doing some research into the
history of Huntington's disease in Australia, and just came across your
amazing family history website. What a lot of work you've been doing! I
wonder if you'd be interested in sharing any further information you may
have, particularly about Huntington's disease.
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Reply from Peter Keenan to John Keenan on 19/4/2008 Hi John,
The information I have is as follows.
Henry John Keenan (b.1808) married Mary Ann Gamble. They farmed the 10 acre property of “Glenone” in the Townland of Glenone, Parish of Tamlaght O’Crilly, County Derry, Northern Ireland.
They had the following children: Stewart (b.1834), Robert (b.1836) , Henry John (b. 1842), Aaron, James (b.1845 or 1847, d. 1906), David and Elizabeth. [I am a descendent of Henry John (b. 1842). Henry John Keenan married Nancy Jane Gamble. Stewart Keenan married Isabella Gamble. Henry John and Stewart and their wives came to Australia, as did Robert and Aaron.]
Their son, James Keenan (b.1845 or 1847, d. 1906), married Maria Hastings (b. 1846, d.1937). It is said that they farmed the “Glenone” property until James died. Their 10 children were Samuel, Elizabeth, Henry, William, Annie, Stewart, David, Robert (b.1882, d. 1946), James and Margaret Isabel (b. 1876, d. 1954).
It appears that Henry, William, David and James went on to live in Scotland.
Anne stayed at home and looked after her mother.
Margaret Isabel went to America where she married Robert A Malcolm.
Samuel Keenan died 6/9/07 in France/Flanders (1st World War), Battle of the Mons.
Stewart died in Australia.
Elizabeth died in America.
Robert Keenan married Emily McLaughlin Kerr. It is said they carried on farming at “Glenone” until 3 years after Robert’s mother died (say 1940). Their children were Marion Hastings Keenan (b. 1905, Greenock, Scotland, d. 1973 in Lanarkshire, Scotland), May Keenan (b.1906), William Kerr Keenan (b. 1908 in Coatbridge), Stuart Keenan (b. 1910 in Coatbridge), Hannah Kerr Keenan (b. 1912 in Bellshill Uddington, Scotland, d. 1992). Hannah married John Easton.
The only sibling of Henry John Keenan (b.1808) that I have heard of is John Keenan.
I hope this is of some assistance. I would love to hear about any information you have dug up or do so in the future.
Regards, Peter James Keenan
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From John Keenan of Scotland on 2 April 2008 "Hi there,
I'm John Keenan living in Scotland.
I am looking for info on Henry John Keenan who married a Gamble in Ireland. I found on Ancestry.co.uk that Henry had a son James Keenan who married a Maria Hastings. They both had several children in Scotland. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Also HJ Keenan b.1808, does anyone know the names of his siblings?
Any info would be just great
Best Wishes John"
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From Gordon Elston of Isle of Man 19 April 2008
"Hi Peter
Thanks for the reply. Have asked my friend and she is organising me a copy to send to Kay.
Had a look at some of the photo's of Maryborough and Sandy Strait on the internet, looks a bit warmer and nowhere as windy as the Isle of Man is.
Thanks again for your efforts.
regards
Gordon"
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Reply from Peter Keenan to Gordon Elston on 19/4/2008 Hi Gordon,
I have examined my copy of "Tall ships on the River: Prince Consort 1864 and other voyages", by Judith Grimes and Kay Gassan. The book contains extensive extracts from a diary of a passenger by the name of Thomas McEvoy Bussey. It also contains an unauthenticated list of the emigrants who landed. The name Levins does not appear in either of these, nor, it seems, in any other part of the book. But the passengers did arrive at Maryborough Wharf on 2 April 1864, so it would seem that the grandfather of the worker you mentioned was on the ship.
I'm sure the authors of the book, who are members of the Maryborough Historical Society, would love to receive a copy of the written account you speak of (as would I). They may also be able to supply you with a copy of their book. The addresses I have are: Kay Gassan, P O Box 988, Maryborough, 4650, Queensland, Australia, and Judith Grimes, P O Box 40, Nanago, 4615.
Sorry I haven't been able to help you much.
Regards, Peter Keenan 19/4/2008 note by Peter Keenan on 9/12/2008: subsequent correspondence establishes that the grandfather's family name was elvins, not levins. see correspondence on 8/12/2008 from christine Conwell, of Brisbane Queensland, Australia. the elvins name DOES appear in the book"Tall ships on the River: Prince Consort 1864 and other voyages", by Judith Grimes and Kay Gassan.
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From Gordon Elston of Isle of Man 15 April 2008 "Hi
A friend of mine ran a factory in Birmingham UK many years ago and had a worker who one day produced an exercise book in which was written an account by his Grandfather of the voyage he made as a first class passenger in Dec 1863 on this packet boat to Queensland. The daily account ends at April 2nd 1864 at Maryborough.
My friend arranged for a neat typed copy to be produced for the worker and kept one for himself, being very interested in all things concerning sailing.
Recently my friend's widow asked me to do some research on the vessel and the major google hit was your family site who had been on the same voyage.
The grandfather's family name was Levins.
Did your family account's mention him at all.
thanks Gordon Elston"
note by Peter Keenan on 9/12/2008: subsequent correspondence establishes that the grandfather's family name was elvins, not levins. see correspondence on 8/12/2008 from christine Conwell, of Brisbane Queensland, Australia. the elvins name DOES appear in the book"Tall ships on the River: Prince Consort 1864 and other voyages", by Judith Grimes and Kay Gassan. |
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From Robert Keenan of Engadine on 10 December 2007 Thanks Peter. Sorry it's taken me so long to get information to you of my family ... My Mum and Dad, John Robert (Bob) and Thelma Emily (nee Champion) Thanks for the good job you're doing ... Attached: Photo of Robert Keenan and copy of his family tree
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From Rachelle Nofz (nee Keenan) on 4/7/2007
"Hello Peter and Margaret,
My maiden name was Rachelle Keenan and I am the eldest granddaughter of Neil and Edith Keenan (nee Denson). I found your information to be very good. However Neil Keenan, my grandfather, was the youngest son in his family. He used to tell me many stories, including in the early 1980s that Aunty Ivy used to write to relatives, (cousins, I believe) in Belfast. Thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful information available online.
Warm Regards, Rachelle Nofz (nee Keenan). " |
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Reply from Peter Keenan to Rachell Nofz on 7/7/2007 Hi Rachelle, It’s great to hear from you. I’m glad you got some enjoyment out of my website. I’ve still got a lot more information to put on it, so please visit again from time to time. I hope you don’t mind but I have now added your name to the website. I would love to receive any more information that you have about your line of the family, especially if it can be published on the site. If you would like to write something and email it to me I could put it on a special page. I have been writing to a distant cousin and her niece in Northern Ireland, and another relative in Scotland, for several years now. The cousin in Ireland is May Keenan, who is about 85. There is at least one photo of her on my website. It was taken on a trip Margaret and I made to Northern Ireland in 2002. May lives in Innishrush, near Portglenone, in County Derry. This is where the Keenans of Batlow and Bunbury, Western Australia, originated. May is the only cousin left in that country, most having gone to Australia, USA and New Zealand in the mid-to-late 1800s. I have also been communicating with distant relatives in the USA and Canada. Best wishes, and thanks again. Peter Keenan |
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From Rachelle Nofz (nee Keenan) on 12/7/2007 "Hello Peter and Margaret,
Last night, I read your email after flying home to Gladstone from Sydney. Just have attached a pic taken yesterday at the AMP building in Sydney at Circular Quay. It is of my brother Mathew Keenan and myself. We also have two younger brothers, Darren and Andrew, who live in Melbourne; and a "half sister" Jemma Lee Horton.
Our father, Des Keenan (4th son of Neil and Edith) had been in a farming accident at Batlow last week and has a head injury. While I waiting at home (in Gladstone QLD) for news, I found your site, so it was lovely to see such a wonderful site.
Last Friday after I flew to Sydney, Mathew and I drove to see Dad. We also saw our uncles and cousins (all of them "Batlow Keenans"). I told some of them about your site. If you would like, I could probably pass on some useful Batlow contacts some time.
Warm Regards, Rachelle " |
