Lilian's Tree

Well Big Crosby got it wrong! The sun does not go down on Galway Bay, it goes down behind a hill! Galway Bay. Arrived in Dublin, on Monday and due to the infrequency of trains to Galway City, had to take a car. It was a lovely journey, on the motorway, even in the pouring rain, in parts, but that's Ireland! My hotel was in Salthill, right on Galway Bay and the view was lovely. I went for a walk, after dinner then organised myself for my trip Ballinakill, with the hope of finding something about my ancestors. It was a beautiful journey, through the emerald green countryside. Yes, the roads are only one lane, with passing areas and the fields are divided with dry stone walls, (no mortar used). First stop was the Catholic church, in Ballinakill, right time frame but I am now starting to doubt that it was the correct one. Found the Historical society, in Woodford and they seem to think that the Abbertons' came from Abbey. Confused, so am I!  Searched several cemeteries, wi...

The last 10 days have been busy, with four days in Canberra and then the four day Easter weekend. Canberra was wonderful and James enjoyed himself and so did Grandma and Granddad.                                          The Big Merino, Goulburn. The National Zoo.                                                    Telstra Tower, Black Mountain. A few visitors, the other side of the fence, where we stayed. We were on the go everyday, with the zoo, Questacon and the National Arboretum being the main places. Easter was quiet, with a family barbecue on Easter Sunday and a trip to Bunnings, (local hardware store), on the Monday. I've started organising what I want to see, in Galway and Glasgow. Galway, I'm lookingh at hiring a ...

I can't believe that I forgot to do this last week! This Saturday I'm going with ABBERTON, my Dad's side. A search of the Surname Database came up with nothing but I remembered that ages ago I did find information on the name. From 'The Surnames of Ireland' by Edward MacLysaght,  published 1978, call number R929.4 Mac, Campbelltown Library.*  'ABBERTON.  An English toponymic found in South East Galway, locally classed as one of the 'Oultaghs', i.e. families which migrated from Ulster in the Early 18th C. My furthest back Abberton it my Great-great-grandfather, Thomas Abberton bc 1799 in Ballynakill, Co Galway. He married Bridget Chaffey and they had five children; 1) Patrick b 1822 2) James b 1828 3) Thomas, b1830 4) Catherine b1832 5) Anne b 1836.  Thomas, and Anne, arrived in Port Jackson, on the 'Joseph Somes', 1 February 1852. Patrick was already in the colony and appears to have sponsored them. Catherine and James arrived in ...

Today I'm going to look at the county of my ancestors, Galway. Galway is the second largest county in Ireland. It covers some 5,939 sq. km. Galway City has its origins back in the 13th century, when Norman adventurers, under the leadership of on Richard de Burgo, established a city there. The Gaelic name was Gaillimh, meaning 'The Place of Strangers'. My ancestors hail from Ballynakill, but with four Civil Parishes called Ballynakill searching for them is fun. My Galway Surnames are; Abberton, Torp(h)y,  Good(e), Chaffey. If they ring any bells, please get in touch. Bye for now, Lilian

Just adding some family info about my Abberton side and I hope I can make a connection. Thomas Abberton came from Ballinakill, County Galway, Ireland, to Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. He married Mary Torphy/Torpy and they had 15  children. They lived just out of  Goulburn in a place called Mummell.