A Bridget Keane was the witness at the marriage of Sarah Donnelly and John
Buckley in 1857. This Sarah Donnelly's marriage certificate shows she was
the daughter of Patrick Donnelly and Ann McDonald/McDonell. (So the sister
of Simon Donnelly as follows)
Simon Donnelly
Born c 1837, Co Armagh
Son of Patrick Donnelly and Ann Fox formerly Donnelly nee McDonald/McDonell
Nephew of Hugh Donnelly of Port Fairy (who arrived per Westminster July
1841)
Simon Donnelly Arrived Victoria per Westminster July 1841, age 4 years. with
two brothers, sister, mother and stepfather Hugh Fox.
In October 1860, a Bridget Donnelly nee Keane, claimed that she had married
a Simon Donnelly in 1855 in Co Clare, that they had a daughter Ann born
prior to 1860, and she registered on this date the birth of a son, Simon
Donnelly, in Melbourne. She claims the father was:
Simon Donnelly,
Born c 1838, Co Clare (source:
son Simon's birth cert)
Died: deceased by 15th October 1860, (source:
son Simon's birth cert)
Occupation: Bullock Driver
HOwever, this Simon Donnelly is probably same as Simon Donnelly, born 1837,
Co Armagh, son of Patrick Donnelly/Ann Mcdonald
If so....he was not dead as she claimed, and they did not marry in 1855 in
Co Clare.
IF they did marry in Co Clare in 1855, a Simon and Bridget Donnelly should
show up on passenger arrivals between 1855 and 1860 to Victoria.
The only Simon Donnelly found (including all variations of the surname) is
the one on the Westminster in 1841, who is the nephew of Hugh Donnelly.
Further a Simon Donnelly was in July 1860 at Yangery (near Port Fairy)
working for James Jellie . Hugh Donnelly was also here at that time,
recently released from jail, and living at Yangery, and he refers to James
Jellie many times in his later letters.
so Bridget probably never married Simon, and he wasn;t dead when the child
was born, as no death is registered.
I am interested to find out what happened eventually to Simon (whom I am yet
to find) and Bridget (too many to know where to start).
with thanks
Jenny Fawcett