Hi Listers,
I am only new to the list today.
I am descend from Bridget (Biddy) Madigan who was from the Tulla area. She was born about 1836 to parents unknown.
In her death notice it said she was the niece of Dean Henshee and Captain Bridgeman of County Clare.
She was in a Workhouse in Tulla at the age of about 16 and she was rounded up as a group of girls and women to be bought to Tasmania , Australia in 1851 to be wives and servants for male convicts who had finished their time/sentence. I presume that perhaps her parents were deceased and that she was alone in the world.
She was assigned to Samuel Dale because he had children to care for after his wife had died.
Bridget married Samuel in 1856 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia and went on to produce 7 children as well as care for Samuel's other children. I am descend from one of Samuel and Bridgets children.
Is there anyone on the list who can shed any light on this subject.
Cheers Robin Walker (Mrs) Tasmania, Australia
Monday 1st Apr 2013, 05:25AM
Message Board Replies
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Dear Robin:
Thank you for your message. Your family history sounds very interesting. I will look up Biddy's birth details for you in the local parish register. Unfortunately, the Tulla workhouse records were destroyed in a fire, however your story about her being sent to Australia sounds true as there was a lot of assisted emigration of young girls from the Tulla workhouse. I have an article that might be of interest to you and if you would like, please email me your address (email) to tulla@irelandxo.com.
Unfortunately, not all of the girls were orphans, and once people went into the workhouse, many times, they never saw family members again.
I will let you know what I find. Many thanks for writing and please join the Tulla parish page.
Kind regards,
Jane
Tulla Clare, IrelandXO Volunteer
Monday 1st Apr 2013, 08:10PM