Searching for the roots of Mary Purcell (1817-1874)

We are attempting to locate the history of Mary Purcell and Thomas St George.

Mary we believe was born and baptised in Gortnahoe (RC) on 21 February 1817 with parents John and Carherine (nee Smith) Purcell but unfortunately, the parents are problematical as the names of the parents on her death certificate are given as Richard and Mary. Taking into account that the only member of the family that we know was literate was Richard, their son who came to Australia in 1859, the names on the death certificate take on less significance.

We know that a Mary Purcell was married on 5 February 1834 in Urlingford to Thomas St George (1812 in Urlingford, Kilkenny, died 1891 in Burwood, NSW, Australia). Mary and Thomas had at least 6 children born/baptised in Gortnahoe/Urlingford; William 1834; Ellen 1837; Richard 1839 (who is my wife's great grandfather); Thomas 1841; Mary 1843; and Edward 1844. Mary, Thomas, Mary (daughter) and Edward arrived in Australia in 1863 aboard the John Vanner, Thomas listed as a shepherd, Mary as household duties, Mary (daughter) as a household servant and Edward as a labourer and all are listed as illiterate. The age of both Thomas and M ary on their papers on arrival in NSW is given as 46, indicative of a date of birth of 1817, but this could be +/- 5 years.

Thomas we believe was born and baptised in Urlingford on 24 May 1812 (RC) to parents John and Catherine (nee Delaney) St George. Thomas had siblings: Martin 1805; John 1809 both born/baptised in Urlingford. From the research we have undertaken principally on Ancestry and Roots Ireland together with Burke's Peerage and royalist history sites, we believe that John (ca 1780) is related to the St George's of Woodsgift, Kilkenny.

These people have become a stumbling block in our family tree and we are hoping you can help with our queries. We would be only too happy to provide further information to help others who may also be searching these family names and a more detailed tree for the community records once we can solve these issues.

Regards from Australia

Geoff and Diane