family of mary catherine malone & martin mcnamara
TRANSCRIPT
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 1
Printed: 20 August 2020
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 2
Family of Mary Catherine Malone and Martin McNamara
In the previous story of the life of Mary Catherine (nee Malone) and Martin McNamara we concluded
the story with the deaths of various members of the McNamara family, especially the deaths of four
people within a very short period of timeframe of approximately 6 months:
The events are summarized in the table below:
Date / Year Person Event 8 January 1879 Martin McNamara (Senior) Gored by a bullock and died
21 March 1882 Honora McNamara (nee
McDonnell) – 2nd wife of Martin
McNamara (Senior)
Dies aged 56 years
21April 1884 Mary Catherine McNamara (nee
Malone)
Wife of Martin McNamara (Jnr)
Died of weakness 4 weeks after childbirth leaving 5
children
22 May 1884 Elizabeth Frances James (nee
McNamara)
Sister of Martin McNamara (Jnr)
Died after childbirth, aged just 22 years
11 June 1884 Elizabeth May James - Daughter
of above
Died aged 3 weeks
14 June 1884 Martin McNamara (Junior) Killed in a horse fall on way home from the funeral of
his niece Elizabeth James – leaving 5 orphaned
children
19 February 1886 Winifred Bath (nee McNamara) –
sister of Martin McNamara (Jnr)
Died aged 25 years leaving 7 children
The four deaths included:
Mary Catherine McNamara (nee Malone) was to die on 21 April 1884, from weakness after childbirth,
as per her death certificate: The birth of an unknown child had obviously taken place 4 weeks earlier
when she was attended to by Doctor Healey.
Mary Catherine McNamara was to leave behind 5 living children.
Elizabeth Frances James (sister of Martin McNamara Jnr) died after childbirth on 22 May 1884. She
was just 22 years of age leaving a young daughter and a newly born baby.
Elizabeth May James (newly born daughter of Elizabeth Frances James) was to die on 11 June 1884
aged just 3 weeks
Martin McNamara was killed after a horse accident as reported in the Burrowa News, dated Friday 20
June 1884: Apparently Marin McNamara died after attending the funeral of his niece Elizabeth May James.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 3
Deaths of Mary Catherine Malone and Martin McNamara
Mary Catherine McNamara (nee Malone) was to die on 21 April 1884, from weakness after
childbirth, as per her death certificate: The birth of an unknown child had obviously taken place 4
weeks earlier when she was attended to by Doctor Healey.
Just 2 months later:
Martin McNamara - killed after a horse accident as reported in the Burrowa News, dated Friday 20
June 1884.
“FATAL ACCIDENT”
MARTIN McNAMARA sustained fatal injuries on Thursday last by
his horse falling and dragging him along the road.
“The unfortunate man was unconscious till death occurred on
Saturday evening.
Drs Healey and Ryan were in attendance but injuries were too
severe.
Deceased wife died a few weeks ago.
Five young children are left”.
Martin died on the 14th June, 1884 at the age of 35 years.
His skull had been fractured from the horse fall at “Beverley”, Burrowa.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 4
The sudden loss of both parents left the five McNamara children orphaned! What was their fate?
What happened the McNamara children?
Back in the early 1980’s, I submitted a request to the Genealogical Magazine “Descent” seeking
information about the McNamara children.
The first major breakthrough came via a letter dated 7 July 1982 from Lyn O’Brien of Ryde and it
was her subsequent letters that began to open up and unravel the family history story of the
McNamara children.
Lyn O’Brien (far left) - Malone Reunion
6 October, 1985 - Frogmore NSW
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 5
Margaret Mary Hyland (nee McNamara)
Daughter of Mary Catherine and Martin McNamara
First letter from Lyn O’Brien
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 6
The McNamara Children
Research indicates that Mary Catherine Malone and Martin McNamara’s first child was born in 1874
(exact date unclear, but appears to be 15 August 1874).
The child, Charles John McNamara was baptised through the Catholic Church, Parish of Goulburn,
but by that stage, Martin and Mary were living at Burrowa.
The baptism of Charles John McNamara was registered under the Roman Catholic Parish of
Goulburn, but may have taken place under the guidance of a travelling priest who may have travelled
to outlying areas away from Goulburn itself. Sponsors at the baptism were Cornelius McNamara
(brother of Martin McNamara) and Mary Ann Jones (sister of Martin McNamara who was married
to John Jones).
Charles John McNamara would have been approximately 9 years of age when both his mother Mary
Catherine and father Martin McNamara both died at Burrowa.
What happened the orphaned children after the loss of their parents?
The correspondence from Lyn O’Brien led me to believe that the McNamara children may have been
taken care of by the nuns at Goulburn. St Joseph's Orphanage, run by the Sisters of Mercy, was located in Clinton Street, Goulburn from 1864 until 1905 when the children were moved to a new site in Kenmore. It provided care for girls aged 5 to 16 years. For me, the above question had been unanswered for 34 years until on the 31 July 2016 when I stumbled
upon an “obituary” which provided a huge breakthrough into shedding light upon the above mystery.
This information will be revealed later in this story.
On 30 April, 1901, Charles John McNamara was to marry a widow Ida Emily Maud Crane (nee
Towner) in the Roman Catholic Church at Molong NSW.
Both bride and groom were 27 years of age, with Charles listed as a labourer and Ida a servant.
At that stage both Charles and Ida listed their residence as Red Bank, New South Wales.
The exact location of Red Bank remains obscure - there are several Red Banks or Redbanks in NSW:
near Port Macquarie
near Bourke
or it may have been a property name in the Molong area
1. Charles John McNamara
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 7
Marriage Certificate of Charles John McNamara and Ida Emily Maud Crane (nee Towner)
Ida Emily Maud Towner was a widow.
She was born at Waterloo in Sydney on 27 March 1870, the
daughter of George Towner (a builder) and Jane Robinson
(or Sophia Jane Robinson).
At the stated age of 16 years (should be 18 years), and with
the consent of her mother, Ada was to marry Herbert Crane
at the Council Chambers at Waverley on 11 December 1888.
Ida was in advanced pregnancy and a daughter Mabel
Florence Crane was born at Botany road, Alexandria on 24
January 1889.
Ida was to give birth at Redfern to a second child Albert
Crane in 1892, although the father of the child was not
listed.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 8
Charles John McNamara was to
become the foster father of these
two children and they both took
on the surname of McNamara.
Mabel Florence Crane / McNamara married James Horton at the residence of her parents-in-law
William and Harriet Horton at Bodangara, a gold mining community near Wellington NSW on 10
October 1909.
On the marriage certificate, Charles McNamara was listed as a miner and was most likely also
residing at the Bodangara goldfields.
It appears as though Charles and Ida did not have any children of their own.
The New South Wales Police Gazettes, dated:
28 July 1920
30 April 1924 give an insight into the relationship between Charles John McNamara and his
wife Ida, some 20 years into their marriage:
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 9
With the death of Charles McNamara’s brother John
Patrick McNamara in World War 1, Charles was to sign
the Statutory Declaration (pictured).
The document was signed at Portland (north of Lithgow)
and dated 1 November 1922.
Charles John McNamara was working as a quarryman
and living in the settlement of Excelsior, 60km north of
Lithgow.
In the surrounding region are numerous cement quarries
and most likely Charles John McNamara was working in
that industry.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 10
The whereabouts of Charles John McNamara can be further traced through various Electoral Roll
records.
Charles John McNamara (in many Electoral Rolls listed as John Charles McNamara). (Maybe the Police Gazette warrants dated 1920 and 1924 were a factor in the name reversal)
Charles John
McNamara (or John
Charles McNamara)
Year Record Address Occupation
1916 Registrar General Office
Document
58 Holmsdale St, Marrickville secretary
1933 Electoral Roll 18 Wellesley St, Summer Hill labourer
1934 Electoral Roll 18 Wellesley St, Summer Hill labourer
1935 Electoral Roll 18 Wellesley St, Summer Hill labourer
1936 Electoral Roll Valley Heights, Pymble Road
Frenchs Forest
labourer
1937 Electoral Roll Valley Heights, Pymble Road
Frenchs Forest
labourer
1943 Electoral Roll Valley Heights, Pymble Road
Frenchs Forest
labourer
1943 Electoral Roll 18 Wellesley St, Summer Hill retired
In 1841 when the death certificate of Charles John McNamara’s
brother Martin was certified, Charles John McNamara gave his
address as: 53 Boyle Street, Enfield
Charles John McNamara died at Liverpool Hospital on 3 August 1943 aged 68 years.
The cause of death was listed as Cancer of the Prostate. Charles was buried at Rookwood Cemetery
the following day.
Death Certificate details were provided by Lily Coleman, a cousin of Charles John McNamara who
was also residing at 18 Wellesley St, Summer Hill.
Lily Coleman was the daughter of John McNamara and Frances Reid (uncle and aunt of Charles John
McNamara) and the wife of Sydney Charles Coleman.
Note: In 2007, Anne Wymark (McNamara Researcher) discovered documentation dated 26 April, 1921, relating to the
Divorce proceedings of:
Sidney Charles Coleman
Lily Louisa Coleman
The Co-respondent in these proceedings was listed as Charles Frederick McNamara (aka Charles John McNamara).
The documentation clearly indicates that Lily Coleman and Charles John McNamara were living together as a couple.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 11
Children of Ida McNamara (formerly Crane - nee Towner)
and
Foster Children of John Charles McNamara
Mabel Florence Horton (previously McNamara – nee Crane) died aged 69 years at St George Hospital
in outback Queensland on 25 July 1957 and was buried in the St George Cemetery.
Mabel Florence Horton had spent the last 27 years of her life in Queensland after moving from NSW.
She had 10 children, 8 being alive and 2 deceased when she passed away.
Her daughter Phyllis Zirbel, 42 Winton Street, Goondawindi Qld corresponded with me during the
1980’s and provided most of the family documentation.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 12
Mabel Florence (later Horton) had a son George
Henry “Darby” McNamara.
“Darby” McNamara was born at Urandangi in
outback Queensland before his mother Mabel
Florence was married to James Horton.
According to Phyllis Zirbel, “Darby” McNamara
was not mentioned on his mother’s death
certificate.
According to Phyllis Zirbel, Albert Crane / McNamara was known by his half-sister Mabel Florence
Horton and that he apparently had a “large family”.
The life story of Albert McNamara remains quite scanty. The basic facts include:
Albert McNamara married Eveline May Limpus at Rockhampton Qld on 6 December 1937.
Albert died at Gympie Qld on 11 August 1966 aged 74 years.
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Mary Josephine McNamara, the second child of Mary Catherine Malone and Martin McNamara Jnr
was born on 11 May 1876. She was most likely born on the property “Ann’s Vale” at Burrowa.
Mary Josephine McNamara would have been approximately 7 years of age when both her mother
Mary Catherine and father Martin McNamara died at Burrowa.
Early childhood fate of the McNamara children revealed later in the article.
At the age of 26 years Mary Josephine McNamara was to marry Robert Mason, a labourer and fellow
native of Burrowa. Mary Josephine was a domestic servant living in Wellesley Street, Summer Hill.
The marriage was celebrated
on 2 February 1903 and took
place at St Thomas Roman
Catholic Church at
Lewisham, Petersham.
Robert Mason was the son of William Mason, a station hand, and Isabella Small.
Their two children:
o William Robert Mason born 1904
and
o Ethel Louise Mason born 1906 were both registered at Yass indicating that in their early
married years they were actually living in the Yass area or possibly even still in the Boorowa
region.
2. Mary Josephine McNamara
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In the Australian Electoral Roll of 1913 Mary Josephine and Robert Augustine Mason were residing
at 33 Weston Street in Summer Hill.
Mary Josephine was living at home employed in domestic duties while Robert Mason was working as
a chainman (possibly a surveyor’s assistant).
In his obituary it makes mention that Robert works for the NSW Railways, so his chainman job may
have been associated with the railways.
The 1930, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1916 and 1937 Electoral Rolls shows that Mary Josephine and Robert
Augustine Mason had moved house at 10 Fifth Avenue, Lidcombe.
Later the street has a suburb name change to Berala in the subdivision of Flemington.
Robert Augustine
Mason is still working
as a chainman.
1930 – Son William Robert Mason, a labourer, was living with his parents
Robert Augustine
Mason is now working
as a watchman. Robert
was approx. 61 years of
age, so may have been
retired from NSW
Railways and possibly
employed as eg a
nightwatchman
1936 – Son Robert William Mason married Eileen Edna McLister at Auburn in 1934 and is
listed in the 1936 Electoral Roll residing with her husband and her “in-laws” at 55 Third
Avenue, Berala.
1913
1930
1933
1934
1936
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Mary Josephine Mason (nee McNamara) died at her home at Berala on 11 January 1841 aged 64 years
and is buried in Rookwood Cemetery.
Name: Mary Josephine Mason
Birth Date: abt 1877
Death Date: 11 Jan 1941
Age: 64
Burial Place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Cemetery: Rookwood
Section: 15
Row: 25
Denomination: Catholic Mortuary 2 & 3
It appears as though her husband Robert Mason soon moved to Young, New South Wales where his
brother William lived. He was to enter the Old People’s Home at Young where he resided for two
years before his death there on 26 July 1844, aged 72 years.
The following obituary was published in the “Murrumburrah Signal & County of Harden Advocate”
dated Thursday 3 August 1944.
Robert Mason Headstone – Young Cemetery
1. Margaret Mary McNamara
The reference to Isabel Small is an error – that was his
mother – his wife was Mary Josephine (nee McNamara).
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The third child of Mary Catherine Malone and Martin McNamara, Margaret Mary McNamara, was
born at “Ann’s Vale”, Burrowa on 15 December 1877 and baptised at nearby Frogmore a week later
by Catholic Priest T Long.
Witnesses at the baptism were John Jones and his wife Mary Ann (nee McNamara), the sister of
Martin McNamara (snr).
The baptism took place at Frogmore. Frogmore was prospering quite well in 1875 when a school was
opened and Father John Dunne (Parish Priest) built the Church of the Assumption, a weatherboard
structure that served the district Catholics for 40 years.
It is likely then, that Margaret Mary McNamara was baptised in the Church of the Assumption at
Frogmore. The priest Father T Long was posted to Burrowa in 1877.
As mentioned earlier, the first major breakthrough came via a letter dated 7 July 1982 from Lyn O’Brien of Ryde and it was her subsequent
letters that began to open up and unravel the family history story of the McNamara children, especially that of her grandmother:
Margaret Mary Hyland (nee McNamara).
Margaret Mary McNamara would have been approximately 6 years of age when both her mother
Mary Catherine and father Martin McNamara died at Burrowa.
As per the above letter, Margaret Mary and her siblings may have been taken care of by the nuns at
Goulburn.
Early childhood fate of the McNamara children revealed later in the article.
3. Margaret Mary McNamara
First letter from Lyn O’Brien
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Margaret Mary McNamara was to marry Herbert Augustus Hyland at Wagga Wagga NSW on 16
August, 1902. Herbert Augustus (or Augustine) Hyland was born at Wagga Wagga on 5 October
1879, the son of Luke Hyland and Rhonda Emisson (nee Hatton).
When married, Margaret Mary would have been 24 years of age, while Herbert Hyland was just 2
years younger aged 22 years.
Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950 Name: Margaret McNamara
Spouse Name: Hubert (Herbert) A Hyland
Marriage Date: 1902
Marriage Place: New South Wales
Registration Place: Sydney, New South Wales
Registration Year: 1902
Registration Number: 5862
In their early years of marriage, Herbert and Margaret Hyland appeared to have been on the move,
as is indicated by the birth of their children, before settling at Croydon Park in Sydney.
Children:
Claude Augustine born 22 June 1904 at Moss Vale
Clifford Luke born 10 July 1905 at Tamworth
Elaine Margaret Mary born 23 August 1906 at Tamworth
Geoffrey born 4 April 1909 at Tingha (212 km north of Tamworth)
Gweneth born 22 July 1911 at Tingha
Florence Mary born 7 December 1913 at Croydon Park, Sydney
Kathleen Theresa born 24 January 1915 at Croydon Park, Sydney
Joy Patricia Margaret born 18 June 1924 at Croydon Park, Sydney
Tingha - Tin was discovered in the area in the 1870's and this led to a rapid growth in its
population as thousands flocked to the area. At the height of the tin mining era, the township
had a population of between 7000 and 8000 people. More than 25% of these people were
Chinese.
By the early 1900's the mining boom was over and Tingha's population had dwindled to just a
few hundred people. Shortly after this, many large companies moved into the area to mine the
less accessible tin and once again Tingha saw a degree of prosperity. Tingha boasted the first
tin dredge in Australia.
In the 1930 Electoral Roll, Margaret and (Herbert) Augustine were living in Balmoral
Avenue, Croydon Park.
Augustine, as he was named on each Electoral Roll, was listed as a boilermaker, while
Margaret’s occupation was listed as home duties.
Living with their parents were two of their children:
Clifford Hyland - boilermaker’s helper
Elaine Hyland - typiste
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In the 1931 Electoral Roll, Geoffrey Hyland appears as a bricklayer living at 69 Balmoral Avenue,
Croydon Park, just 2 doors from his parents who (according to death certificate) lived at 71 Balmoral
Avenue, Croydon Park.
The 1934 Electoral Roll includes daughter Gweneth Hyland, who like her sister Elaine, was also a
typiste. Mention is also made of the address “Osborne”, Balmoral Avenue which may also be a
different address to that of their parent’s address.
1935 Electoral Roll
In the 1936 Electoral Roll, Florence Hyland appears as a stenographer.
1937 Electoral Roll
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 19
Margaret Mary Hyland (nee McNamara) with some of her family
Herbert Augustus Hyland was to die in Croydon Park in 1942 aged 63 years.
Name: Herbert Augustus Hyland
Death Date: 1942
Death Place: New South Wales
Father's name: Luke
Mother's name: Rhoda Ernestine
Registration Year: 1942
Registration Place: Canterbury, New South Wales
Registration Number: 25538
Margaret Mary Hyland was to survive her husband for a further 10
years and this death notice published in the “Sydney Morning Herald” on
Monday 18 August 1952 tells of her passing.
(L to R) Agnes Hyland (daughter-in-law), Margaret Mary Hyland, Kathleen (daughter), Gweneth (daughter)
(front) Florence (daughter)
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Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 21
Interesting Note:
The eldest son of Margaret Mary and Herbert Hyland was:
Claude Augustine Hyland.
The 1932 Electoral Roll shows that Claude was living in Bullecourt Street, Cootamundra and working
as a telegraphist.
Claude would have been my (John Malone’s) 2nd cousin – he and his wife Caroline would have been
living approximately 400m from the residence my family have occupied in Cootamundra since 1971.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 22
The fourth child of Mary Catherine Malone and Martin McNamara, Martin McNamara (Jnr-Jnr)
was born at “Beverley”, Burrowa on 23 September 1879 and baptised at St Patrick’s Church,
Burrowa just over a month later on 26 October 1879, by Catholic Priest, Father John Dunne.
Witnesses at the baptism were Peter McNamara and Honorah McNamara, half-brother and half-
sister of Martin McNamara (Jnr).
Father John Dunne came to Boorowa in 1872 and was the Parish
Priest when the current St Patrick’s Church was opened in 1877.
Early childhood fate of the McNamara children revealed later in the article.
The life of Martin McNamara has been only sketchily pieced together.
On Tuesday 5 May 1987, this “Request from the readers” was
published in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Some replies were received but they shed very little light on this
family.
Martin McNamara, in search of employment, was to make his way to the mining area of Bodangara
which is near Wellington NSW.
Martin McNamara’ brother Charles John McNamara was also most likely a resident at Bodangara
while Martin McNamara was there (see story of Charles John McNamara).
Mitchells Creek Goldfield is claimed to be Australia's first goldfield. It is located at Bodangora near Wellington, New South Wales.
Gold was apparently first found in this area by a shepherd called McGregor in Mitchells Creek on the Montefiore's squatting run,
“Nanima” in 1848 (about four years before the “official” discovery of gold in Australia).
Newspaper reports of early prospecting are a bit confusing as another Mitchells Creek (now called Sunny Corner) was also a
goldfield and was located 801907 miles (130 km) to the south–east.
The Bathurst Free Press noted on 25 May 1850 “Neither is there' any doubt in the fact that Mr. McGregor found a considerable
quantity of the precious metal some years ago, near Mitchell's Creek, and it is surmised he “still, gets more in the same locality" -
"WELLINGTON.". Bathurst Free Press (NSW: 1849–1851) (NSW: National Library of Australia). 25 May 1850. p. 6.
Retrieved 27 May 2011, which pre-dates the extravagant claims of Edward Hargraves to be the first discover of gold in
Australia.
4. Martin McNamara (Jnr-Jnr)
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On 2 February 1907, Martin McNamara, aged 27 years, took as his bride Violet Ethel Martin, aged 17
years at St Patrick’s Church in nearby Wellington.
(The minister John Aloysius Dunne was most likely the same priest that baptised Martin quite
some years earlier at Burrowa)
Both Martin McNamara and Violet Martin were residing on the Bodangara goldfields.
Violet was the daughter of James Martin, a miner, and Bridget Harnet who was by now deceased.
James Martin gave his written consent to the marriage as Violet was under the age of 21 years.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 24
After the marriage, children followed:
Cyril James 6 July 1907 Registered: Wellington
Horace M 1909 Registered: Cobar
Leo K 1911 Registered: Coonamble
Cedric R 1913 Registered: Dubbo
John A 1915 Registered: Dubbo
The NSW Police Gazette dated 4 October 1922 makes mention of a Martin McNamara (Jnr-Jnr)
living at the “Albion Hotel”, Warren. Martin was robbed of £15 and a warrant was issued for the
arrest of Charlie Cowan. As Martin was known to be in the Dubbo area, this may have been “our”
Martin McNamara.
According to the Death Certificate of Martin McNamara, the marriage of Martin and Violet ended in
divorce on 8 April 1924 by a decree from the Supreme Court of NSW.
Violet McNamara (nee Martin), the divorced ex-wife of Martin McNamara was to remarry in 1832 at
Randwick. Her new spouse was Walter Saunders.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 25
This fact is backed up by a newspaper article published in the Mudgee Guardian and North-Western
Representative, Thursday 13 May 1943.
WEDDINGS
Robins — McNamara
A very pretty wedding was celebrated on April 24 at All Souls' Church,
Leichhardt, when Miss Winifred Robins, daughter of Mr. J and Mrs. W. E.
Robins, of Leichhardt, was married to Mr. Cedric McNamara, son of Mrs.
W. Saunders and the late Mr. McNamara, of Gulgong.
The bride entered the church on the arm of her father, who gave her
away. The bride was becomingly attired in white lace over satin.
She was attended by two bridesmaids, who looked very charming in pale
blue marquisette, they being Miss Beryl Gough, of Mortdale, and Miss
Kath Skinner, of Bondi. The bride's bouquet was of frangipani and the
bridesmaids’ were of carnations. The groom was attended by Mr. George
Palmer as best man and Mr. Reggie Robins as groomsman. They are also
in the forces.
During the signing of the register the bride's uncle, Mr. J. Robins, rendered
the solo "Just For Today."
The reception was held at the Rozelle Hall, where seventy guests were
received by the mothers of the bride and groom, Mrs. Robins wearing a
floral frock with a posy of red roses, and Mrs. Saunders also wearing floral
with a posy of red rosebuds.
After the breakfast the usual toasts were, honoured, and a very enjoyable
evening was spent, interspersed with dancing and musical and vocal
items.
The bride's travelling frock was brown with, green accessories. The
honeymoon is being spent at Tuggerah Lakes.
The articles mentions the “late Mr McNamara, of Gulgong.”
In the 1930 Electoral Roll,
there was a Martin
McNamara, a labourer,
living at Beryl, a small
settlement near Gulgong.
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As a side issue, Kathleen Russell (eldest daughter of Herb and Alice Malone) recalls Martin McNamara
living with Patrick Thomas and Sarah Malone and working in the Frogmore mines. She further recalls
her father Herb and Martin McNamara coming home from work very late one night, after obviously
being delayed at the hotel. They were greeted at the front door by Herb’s most irate wife, Alice,
brandishing the shotgun.
The Death Certificate of Martin McNamara is quite revealing:
Martin McNamara:
was an invalid pensioner
his usual residence “no fixed abode”
died at the Randwick Auxiliary Hospital
was a labourer
died aged 61 years
died of Pulmonary Tuberculous and a Coronary Occlusion
his parents were listed as Martin McNamara, a boundary rider and Mary Malone
his death was also certified by his brother Charles J McNamara, 53 Boyle Street Enfield
he was buried on 11 June 1941 at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Rookwood
he was born at Boorowa
he married Ethel martin at Bodangora near Wellington when aged 27 years
his children were listed as Thomas, Horace (ages unknown), male & female (unknown)
Martin McNamara’s former wife Violet Ethel (later Saunders) died on 20 July 1952 and funeral
arrangements took place at the Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium in North Ryde.
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Family of Martin McNamara and Ethel (nee Martin – later Saunders)
Research into the family of Martin and Ethel McNamara is at a very early stage.
Cyril James McNamara
o Cyril was born at Bodangara near Wellington on 6 July 1907
o Cyril married Moreen Doyle in Queensland in 1935
o Cyril enlisted in the Australian Army (World War 2)
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Horace McNamara
o Horace was born 1909 in Cobar
o Horace is mentioned as a child in Martin McNamara’s death certificate
Leo Kelvin McNamara
o Leo was born in 1911 and registered at Coonamble
o Leo died 22 November 1963 in Rockdale, Sydney
Cedric Roy McNamara
o Cedric was born 22 July 1913 in Dubbo
o Cedric enlisted in the Australian Army (World War 2)
Thomas McNamara
o Mentioned on Martin McNamara’s death certificate
John Albert McNamara
o Died 1979
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 29
For some years it was thought that there may have been a breakdown of the relationship between
Mary Catherine and Martin McNamara as the baptismal notice below relates to:
John Patrick McNamara was born at “Ann’s Vale”, Burrowa on 17 March 1881 (not 12 March as above)
and baptised by Father E J Fallon, six weeks later, on 24 April 1881 at St Patrick’s Church, Burrowa.
Mary Malone was listed as the mother, but the father was listed as Michael McNamara.
(It was thought that Michael McNamara was the younger brother of Martin McNamara but Anne
Wymark (an authority and long time researcher on the McNamara family has indicated the nowhere in
the McNamara family is there any evidence of his existance).
The mention of Michael McNamara appears to be a clerical naming error made by the baptising
priest Father Fallon. The priest Father E J Fallon was transferred to Burrowa in 1878.
The parentage listing is also echoed in the Births, Deaths and Marriage Civil Registration as below
but would have simply been a copy of the above error. Witnesses at the baptism were John McNamara
(a brother of Martin), along with Catherine Hyde.
5 James Patrick McNamara
McNamara
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 30
As mentioned in the introduction to the article, in the next couple of years there were a succession of
events and tragedies that befell the McNamara family in basically a 6 to 12 month period:
In the context of the life story of Mary Catherine and Martin McNamara we pick up the threads:
Mary Catherine McNamara was again pregnant in the second half of 1883
Mary Catherine McNamara (nee Malone) was to die on 21 April 1884, from weakness after
childbirth, as per her death certificate: The birth of an unknown child had obviously taken place
4 weeks earlier when she was attended to by Doctor Healey
James Patrick McNamara would have been just 3 years of age when his mother Mary Catherine
McNamara died, his father Michael McNamara died and his step-father Martin McNamara died.
Early childhood fate of the McNamara children revealed later in the article.
When John Patrick McNamara answered
the call and joined the Australian Imperial
Forces on 31 January 1916, at the
beginning of World War 1, his occupation
was listed as a stockman and drover.
John Patrick was 34 years and 10 months
of age.
He listed as his “next of kin” his sister
Mary Mason
33 Weston Street
Petersham
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 31
Upon enlistment John Patrick’s file listed the
following attributes:
5 ft 3 inches tall
Weight – 110 lbs (only 45 kg – jockey size)
Blue eyes
Dark hair, going grey
Roman Catholic
Scar on the left groin
John Patrick McNamara was sent to the Army
Camp at Casula.
(Casula is a suburb of Sydney 35km south west of
the central business district)
During the First World War, a large Australian Imperial Forces recruitment and training reserve was located in Casula - a fact reflected by the name of one of its major residential streets, "Reserve Road". This camp became briefly notorious in 1916 when a large mob of soldiers rebelled against the strict training regimen, marched on nearby Liverpool, ransacked and looted several pubs, hijacked several trains to Central Station in Sydney and continued their drunken rioting, resulting in the Military Police shooting dead one rioter.
John Patrick McNamara most likely thought he would soon be heading off on a great new adventure
overseas.
Little did he know that by the end of the year he would be “lying
dead” on the battlefields of France.
After receiving his initial training John Patrick McNamara
Embarked on His Majesty’s Australian Transport Ship “Anchises”, on 14 March 1916.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 32
A68 ANCHISES
10,046 gross tons. Speed 14 knots. Built 1911 by Workman Clarke at Belfast for the Ocean Steamship Co Ltd, London (Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line) Requisitioned by the Commonwealth as a troopship in 1914. 9th - 14th August 1915 refitted at Cockatoo Island Drydock, Sydney to
transport 1520 troops Carried 15th Reinforcements 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers from Melbourne on 14 March 1916. Troops from Adelaide 16 March 1916. From Sydney Troops & Medical Officers 24 August 1916 and Melbourne August 26 1916. Further units & Medical Officers embarked from Sydney on 24 January 1917. 8 August 1917 29th Reinforcements 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers from Sydney. Greater details available at Australian War Memorial webpages. (Private Roy Longmore, 3rd Reinforcements, 21st Battalion, of Bannockburn, Victoria enlisted on July 13, 1915; and he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Anchises on August 26, 1915, his fame, as well as being an ANZAC, is that he died 2001 at 107 years being the 2nd last Anzac trooper alive at the time). HMAT Anchises was released from War service 12th October 1917. Resumed peacetime services as a cargo vessel on the Australian run. On 23rd September 1918 she was chased by a submarine in the Atlantic and attacked with gunfire. Retaliating with extreme accuracy the Anchises drove off her attacker. She resumed commercial service on the Glasgow - Liverpool - Brisbane service during September 1922. On 27th February 1941 she was damaged and lost power following an air attack by a Focke-Wolf FW200 Condor off Bloody Foreland, Ireland. A total of 134 passengers and crew abandoned ship in six life boats whilst 33 crew members remained on board to try to sail her to Liverpool. Whilst waiting for a salvage tug she was attacked again on 28th February and sank with the loss of 12 lives. The remaining survivors were rescued by HMS Kingcup and HMCS Assiniboine. She was only 70 miles short of the Mersey Estuary
The soldiers, including John
Patrick McNamara arrived in
the port of Alexandria and
were then transferred to the
transport ship “Ivernia” on 21
June 1916 and set out for
Marseille, France.
Alexandria is a port city on
the Mediterranean Sea in
northern Egypt founded in 331
BCE by Alexander the Great.
It is most famous in antiquity
as the site of the Pharos, the
great lighthouse, considered
one of the seven wonders of
the ancient world, for
the Temple of Serapis, the
Serapion, which was part of the
legendary library at Alexandria,
as a seat of learning and, once,
the largest and most
prosperous city in the world. It
also became infamous for the
religious strife which resulted in
the martyrdom of the
philosopher Hypatia of
Alexandria in 415 CE. The city
grew from a small port town to
become the grandest and most
important metropolis in ancient
Egypt.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 33
In quick succession John Patrick McNamara
Embarked on the transport ship “Ivernia” from Alexandria, Egypt on 21 June 1916
Disembarked from the transport ship “Ivernia” in Marseilles, France on 29 June 1916
Moved “into active service” at Etaples on 24 August 1916
Was “taken on strength” by the 5th Pioneer Battalion “in the field”.
John Patrick McNamara was by now beginning to realise the seriousness of war as he was thrust into the
battlefield action.
The nest item listed on his personnel record tells it all:
John Patrick McNamara died on the World War 1 battlefield in France on 4 December 1916.
John Patrick McNamara’s name appears on the Villers-Bretonneu Memorial in France.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 34
What happened the orphaned children after the loss of their parents?
The correspondence from Lyn O’Brien led me to believe that the McNamara children may have been
taken care of by the nuns at Goulburn. St Joseph's Orphanage, run by the Sisters of Mercy, was located in Clinton Street, Goulburn from 1864 until 1905 when the children were moved to a new site in Kenmore. It provided care for girls aged 5 to 16 years. For me, the above question had been unanswered for 34 years until on the 31 July 2016 when I stumbled
upon an “obituary” which provided a huge breakthrough into shedding light upon the above mystery.
During July 2016, I began piecing together some information I had gathered on the wider McNamara family, ie the family
of:
Martin McNamara Snr and Margaret Leo (9 children)
Martin McNamara Snr and Honorah McDonnell (7 children)
The 16 children are summarised below in order to provide a clearer family pathway: Family of Martin McNamara and Margaret Leo (9) Family of Martin McNamara and Honorah McDonnell (7)
Cornelius m Mary Ann Tweedie Catherine Mary m William Gooley
Julia m Daniel Walker Bridget m Patrick Gooley
Margaret m John English Honorah m Thomas Moroney
Mary Ann m John Jones Winifred m Edward Bath
Patrick died 4 months Elizabeth m James James
Martin (2) m Mary Catherine Malone Peter m Louisa Elizabeth McMahon
Michael unmarried – child to Mary
Catherine Malone
Patrick m Annie M Gallagher
Timothy m Hanora Conlon
John m Frances Reid
My direct interest was that of Mary Catherine McNamara (nee Malone) and her family.
Mainly through the “Trove” Website (digitised Australian newspapers released through the National Library), I was keen to
find out as much as I could about the brothers, sisters, half-brothers and half-sisters of Martin McNamara (2) as well as
their spouses.
The research was both challenging and extremely fruitful as I delved into the lives of the 16 children, many of them
migrating from Boorowa to the North Coast of NSW.
One particular challenge related to Honorah McNamara, the 3rd child of Martin Snr and Honorah McDonnell.
After many examinations of the NSW Marriage Index, Honorah McNamara didn’t appear to marry. Finally it was
discovered that Honorah did in fact marry at 50 years of age to widower Thomas Moroney at Casino in 1908.
For days I searched for an obituary for Honora Moroney without success and finally the obituary record appeared!
The information it contained was quite “mind blowing”!
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 35
The “obituary” quite stunned me with the information it contained, information I had been chasing for 34 years.
Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser – Tuesday 2 October 1934
OBITUARY
MRS HONORA MORONEY
A very old and well-known resident of Coraki passed away on
Sunday in the person of Mrs Honora Moroney, in her 76th year.
Mrs Moroney was born in Burrowa, and was the youngest
daughter of the McNamara family, on which tragedy laid a heavy
hand some 50 years or more ago. For instance, the father was
gored to death by a bullock, then her sister, Mrs James James,
died in childbirth, leaving three little ones.
Next her sister-in-law, Mrs Martin McNamara, died rather
suddenly, then, five weeks later, one of the children of her late
sister Mrs James died, and Mrs Moroney's brother, Mr Martin
McNamara, while returning from the funeral was thrown from
his horse and killed, leaving five orphans. Finally another sister,
Mrs Bath, died, leaving seven children.
The 13 surviving children of the James, Bath and McNamara
families were all reared by Mrs Moroney before she came to the
Richmond some 35 years ago, a self-imposed duty that called for
much sacrifice on her part. Some years after her arrival on the
Richmond-she came here about 1900— deceased married the
late Thomas Moroney, Senr, who passed away about 20 years
ago. Surviving sisters of deceased are — Mrs P Gooley (Lismore,
late of Coraki), and Mrs W Gooley (Casino) Mrs Smith, of
Lithgow, but at present staying in Tatham, and who will
celebrate her 90th birthday in December, is a step-sister.
Mr Pat McNamara, of Petersham, is a brother, and Mr John
McNamara of Petersham, a step-brother.
For some years Mrs Moroney has been in poor health, but her
declining days were made comfortable at the home of her
nephew and niece, Mr and Mrs P Gooley, of Bridge Street,
Coraki.
The funeral took place yesterday at Coraki, Mr Jas. Sweeney
(Lismore) carrying out the arrangements, and Very Rev. Father
Fitzpatrick taking the services at the Church and graveside.
Family of Mary Catherine Malone & Martin McNamara - Prepared by: John Malone 36
As per her obituary, Honorah McNamara would have been a young woman in her mid 20’s when she was to suddenly
inherit a huge family of what was finally 13 children.
For Honora (and the rest of the McNamara Family), a series of tragic events saw in quick succession, the death of:
Mary Catherine McNamara (nee Malone) – her Step Sister-in-Law
Elizabeth Frances James (nee McNamara) – her sister
Elizabeth May James – her niece
Martin McNamara (2) – her Step Brother
and finally, after 18 months
Winifred Bath (nee McNamara) – another sister
21April 1884 Mary Catherine McNamara (nee
Malone)
Wife of Martin McNamara (2)
Died of weakness 4 weeks after childbirth leaving 5
children
22 May 1884 Elizabeth Frances James (nee
McNamara)
Sister of Martin McNamara (Jnr)
Died after childbirth, aged just 22 years
11 June 1884 Elizabeth May James - Daughter
of above
Died aged 3 weeks
14 June 1884 Martin McNamara (2) Killed in a horse fall on way home from the funeral of
his niece Elizabeth James – leaving 5 orphaned
children
19 February 1886 Winifred Bath (nee McNamara) –
sister of Martin McNamara (Jnr)
Died aged 25 years leaving 7 children
The women mentioned died primarily during or after childbirth, leaving behind a total of 13 children to be cared for.
The family that Honora inherited are listed below:
Child Date of Birth Approx. Age Natural Parents
Florence Mary James 15 March 1881 3 years Elizabeth Frances McNamara & James James
Charles John McNamara 15 August 1874 9 years Mary Catherine (nee Malone) & Martin McNamara (2)
Mary Josephine McNamara 11 May 1876 8 years Mary Catherine (nee Malone) & Martin McNamara (2)
Margaret Mary McNamara 15 December 1877 7 years Mary Catherine (nee Malone) & Martin McNamara (2)
Martin McNamara (3) 23 September 1879 5 years Mary Catherine (nee Malone) & Martin McNamara (2)
John Patrick McNamara 17 March 1881 3 years Mary Catherine (nee Malone) & Michael McNamara
(brother of Martin [2])
Elizabeth May Bath C 1876 8 years Winifred McNamara & Edward Bath
Charles Bath C 1878 6 years Winifred McNamara & Edward Bath
Mary Bath C 1879 5 years Winifred McNamara & Edward Bath
Edward Bath C 1881 3 years Winifred McNamara & Edward Bath
Millicent Winifred Bath C 1881 3 years Winifred McNamara & Edward Bath
Honora Ruth Bath C 1882 2 years Winifred McNamara & Edward Bath
John J Bath C 1884 New born Winifred McNamara & Edward Bath
As per the obituary of Honora Moroney (nee McNamara), the huge task undertaken was “a self-imposed duty that called for much sacrifice on her part”. Honora surely must go down in history as the “uncanonised saint” of the McNamara family. She did not marry until she was 50 years of age when she married a widower Thomas Moroney at Casino in 1908. Many of the family had moved to the North Coast over the years, including Honora’s sisters Catherine and Bridget who both married brothers William and Patrick Gooley respectively. Margaret Mary Hyland (nee McNamara) made mention of the nuns at Goulburn. It appears likely that as the children progressed in age and were in need of education, that the nuns at Goulburn became part of the equation. As research continues, hopefully further information will be uncovered to expand upon the life-story of the McNamara children.