Paul P O'Brien, in 1999 living in Dublin, but originally from Clones, Co. Monaghan on the Monaghan / Fermanagh / Cavan border, wrote (26 March 1999):
My Grandfather came from Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan. His father's surname per marriage records is recorded as McBrien.
Paul is preparing a book
dealing in part with the origin of the MacBryan name.
Samuel McBrien, born Belleek Co Fermanagh in the mid-1800s, married Mary Ellen Doolan (or possibly Dowling) at Clara, County Offlay, in 1873. They settled in Roscrea Co., Tipperary, and had ten children, most of whom left for the United States, Canada and Australia.
Among the ten children of
SAMUEL McBRIEN and MARY ELLEN DOOLAN/DOWLING was Robert McBrien,
born late-1880s, who immigrated to the United States in 1912 and married Mary
Agnes Flynn of Portland, Conneticut USA. Tim Savage of 46 Smith Street,
East Hampton, Connecticut, USA (June 1996), is a greatgrandson of Robert McBrien
who immigrated to America from Roscrea. Tim's grandfather was alive in April
1996. [In 1996 Tim had suggested Robert emigrated circa 1890, and had
16 brothers and sisters many of whom went to Australia].
Kathy Cormier < cormierk@nbnet.nb.ca , 30 August 2000 > wrote:
We are trying to trace a Christopher McBrine/McBrien who came to Canada from Ireland about 1856 (he was born about 1831), but he moved to a small village [near Saint John NB] where other people of the same name (spelling varies) lived and they had come over in 1830 and we feel they are likely related. One of these was Keys McBrien who would have been born about 1800 [he came from Fermanagh in 1830].…[Early records of these families in Canada sometimes used the spelling McBrien and sometimes McBrine. In recent times the family has used McBrine only].
In April 2001 Kathy wrote:
Christopher McBrine lived in the Golden Grove area on the outskirts of Saint John NB. A fellow that is doing research of families in Golden Grove sent me the information [refer to]. I think that Christopher is related, but I haven't been able to make the connection..
Ross Beattie has on file:
7 February 1802: Keys McBrine to Chris. McBrine and Marg. Robinson of Drimbad – Baptism, M&L Inishmacsaint
Chris. McBrine and Marg. Robinson of Drimbad were the parents of:
Keys emigrated to Canada
about 1836-39.
[Note: a Patk. McBrien was baptised 26 February 1804 to Christopher and Rebecca
at Drimbad.]
Keys McBrine (baptised 7 February 1802, M&L Inishmacsaint). was the son of CHRIS. McBRINE and MARG. ROBINSON of Drimbad. Keys appears to have married Mary —; they emigrated to New Brunswick, Canada, possibly about 1836-9 [Kathy Cormier (2001) suggests Keys came from Fermanagh in 1830]. They were the parents of:
The 1871 census shews the family in the Golden Grove area on the outskirts of St John, New Brunswick:
| Year | . | . | Name | cName | Sex | Age | BirthPlace? | . | Religion | Occup |
| 1871 | 133 | 140 | McBrien | Keys | M | 68 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | Farmer |
| 1871 | 133 | 140 | McBrien | Mary | F | 70 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 133 | 140 | McBrien | Robert | M | 35 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | Farm Laborer |
| 1871 | 133 | 140 | McBrien | Margaret | F | 32 | New Brunswick | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 133 | 140 | McBrien | Rebecca | F | 24 | New Brunswick | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 133 | 140 | McBrien | James | M | 22 | New Brunswick | Irish | Church of England | . |
The ??1881 census shews the following [note the ages at variance with the 1871 data]:
| 1881 | 37 | 37 | McBrien | Keys | M | 80 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | Farmer |
| 1881 | 37 | 37 | McBrien | Mary | F | 78 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | |
| 1881 | 37 | 37 | McBrien | Robert | M | 40 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | Farmer |
| 1881 | 37 | 37 | McBrien | James | M | 30 | New Brunswick | Irish | Church of England | Farmer |
Keys McBrine, a native of Co. Fermanagh, died 27 November 1885 at Golden Grove, an obituary reading:
The funeral of Keys McBrien which took place yesterday was largely attended. The deceased came to this country in 1830 from Fermanagh and was one of the pioneer settlers of Golden Grove. When in the city about three years ago he became suddenly blind and a few months later his mind weakened and it remained in that state until he died. Mr McBrine took a great interest in agricultural matters and his farm animals and produce always took first rank at county fairs.
Mary McBrine, aged 86, widow
of Keys of County Fermanagh, died at Golden Grove on 18 May 1886.
Robert McBrine, aged 53, died at Golden Grove on 12 November 1885.
[Note 1: Married at Golden Grove by Rev Disbrow, David McBrine and Jane Cunningham June 27, 1855.]
[Note 2: a David McBrine was the master of the Loyal Orange Lodge #6 of Golden Grove. This was one of the first Orange Lodges established in the province (sometime around 1832). It burned only a few years ago [before 2001], perhaps some provincial chapter has annual reports that may show the McBrine family as active participants. [Was this the David McBrine married 1855, or the David McBrien emigrated 1865-70 (L-45 below)?].]
This information was kindly
forwarded by Kathy Cormier <30 April 2001> to
this author, Bill Barber and trevor72@attcanada.ca.
.David McBrien (born circa 1837) and his wife Mary Jane —, of Ireland, emigrated with their family to Golden Grove on the outskirts of St John, New Brunswick, Canada, possibly about 1865-70. Their children included:
This family was possibly related to that of Keys McBrien. The 1871 census shews the family in the Golden Grove area, near that of Keys McBrien:
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | David | M | 44 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | Farmer |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | Mary Jane | F | 43 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | Robert I | M | 15 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | Mary Jane | F | 13 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | Margaret C | F | 11 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | John B | M | 9 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | Rebecca A | F | 8 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | Charlotte | F | 8 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
| 1871 | 137 | 144 | McBrien | Frances G | F | 5 | Ireland | Irish | Church of England | . |
Annie McBrien married Robert Johnston in or near Enniskillen prior to 1849. About 1859 they emigrated to Australia with at least one child:
Thomas Johnston's 1902 death certificate noted he had been in Australia for about 43 years, residing in NSW for 39 years then Victoria for four years. He would have been about ten years old when the family emigrated circa 1869. In 1875 butcher Thomas Johnston(e) married Catherine Kelly (Kate) at Albury and utimately they became parents of six daughters including:
Thomas moved to Victoria
about 1898. Judith, born about 1945, grew up in the same house as Sarah who
died 1960 when Judith was 15; Judith remembers Sarah's endless childhood recollections
including names of her Kelly family and other than recalling that her father
came from Northern Ireland I don't remember hearing the names of his parents
and/or where they resided in Australia? *(in August 2000 I discovered that Bridget
Egan mother of my g'grandmother Mary Ann Rackley's was the sister of Mary Egan
g'g'grandmother of my husband Ross - whats more Bridget married Henry Rackley
and Mary married Charles Lee on the same day 8 January 1851 same church at Tumut
same witnesses same minister subsequently registered next to each other in NSW
Registry?
Bridget McBrien
or McBrine married William Doyle on 1 February 1864A
[or 12 February 1864, witnessed by John Gilheeny and Bridget FanningB]
in the Roman Catholic parish of Fenagh, County Leitrim. Fenagh was in the Poor
Law Union of Mohill in the Barony of Leitrim.
Bridget and William appear to have had at least the following children:
Tom Coughlan [pers comm., 5 March 2005] noted Bridget listed aged 50 in the 1901 census survey at Tully, Fenagh, County Leitrim, and the death of a Bridget at Tully in 1922; this may be Bridget wife of William (with the census age "rounded").
Tom Coughlan visited the National Archives in Dublin in November 2005 and transcribed the following Doyle at Tully entry from the 1911 Census:
| Who | Age | Twnlnd | status | R/W | marrued? | yrs wed | ch. born | ch. alive | other |
| Bridget | 70 | Tully | Head | Read | widow | 47 | 8 | 7 | b. Co Cavan |
| Michael | 46 | Tully | Son | R&W | single | . | . | . | . |
| Catherine | 28 | Tully | Daughter | R&W | single | . | . | . | . |
Thomas added …
"This is consistent
with the known marriage of Bridget and WIlliam in 1864.
Some time ago, I also visited the Valuation Office in Dublin and went through
the Cancelled Land Books. These show that on the farm in question, William Doyle
was replaced by Bridget in 1891. This is consistent with William's death in
1887, and Bridget's succeeding him as registered land occupier.
All in all, then, I think the Bridget of 1901 and 1911, who subsequently died
in 1922, is indeed Bridget McBrien. The other clue that might be of some use
to you is that her census entry states she was born in County Cavan."
Tom Coughlan added:
[tomcoughlan@imagine.ie, 5 December 2005 added:
… the 1911 census record for Bridget McBrien Doyle … stated she was
born in Cavan. In 1911 she gave her age as 70, suggesting a birth year of 1841,
which contrasts with her stated 50 at 1901! Anyway, I just wonder if her county
of birth would give any leads as to who her father might be? From my own point
of view, this is probably not hugely important, as I'm concentrating on the
Doyles, but I am curious as the townland in Fenagh is a reasonable distance
from the Cavan border, and I wonder how the couple would have met.
A - per Jean Rice on http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/an/localities.britisles.ireland.let.general/1776
B - pers comm. Tom Coughlan (Tom.Coughlan@boimail.com, 5 March 2005 ), researching Doyles.
C - pers comm. Tom Coughlan (November 2005 ).
[This Catholic lineage came
from what is now the Republic of Ireland, possibly from County Cavan. Most of
the information is from Mary Rehkop (m.rehkop@worldnet.att.net,
July 2002) who would appreciate any relevant contact].
Michael McBrien and his wife Bridget (?nee
McBrien?) were the parents of (at least):
L-48.1 John McBrien (1819…1895) m. Ellen Sheridan (1841…1896)
John McBrien, son of MICHAEL McBRIEN and his wife BRIDGET (?nee McBRIEN?), was born on 24 June 1819 in Ireland [thought to have been in Co Cavan] and married Ellen Sheridan on 11 February 1841. Ellen was born in Ireland on 16 April 1818. John and Ellen were the parents of:
John and Ellen are shown
in the 1850 Census for New York. Also, listed in the household is a Patrick
McBrien who is around the same age as them. It is not known if he was a brother
of John [or Ellen], or whether John or Ellen had any siblings as none are listed
in his family bible.
John died 5 September 1895 in Farmington, St. Francois County; Ellen died 26
March 1896, also in Farmington.
John McBrien, son of JOHN McBRIEN and ELLEN SHERIDAN, and Margaret Ellen Laughlin (?or McLaughlin?) were married on 4 October 1885, at Iron Mountain, St. Francois. Margaret had been born c1865 in Maryland: She bore John one child:
[Kim Myers posted the above on http://genforum.genealogy.com/mcbrien/messages,
on 19jan2002]
Margaret Ellen McBrien nee
Laughlin 15 November 1886 in Farmington.
John McBrien had a second marriage on 12 December 1887, to Mary Elizabeth Rhody (now spelt Roddy): Mary had been born 23 March 1868 in Danville, Kentucky to DENNIS RHODY and ELIZABETH BRENNAN. John and Mary had ten children:
Mary Elizabeth McBrien née Rhody died on December 28, 1961 in Farmington. Mary Ann Rehkop's records have John and Margaret married in Farmington.and that their daughter Ellen was born 16 June 1886 in Farmington and died in Farmington on 19 June 1887).
Edward McBrine and Mary Gormley of Dunbru, County Tyrone, were the parents of:
Sarah emigrated as an orphan aboard the Orestes under the protection of James McCallion, arriving in Sydney NSW on 14 May 1841 along with other immigrants brought ou by A B Smith & Co. Her registry of baptism was certified by clergyman James Quin, and John Ramsey and three others vouched for her character. She was noted as a Roman Catholic, able to read but not write, and on arrival had been very ill for a few daye, and thought likely to recover.
Partick McBrien and his wife Bridget — of Skelan, County Cavan, were the parents of (at least):
Mary was noted in her 1856 immigration papers as a Roman Catholic general house servant aged 20, able to read, in good health and with no complaints. Her second cousin John McBrien, already residing in George Street, Sydney, paid £6 for Mary's voyage.
Partick McBride and his wife Mary Thompson [daughter of WALTER and MARGARET THOMPSON] of Bellek FER were the parents of (at least):
Immigration records for Margaret and Ann noted them as Roman Catholic, their parents as Patrick and Mary (mother living at Ballyshannon) and their native place as Ballyshannon, Donegal. Interestingly, Margaret could neither read nor write while Ann could do both.
Mary was noted in her immigration papers as a Roman Catholic housekeeper aged 50 years, able to read, daughter of WALTER and MARGARET THOMPSON (both deceased). Her husband Partick was deceased; two daughters, Margaret McBride and Ann Tyrrell, were already resident in Sussex Street, Sydney. Rose was listed as a domestic servant.
The death of Mary McBride, daughter of WALTER and MARGARET, was registered in Sydney in 1858.
It is possible that Margaret married a James Chambers in Sydney in 1857 and died as margaret Chambers, daughter of Patrick and Mary, at Portland in 1915.
Anthony Begley [per eMail, 19 January 2012], a local historian in Ballyshannon. Co. Donegal has an interest in the Ballyshannon workhouse and this McBride family from Belleek Fermanagh, about 4 miles from Ballyshannon..
Farmer Francis McBrian and his wife Jane Kearns of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, were the parents of [at least]:
Farm labourer James McBrian of Enniskillen and his wife Jane Kinnon married in Ireland. Jane, born circa 1817, was also a native of Enniskillen, the daughter of farmer MICHAEL KINNON (alive in 1841) and JANE MONTGOMERY (deceased by 1841). James and Jane McBrian emigrated to New South Wales aboard the John Renwick arriving in Sydney on 31 August 1841 with their daughter:
The Immigration Board noted John as a farm labourer aged 34 in very good health; a Roman Catholic, he could read and write; he made no complaints regarding the voyage. His registry of baptism was not certified by anyone, though William Armstrong and two others spoke for his character. The Board noted Jane as a dairy woman aged 24, with a severe cold but otherwise in good health; a Roman Catholic, she could neither read nor write; she made no complaints regarding the voyage. Her registry of baptism was not certified by anyone; again, William Armstrong and two others spoke for her character.
House servant Catherine McBrien, born circa 1822 in Fermanagh, emigrated to New South Wales aboard the Albatross arriving in Sydney on 30 November 1841, under the protection of James Hanlan and Eliza his wife, known to Catherine for several years. The Immigration Board noted Catherine was in good health; a Roman Catholic, she could neither read nor write. Her registry of baptism was not certified by anyone, though James Hogan and William Cashman spoke for her character.
Soldier John McBryne and his wife Mary McGerkin of Cash [Kesh], County Fermanagh, were the parents of [at least]:
The Immigration Board noted
John as a labourer in very good health; a Roman Catholic, he could read but
not write; he made no complaints regarding the voyage. His registry of baptism
was not certified by anyone, though Joseph Shrone of Cullan spoke for his character.
Note that a John McBrien married Mary Ann McCartney, both of Raymond Terrace,
in a Roman Catholic ceremony at Maitland on 14 January 1843. John and Mary Ann
made their marks in the register; perhaps this John was the Glenswilly
immigrant.
Domestic servant Susan McBreen, aged 22 years, and her labourer brother Peter McBreen, aged 20 years, of County Cavan, were emigrated to New South Wales aboard the Samuel Plimsoll, arriving in Sydney on 22 October 1875. Both unmarried, the Immigration Board noted them as Roman Catholics in good health; Susan could read and write, Peter could do neither. Regarding Peter's parents, the Board's representative initially wrote "BD" [both dead] opposite his name, though this was struck out and replaced with "Susan, Cavan". For Susan, the entry reads "Fath & Moth And: McBreen Kilnacor Cavan". This implies their parents were ANDREW and SUSAN McBREEN, living at Kilnacor, Cavan, in 1875 .
Hackler Peter McBreen and his wife Susanah — of Coot Hill, County Cavan, were the parents of [at least]:
The Immigration Board noted John as a farm labourer in very good health; a Roman Catholic, he could neither read nor write, and made no complaints regarding the voyage.
Labourer Owen McBrine and his wife Nelly — of County Cavan were the parents of [at least]:
Owen and his wife Nelly were both deceased by the beginning of 1841.
Labourer Owen McBrine
and his dairy-maid wife Mary McManus arrived in New South Wales
aboard the Margaret on 18 March 1841 with three children, Pat (12), Mick
(9) and Kitty (7) . Owen and Mary hailed from County Cavan, Ireland. The 1841
Immigration Logs shew Owen as the son of labourer OWEN McBRINE and NELLY his
wife (both deceased); aged 34 years at date of embarkation, he was a Roman Catholic,
in good health, unable to read or write. Dairy-maid Mary was listed as the daughter
of labourer PATRICK McMAHENY (deceased) and BIDDY his wife; aged 30 years at
date of embarkation, she was a Roman Catholic and in good health. They had been
baptised by John Brady P.P. who was with P McManus a referee for their good
character. [Another passenger in the Margaret, also baptised and vouched
for by John Brady P.P., hailed from the parish of Kinally, Co Cavan. Kinawley
parish is situated 6 miles or 10km from Ballyconnell, on the road to Enniskillen.]
Owen and Mary were the parents of two further children baptised in Roman Catholic
ceremonies at East Maitland NSW; thus their issue appears to have been:
Owen O'Brien (senior) died
7 February 1881 at Four Mile Creek NSW, aged 80 years, and was buried in the
Roman Catholic Cemetery, East Maitland . The death certificate states that Owen
was born in Ireland and married there aged 30 years to Mary McManus; he had
been in the Colony 41years, placing his arrival in Australia around 1840. Children
of the marriage were noted as three males and one female living; the deponent
was his son Owen of Four Mile Creek, who was unable to name either of the deceased's
parents, though he noted the father as a farmer. Deceased had no specific occupation;
he died of cystitis and senile debility of twelve months duration (medical attendant,
Dr Thomas C Rowe). James McLoughlin and James Rooney witnessed the burial, conducted
by Fr Timothy O'Neill.
Annette Garland [PipnBaz@bigpond.com,
29 March 2003 ] wrote:
Presently I am researching my O'Brien gfather. I have found a marriage and death
certificate for his father (my ggfather) whose name is listed as O'Brien. However,
the only relevant birth Certificate for him is McBrien - that is Owen McBrien
born East Maitland 16 July 1848 (Roman Catholic). Were the two names so interchangeable
or was there any reason to claim the O'Brien name. Any help would be most appreciated.
Note the death of a Patrick
McBrien of Cava[n], aged 32, son of Owen McBrien and Catherine Reilly, was registered
in Victoria in 1865 .
Note also the marriage of a Catherine McBrian married Thomas Brady at Maitland
in 1858.
Owen McBrien, born 16 July 1848 to farmer OWEN McBRINE and his wife MARY McMANUS [or MAHENY] of Close's Swamp NSW, was baptised 6 August 1848 at Maitland. As Owen O'Brien, he married Catherine Doheny in November 1877; their issue appears to have been:
Owen O'Brien [baptised McBrien] died in Sepember 1926 at Maitland.
James Owen O'Brien, born 1882 to OWEN O'BRINE [born McBRIEN] and his wife CATHERINE DOHENY, married Mary Louisa Bell in 1917; a son was:
Agricultural labourer James McBrien emigrated to New South Wales aboard the Smyrna, arriving in Sydney on 29 September 1883, aged 18 years. A Roman Catholic from County Cavan, he could read but not write. He noted a relation extant in the colony, Terence McGovern, residing in Sydney.
John McBrien married Rebecca McBrien; they were the parents of (at least) one known child:
[Note that a John and Rebecca McBrien were parents of John McBrien (Lineage L-37), born circa 1843 in Fermanagh, died 1924 in Victoria.]
Fermanagh-born spinster servant Ellen McBrien, aged 25, daughter of farmer JOHN McBRIEN and his wife REBECCA McBRIEN nee McBRIEN, married Aberdeenshire-born bachelor carter William King, aged 31, in a Presbyterian service at St Andrew's Kirk, Main Street, Ballarat VIC on 30 April 1869 . Ellen was a resident of Main Street, Ballarat and William, son of farmer JAMES KING and his wife JANE ROBERTSON, was a resident of Doveton(?) Street, Ballarat. William and Ellen had one known child:
Peter McBrine and his wife Bridget — were the parents of (at least):
An unmarried general servant aged 24 years, Ellen immigrated to Sydney NSW aboard the Symonds in 1852; she was described as a Roman Catholic, able to read and in good health. She had no relations extant in the colony; both her parents were deceased. The notation "good" was written in the Immigration Board's list next to her name. Ellen made no complaints regarding the voyage, for which a fee of £1 had been paid.