Who was Thomas and Mary Flanagan?

Thomas Flanagan and Mary Conlan were the second great grandparents of Colleen. They were both born in Ballymore, Westmeath, Ireland in the late 1820's. The parents of both Thomas and Mary also lived in the county of Westmeath. The number of Flanagan households was 42 and the number of Conlan households was 24.

Married Life

Mary Conlan and Thomas Flanagan were married at Ballymore, Westmeath, Ireland on 16th January 1855. It is possible that they were married in the recently completed Roman Catholic Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Ballymore (see picture bottom right).

Three months later on 14th April 1855 they sailed from Plymouth to Australia.

Australian years

Thomas Flanagan and his wife Mary arrived aboard the vessel Gloriana to Botany Bay from their native place Ballymore, Westmeath, Ireland, on 27th July 1855. According to the ships listing of immigrants the religion of both was Roman Catholic. Thomas’ calling was listed as Ag Lab i.e.  Agricultural Labourer, he was unable to read or write. Mary’s calling was wife and she could both read and write.

Their residence was in Good Street, North Side, Prospect and Sherwood, between the Western and Old Hawkesbury Roads. The areas of Prospect or Sherwood are now known as Westmead.

They had nine children: Bridget (1855-1856), Maria (1857-1882), Mary Ellen (1859), Jane (1859), Thomas Francis (1863-1926), James (1865-1867), John (1867-1901), Bridget (1867-1920) and Ellen (1870).

Death and burial

Tom passed away in Good Street, Westmead on 5th February 1896 and Mary passed away in Good Street, Westmead on 21st December 1909.

Both were buried in St. Patricks Cemetary, North Parramatta, the grave is unmarked.

Extracted from: Multiple Documents by Ron Morris.