Like finding a "needle in the haystack"


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Several weeks ago Tim wrote an article entitled Australian Smyths, and while we cannot prove conclusively that our families are related, there is much collateral evidence that suggests our family trees interconnect. 

Tim had forwarded to me some letters provided by John Hegarty, and one of my first thoughts was that "we weren't alone in trying to research our family lines...or better yet, trying to make connections with "lost relatives."  In addition to some of the research John Hegarty has already done, I've also included some of his comments.  They provide us more background regarding the Smyths of Monaghan.  More importantly, we can conclude that our Smyth families left Ireland in fairly large numbers, and are now found living across the globe.

Our intention is to continue researching the link between our families, as we see both "families" living beside or near one another over a long period of time.

 
 

 

  John Hegarty writes:

 

(He noted that the Smyth & McPhillip families live in New South Wales, Australia)

Concerning family lore on the Smyth/Kearns side, he wrote, "I have heard no story similar to that which you wrote. Although I will check further amongst the family.  However we have Catherine Ann Teresa Kearns 1874-1965 (daughter of Philip Kearns (possibly of Rossnaglogh East) and Ellen Smyth of Faltagh), whose parents died, in Australia, when she was aged 7 years - subsequently raised by Patrick Smyth of Faltagh (who married Rose Smyth of Lisnaveane) - Catherine and another relative used to send money from Australia over to the IRA because both sides of the family had martyrs, one flogged to death for harbouring a priest. "

 

Additional research uncovered in 2005:

In the burial records of Aghabog (Latnamard) a headstone exists to a Smyth family of Liscumiskey. It reads Smith: Liscumiskey 
Bridget Smyth of Liscumiskey died 18th March 1905, aged 60, her husband Peter died 7th January 1912  aged 75. Edward Smyth died 4th Jan. 1957, his wife Elizabeth died 8th June 1957.

 

On the definition of Aghabog parish:

Aghabog in Gaelic is (Achadh Bog) - soft bog.  The stress is on bog.

 

Regarding his communications with the Smyths of Licumiskey (Michael Smyth's reply letter is attached at the bottom):

 

Hi Tim, last year I did a little speculative work via an old Monaghan telephone book. I wrote to Michael Smyth of Liscumiskey. I attach his reply and photograph. I was unable to make any link to my records at the time, however I see that you have a Bridgett Grennan (as indeed does Michael of Liscumiskey).

 

Regarding his family line:

I have attached (hopefully)  two generations of our Smyth/Smith family line, from Ireland to Australia:  

 Michael Smyth Line

John Smyth Line

Rose Smyth line

 

 

Sarah Smyth letter - Aghabog

Peter and Bridget Smyth - Aghabog

 
Click to Enlarge

Michael Smyth, Monaghan

Sarah Smyth, Monaghan page 1

Sarah Smyth, Monaghan, page two

Plots in Monaghan

John Smith line with wife note