Teresa Short (abt. 1831 - 1907)

Born about 1831 in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland

Wife of William Lyons — married 20 Feb 1849 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia

Descendants

Died 4 Apr 1907 at about age 76 in Queensland, Australia

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Biography

This profile is part of the Short Name Study.

Theresa Short was an Irish famine orphan who emigrated to Australia between 1848-1850.

At the age of 17, Theresa embarked on the Earl Grey Vessel from Drumore, Belfast, and arrived in Sydney, Australia, on October 6, 1848. ^[1] The Earl Grey vessel made its notable arrival, transporting the first group of female Irish famine orphans to Australia under what would become known as the the Irish Famine Orphan Scheme. The scheme made a significant contribution to the gender balance in Australia. ^[2]

Not all participants in the scheme had lost both parents, as the meaning of "orphan" varied historically. However, the Irish Famine Memorial's database entry for Theresa Short indicates that her parents, John Short and Mary Anne, had both passed away.^[3]

As part of the Earl Grey Orphan Scheme, the Australian government arranged employment for the girls upon their arrival, with employers required to apply and be approved. Theresa was employed as a housemaid with Mr. Thomas Grey in North Brisbane, earning £14 for three months of work. ^[3]

On February 20, 1849, following the completion of her employment, Theresa married William Lyons, a 36-year-old carrier from Dublin, in Warwick, Queensland, Australia. Together, they had a large family consisting of 15 children:

After Theresa's employment finished, Teresa (17) married William Lyons (36), a carrier, (born about 1812 in Dublin) on February 20, 1849 in Queensland, Australia. Their children were:

• Christopher Lyons ( –1857)
• Margaret Mabel Plumb Lyons ( –1953)
• Mary Hanrahan Lyons ( –1938)
• John Lyons (1854–1924)
• Unnamed M Lyons (1856– )
• atrick Lyons (1860– )
• William Lyons (1862–1862)
• Catherine Josephine Lyons (1863–1941)
• Theresa Lyons (1863–1865)
• Annie Lyons (1865–1965)
• Margaret Jane Lyons (1867– )
• Theresa Ellen Lyons (1870–1873)
• Sophia Lyons (1871–1967)
• William Joseph Lyons (1873– )

Sources

1. ↑ Passenger List: "New South Wales, Australia, Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1828-1896" State Records Authority of New South Wales; Kingswood New South Wales, Australia; Persons on bounty ships to Sydney, Newcastle, and Moreton Bay (Board's Immigrant Lists); Series: 5317; Reel: 2458; Item: [4/4905] Name: Theresa Short; Birth Year: abt 1831; Age: 17; Arrival Date: 8 Oct. 1848; Vessel Name: Earl Grey.
2. ↑ Earl Grey's famine orphans blog
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Irish Famine Memorial Sydney. Database. Theresa Short. Accessed 2 April 2024. Theresa Short detail page

• Australia, Queensland Marriages Index > 1854 > Ref. BM347: William Lyons & Theresa Short.
• Australia, Queensland Deaths Index > 1907 > Ref. B7907: Theresa Lyons d/o * Short.
• Marriage registration: QLD BDM. Spouse: William Lyons Marriage date:20/02/1849. Registration details:1854/BMA/347