Irish Famine Orphan Girls―Female Immigration Association
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Location: County Clare, Ireland―Van Diemen's Land
Surnames/tags: Ireland Irish_Famine
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Contents |
The Story
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This project is about those girls and young women (Irish Famine Orphan Girls) who were shipped to Australia on the "Beulah" and the "Calcutta" in 1851 under the auspices of the Female Immigration Association.
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"Everyone" seems to know about the greater "Earl Grey scheme" (1848―1850) that shipped some 4,000-plus adolescent female orphans from Irish "workhouses" to the Australian colonies, mostly arriving at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide; but almost noone seems to know of the 300-plus girls shipped out, mostly from County Clare (with some from Cty Cork, and some others from Hampshire, England), to Van Diemen's Land (later known as Tasmania). The "Female Immigration Association", in partnership with the Powers That Be back in England, arranged for a number of "eligible" females to be sent to Van Diemen's Land as had been done for the colonies on the mainland.
The main thrust seemed to have been that those in charge of the southernmost colony felt rather "short changed" by not having had their population increased by girls and young women (often referred to as "breeders") who could work, and, probably more important to some, help create a larger population, so they applied to the government for some "relief" from the dearth of females that seemed to plague them.
Many (most?) of the records in Ireland were lost, with the most complete remaining being those of the Corofin workhouse, so finding anything about the girls and young women is difficult, to say the least, and impossible, at worst. For some, the only record left seems to be their arrival in Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land.
One question that may never be fully answered is that of: "were they given a choice?", with another being: "if they were given a choice, was it a case of stay and most likely die of starvation, or go and maybe die from other causes, or, with luck and the blessings of the angels, live and find health and happiness?".
The girls, even the poorest of the orphans with nothing truly of their own in the world, did not go into the unknown empty-handed. The regulations dealing with the selection and movement of so many, required them to be provided with "six shifts, two flannel petticoats, six pairs of stockings, two gowns, and two pairs of shoes". All these items were to be new and of good quality, and in a wooden box of good quality, with strong locks, for storing their belongings. Their names were to be printed on the front of the box (how this would be helpful to the illiterate was not explained). Those girls of the Roman Catholic faith were also to be provided with a bible. (Were the Protestant girls thought to have less faith? Were the Catholic girls also provided with a rosary if they did not own one? Surely that would be something even those who were illiterate could use.)
In The News
- Ship name: "Beulah"; Port of Departure: Plymouth; Port of Arrival: Hobart. Number of immigrants: 812; Date of arrival in Hobart Town: 28th August 1851.
- Arrival of the Beula[1]
- THIS fine vessel, with female immigrants, arrived in our harbour on the evening of Thursday, after a good passage from Plymouth, having on board 204 persons, one of whom has come out to join her husband in this colony.
- The Surgeon-Superintendent, John Arthur, Esq , and Capt. Linton, the commander of the Beulah, speak highly as to the conduct and character of the immigrants, who are all of a very healthy appearance, and in good spirits. Of the single females, whose ages vary from 18 to 23, 44 are from Kilrush, 50 from Ennistymon, 55 from Ennis, 2 from Ballyvaghn, in Ireland, and 10 from Portsea, in England. The others, about 40, consist of the schoolmaster and wife, a matron, four submatrons, and married immigrants with their families.
- The general arrangements of the ship appear to have been carried out with great credit to all parties.
- These immigrants have been sent out by the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, and the expenses are to be paid out of the sum of the £10,000), which has been specially voted by the House of Commons for Emigration to Van Diemen's Land.
- 'The Committee of the Tasmanian Female Immigration Association hope to be enabled to land them early next week, as the Building on the Old Wharf will be ready for their reception. We are further enabled to state that the Committee do not purpose hiring any from the ship, but immediately upon their landing, and the arrangements are completed, due notice of hiring will be given. In the meantime applications may be forwarded to the Honorary Secretary, at Capt. King's Office, where many have been already(been) received.
- We may mention that the Lieutenant-Governor has received a despatch from Earl Grey, under date 15th April last, suggesting the formation of a Committee, as the colonists have already done.
- Ship name: "Calcutta"; Port of Departure: Plymouth; Port of Arrival: Hobart. Number of immigrants: 714; Date of arrival in Hobart Town: 2nd November 1851.
- Arrival of the Calcutta[2]
- November 2.— Calcutta, barque, 484 tons, Wrankmore, from Plymouth, with 151 single females, 7 married couples, 5 girls, and 4 boys, emigrants. Passengers — Mrs and two Miss Smith, Miss Hood, and Dr Church. One birth and one death took place on the passage.
(Apparently there was less interest in the makeup of the "passengers" than on the Beulah earlier in the year, as the Irish girls get barely a mention despite there having been some 150 or so aboard.)
The Ships
Beulah
The passenger list for the Beulah, which departed Plymouth, England, on the 20th May 1851 and arrived at Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land on the 28th August 1851.
From Ballyvaghan (also Ballyvaughan)
☘ Name: Conlin, Mary; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 18; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:414775; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P2
☘ Name: Coshin, Honora; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 18; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:415711; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P2 & P14
From Ennis
☘ Name: Cunningham, Catherine; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 22; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:417285; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P2
☘ Name: Griffy, Ann; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 23; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:441571; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p3
☘ Name: Halloran, Honora; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 23; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:434131; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P4
☘ Name: Heally, Bridget; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 18; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:434312; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P4 & 14
☘ Name: Keily, Eliza; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 18; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:440037; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P5 P16
☘ Name: O'Connors, Mary; Record Type: Arrivals; Age: 20; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Ship: Beulah; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1508591; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p8
From Ennistymon
☘ Name: Corbett, Biddy; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 22; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:415542; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P2 & P16
☘ Name: Harkin, Honora, Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 18; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:434300; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P.4
☘ Name: Hynes, Bridget; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 18; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:438648; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P4
☘ Mary Looney ☘
☘ Name: Roughan, Mary; Record Type: Arrivals; Age: 18; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1531271; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p9, CB7/13/1/1 p19
From Kilrush
☘ Name: Hogan, Bridget; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: Age 18; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:437023; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P4
☘ Name: Looney, Mary; Record Type: Arrivals; Title: Miss; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 22; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1471742; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p5
☘ Name: Ryan, Honora; Record Type: Arrivals; Age: 20; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Ship: Beulah; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1532112; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p9
☘ Name: Sexton, Catherine; Record Type: Arrivals; Age: 24; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1533795; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p. 9 (County Clare Library pages has her written as "Seaton".)
☘ Mary Marinan ☘
From Portsea Island, Hampshire, England:
🌹 Susan Halleybone 🌹
🌹 Name: Stilwell, Adelaide; Record Type: Arrivals; Age: 18; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Ship: Beulah; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1573507; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p. 9, CB7/13/1/1 p. 14
🌹 Name: Millar, Maria; Record Type: Arrivals; Title: Miss; Age: 16; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Ship:: Beulah; Remarks: age 16; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1491172; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p6 & 14 ; CB7/13/1/1 p14
🌹
🌹
From County, Unknown
☘ Name: Guthrie, Catherine; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 20; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:433595; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P3 P15
☘ Name: Hehir, Ellen; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 3 Sep 1851; Departure port: Plymouth; Ship: Beulah; Remarks: age 23; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:434738; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P4 & 14 (I think this may be Ellen Helier from Ennis.)
☘ Name: Tynell, Biddy; Record Type: Arrivals; Age: 19; Arrival date: 03 Sep 1851; Ship: Beulah; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1577052; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p10, CB7/13/1/1 p16 (I believe her name is correctly "Tyrrell", based on multiple readings of the file on Libraries Tasmania.)
Calcutta
The passenger list for the Calcutta, which departed Plymouth, England, on the 15th July 1851 and arrived at Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land, on the 2nd November 1851.
From Corofin
☘ Name: Halloran, Minny (mistranscribed as "Winny" on the index); Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 20; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:434143; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P32 38
☘ Name: Honlahan, Catherine; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 21; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:437717; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P32
From Killadysart
☘ Name: Hoare, Susan; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: Age 21; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:436809; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P30 36
☘ Name: Madigan, Catherine; Record Type: Arrivals; Title: Miss; Age: 19; Arrival date: 04 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1477599; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p. 31, 36
☘
From Scarriff
☘ Bridget Corbett ☘ Catherine Keogh ☘
☘ Name: Guerin, Catherine; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 22; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:433438; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P27 & 39
☘ Name: Hynes, Biddy; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 21; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:438647; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P27 38
☘ Name: Hynes, Margaret; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 19; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:438657; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P27 37
From Tulla
☘ Name: Danneher, Judith; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 20; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:417913; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P29
☘ Name: Gilligan, Margaret; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 20; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:426070; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 P29 P38
☘
From Cork:
☘ Name: Grave, Mary; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 21; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:397648; Resource: CB7/12/1/13 p32 and 37
☘ Name: Jameson, Eliza; Record Type: Arrivals; Arrival date: 4 Nov 1851; Ship: Calcutta; Remarks: age 17; Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:442076; Resource: CB7/13/1/1 p33,36
☘ Anne Love ☘
From County, Unknown
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Sources
- ↑ National Library of Australia Trove Arrival of the Beulah
- ↑ National Library of Australia Trove Arrival of the Calcutta
Thanks to Ian Beard who donated so much to the County Clare Library. It is from his pages that so much was able to be discovered on the Tasmanian records for immigration.
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edited by Anonymous Phillips
The ships dealt with here are the Beulah, and the Calcutta, both of which went only to Tasmania and only in 1851.
Any ships prior to 1851, going to mainland Australia, would fall under the Earl Grey Scheme. Any ships afterwards likely fall under Irish diaspora, and standard migration.
These Girls were all on the two ships named here, Beulah and Calcutta. Most of them were from workhouses/poorhouses in County Clare, with some from County Cork .. and even some from Portsea Island in England. None of these girls, prior to emigration, was known to have any kind of criminal record.
Not, I think, on these two ships, but I saw mention of a girl who was only eight years old (and you can't even say that she wasn't a potential wife at that age, because she just might have been).
I agree with your comments. Some of the girls weren't orphans. I'm stunned by how young some were. To quote from SA state archives regarding Elgin (sailed from Plymouth in 1849) "The Elgin carried 195 female orphans from the poor houses of Ireland. On this trip almost half of them had their period for the first time. 85 from Shibbareen, 35 from Killarney, 30 from Fermoy, 25 from Lismore, 15 from Clonmel."
Nevertheless, it seems me that an option to leave could be seen as preferable to staying.
My perspective comes from having 4 great-great-grandmothers migrating to South Australia from Ireland. One worked hard to get there, one came with her husband and two sons, two were Earl Grey orphans and did OK.
Some of those girls weren't actually orphans. They had living parents, but things were so terribly dire that the parents thought the daughters would be better off being sent away. The way so many saw it was .. it was either a sure and horrible death by starvation (or suicide, or being killed for what little they did have, by someone even more desperate), or a possibly better future.
For some the rosier side did happen. For others, it did not. For some, they never even got to find out, as they died on the voyages.