The info on this page was researched by Phillip Dwyer. Note that these people are not related to us, though for a while we thought they were. Note also that some of the dates are the date that the birth was registered, not necessarily the actual date of birth.
Dr Trevor McClaughlin, author of Barefoot and pregnant? : Irish famine orphans in Australia: documents and register, kindly provided us with a 'family reconstitution form' that he uses to research family groups. This particular form lists the children (PDF - 120k) of a John Dwyer (farmer of Kilmore Victoria) and a Mary Coffey. According to Dr McClaughlin, this Mary Coffey arrived on the Pemberton in May 1849, and the form lists a total of 8 children:
There's also a notation that looks like 'Ann 4 yrs NR 63-5'. Dr McClaughlin contacted us in October 2013 and confirmed the above info and said that he was given access to Victorian BDM records at the time (in the 1980s).
However, in 'The Victorian Pioneers Index 1837-1888' (on CD-ROM in the National Library Canberra) it looks like John and Mary had only five children - Johanna, John, William, Edmond and Patrick. There is no Mary Ann, Margaret, Bridget or Ann.
Obviously all they say about infant mortality in the second half of the 19th century is true.
If you have comments, contributions or corrections please contact us.
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