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Patrick O'Farrell abt 1820-1885

Patrick O'Farrell abt 1820-1885

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 8:05AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: O'FARRELL MORRISSEY PRENDERGAST CAVANAGH
Looking for information on life and times of Patrick O'Farrell born abt 1820 in Ireland and his ancestors. Oral history says he lived at Scarriff, Co. Clare. He and Mary Morrissey came to Australia sometime before 1884 and settled in north-eastern Victoria. It is not known whether the adult children travelled with him or separately but all came to Australia.

I have not found a marriage record for Patrick and Mary Morrissey; her father is listed as a Martin Cavanagh so there will be some explanation for the name difference.

Another has identified Patrick's parents as Dennis O'Farrell and Catherine Prendergast but this has not been verified.

Re: Patrick O'Farrell abt 1820-1885

Posted: 4 Dec 2011 7:19PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi, Mary Jeanne O'Farrell here.
The "O" Farrells that left Ireland had dropped the "O" from their name in order to leave the country.
Yes, one of the Patrick O Farrell's was my relative and and his son was Dennis O Farrell who went to Court in the US and had our family name changed back to O'Farrell.

Our Patrick came to the US and part of the family ended up in Massachuettes and the rest in Indiana.

(Our Patrick was from Moy, Laracor, Meath, Ireland). None of our relatives travelled to Australia.
Good Luck with your Search.

best email: fresh.air584@yahoo.com
Mary Jeanne O'Farrell 317-567-3280

Re: Patrick O'Farrell abt 1820-1885

Posted: 4 Dec 2011 7:30PM GMT
Classification: Query
thanks Mary.
Yes almost certainly your Patrick was different one. When it came to naming children it seems one thing our O'Farrell ancestors had in common was they were not the most imaginative parents around.

Do you have any guidance as to why the "O" was dropped in order to leave the country?
regards
Brian

Re: Patrick O'Farrell abt 1820-1885

Posted: 5 Dec 2011 2:16AM GMT
Classification: Query
Yes, Brian, believe the O was dropped so it would make them to appear to be Commoners and not of the Higher Society and as a result not in as much of a demand to keep in the country!

xoxoMary Jeanne

Re: Patrick O'Farrell abt 1820-1885

Posted: 6 Jan 2012 5:19AM GMT
Classification: Query
hi Mary Jeanne,
My research has made good progress in recent weeks. My Irish Farrells were definitely more commoner than high society. I'm wondering if the O was dropped by an earlier generation like Patrick Farrell above and then re-added by the authorities upon emigration as it seems remarkable coincidence coordinating the new family name when all of Patrick's children with Mary Morrissey were born with his family name of Farrell.

Elizabeth went to USA as Farrell circa 1883, married as Farrell in 1902 but was O'Farrell when the 1920 census was taken and died nee O'Farrell in 1939.

Those who came to Australia seemed to depart as Farrells and became O'Farrells upon or soon after arrival as Jack married as O'Farrell in 1884.

But Michael who stayed in Ireland and was the last of his siblings to die in 1948 was buried as Farrell.

regards
Brian
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