Forbear Friday

Mary Ann Nora COLLINS nee FOLEY circa late 1850s, originally uploaded by Aussie Maria.

Saw this title on another blog while surfing (sorry can't remember exactly where) and thought it was an idea for me to use.

I have been researching my genealogy / family history for about 13 years. Some I know a lot about, and others barely the basics.

I was lucky enough to make contact with a person who had researched one of my lines fairly well and she had contact with family who had photos and paintings of various family members - this is one of them

This photo is of my great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Nora COLLINS, with two of her children. The children have not been identified positively. As per all good Irish families, children were very close in age and there were 7 in total. It is believed that the photo is around the late 1850's. This still gives us a few choices as to which children they are. Is it a little boy or little girl on her lap???. Remember the times and clothing around then ☺

Mary Ann Nora COLLINS nee FOLEY was born in Moyasta, Clare, Ireland abt 1826. She married Michael Martin COLLINS in 1845 in Carrigaholt, Clare, Ireland. Mary died in 1915 in Delegate, VIC, Australia.

Both the COLLINS and FOLEY families immigrated to Australia in 1855 and settled in the region called "Monaro". Monaro is down south between Canberrra and just over the Victorian border. They settled a bit inland, round the Currawong area (yes, we have a native bird of that name too).

Now what I find interesting is that my Dad used to always comment that the family had Spanish connections. I was finally given a clue as to where this story came from, cause I could find no connection anywhere to Spain.

The story I was told was that Mary Ann would sit on the verandah in her rocking chair and sing songs to the children. Many of these songs were Spanish!!!!!!

Now to wonder where she learnt them - Spanish Armada connection????? She certainly seems to have the look

Hope I didn't bore you to much, but I just may make another family connection if I write about them

Have a great weekend