Just one thing I will mention - we can't pin too many hopes on finding Ms Doolan on the Norfolk censuses because if she was married in the late 1700's and let's guess she was around 20 years of age, she would be a rather old lady in the 1841 and 1851 censuses - if we are lucky!  Still, worth me checking out.

 

Kay

Manager

I've just re-read all your messages and the one from Liz above says that no convicts went to Australia after 1868. It is just a thought, but perhaps I have tried to go back too far.  The letter I have from Norton Peskett Solicitors in Suffolk is dated 1st June 1989, only 120 years later. The letter was sent to Roy Eric Doolan (now deceased) re Wilfred G Doolan, late of 41 Station Road Beccles.  He died intestate and his estate was divisible between his brothers and sister who are listed as follows: Mrs Kathleen Colby (sister of deceased who survived him but has since died), Thomas Doolan (brother of deceased who predeceased him), Frederick Doolan (brother of deceased who predeceased him), William Doolan (brother of deceased who predeceased him), Emily Oulds (sister of deceased who predeceased him), Ernest Doolan (brother of deceased who predeceased him), Bertha Gilbert (sister of deceased who predeceased him), Christopher Doolan (brother of deceased who predeceased him) Theresa Marsh (sister of deceased who predeceased him), Phyllis Youngs (sister of deceased who predeceased him) and Victor Doolan (brother of deceased who predeceased him). Perhaps something can be traced back from these names? Thanks for all your help.  I am well impressed!!

Hello

 

Kay's computer is out of action at present, but she will get back to you just as soon as she is up and running again.

 

Marian

Manager

Hello again

 

My apologies for not responding sooner but as Marian says, my computer has been out of action for the last week now!

 

I will have a look at the names you've given me and see if I can indeed trace anything back from there.  Possibly it may throw some light on things - we will see.  Do check back regularly to see if I've had any luck for you.

 

Kay

Manager

Well I'm looking at the various names you've given us to see if I can match any marriages of Doolan with the surnames of spouses, as far as the female ancestors are concerned.  Initially I have found the marriage of Bertha E Doolan in the December quarter of 1919 in Islington to John R Gilbert.

 

From there I found Bertha on the 1901 census with her family as follows:

 

Father:  William Ernest Doolan b: 1871c Wymondham, Norfolk

Mother:  Bertha Ann Doolan b: 1872 Old Buckenham, Norfolk

Sister:  Emile Doolan b: 1892c Old Buckenham, Norfolk

Brothers: Ernest Doolan b: 1894c Attleborough, Norfolk

               Jack Doolan b: 1899 Old Buckenham, Norfolk

              Christopher Doolan b; 1900 Burgh St Peter, Norfolk

 

The family were residing in Burgh St Peter and William's occupation was a GER Signalman.

 

Now, from there I checked other records and came up with a few birth records which I feel do fit:

 

Ernest Arthur Doolan b: December quarter of 1893 Wayland, Norfolk

Bertha Ellen Doolan b: 9.10.1895 / christened: 23.8.1896 Old Buckenham

Emily Almira Doolan b: 25.10.1891 / christened: 3.6.1895 Old Buckenham.

 

Then I managed to find a birth recor for Victor Arthur Doolan in the March quarter of 1910 in Loddon, Nofolk - he should naturally show on the 1911 census.

 

 

Having looked for other Doolan births in Norfolk I've found what I believe to be those of Frederick and Thomas -

 

Surname	First name(s)	Mother	District	Vol	Page
Births Mar 1912   (>99%)
Doolan	Frederick K	Bowen	Loddon	4b	357
Births Dec 1913   (>99%)
Doolan	Thomas J	Bowen	Loddon	4b	375

 

 

... and this shows us their mother's maiden name was Bowen.  I'm going to see if I can find any evidence of Bertha Bowen that would fit with the above.

 

Kay

Manager

In the 1891 census William & Bertha are residing at:  Leys Lane, Attleborough and William's Occupation is an agricultural labourer.  At this time their son, William has also been born and here is his birth record:

 

Births Jun 1890   (>99%)
Doolan	William Thomas		Guiltcross	4b	246

Here's what I found:

 

Births Mar 1903   (>99%)
Doolan	Kathleen Caroline M		Loddon	4b	211

Incidentally this is the birth record for their mother, Bertha A (I think Bowen) Doolan - note the spelling is either incorrect or has been mis-transcribed:

 

Births Jun 1871   (>99%)
Bowen	Bartha Ann		Guiltcross	4b	239

Another trancription gaff - look at the spelling of Wilfred's name!  Here is his birth and death records:

 

Births Dec 1906   (>99%)
Doolan	Winifred George		Loddon	4b	205

Hi, just got back from London visiting existing family connections.  Been talking to one of the Doolan decendents (Patrick Doolan) his dad was Victor Doolan and his mum was Winifred, to see if he knew any other information.  All he could tell me was Reverend Sparrow was not hung in Ireland for his crimes because it would have brought shame to the church, that was why he was deported to Australia. He said that his wife fled to Suffok with their son and reverted to her maiden name of Doolan but he did not know any first names either.  He did say that he thought that Reverend Sparrow survived the journey to Australia and in fact served his sentence there, so perhaps there would be some record of that.  Thanks for all your help so far - I really appreciate it.

Hmm, the snag with Ms Doolan fleeing to Suffolk with her son is that unless we have any clues as to his Christian name I'm really not certain how we might be able to find them.  This is a tricky one.

 

It's possible there are records of the sentences served in Australia - I will see if I can ascertain something which may help point you in the right direction.

 

Kay

Manager

It's been rather disappointing that I can't find any firm information as to any sentences served in Australia during the 1800's but just as a matter of interest I'm posting a link below which you may like to look at - as I say, just for interest on sentences served in Australia for crimes committed:

 

 

Kay

Manager

Hi Kay, thanks for all your help.  I will look at the link for Australia sentences you sent me.  I dont know how to find out the Christian names.  That was always the main snag whenever I have looked into it before.  I wish I could come up with some more information but really I dont know how.  I appreciate all your help.  Thanks.

Well yes it's worth checking out that website but as you say, not knowing the Christian name is the biggest hitch.  Unfortunately (and I've experienced this myself with my own family history) it is rather a brickwall you come up against when Christian names remain unknown - obviously you can't search for something you have no knowledge of! 

 

However, if anything comes to light that you'd like me to follow up for you, do feel free to come back to us.

 

Kay

Manager