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Author: gaillemackinnon_1
Surnames: Carr
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.carr/5647/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Hi, I've begun to research my great-grandfather Thomas Joseph Carr married to
Josephine Elizabeth O'Riordan in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, c.1915. The
union produced one child, my grandmother, Paula Gerrard Carr in 1918. Interestingly, this
was a second marriage for Thomas who still had a first wife living at the time (so
divorced?). What I can't understand is how a 2nd generation Irish Roman Catholic
managed to get a divorce back in c.1915 and also to marry his second wife in the side
chapel of St.Patrick's Cathedral. I am intrigued to note that the second Archbishop of
Melbourne and of St.Patrick's also has the same name - Thomas Joseph Carr - although I
have no idea if there is any connection.
Thomas's father (whose name i am unsure of...but heard tell of either a William or a
John) was a Master Mariner on the clipper run from Ireland to Australia and originally
came from Cobh (formerly Queenstown) in County Cork, Ireland. Family tales tell of a
plaque that was awarded to this gentleman for saving the lives of his passengers and crew
during one particularly horrendous voyage around the cape of South Africa. I was told that
this plaque is now in the possession of cousins(?) in America. I believe that Thomas and
his siblings were born and lived their early lives in Tasmania.
I would very much appreciate it if any one recognises any part of this story and look
forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks, Gaille MacKinnon
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