Obituary Mrs Thomas COUGHLIN of Tulla

This obituary is interesting from a number of points of view.

Firstly it relates to a death in Ireland, and not a famous person, but rather the local blacksmith’s wife. His business may have been extensive but would not normally merit an international obituary.

Secondly it mentions her children living in Australia in some detail, namely, Mrs Matt Molloy of Casino NSW; Mrs William McCarthy of Helidon Qld; Pat Coughlin at Temora, NSW; and William Coughlin at Warwick, Qld.

Thirdly, and really of interest to me, is the dispersal of the family throughout Australia, wityh two in each state and while Warwick and Helidon people might meet up occasionally, it’s a long way between Temora and Casino. Also of interest to me is that Temora (I had to look it up) is not all that far from Urana where Bridget O’Brien Widdup from Broadford settled.

I really believe that the emigrants chose where they wanted to live and set up home. Obviously the pull of family was not necessarily enough to make them move closer. I wonder who the other five children were, and whether they remained in Ireland, or if some moved to the United States etc.

I was also intrigued/amused by dying “in the odour of sanctity”…too much incense perhaps?

The Catholic Press, 2 December 1909, page 29
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105189662

Obituary Mr John HOWARD, formerly of Tulla

After a few days of Broadford records, it’s time for a change of location to nearby Tulla. I “love” how the poor wife misses out on having her name stated in these obituaries even though all the children are listed.

The Catholic Press, 5 October 1939. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106345498

The Yongala in which he lost his son Thomas, was lost, apparently during a cyclone off the coast of Queensland in April 1911.

The Northern Miner, 31 March 1911, page 5. There is such pathos in reading of the elderly woman whose two sons and a nephew were on board. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80349950

From John’s age at death based on the cemetery records below, it should be possible for any family member to find his baptism in the Tulla parish registers by ordering in the microfilm.

Baptisms and marriages, 1819-1880.

Family History Library

British Film

979693 Item 4

From the Fields of Mars cemetery records available here, we learn that it’s likely (but not certain) his wife’s name was Bridget.

Names:	John Howard
Service Date:	28 Jul 1939
Date of Death:	27 Aug 1939
Age:	86
Gender:	M
Register Number:	4511
Burial Type:	Burial
Location:	Section Grave C Grave : 57
Interred in this burial site :
Surname Given Name Service Date Age Location Howard John 28 Jul 1939 86 SEC*C***57 Howard Bridget 24 Dec 1946 SEC*C***57