Twins & triplets in the line
-
In reply to:
Interesting little factoid about twins
Dana 5/07/01
My dad was a bit secretive about the family background in Co. Roscommon (always wondered about that), and the Conrys tended to do a lot of migrating, so we've few links to other "colonies". I'm in Beijing, my brother Brian's in Seoul and the sis, Jennifer, is in Linz (Austria), leaving my brother Barry and sister Julie to hold the line back home in Dublin. Two things struck me when I happened on this site:
1. My brother Barry has been doing some research - in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon (where our grandparents hailed from)- and found loads of Conrys in the graveyards, not a lot outside - notably PJs, like myself. Seemingly a fair number missed out on these genial surroundings by heading for the coffin ships in the late 1800s. Conclusion: It's GOOD to know some of you got there.
2. Out of the blue, just over a year ago, our wee sis Jennifer gave birth to (natural) triplets in Austria. We were shocked (probably not half as much as she and poor Heimo have been ever since, but I'm happy to say Lorcan, Oscar and Brian Lindner are thriving). So it was indeed a surprise to see that Conry 3-packs are also known 'across the water'. Sounds like there might be a link.
Barry's our investigator and we, through him, are especially curious about whatever scandals happened during the last century, back (as Barry tells it) when one infamous Conry acted as a landlord's enforcer - and only avoided death because the enraged populace missed him and shot the popular landlord by accident. There were Conrys who fought in the Boer War for the Brits, another killed in Donegal fighting against them. Right now there are more Conrys in Paris than Dublin (but with the triplets, Linz is in the running to overtake both). Apart from the rain, then,and maybe the lack of spuds, what was it that drove us to rove?
Even in the 1600s, when air travel was considered unsafe, there was the bould Florence, the Galwayman, who headed for Belgium to found the University of Louvain/Leuven. At least a few stayed behind - e.g. Farfasa and Maurice O'Mulconry (aka Forfasa and Muiris O'Maolconaire)- to help compile the first written history of Ireland (Annals of the Four Masters) which was completed in 1632.
But when oh when did the name change from the Irish O'Maolconaire or O'Conaire (or did it even change from those), and how come the family in 19th century Roscommon had English Christian names (not many Seán's or Éamonn's in the graveyards)? As they say, mysteries abound.
But there y'are.
Wishing you all a Happy Christmas!
Peter
More Replies:
-
Re: Twins & triplets in the line
Joann Mountcastle 6/14/02