Hello listers, I was wondering if someone could be able to help me. My Sweeney research has led me to two very interesting events: To explain the background again details as follows: Thomas Sweeney "Regalia" 1826 and Mary Gillespie, free, "Southworth" 1832 are my ggg grandparents. On Mary's death certificate in 1883 it mentioned that there were 7 children 2 deceased. I have found the following: Bridget born 1834, married James Freel 1854 at West Maitland, and William Raisbeck at his home (son of Thomas Raisbeck and Elizabeth Bowen) in 1909. Bridget died in 1918 in Branxton. Mary born circa 1835 married William Wallace in 1850 in West Maitland, then partnered William Jones (son of William Jones and Sarah Brooks). Mary died in Gunnedah in 1926. Catherine born circa 1837 married John Jackson in 1856 at West Maitland, 2 children known to have survived Mary Ann born in 1857 and Suzannah born in 1862. Whereabouts of family since then unknown. John Sweeney born 1841 (twin)never married, kept his mother until her death on land purchased from Thomas Raisbeck. Mary died in 1883, John left for Gunnedah immediately after the inquest and died at Gunnedah two weeks later. Patrick Sweeney born 1841 (twin) moved to Surat in Queensland after being identified in the 1867 post office directory as a carrier at Branxton. He married Mary Ann O'Brien (born Wollombi, to Michael O'Brien and Margaret Jane Lynch) at Surat, and died at Yelbone Creek station in 1889. I now have found a Thomas Sweeney marrying Bridget Mooney in 1871 at East Maitland. Parents, birth place or age not forthcoming. Witnesses Margaret Sweeney and Cornelius Egan. Children to Thomas and Bridget are: Margaret born 1874 reg 15010 at Murrurundi Bridget born 1876 reg 15799 at Murrurundi Patrick born 1879 reg 18239 at Murrurundi The family then moved to Gunnedah. Rosanna born 1882 reg 17561 Elizabeth Esther born 1884 I then found the witnesses to the Sweeney married were already married to each other! Marriage 1866 Margaret Sweeney to Cornelius Egan at West Maitland reg 2307 Again no Parents, Birth place or date forthcoming. Children born to this marriage are Philip Egan born 1866 ref 10665 parents Cornelius and Margaret at Maitland Patrick Egan born 1873 ref 13133 parents Cornelius and Margaret at Maitland Cornelius Egan born 1876 ref 17460 parents Cornelius and Margaret at Nundle Margaret Egan born 1880 ref 24675 parents Cornelius and Margaret at Tamworth Then I found the following: Margaret Egan died 1890 ref 6803, parents Thomas and Margaret at Paddington (could the family be confused and forget that Margaret's mother's name was Mary, she only died in 1883). Maybe the family lost contact with each other, and thought that each other was dead. If her parents were Thomas and Mary, and Thomas was her brother, then I have found the 7 siblings of Thomas Sweeney and Mary Gillespie. Cornelius Egan died Sydney 1911 ref 8642 Parents Philip and ? Oh what an exciting day!!! now to order the transcripts. Hope this connects with someone. ANNE