The letters from Rose, and her sisters Annie and Isabella, are so tantalizing! They write about cousins that I am definitely related to...but I cannot (yet) fathom the connection between the family lines. Of course, they weren't writing for an audience 100+ years later. So while I might wish them to have said 'You remember Uncle John (brother of William, son of Robert)...' it's not a surprise when they just say 'Uncle'. I do know that between Annie (Rose's sister) and my g.great uncle William there was a great deal of affection...but in the end he stayed in America and she returned to Ireland and married another gentleman (John Weir). Rosalie

Delighted to learn that the link has shed light on someone's ancestors. Good old GOOGLE never fails to uncover interesting Subjects and information. I just wish they'd add the 'Page' or 'Share' to the Toolbar of their Chrome version. Viola --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

Dave, Many, many thanks for bringing alive the land of my ancestors for me, your intimate knowledge of the area has enabled this to happen. Written down all the landmarks you mention, and shall spend today visiting them via google earth shall start at the river and work my way east. Loved the goat story - ferocious beastie they can be, and huge too, I would not face one. Sobering to realise that one tree could be considered more important than the lives of a family, that degree of inhumanity is almost inconceivable. It's grand to hear they prospered elsewhere, even if the Vicar burnt the church down :) Dee.

In ancient times, before machinery was introduced for threshing, Corn or other Grain crops was threshed by using Flails. These were pieces of round sticks, usually Ash, about a yard or so long had a dried Eel skin attached at each end. The corn Sheaves were laid on a cloth to catch the grain and chaff. Two people, standing oposite each other, operated two Flails by using them to beat the sheaf head winding the Flails like skipping ropes. alternating the sticks weilded by the two persons. The Straw would be lifted aside and the next sheaves Threshed. After that operation was completed the grain and chaff would be 'Winnowed' by being put on a sheet of tin or a tray and tossed into the air allowing the wind to blow the light chaff away but the heavier grain would fall back onto the tray.. Very labour intensive. Threshing machines, operated by, in our cast a Lister petrol engine, did all that in one operation The sheaves were opened, spread out, and fed in grain end first, by men on a platform at the back of the Thresher. The clean straw was delivered by paddles at the front of the Thresher, the chaff was blown out to the right, and the Grain came down a chute into bags on the left. It always seemed to me like Magic how each was delivered in each place. The Chaff was also bagged to bed the Duck house because they were such messy individuals. Never layed in nests only on the floor of their house so the Chaff kept the eggs clean. Threshing day was always an exciting day because people came to help and they brought their dogs of various mongrel breeds but considered "Good Ratters" As the Corn stack got near the bottom the Dogs surrounded it and any Rats, which might have nested beneath the Stack, would bolt out, but were despatched by the dogs before they could escape. It was necessary to keep the Rat population down on a farm because what they did not attack and eat they contaminated. A serious deisease called Weils Disease was carried by them. Viola --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

Dave the road and area around Glengevlin and Dowra is both wild and very historic. All around this area is steeped in history with holywells and sweathouses ( same as modren day suana baths). Dave are you located in Fermanagh or are you just on holiday?. I am in Belcoo,my older sister Mairead knows a lot of local history, if you are ever in Belcoo area call into Station House as my sister has written a booklet about our local area. Thank you, Olivia O'Dolan. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave H via" <fermanagh-gold@rootsweb.com> To: <fermanagh-gold@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2015 8:24 PM Subject: Re: FERMANAGH-GOLD Eels, deer, and other game. > Still there roaming free but there is only a limited hunting season. > > Remember once fishing until dark.. was sitting in car having a coffee, > minding my own business when I looked out and saw a Stag staring in at > me... not sure who got the biggest fright!! > > Have also had to slam on brakes when one decides to jump out to cross a > road, 2 people killed recently when they swerved to avoid one and hit > tree. > > Plus, with so many lakes there were Duck etc too. Pigeon, Pheasants etc > in woods, food everywhere!! > > Over the generations people lost hunting skills, then famine hit.... > same with medicines, people used local plants for cures, couldn't write > so much has been lost! > > Was out near Blacklion last week, beautiful day so drove into woods up > to mountain top, went strolling in wood only to come around a corner to > find a wild Billy goat standing there scratching the ground the way > bulls do, had to stop and walk backwards as he was definitely going to > charge if I got nearer, thankfully he just stood his ground happy with > me backing off... then I spotted the female which as far as I could make > out, was giving birth. > > Thankfully, I knew not to turn and run... > > Vi probably knows the road from Dowra to Glangevlin, that is wild > country!! > > Dave > > > > > On 29/04/2015 14:53, Dee Byster-Graham wrote: >> It's amazing that wild deer are still found in the area, are they left to >> roam free or do people hunt them in the season? >> >> It adds up to an almost Baronial way of living, doesn't it; my initial >> imagined ideas of their life is nowhere near the reality of the situation >> as >> it was. > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > http://www.avast.com > > ================================== > > https://www.google.ie/ > ================================== > http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/placenames/ > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FERMANAGH-GOLD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

As soon as my ISP gets sorted I'll look at some more on that site.. 2 ISP's are combining and they seem to be conflicting at times in software... I grew up with that stuff so take a lot for granted, just a way of life and I'd imagine you'd find people having to drive miles to get to their farm on other side of border.. many lived 'down south' but had land 'up north' and still do. DH On 30/04/2015 03:41, John Olson-Kennedy wrote: > I'd also add that it's worth watching the overview videos that > describe the project as a whole and the scope of just how many > crossing points were closed over the years: > > http://www.borderroadmemories.com/about-the-project/ > > Fascinating stuff indeed. > > These match very closely with the family lore that's been passed down > to me... > > > John in NC --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

http://ie.geoview.info/north_leitrim_mountains,7414160p https://www.flickr.com/photos/10213500@N08/sets/72157624181628266/ would be Magauran territory all the way up to Lough McNean/Belcoo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballymagauran On 30/04/2015 01:58, Dee Byster-Graham wrote: > > Dave, > > Many, many thanks for bringing alive the land of my ancestors for me, > your intimate knowledge of the area has enabled this to happen. > > Written down all the landmarks you mention, and shall spend today > visiting them via google earth shall start at the river and work my > way east. > > Loved the goat story – ferocious beastie they can be, and huge too, I > would not face one. > > Sobering to realise that one tree could be considered more important > than the lives of a family, that degree of inhumanity is almost > inconceivable. It’s grand to hear they prospered elsewhere, even if > the Vicar burnt the church down :) > > Dee. > --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

Obvious a convenient location - always providing the local tipple is up to standard :) Dave, was the Inn owned by a Magauran or named after the locality, would you know? Sounds like an inn may have been on that site for many centuries. Certainly a great game area - they probably only ate eels during Lent, being Catholic. I recall reading somewhere that England's Sir Thomas Moore felt repentant because he was able to eat buttered eel pie during Lent, when in fact it was his favourite dish thus could not consider it penance. It's amazing that wild deer are still found in the area, are they left to roam free or do people hunt them in the season? It adds up to an almost Baronial way of living, doesn't it; my initial imagined ideas of their life is nowhere near the reality of the situation as it was. Dee. -----Original Message----- From: Dave H [mailto:hallmarkone@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, 29 April 2015 11:19 PM To: Dee Byster-Graham; fermanagh-gold@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: FERMANAGH-GOLD Eels I will of course frequent the Magauran Inn at end of laneway.. must check who owns it! Always handy to find a lake near a pub.. and of course to stand in one county while fishing in the next! In Northern Ireland one needs a license to fish while down south one doesn't (Anglers do!) BUT there are rivers where border runs down middle of river, so if I catch a fish and he swims to other side can I legally bring it in (import it?)?? The Magaurans were there from 1400's or earlier so they would have had plenty of hunting, Deers, Wild Pig etc, still quite a few Deer around those parts so they wouldn't have gone hungry! Dave On 29/04/2015 13:49, Dee Byster-Graham wrote: > By all means, Sir Dave, > > If I can claim some kind of hereditary right I would be > positivelydelighted to pass it on to you! > Noblesse oblige and all that. :)) > > Tee-hee --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

By all means, Sir Dave, If I can claim some kind of hereditary right I would be positivelydelighted to pass it on to you! Noblesse oblige and all that. :)) Tee-hee -----Original Message----- From: fermanagh-gold-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:fermanagh-gold-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Dave H via Sent: Wednesday, 29 April 2015 10:15 PM To: fermanagh-gold@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: FERMANAGH-GOLD Eels Found everywhere Dee... or at least in all the places I go fishing! grrrrr.... As a distant relation is it OK if I try Magauran lake?? I'll stay on Leitrim side but cast into Cavan water! DH On 29/04/2015 13:09, Dee Byster-Graham via wrote: > Eels would have ratde high on the list of edible protein available > to most folks in medieval Ireland as they were in England. > Are they to be found in most loughs? > The Dolans had half of the large Meenagleragh Lough on their property, > probably eels were part of their diet. ` --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com ================================== https://www.google.ie/ ================================== http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/placenames/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FERMANAGH-GOLD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I'd also add that it's worth watching the overview videos that describe the project as a whole and the scope of just how many crossing points were closed over the years: http://www.borderroadmemories.com/about-the-project/ Fascinating stuff indeed. These match very closely with the family lore that's been passed down to me... John in NC On 2015/04/28 04:03 , Dave H via wrote: > I suppose having lived here through those times we just take it for > granted so I can understand what you mean and indeed interviews etc are > few and far between, will listen to a few after your expert advice!! > :-)) > > Dave > > > Re: FERMANAGH-GOLD Landmark... landlines!! > /Date:/ Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:48:30 +1000 > /References:/ <579E8677-FA99-4940-B7FF-9EFCD0336897@northwestel.net> > <553B404D.9060903@gmail.com> > <001101d0816f$69e06150$3da123f0$@bigpond.net.au><553F1B94.200@gmail.com> > /In-Reply-To:/ <553F1B94.200@gmail.com> > Dave, > > It was also the content of the interviews which I found interesting. > This is the kind of history which explains a great deal, but can rarely be > found in the voice of the people who lived through it; to hear their > experiences in their own voices was amazing. > Most importantly, they directly relate to our various family trees and > family histories. > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > http://www.avast.com > ================================== > > https://www.google.ie/ > ================================== > http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/placenames/ > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FERMANAGH-GOLD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

http://www.irishgenealogynews.com/2015/04/nli-announces-date-for-launch-of-rc.html --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

Dave and Vi, Nice to know that the eels are still to be had in NI - many places in the world have lost them, possibly due to pollution of the rivers where they breed. Their skin must be like sandpaper when dried, no wonder interesting uses could be found for it such as razor strops etc. We live in an' in-built obsolescent' society unlike out ancestors who found a use for everything - I marvel at the uses various items of by-product could be put to! Eels would have ratde high on the list of edible protein available to most folks in medieval Ireland as they were in England. Are they to be found in most loughs? The Dolans had half of the large Meenagleragh Lough on their property, probably eels were part of their diet. ` Eels are found in Australia also, quite edible, although they are not considered a delicacy - they can be found in most farm dams, ponds, and rivers. We have them here on the Island in the old dam at the back of my allotment. It is believed the minuscule young become attached to the mud clinging to the feet of birds and travel across vast stretches of arid land to the next water hole. Kindly, Dee. -----Original Message----- From: fermanagh-gold-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:fermanagh-gold-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Dave H via Sent: Wednesday, 29 April 2015 8:44 PM To: fermanagh-gold@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: FERMANAGH-GOLD Eels They emigrate to Saragosa Sea and return years later (when Visa runs out!) then return to river where they were born. There are some commercial fisheries around that catch them when they return and vast amount goes to Europe. On some of the big lakes there used to be trawlers mainly for catching Perch, they have all gone. DH On 29/04/2015 10:48, Viola Wiggins via wrote: > When I was a child [Good name for the book?] there was a man who used > to buy all the Eels caught. He was known to me only as "The Eel man", > and he stored floating boxes of Eels in Rossole Lough beside the > Sligo Road in Enniskillen,. > They were exported to London I think. I suppose for their Jellied Eels. > There is only one main backbone in an Eel and they are very tasty > skinned and either fried on the pan or poached in milk.. The fresh > skins would be used for a sprained wrist. As the skin dried out on the wrist it tightened. > Skins stretched on a board, and dried it was used as Razor Strops for > sharpening Cut throat Razors. > Fishermen used to fish for Eels in Lough Erne with a long Set line, > anchored at each end with floating marker buoys at intervals There > would have been perhaps 50 dropper baited lines tied to it. The set > line was lifted with a long boat hook and the Eels stored in the > bottom of the boat. They can live for ages out of water as long as > their skin is kept damp and have been known to travel over land between rivers according to my father. > Ken and I loved Eel but I have not had any for years. They are slimey > and one needs a cloth to hold them to take the hook out. Ken killed > them by cutting the backbone at the back of their neck, which also > severed their main artery. > viola ><snip>

Still there roaming free but there is only a limited hunting season. Remember once fishing until dark.. was sitting in car having a coffee, minding my own business when I looked out and saw a Stag staring in at me... not sure who got the biggest fright!! Have also had to slam on brakes when one decides to jump out to cross a road, 2 people killed recently when they swerved to avoid one and hit tree. Plus, with so many lakes there were Duck etc too. Pigeon, Pheasants etc in woods, food everywhere!! Over the generations people lost hunting skills, then famine hit.... same with medicines, people used local plants for cures, couldn't write so much has been lost! Was out near Blacklion last week, beautiful day so drove into woods up to mountain top, went strolling in wood only to come around a corner to find a wild Billy goat standing there scratching the ground the way bulls do, had to stop and walk backwards as he was definitely going to charge if I got nearer, thankfully he just stood his ground happy with me backing off... then I spotted the female which as far as I could make out, was giving birth. Thankfully, I knew not to turn and run... Vi probably knows the road from Dowra to Glangevlin, that is wild country!! Dave On 29/04/2015 14:53, Dee Byster-Graham wrote: > It's amazing that wild deer are still found in the area, are they left to > roam free or do people hunt them in the season? > > It adds up to an almost Baronial way of living, doesn't it; my initial > imagined ideas of their life is nowhere near the reality of the situation as > it was. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

Well one should try and understand the terrain on which kin lived for 'lifestyle'. Lush meadow or boggy mountain etc also the Magaurans wouldn't really have travelled West for one simple reason... the O'Rourkes! Another tribe! If you go back to the turf cutting photos I sent link to... that is the terrain of the Magaurans all the way up to and into Fermanagh. Also you then have the River Shannon where there would only have been maybe 4 or 5 crossing points in it's 300 mile length until railways came into existence. So, even during famine times there would have been plenty of game, fish, plus a lot of streams etc with shellfish, eels, BUT tenant farmers often had it written into lease that they weren't allowed hunt etc... often there was plenty of food but fear of eviction played a large part in things.. and some of my C of I folk were thrown out for cutting down a tree for firewood during famine, got a bit of land in Tyrone for few years before returning to Monaghan, the 2 sons born there have no church records as Rector knocked over oil lamp and burnt rectory down, records included. Luckily I know, otherwise I'd be looking for them. Even with eels, whoever owned the land where stream is wouldn't allow others to put in traps.. People made their own wicker eel traps to their own design, often only checked them once a week! I can go into pub and ask.... but will I remember when I leave??? :-)) DH On 29/04/2015 14:53, Dee Byster-Graham wrote: > Obvious a convenient location - always providing the local tipple is up to > standard:) > > Dave, was the Inn owned by a Magauran or named after the locality, would you > know? Sounds like an inn may have been on that site for many centuries. > Certainly a great game area - they probably only ate eels during Lent, > being Catholic. I recall reading somewhere that England's Sir Thomas Moore > felt repentant because he was able to eat buttered eel pie during Lent, > when in fact it was his favourite dish thus could not consider it penance. > > It's amazing that wild deer are still found in the area, are they left to > roam free or do people hunt them in the season? > > It adds up to an almost Baronial way of living, doesn't it; my initial > imagined ideas of their life is nowhere near the reality of the situation as > it was. > > Dee. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

I will of course frequent the Magauran Inn at end of laneway.. must check who owns it! Always handy to find a lake near a pub.. and of course to stand in one county while fishing in the next! In Northern Ireland one needs a license to fish while down south one doesn't (Anglers do!) BUT there are rivers where border runs down middle of river, so if I catch a fish and he swims to other side can I legally bring it in (import it?)?? The Magaurans were there from 1400's or earlier so they would have had plenty of hunting, Deers, Wild Pig etc, still quite a few Deer around those parts so they wouldn't have gone hungry! Dave On 29/04/2015 13:49, Dee Byster-Graham wrote: > By all means, Sir Dave, > > If I can claim some kind of hereditary right I would be positivelydelighted > to pass it on to you! > Noblesse oblige and all that. :)) > > Tee-hee --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

Found everywhere Dee... or at least in all the places I go fishing! grrrrr.... As a distant relation is it OK if I try Magauran lake?? I'll stay on Leitrim side but cast into Cavan water! DH On 29/04/2015 13:09, Dee Byster-Graham via wrote: > Eels would have ratde high on the list of edible protein available to most > folks in medieval Ireland as they were in England. > Are they to be found in most loughs? > The Dolans had half of the large Meenagleragh Lough on their property, > probably eels were part of their diet. ` --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

Vi, Thanks for posting the link. Lots of interesting data here - and some of the letters touch the heart! I understand that in earlier times eels were commercially fished - can one still catch eels anywhere in Fermanagh, and do you know if they were used by the locals as a food source in earlier days? Kindly Dee. -----Original Message----- From: fermanagh-gold-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:fermanagh-gold-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Viola Wiggins via Sent: Wednesday, 29 April 2015 8:06 AM To: FERMANAGH GOLD Subject: FERMANAGH-GOLD Fw: Enhanced British Parliamentary Papers On Ireland weir letter This is a link to a WEIR letter which I found on the above site. Gives a little pen picture of life in the old country. Incidently Weir's Bridge was named after the two Eel Weirs on the River Erne where it was built. Viola http://www.dippam.ac.uk/ied/records/29906 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com ================================== https://www.google.ie/ ================================== http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/placenames/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FERMANAGH-GOLD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

They emigrate to Saragosa Sea and return years later (when Visa runs out!) then return to river where they were born. There are some commercial fisheries around that catch them when they return and vast amount goes to Europe. On some of the big lakes there used to be trawlers mainly for catching Perch, they have all gone. DH On 29/04/2015 10:48, Viola Wiggins via wrote: > When I was a child [Good name for the book?] there was a man who used to buy > all the Eels caught. He was known to me only as "The Eel man", and he > stored floating boxes of Eels in Rossole Lough beside the Sligo Road in > Enniskillen,. > They were exported to London I think. I suppose for their Jellied Eels. > There is only one main backbone in an Eel and they are very tasty skinned > and either fried on the pan or poached in milk.. The fresh skins would be > used for a sprained wrist. As the skin dried out on the wrist it tightened. > Skins stretched on a board, and dried it was used as Razor Strops for > sharpening Cut throat Razors. > Fishermen used to fish for Eels in Lough Erne with a long Set line, anchored > at each end with floating marker buoys at intervals There would have been > perhaps 50 dropper baited lines tied to it. The set line was lifted with a > long boat hook and the Eels stored in the bottom of the boat. They can live > for ages out of water as long as their skin is kept damp and have been known > to travel over land between rivers according to my father. > Ken and I loved Eel but I have not had any for years. They are slimey and > one needs a cloth to hold them to take the hook out. Ken killed them by > cutting the backbone at the back of their neck, which also severed their > main artery. > viola > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > http://www.avast.com > > ================================== > > https://www.google.ie/ > ================================== > http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/placenames/ > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FERMANAGH-GOLD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

When I was a child [Good name for the book?] there was a man who used to buy all the Eels caught. He was known to me only as "The Eel man", and he stored floating boxes of Eels in Rossole Lough beside the Sligo Road in Enniskillen,. They were exported to London I think. I suppose for their Jellied Eels. There is only one main backbone in an Eel and they are very tasty skinned and either fried on the pan or poached in milk.. The fresh skins would be used for a sprained wrist. As the skin dried out on the wrist it tightened. Skins stretched on a board, and dried it was used as Razor Strops for sharpening Cut throat Razors. Fishermen used to fish for Eels in Lough Erne with a long Set line, anchored at each end with floating marker buoys at intervals There would have been perhaps 50 dropper baited lines tied to it. The set line was lifted with a long boat hook and the Eels stored in the bottom of the boat. They can live for ages out of water as long as their skin is kept damp and have been known to travel over land between rivers according to my father. Ken and I loved Eel but I have not had any for years. They are slimey and one needs a cloth to hold them to take the hook out. Ken killed them by cutting the backbone at the back of their neck, which also severed their main artery. viola --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

As a complement to Viola's Rose Weir letter, there are a further 9 letters from Rose Weir, written from 1888 to 1912 on http://applications.proni.gov.uk/LL_DCAL_PRONI_ECATNI/SearchPage.aspx Carole E.