Patricia, Unfortunately, most of the details you've given us seems to relate to the period after arrival in America. You say "HE" came to America in 1905. I presume you mean "THEY". That means all the children where born in USA. You don't include locations. That said, it looks like they married between 1901 - 1905. So I'd agree with Diane that the place to look is 1901 Irish census. You'll find it via Google and it's free. That should give some clues to a specific location. I'd then go to Family Search and check Irish Civil Registrations. You'll need to find separate marriage records for both bride and groom and match them by date and location. You can also go back and look for births of Bridget and Patrick and possible siblings, but you'll need the census to tie them all together. Peter

I would also be interested in any replies thanks. Jackie Callinan Melbourne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tony O'Grady" <tonyogrady26@gmail.com> To: <irl-clare@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 9:44 AM Subject: [IRL-CLARE] Kilshanny/Kilfenora local history > Does anyone on the list know if any local histories of the > Kilshanny/Kilfenora have been published? I am especially interested in the > 18th / 19th century period as several branches of my family came from that > area. > > Tony O'Grady > Melbourne. > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Does anyone on the list know if any local histories of the Kilshanny/Kilfenora have been published? I am especially interested in the 18th / 19th century period as several branches of my family came from that area. Tony O'Grady Melbourne.

I, too, would be interested in information and local history of Kilshanny as some of our relatives (Guthrie and Cusick among others) came from that area. thank you. Nancy I. Baker On Jun 11, 2013, at 5:44 PM, Tony O'Grady wrote: > Does anyone on the list know if any local histories of the Kilshanny/Kilfenora have been published? I am especially interested in the 18th / 19th century period as several branches of my family came from that area. > > Tony O'Grady > Melbourne. > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Actually, it says they went the same year. I just found an oddity. In 1905 Patrick and the Murrays are in Hudson Co. NJ Patrick Considine in household of Cornelious Murray, "New Jersey, State Census, 1905" (No image so I have no date.) Name: *Patrick Considine Titles and Terms: Mr Event Type: Census Event Year: 1905 Event Place: , Hudson, New Jersey, United States Gender: Male Age: 28 Birth Year (Estimated): 1877 Household Gender Age Birthplace Cornelious Murray M 30 Mary Murray F 29 Thomas Murray M 1 William Oconner M 30 Patrick Considine M 28 *Stella Considine F 29 ====================================== In 1910: Name: Stella Considine Age in 1910: 32 Birth Year: abt 1878 Birthplace: Ireland Home in 1910: Bayonne Ward 4, Hudson, New Jersey Immigration Year: 1905 Relation to Head of House: Wife Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Patrick Considine Father's Birthplace: Ireland Mother's Birthplace: Ireland Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Patrick Considine 32 Stella Considine 32 Thomas Considine 4 Mary Considine 2 Norah Considine 2 NJ Christenings: First child: Name: Thomas Considine Gender: Male Birth Date: 22 Jan 1906 Birth Place: Bayonne, Hudson, New Jersey Christening Date: 4 Feb 1906 Father's Name: Patrick Mother's Name: Bridget McNamara Name: Mary Considine Gender: Female Birth Date: 17 Dec 1907 Birth Place: Bayonne, Hudson, New Jersey Name: Nora Considine Gender: Female Birth Date: 17 Dec 1907 Okay..so the really hard to swallow bit of info is the Bridget was called Stella apparently. I am afraid if Patricia had a hard time accepting my Delia name, she will love seeing Stella. Too much? :) Ah well...I am off to bed. Christina Peter R Booth wrote: > When you look at 1920 US census, you get a rather different picture. > > Both husband and wife went together to USA in 1905. All children were > born in New Jersey. Thomas 1906 and Mary and Nora were 1908 (not 1906 as > advised). Some of the other children were out slightly. > > I think 1901 census or Ireland should have the answers. Knowing both > Patrick& Bridget were born c1877 will help. Their births should also appear > on civil registrations on Family Search.

Well, I looked at Ellis Island's database. She may have been on the ship under her maiden name, but I didn't see her. I strongly suggested getting the marriage record but census is also good idea, as I agreed. Interestingly, the passenger record stated that he had already come to the U.S. and lived in Chicago a short time in 1903. Then he went back. Why? Death in the family? To get married? At any rate going back to Ireland is not terribly common in and of itself. I don't quite see the numbers problem. The passenger record stated that he was married. She couldn't get pregnant if she was pregnant whether she was in Ireland or with him. She may have followed on shortly or not been listed in the right way. I could not find her. The 1920 census did state that they both arrived in 1905. Patricia was stuck as near as I could tell, and she is on her way to some answers. She needs to order some records which is what I suggested privately. I would want to see that marriage record and New Jersey death records for starters. So, I am not really doing "all" the research for her. Just pointing her in directions which I think is what she was hoping for. Christina Peter R Booth wrote: > Christina, With experienced researchers like you and I, you immediately start > asking all these questions. And then if you look too hard, you end up doing > all the research for them and take away the thrill of discovery. If you have the correct marriage in March qtr 1905, it seems strange > that just a few months later he's off on his own to USA. Further, look at > the supposed births of children. Thomas is born 1906 and then twins Mary and > Nora in December that same year. So in the space of some 22 months after > marriage, she's had two pregnancies and her husband has been away in America > for what must be at least three months. For the numbers to add up, she must > have been pregnant when he left shortly after marriage, and got pregnant > almost immediately again they next met, either in Clare or USA. Patricia might need to look at some US birth, migration and census > records to see where children were born. It's not a case of just one look up. It all needs to be cross checked. > Each record only provides part of the total picture.

Hi Peter. I was helping this morning. 1901 a good idea. I think I found them marrying in 1905. He did come over alone. With a cousin but not his wife. Chris On Jun 11, 2013 9:02 PM, "Peter R Booth" <pbo08596@bigpond.net.au> wrote: > Patricia, > > Unfortunately, most of the details you've given us seems to relate to > the period after arrival in America. > > You say "HE" came to America in 1905. I presume you mean "THEY". That > means all the children where born in USA. You don't include locations. > > That said, it looks like they married between 1901 - 1905. So I'd agree > with Diane that the place to look is 1901 Irish census. You'll find it via > Google and it's free. That should give some clues to a specific location. > > I'd then go to Family Search and check Irish Civil Registrations. > You'll > need to find separate marriage records for both bride and groom and match > them by date and location. > > You can also go back and look for births of Bridget and Patrick and > possible siblings, but you'll need the census to tie them all together. > > Peter > > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

From Ancestry: Jan-Feb-Mar 1905 Kilrush Vol 4 237 Patrick Considine <<- Martin M'Inerney Delia M'Namara <<- Mary Normoyle Regards, Christina dlculhane@cs.com wrote: > Kilrush filmed marriage records end in 1880 and I can't find the marriage in the civil index. If you know when they were born, you might look for them in the 1901 Irish census. > > Diane > > -----Original Message----- > From: Patricia Hanenburg<thh4@sbcglobal.net> > To: IRL-CLARE<IRL-CLARE@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tue, Jun 11, 2013 2:33 pm > Subject: [IRL-CLARE] McNamara Considine > > > Hi, > Looking for birth/parent info on Bridget McNamara Considine, my great > grandmother and her husband Patrick (Patt) Considine. There are indications > they were probably married in County Clare, possibly Killrush. He came to > America in 1905. She died at 16 W. 18th Street, Bayonne, NJ, on November 21, > 1931. She was involved at St. Mary's Catholic Church, now St. Mary's Star of the > Sea Church. > > Children of Bridget McNamara and Patrick Considine: > > Thomas 1906 > Mary (Mae) Dec.18 1906 > Nora (Norma) Dec 18 1906 > Michael 1909 > Joseph 1911 > Helen 1917 > Margaret 1917 > > > Patrick had an Aunt 'Mrs. Murphy' in Jersey City, NJ, where he lived for awhile. > Her son was Thomas Murray who became a Jesuit Priest and taught/lived at St. > Peter's Prep in Jersey City, NJ. > > Irish cousins listed as George and Margaret Lee in Limerick and Dan and Mae > Mulconry in Kilkee. > > Thanks for any info! > Tricia > >

Kilrush filmed marriage records end in 1880 and I can't find the marriage in the civil index. If you know when they were born, you might look for them in the 1901 Irish census. Diane -----Original Message----- From: Patricia Hanenburg <thh4@sbcglobal.net> To: IRL-CLARE <IRL-CLARE@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tue, Jun 11, 2013 2:33 pm Subject: [IRL-CLARE] McNamara Considine Hi, Looking for birth/parent info on Bridget McNamara Considine, my great grandmother and her husband Patrick (Patt) Considine. There are indications they were probably married in County Clare, possibly Killrush. He came to America in 1905. She died at 16 W. 18th Street, Bayonne, NJ, on November 21, 1931. She was involved at St. Mary's Catholic Church, now St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church. Children of Bridget McNamara and Patrick Considine: Thomas 1906 Mary (Mae) Dec.18 1906 Nora (Norma) Dec 18 1906 Michael 1909 Joseph 1911 Helen 1917 Margaret 1917 Patrick had an Aunt 'Mrs. Murphy' in Jersey City, NJ, where he lived for awhile. Her son was Thomas Murray who became a Jesuit Priest and taught/lived at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, NJ. Irish cousins listed as George and Margaret Lee in Limerick and Dan and Mae Mulconry in Kilkee. Thanks for any info! Tricia ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi,  Looking for birth/parent info on Bridget McNamara Considine, my great grandmother and her husband Patrick (Patt) Considine.  There are indications they were probably married in County Clare, possibly Killrush. He came to America in 1905. She died at 16 W. 18th Street, Bayonne, NJ, on November 21, 1931. She was involved at St. Mary's Catholic Church, now St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church.  Children of Bridget McNamara and Patrick Considine: Thomas 1906 Mary (Mae) Dec.18 1906 Nora (Norma) Dec 18 1906 Michael 1909 Joseph 1911 Helen 1917 Margaret 1917 Patrick had an Aunt 'Mrs. Murphy' in Jersey City, NJ, where he lived for awhile.  Her son was Thomas Murray who became a Jesuit Priest and taught/lived at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, NJ. Irish cousins listed as George and Margaret Lee in Limerick and Dan and Mae Mulconry in Kilkee. Thanks for any info! Tricia

Re William TOWNSEND born 1875 (Cleveland OH) - died 1955 (Lidcombe NSW) Mary, As I said earlier, this should be a separate subject. Then you could include all the bits and pieces you know form his war record, letters and death certificate. At the moment we are being drip fed one clue at a time. We know from his WWI record that he came to Australia, enlisted in 1917 and gave his mother in Ohio as next of kin. So he wasn't married. You previously told us there were no family mentioned on his 1955 NSW death certificate> I did ask you who was the informant. You now tell us you have a 1943 letter mentioning a wife. This suggests his wife may have predeceased him and there was nobody that knew any details for his death. Again, who was the informant? You might double check Townsend names in Ashfield in Australian Electoral Rolls on Ancestry and try to match the Bruce St address, but as I previously stated, if he retained US citizenship, he could not vote in Australia. His wife may be different. Unfortunately, you have all the letters and other details. So you need to go through them again and look for any more clues. Peter

Thanks Peter.  You are absolutely correct.  I plan on tearing apart the TOWNSEND files in the cabinet.  I think I will do a chart/spread sheet which will give a clearer picture.   Mary Ellen >________________________________ > From: Peter R Booth <pbo08596@bigpond.net.au> >To: irl-clare@rootsweb.com >Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 6:48 PM >Subject: Re: [IRL-CLARE] Daly, Murphy, Pyne Surname in drumline area > > >    Re William TOWNSEND born 1875 (Cleveland OH) - died 1955 (Lidcombe NSW) > >Mary, > >    As I said earlier, this should be a separate subject. Then you could >include all the bits and pieces you know form his war record, letters and >death certificate. At the moment we are being drip fed one clue at a time. > >    We know from his WWI record that he came to Australia, enlisted in 1917 >and gave his mother in Ohio as next of kin. So he wasn't married. > >    You previously told us there were no family mentioned on his 1955 NSW >death certificate> I did ask you who was the informant. > >    You now tell us you have a 1943 letter mentioning a wife. This suggests >his wife may have predeceased him and there was nobody that knew any details >for his death. Again, who was the informant? > >    You might double check Townsend names in Ashfield in Australian >Electoral Rolls on Ancestry and try to match the Bruce St address, but as I >previously stated, if he retained US citizenship, he could not vote in >Australia. His wife may be different. > >    Unfortunately, you have all the letters and other details. So you need >to go through them again and look for any more clues. > >    Peter > > > > > > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > >

HI Also he was WIA (GSW r buttock) in France and was sent to Hospital in London and then returned to Australia as medically unfit. MK -----Original Message----- From: irl-clare-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:irl-clare-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Mary Ellen Chambers Sent: Monday, 10 June 2013 1:46 AM To: irl-clare@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IRL-CLARE] Daly, Murphy, Pyne Surname in drumline area Peter~       Yes, we have his COD which does not mention a wife.  He was a RR Fireman in the USA before going out to Australia in 1913.  He is/was RC but may have changed to C of E.  His father was English Protestant/C of E and mother Irish RC.  I will have to go the file cabinet but think the hospital was Lipscomb (SP?) and cause was arterial stenosis of which there is a family history.       The relative who had the letters in Chicago, said they were donated to Woodsend Historical Society.  We have found them such a peak into an Australian family pre and during WW I.  So glad that they were given to Oz.        The last my Dad knew of him was during WW II when he contacted family to see why he was no longer receiving his RR pension.  Nephews checked it out to find that no monies were allowed to be sent to Australia during WW II for fear the Japanese would get it.  The pension with back checks started again after the war.   Mary Ellen Chambers ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 9.0.0.2308, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.21100) http://www.pctools.com/ ======= ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 9.0.0.2308, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.21100) http://www.pctools.com/ =======

HI His WW1 record states "C of E" Last known address 85 Elizabeth Street Ashfield, NSW I appears he was a member of the Lithgow I.O.O.F (Independent Order of Oddfellows) MK -----Original Message----- From: irl-clare-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:irl-clare-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Mary Ellen Chambers Sent: Monday, 10 June 2013 1:46 AM To: irl-clare@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IRL-CLARE] Daly, Murphy, Pyne Surname in drumline area Peter~       Yes, we have his COD which does not mention a wife.  He was a RR Fireman in the USA before going out to Australia in 1913.  He is/was RC but may have changed to C of E.  His father was English Protestant/C of E and mother Irish RC.  I will have to go the file cabinet but think the hospital was Lipscomb (SP?) and cause was arterial stenosis of which there is a family history.       The relative who had the letters in Chicago, said they were donated to Woodsend Historical Society.  We have found them such a peak into an Australian family pre and during WW I.  So glad that they were given to Oz.        The last my Dad knew of him was during WW II when he contacted family to see why he was no longer receiving his RR pension.  Nephews checked it out to find that no monies were allowed to be sent to Australia during WW II for fear the Japanese would get it.  The pension with back checks started again after the war.   Mary Ellen Chambers ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 9.0.0.2308, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.21100) http://www.pctools.com/ ======= ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 9.0.0.2308, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.21100) http://www.pctools.com/ =======

Mary, As you have the 1955 NSW death certificate of William Townsend, I think all known information is there. If there's no wife or children mentioned I'd suggest he didn't marry. Have a look at the informant. Also check for William's occupation and residential address. The death was registered at Lidcombe which is the next suburb to Rookwood. He probably died in Lidcombe Hospital. As I said previously, if he retained US citizenship, he won't appear on Electoral Rolls. Except for a $1.00 fee in Victoria, nearly all Australian BDM indexes are free online. So you don't even need an Ancestry subscription. You'll find all the links under BDM section of www.coraweb.com.au While Ancestry purports to have them all, a lot of later data is available on the individual state sites. Peter in Sydney

Helen, You don't say where you've looked. You'd be looking for a marriage of Mr CONOLE and Hanora DALTON around 1860. Unfortunately, Clare records aren't on the RootsIreland site, but you might check various records at Clare Library site. Children born after 1864 should be on Civil Registrations on Family Search. It may not give parents but will give clues to registration district. You don't say if you've found Hanora in 1901 & 1911 census. I couldn't see her in a quick look for Conole. Maybe you can provide the exact spelling and location. Knowing surname spelling and registration district may help narrow possibilities for Conole deaths between 1879-1901. Peter

Thanks Peter.  On the last letter (condolence on the death of my grandmother) 1943 he mentions his wife.  The address on the letter is 10 Bruce Street, Ashfield, NSW Since we are having a very rainy day here on the North Coast of OH, I plan to pull out all the hard copy TOWNSEND files and organize.  Surely do appreciate all your interest and other Aussies who have helped us in our family story.   Mary Ellen Lakewood, OH >________________________________ > From: Peter R Booth <pbo08596@bigpond.net.au> >To: irl-clare@rootsweb.com >Sent: Sunday, June 9, 2013 9:32 PM >Subject: Re: [IRL-CLARE] Daly, Murphy, Pyne Surname in drumline area > > >Mary, > >    As you have the 1955 NSW death certificate of William Townsend, I think >all known information is there. If there's no wife or children mentioned I'd >suggest he didn't marry. > >    Have a look at the informant. Also check for William's occupation and >residential address. > >    The death was registered at Lidcombe which is the next suburb to >Rookwood. He probably died in Lidcombe Hospital. > >    As I said previously, if he retained US citizenship, he won't appear on >Electoral Rolls. > >    Except for a $1.00 fee in Victoria, nearly all Australian BDM indexes >are free online. So you don't even need an Ancestry subscription. You'll >find all the links under BDM section of http://www.coraweb.com.au/ > >    While Ancestry purports to have them all, a lot of later data is >available on the individual state sites. > >    Peter in Sydney > > > > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CLARE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > >

Hi Mary Ellen You may have to widen your right hand margin to view this message without the Registration Index results wrapping where they shouldn't. Unfortunately the info on death certificates is only as good as the knowledge of the informant. That said, if you want to try the 1955 death certificate, the following is the URL to search NSW historic BDM indices and I've extracted the result for Wm Thomas TOWNSEND. A NSW death certificate can possibly give you parents' names, place and date of birth, wife's name, place of and age at marriage, childrens' names - all if known to informant. However, from this entry it appears there might not be enough on this death cert to allow you to rule him in or out. Since the informant didn't know his parents' names, they may also not have known other personal details. I guess the only way you can find out is to buy the certificate. Also, I'd have to agree with Peter about the RC burial of a protestant, although if nobody knew much about the deceased, perhaps they didn't know what his religion was either. http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/searchHistoricalRecords.htm <http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/IndexSearch?form=IndexingSearch&cgiurl=%2Fcgi-bin%2FIndex%2FIndexingBirth.cgi&sname=townsend&gname=william&fname=&mname=&event=deaths&frange=1955&trange=&place=&x=39&y=7&SessionID=40071758&reorder=regno>Registration No <http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/IndexSearch?form=IndexingSearch&cgiurl=%2Fcgi-bin%2FIndex%2FIndexingBirth.cgi&sname=townsend&gname=william&fname=&mname=&event=deaths&frange=1955&trange=&place=&x=39&y=7&SessionID=40071758&reorder=col2>Last Name <http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/IndexSearch?form=IndexingSearch&cgiurl=%2Fcgi-bin%2FIndex%2FIndexingBirth.cgi&sname=townsend&gname=william&fname=&mname=&event=deaths&frange=1955&trange=&place=&x=39&y=7&SessionID=40071758&reorder=col3>Given Name(s) <http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/IndexSearch?form=IndexingSearch&cgiurl=%2Fcgi-bin%2FIndex%2FIndexingBirth.cgi&sname=townsend&gname=william&fname=&mname=&event=deaths&frange=1955&trange=&place=&x=39&y=7&SessionID=40071758&reorder=col4>Father's Given Name(s) <http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/IndexSearch?form=IndexingSearch&cgiurl=%2Fcgi-bin%2FIndex%2FIndexingBirth.cgi&sname=townsend&gname=william&fname=&mname=&event=deaths&frange=1955&trange=&place=&x=39&y=7&SessionID=40071758&reorder=col5>Mother's Given Name(s) <http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/IndexSearch?form=IndexingSearch&cgiurl=%2Fcgi-bin%2FIndex%2FIndexingBirth.cgi&sname=townsend&gname=william&fname=&mname=&event=deaths&frange=1955&trange=&place=&x=39&y=7&SessionID=40071758&reorder=col8>District 20384/1955 TOWNSEND WILLIAM THOMAS [died at] LIDCOMBE UNKNOWN PARRAMATTA If you're going to buy this, can I suggest you don't buy from the NSW Registry. It's much cheaper to use one of the Transcription Agents, listed at the bottom of this page: http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/howToTraceYouFamTree.htm#TranscriptionAgent You will need to quote the Registration No I've posted above. I've used the first two and can recommend both personally. FWIW, the TOWNSEND Surname website says this man was born 1875: http://www.searle-ons.com/townsend/p265.htm and died aged 80, which *would* tied in with his age given on his WWI enlistment. So he may be the right man after all. I'd suggest someone has seen the death cert to have that much info, and that to me indicates a marriage wasn't mentioned on it. But that's just my surmise. Why do you think he was married? Could I also suggest you might extend your search to other states? Just because he enlisted in NSW doesn't mean he necessarily married there. During the war people form all places were thrown together by circumstances and if he did subsequently marry, he may have met someone from another state. Check out <http://www.coraweb.com.au>www.coraweb.com.au for links to other sites you may need. HTH Pam An Aussie transplanted to Rotorua, NZ. At 12:54 p.m. 8-06-2013 -0700, you wrote: >Also have been unable to find a marriage record in NSW for Wm. >Thomas TOWNSEND circa 1919 to 1945. I know when he returned to OZ >after being wounded in France WW I, he was not married at that >time. Thus the 1919 start. He expired in 29 June 1955 and is >buried at Rookwood Cem. RC section but can find no reference to a wife.

Hi I am trying to find the name of the father of Annie b1862,Mary b1864,Catherine b1866,Johanna b1869,John b1871,Michael b1873,Patrick b1877,& Hanora b1879.Their mother was Hanora DALTON bc 1838 d1921 atEnnistymon.I am trying to trace father's name so I can go back to earlier generations to see if they are my relatives Thanks Helen McNamara NZ

Mary, I'm not 100% convinced that the 1955 NSW death of William Thomas Townsend is your's. Do you have any proof? The reason for my doubt is the WWI records shows William Thomas Townsend born c1875 in Cleveland, Ohio is C of E. Yet you are suggesting a RC burial. By his enlistment in 1917, he is a 42 yr old fireman, but gives next of kin as mother, Hanora in Ohio. So presumably he's not married. I'm wondering if he ever married. Unfortunately, he seems to have retained his American citizenship. As such he won't appear on Australian Electoral Rolls, but may show up in Sands Directories or phone listings. This being the case, his death certificate may be the only option, if you are convinced the 1955 death is the right one. Peter