Bridget and Mary McNamara, ex Panama
Bridget and Mary McNamara, Panama Immigration Board List, 1850. (Image: Ancestry.com)
Bridget McNamara, age 19, and Mary McNamara, age 18, were sisters. Their parents, Thomas and Honora, were both dead. Both sisters claim to be able to read, but not write.
The Immigration Agent recorded they were from Westport, however the workhouse records reveal that they were from Achill Island, discussed here. The explanation as to why Mary gave her religion as Church of England, whilst her sister Bridget is recorded as being Roman Catholic, is discussed here.
The Famine Orphan Girl Database records that Bridget McNamara was employed by J Nathan, in Hunter St in Sydney, for one year at £8pa. Mary McNamara was employed by A McLean, on King St in Sydney, on the same terms. This means that in their first positions, the sisters were within a 10 minute walk from each other.
The Immigration Agent recorded they were from Westport, however the workhouse records reveal that they were from Achill Island, discussed here. The explanation as to why Mary gave her religion as Church of England, whilst her sister Bridget is recorded as being Roman Catholic, is discussed here.
The Famine Orphan Girl Database records that Bridget McNamara was employed by J Nathan, in Hunter St in Sydney, for one year at £8pa. Mary McNamara was employed by A McLean, on King St in Sydney, on the same terms. This means that in their first positions, the sisters were within a 10 minute walk from each other.
© Barbara Barclay (2015)
