Kilfenora
This is the little town in County Clare that Ellen and her family came from. Ellen left this town in 1853 to start the long journey to Australia. If you click the aerial view you can find the Catholic Church where Ellen’s little sister Siobhan and her little brother Patrick are probably buried. Patrick died as a baby and Siobhan as little girl. Ellen’s Mum had another baby called Patrick in 1837 that was my grandfather.
Kilfenora to Southampton.
How did Ellen travel ? Horse and cart, walking, and ferry from Dublin to Holyhead and then south to Southampton
Southhampton
Ellen travelled from Kilfenora, County Clare to Dublin or Wexford and then by ferry to Southampton where her ship the Tudor left for Australia on November 3rd, 1853.
Journeying with friends
Ellen left Kilfenora in September 1853 and I believe travelled with the McMahons who were from the same town. There were seven McMahon women on the Tudor and their names were Ellen McMahon aged 49, Joan McMahon 43, Honora McMahon 13, Margaret McMahon 22, Bridget McMahon 20 and twins Margaret and Catherine aged 16. This list fits the idea of chain migration where families sent money back to Ireland for passages, and organised groups to go together.
I imagine they all felt very sad leaving home, knowing they probably would never be back, and that they may never survive the journey. I also think they probably had a big party, a wake to say goodbye and people gave them lots of things to eat on the journey, like jams, sugar, biscuits and eggs to help with their diet on board the ship.