·        Dolly Kane told me of the existence of the Deanys, otherwise we would have lost their side of the family and never been able to trace the village of Shanagolden in Limerick.  From John Keane 1868 birth certificate it showed he was from Shanagolden.

2015_madigan_grave_from_7th_avenue_rd - Behind these graves in the foreground - Great Grand Father's Great Aunty and sister Ellen

Turn this over to read the message to contact Brian Kane for the family history

LIMERICK HOUSE IN CANNING ST.

 KEANE FAMILY TREE

DOWN HERE FOR PDF FORMAT OF KEANE FAMILY TREE TO PRINT

THE KANE ORIGINS Edmond Keane was born around 1775 in Co Kerry Ireland and one of his children was John Keane who was born about 1800. He subsequently married Margaret Madigan on 3 rd  March 1829 in County Athea Limerick.  He had 4 sons and 3 daughters.  Mary (born 1829), Edmond (born 1832 – one of his sons named John born in 1864 married and emigrated to the U.S.A), Margaret (born 1835), Daniel (our great grandfather born 1839 who lived in Shanagolden County Limerick and came to Australia in 1866), John (born 1841 and died in 1932 in Moig, Shanagolden Ireland), Timothy (born 1848) and Ellen (born 1849 came to Australia in 1867). The Keanes were farmers and John Keane (born approx. 1800) left the farm to Edmund who was Daniel Kane's eldest brother. Unfortunately, he was an alcoholic and the family said that ‘he drank the farm away.' (Source: Gerard and Mary Keane Dublin Ireland whom I met in 1983. Their father was Edmund Keane one of the top genealogists in Ireland and his grandfather was Edmund Keane who was the alcoholic). With nothing left but the original stone house (which still stands today) and with one quarter of the 8 million population leaving Ireland because of the potato famine in the 1840's, the remaining family looked for options. Margaret Madigan, who married John Keane in 1829, was the mother of our great grandfather Daniel. She had a sister named Mary Madigan who bravely decided to leave Ireland (aged 34) and travel to Australia on the other side of the world knowing that she would most likely never return. Anything would be better than being illiterate and poor; besides, she may have heard that Australia was riding on the back of a ‘gold rush' boom. Mary Madigan was born in 1819 and left Britain on the ship ‘Wanata' arriving in Victoria in 1853. She decided to live at 359 Canning St. Nth Carlton in an old style wooden house (replaced by a brick house in 1994) and after some time, she made contact with her family back in Ireland. Most likely she found someone who could write the letter for her and provide her address. The Canning St. area was still very rural in the 1850's but by the 1870's it really started to take the form of an urban ghetto for the Irish. Row upon row of small brick and stone buildings with minimal garden frontage were constructed. Ornate wrought iron fences bordered the front and the houses were decorated with intricate wrought iron lattice; all still mostly intact today. Across the road from Mary Madigan, a house has the date of 1875 largely visible near the roof and next door is a house with 'LIMERICK' beautifully displayed in the concrete frontage below the roof. It wasn't that long ago that there were plans to demolish this area but these days it is a very trendy part of Melbourne. Cars are tolerated but access is limited while the road is clearly marked mostly for bicycles. I spoke to a man who used to live in Eltham and now that he resides in Canning St he has come to appreciate the benefits of convenience and quietness. These houses which used to sell for $150,000 are now worth $1 million dollars. There was a lane way behind Mary Madigan's house constructed with the familiar ‘blue-stone' but it is mostly sealed off in the centre for private access. Across the road from Mary Madigan's house are two substantial buildings on adjacent corners, which no doubt were shops or a hotel to service the immediate area. Back in Ireland, Daniel Kane, our great grandfather, aged 23 and also illiterate, (hence the change in spelling – should have been Keane), left Liverpool on 26 th March 1866 on the ship “Star of India” for a voyage of 140 days. In the previous year, over 85,000 men had staged a rebellion and raised the Irish Republican flag. On embarking in Melbourne he made contact with his aunt, Mary Madigan, but soon left for Mt. Cole near Ararat where he earnt a living by being a carrier of timber. By 1869 at the age of 30, he found his way to Coleraine and married Johanna O'Donnell aged 26 who had arrived in Australia 2 years prior to him. They were married in Hamilton on 13 th Oct 1870 and both signed their name with a ‘X'. Daniel Kane probably came to Coleraine because Johanna O'Donnell's brother T. O'Donnell had taken up the present property in Church St. where Dolly lived in August 1862.  Daniel Kane then bought it from him in 1870.  Also, Johanna had a brother Patrick who was at the wedding in 1870. The quaint stone house still stands today. Daniel Kane named his first son John after his younger brother back in Ireland (born 1841).  His son Daniel was named after himself, Margaret was named after his older sister (born 1835).  Uncle Ned was named Edward (perhaps after his older brother Edmond (born 1832).  Meanwhile, also back in Ireland, Daniel's youngest sister Ellen, (born 1849) decided also to make the long journey by assisted passage at the age of 18 in 1867 on the ship ‘Queen of North'. After embarking in Melbourne she was also met by her aunt Mary Madigan and lived with her at 359 Canning St. Nth Carlton. Three years later, and the same year as her older brother Daniel (our great grandfather), she married John McNamara from Bathhurst N.S.W. on 19 th April 1870 in St. Francis Church Melbourne. Celebrant George V Barry. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE : Reg #1349 Ellen Kein aged 22 – (signed her own name but not very well.) Co Limerick Ireland. (She signed her name Kein but it should have been Keane) Parents of Ellen Kein (Kane): John Kein farmer and mother Margaret Maddigan. (Same parents as our great grandfather.) John McNamara aged 24 – illiterate signed with a ‘X' Parents of John McNamara: Michael McNamara (Miller) and Margaret Cleary Witnesses: Ellen Kenneally and Donald Casey. Ellen and John started their married life in a two storey stone house at 393 Canning St. Nth Carlton near Fenwick St and only about 100 metres up the road from her aunty Mary Madigan who lived at 359 Canning St. John and Ellen raised 11 children, but in that time the eldest boy John died, as well as a daughter Kathleen (known as Kate) at the age of 18 and another son, Joseph at the age of 10. Eventually Mary Madigan died on 6 th July 1889 of chronic bronchitis after 4 weeks of illness at the age of 70. She had been 36 years in Victoria, never married and is buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery at the Northern end. Having lived a fulfilling life, Ellen McNamara died at the Victoria Ward in Melbourne aged 74 on 1 st Dec 1923 of acute gastritis and a cerebral embolism over a 9 day period. She had been 56 years in Victoria and 2 years later her husband John also died on 17 th May 1925). Ellen McNamara, together with her children John, Kathleen and Joseph are buried in the same grave as her aunt Mary Madigan and also Ellen's husband John. The grave has an impressive headstone and is bordered by a rectangular rail and concrete pillars in the northern end of the Melbourne General Cemetery. Ellen Keane/Kane/Kein (McNamara) was called “Mackie”.  She was a quiet religious lady and people remember the black shawl she always wore.  Of Ellen's 11 children, the offspring were McNamara, Brosnan, Moran, Morgan and Kelly.  Ellen McNamara's children were: 1 John born 1871 (eldest) married Moy Fitzgerald. He had 4 children (John, Kathleen, Desmond and Nan who became a Nun Sr. Euphrasia (Good Shepherd Order), 2 Margaret born 1873, married Patrick Brosnan and had one son Margaret (Mag) McNamara aged approx 20 March 25th 1893 3 Thomas born 1875 (Tom) died 1936 aged 60 - never married 4 Mary born 1877 - 1957 St.Brigids school teacher later a dressmaker. She married Gerald Brosnan in 1903 St. Brigids Nth Fitzroy. Their children were: Kathleen Brosnan born 1904 (Arts Degree) Eileen Brosnan (1905-1978) Educated at St. Brigids - played the violin but never married Mary Brosnan 1908 MA Dip Ed Dr. Gerald Brosnan 1911 - 1989 St. Pat's East Melb - Medicine Melb Uni Pauline Brosnan 1913 teacher High School married Herbert Moran brother of Bishop Moran Kevin Brosnan 1915 - 1985 champion middle distance runner,   5 Ellen (known as Nell) born 1879, married twice (Edwards then Coffee) Nell looked after her mum and dad.  She had 2 marriages but no children.  6 Daniel born 1881 - had 6 children Daniel (Dan) McNamara (photo approx 1910)   7.Michael born 1883 had 4 children - Michael McNamara was a big man and died of pneumonia.  He had horses like his father and lived around Brunswick.  When he died the boys were put in the orphanage at Geelong.  One of the boys later left and became a chemist at Surfers Paradise later becoming a millionaire owning a string of properties at Mermaid Beach.  8. Kathleen born 1884 (‘Kate' died 1902 aged 18 – Cheltenham – heart failure – acute mania ‘bipolar' – four days), 9.Annie born 1885 (known as Doll), Ned Kane use to visit her often.  She married a Johnson.  10. Hannah born 1887(known as Flo) and died 1960 aged 69 - 2 children Ken Baillie (I KNEW HIM AND VISITED HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH HIS BROTHER PHILLIP) 11. Joseph Peter NcNamara born 1892(died 1902 aged 10 – ‘Idiocy', Tubercular Lymphadenitis and Broncho Pneumonia).  Notice how the same family names kept popping up.  Nell looked after her mum (Ellen) and dad (John McNamama).  She had 2 marriages but no children.  She was left the property of Mary Madigan at 359 Canning St. Nth Carlton.  She later married a farmer and lived at Mernda, 30 km north-east of Melbourne .  Michael McNamara was a big man and died of pneumonia.  He had horses like his father and lived around Brunswick.  When he died the boys were put into St. Augustine's orphanage at Geelong.  One of the boys later left and became a chemist at Surfers Paradise becoming a millionaire owning a string of properties at Mermaid Beach.  Ned Kane, our uncle, use to visit Annie (Doll) McNamara often. She later married a man with the surname ‘Johnson'.  The mother, Ellen, could sign her name on the marriage certificate in 1870, but her husband John was illiterate.  Dolly (Annie) Kane, in Coleraine, was in contact with the McNamara family over the years.  Dolly Kane was the one who had told me that  ELLEN MCNAMARA (KANE) was our great grandfathers sister and this was confirmed with the marriage certificate. Th parents of Ellen Kein (Kane): John Kein farmer and mother Margaret Maddigan. (Same parents as our great grandfather.) Dolly stayed with the Brosnan's often and received cards from them which I saw myself.  (I surmised rightly that the Brosnans were the descendants of Ellen Mc Namara.)   John McNamara husband of Ellen 1848-1923 was born in Bathurst N.S.W. in 1846. He lived with his wife at 393 Canning St Nth Carlton.  There was a lane close by at the rear of the building.  He had about 4 blocks and grew lucerne in the front yard for the horses.  He had 3 draft horses and stables. He had ducks and he used to live in the loft of the stable.  He was a sand carter and contractor and filled in the potholes from Elizabeth St. to the Sarah Sands Hotel which wasn't paved.  He had 2 drays and is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery with his wife Ellen.  JOHN KEANE (born 1841 great grandfathers younger brother stayed in Ireland and lived until 90, but his son John Keane (1868 – 1931) came to Australia and that started a whole new branch of the family. His daughter was Pat Deany and her daughter was Elaine Sandsodden.  Mum often corresponded with Pat and Elaine who sometimes came for afternoon tea.  On Jan 6 th  1916 Miss McNamara was thrown out of a buggy driven by Tommy Kane (son of Daniel Kane the Blacksmith). She was no doubt the daughter of Ellen Keane who had come up from Melbourne to Coleraine to visit her relatives. Most likely it was Annie (Doll) McNamara and she would have been 27 at the time. She and Uncle Ned were about the same age and were good friends. She most likely stayed at the Kane house on the Tarranlea Rd. with Uncle Ned and his half-sister Margaret. Mary Madigan Died 6 th July 1889 and buried on 8 th July 1889. Cause of death: Chronic bronchitis for 4 weeks prior Age 70 on the headstone and (86 years old according to the informant John McNamara which is most likely wrong) Lived at 359 Canning St., Nth Carlton 36 years in Victoria Originally from Co Limerick Ireland Unmarried Born: 1819 Came to Victoria in 1853 Younger sister of Margaret Madigan who married John Keane who was my great, great, grandfather. Ellen McNamara Died 1 st December 1923 Cause of death: Acute gastritis (7 days) and cerebral embolism (2 days) Age 74 years Lived at 359 Canning St., Nth Carlton 56 years in Victoria Originally from Co Limerick Ireland Husband: John McNamara originally from Bathurst N.S.W. He died on 17 th May 1925 aged 79 years, 2 years after his wife Ellen McNamara (Keane) Married:19 th April 1870 in St. Francis Church Melbourne Born: 1849 The informant John McNamara (husband) noted on the death certificate of his wife Ellen that her father was Kane. Children's age in 1923 after the death of their mother: John (dead), Margaret 50, Thomas 48, Mary 46, Ellen 44, Michael 40, Kathleen or Kate as she was known (died at age 18 on 2 nd April 1902), Annie (Doll) 38, Hannah (Flo) 36, Joseph (dead age 10 on 9 th October 1902) Uncle Ned Kane had a lot a contact with the McNamara family over the years. He was about the same age as Annie (Doll) and her sister Hannah (Flo) McNamara. On one occasion he had to chaperone Ann and Hannah (Doll and Flo).  They wouldn't let him into the carriage of the train so he was next door.  They went to the end of the line at Williamstown.  Ned had to check if they were still there at each station.  When he came back he said he would wash his hands of them so he was given the name of 'Pontius Pilate'. If Annie (Doll) and her sister Hannah (Flo) liked someone, they wore a big hat so that they couldn't get too close. If they disliked someone they wore a small hat.

How Irish or English are the Kanes? Grandma Eveston's Grandfather was William Clark Brown born in Northampton England in 1821. He came to Australia and married Margaret Sefton (English) in 1847. They had 13 children were married for 60 years and he died at age 88. The 10 th son was Robert Brown (Grandma's father) who married Annie Watt (English) in 1866. They had 8 children. He died at age 97 and Annie died aged 90. I remember visiting them in the house they lived next to the Coleraine Hospital which was later the Doctor's residence. All the Kane's and Evestons were totally Irish going all the way back. So what % are we Irish? I'd say 75% Irish and 25% English (Dad's Grandparents totally Irish, Mum's Grandparents 50% English (i.e. The Brown's and Watt's) - What Watt?? Was the common saying …….