Our branch is the tree descended from
Joseph Bresnahan (b. Ireland 1805) who married Francis
Shaw (b. England 1810). They married in (circa) 1825
in Ontario.
Genealogoical Questions:
We have no record of Joseph's birthplace
other than "Ireland" listed on census documents.
No knowledge of time of travel to Canada nor with whom;
Part of a family group? With friends or other relatives?
Or perhaps alone. His age, under 20 years old, suggests
travel alone to be unlikely. From records it appears
he first lived in Lanarck Co., Ontario where he owned
land. And adjoining property was owned by a farmer
named Shaw. We postulate that he met and married Frances
Shaw at this time (circa) 1825. They are next located
in adjoining Pembroke Co. Gratton TWSP. Ten children
were born to the couple.
Questions:
1. Joseph Bresnahan's Birthplace in Ireland
2. Travel to Canada
Children of Joseph and Frances Bresnahan:
Peter b. 1831 Gratton Twsp.
Joseph b. 1833
Sarah b. 1836
Mary b. 1838
Elizabeth b. 1841
John b. 1842
Margaret b. 1845
James b. 1849
Francis C. b. 1849 (twins?)
Henry (Henery) Thomas b. 1852
For this group the following is known:
1. Sarah Bresnahan b. May 10, 1836, married
William Hugh Jessup (date unknown). This family tree is
online at www.ancestry.com #18264
2. Henry Thomas, the youngest child, b.
April 28, 1852, married Priscilla Johnston on May 12,
1880 in Gratton Twsp. Pricscilla, b. March 9, 1856, died
May 16, 1938. The family tree for Henry and Priscilla
has been completed.
The children of Henry and Priscilla
are:
1. Robert Henry, b. 1880 Gratton Twsp.,
Died April 2, 1925, Saskatchewan
2. John Shaw (Jack), b. Dec. 8, 1882, Eganville,
Ontario, Died Jan. 1965 Cold Lake, AB. Married Jessie
Maude Playfair, b. 1885, d. Dec. 16, 1963, Watino AB.
Married Jan. 10, 1914.
3. Eliza Jane (aunt Jen) b. Dec. 19, 1884,
d. May 26, 1979 (historian of the family). Married Robert
Wilson 1910.
4. Francis Louisa, b. Sept. 29, 1886, d.
Aug. 26, 1975. Married John Lee 1910.
5. Joseph Benjamin, b. June 7, 1890, Killaloe,
Ontario, d. April 11, 1977, Haney B.C./Kamloops BC. Married
Hilda Helen.
6. Margaret Priscilla b. June 7, 1890, Killaloe,
Ontario, Renfrew Co., d. Nov. 14, 1974. Married James
Henry Wilson in Tomkins, Saskatchewan, March 27, 1918.
NOTE: Margaret and Joseph are twins. Also, Margaret and
Eliza Jane married brothers.
7. Hugh James, b. July 30, 1892, Gratton,
Ontario, d. November 26, 1973, Medicine Hat, AB, Canada.
Married Laura in 1912. b. July 30, 1895, Gratton Twsp.,
d. Aug 12, 1895.
8. Mary Eleanor, b. July 24, 1896, Killaloe,
Ontario. d. Feb. 15,1961, Brandon, Manitoba. Married William
Gosbee Downland in 1920. (see page 8 blue book).
We welcome communication about these
family members as we seek to find answers to the questions
above. Thank You!
