So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. My clippings include a variety of articles about children's ancestors and those ancestor's relatives.
Details of patients admitted to Hospitals were a regular feature of many country newspapers. House prices both rental and for sale are interesting to look at too. If your ancestor was a member of a particular club or association, their activities are often listed under that banner.
The Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society worked for the mutual benefit of its members promoting faith, good works and financial support in times of need.
The Hibernian throughout Life
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| John Patrick Galvin - Oct.1927, aged 59 |
John Patrick Galvin had joined the Hibernian Society in Sydney in 1892 at age 24. In 1902 he moved to South Australia perhaps to be nearer to his wife's O'Neill family.
He is often mentioned in the Southern Cross newspaper in one of his many roles within the society: vice president, president, visitor to the sick and trustee.In 1927 he was elected as the Grand President of the society and I was delighted to find this picture of him as no other known photos exist. The resemblance to several of his male descendants is striking.
The article accompanying the photo reads:
Bro. J. P. Galvin, J.P., the newly elected Grand President of the H.A.C.B.S., is an old Marist Brothers' boy, having been educated at their St. Mary's School in Sydney. He has been a member of the Society for over 30 years, and was initiated in the Sacred Heart Branch, Darlinghurst, N.S.W.
Mr. Galvin has always taken a lively interest in the Society, having filled the office of President on three occasions in St. Patrick's branch, West Terrace, and at the present time is Sick Visitor and Trustee. He inaugurated the annual picnics of the branch and prepares the annual Communion Breakfast of that branch's juvenile contingent. For the past 15 years he has held a seat on the St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committee. Mr. Galvin is also a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and is an active, worker in connection with St. Patrick's Church. (1)
Two years after the death of his wife Catherine O'Neill in 1923, he married a widow, Margaret Keough (nee O'Loughlin) They were both 57. (2) As previously mentioned John Patrick Galvin was a professional photographer for many years with studios variously in Gilbert and Sturt Streets in Adelaide. It appears that many photographers in this era found it difficult to make a living so John Patrick then became a gardener with the Adelaide City council until his retirement.
On the occasion of his 80th birthday in 1947 the Hibernian society congratulated him and reflected on his work through the years.
No member of our Society in this State is more popular than Bro. Galvin, who has given such outstanding service to the Society both in South Australia and New South Wales, where he first be came a member. In 1892 he was initiated into Sacred Heart Branch, Darlinghurst, N.S.W., and when he came to South Australia in 1902 he had to re-join at St. Patrick's Branch, No. 179, West Terrace, as there were no interstate clearance values in those days.
For the last 45 years Bro. Galvin has held some office with in the Society. Elected to the District Board in 1925, he served as Grand President, 1927-28. But it was his work for the juveniles that Bro. Galvin will ever be remembered by, for in addition to serving as Chief Superintendent for 12 years he has been (and is still) an active superintendent on the board for a long period. Bro. Galvin also founded St. Anthony's Juvenile Contingent, Edwardstown, and held the position of its secretary for several years.
Bro. Galvin also holds the office of one of the Society's representatives on the board of management of the Friendly Societies Medical Association. May John be spared for many years to carry on the good work of the friendly society movement that is of such assistance to its members and which he so enjoys doing is the sincere good wish of all Hibernians. (3)John Patrick Galvin died just a year later while visiting his son John Michael in Victoria.
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| 1948 'Family Notices', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 3 December, p. 14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22706922 |
LATE BRO. JOHN P. GALVIN, P.G.P.
When John Patrick Galvin passed to his eternal reward on December 1, the H.A.C.B.S. lost one of the most zealous workers it has had since its inception in S.A. The deceased was spending a holiday with his son, Mr. Conciliation Commissioner J. M. Galvin, in Victoria, and whilst there contracted a severe illness. Hopes for his recovery were bright, but he suddenly collapsed. His remains were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Thornbury, where Rev. M. A. Vaughan, P.P., recited the usual prayers, and on December 3 the burial took place in the Preston Cemetery. The District Boards of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria were represented by the Grand Officers of Victoria.
The deceased was born in Sydney on November 11, 1866. He was educated by the Marist Brothers at St. Benedict's School, Sydney. He joined Sacred Heart Branch, Darlinghurst, nearly 60 years ago. He came to South Australia in 1902, and joined St. Patrick's Branch on October 2 in that year. From that date to the day of his death, he had served the branch continuously as an officer. He served as President on five occasions, and also held, at different times, the offices of Trustee, Sick Visitor and Treasurer (the last named office he held at the time of his death). He was a prominent worker on St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committees, and had represented the Society on the Board of Management of the Friendly Societies' Medical Association. In 1925 he was elected a member of the District Board and was Grand President 1927-28.
He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1927. In 1934 he was elected Chief Superintendent of Juveniles, a position he held for 12 years. In those 12 years he devoted the whole of his time to the Society, and the steady in-crease in membership during those years was in no small manner attributable to him. In 1934, with Bro. H. a. Gibbie, P.N.T., P.G.P., he was instrumental in founding St. Anthony's Juvenile Contingent, Edwardstown, and later the adult and ladies' branches in that parish. To-day, these branches have more than 170 members.
For 10 years he acted as secretary of the juvenile branch. It was an inspiration to visitors to see how he trained the boys to conduct their own fortnightly meetings. He inculcated in them a deep love for the Society, thereby winning their love and respect. This love and respect was shown during the war years, when practically every ex-juvenile from St. Anthony's, who served in the forces, called to see him when on leave.
A weekly Communicant, he was never known to speak uncharitably of any-one or to refuse to help in any Catholic cause when asked to do so. He sought not the limelight, but only sought to serve.
His death has caused a grievous loss to the Society. No Society can afford to lose a member of his calibre. His three sons—John, Frank and Cyril —are members respectively of Our Lady of Lourdes Branch (Thornbury), Most Holy Redeemer Branch (Murray Bridge), and St. Patrick's Branch, No. 179. To them, all Hibernians offer their sincerest sympathy and pray that Almighty God will grant the gentle, lovable soul of John Galvin eternal rest. (4)Thanks to these newspaper reports, my children have the chance to know about the life and service of their paternal gt-gt-grandfather. If any descendants out there have photos of John Patrick Galvin or photos taken by him in the early 1900s I would be delighted to hear from you.
Next up - Insolvency and Illness
1. 1927 'H.A.C.B.S.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 14 October, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167804044
2. South Australia Marriages 10 Mar 1925, St Saviours RC Church Hindmarsh Book 302 p 710
3. 1947 'H.A.C.B.S. News', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 14 November, p. 15. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167717616
4. 1948 'H.A.C.B.S. News', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 10 December, p. 15., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167722689
This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin
The Hibernian Society played a major role in many of our Irish ancestors' lives.I've another thing on my to do list now - chase up the Hibernians!
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic newspapers were a great source of information on my Irish ancestors.
DeleteNice selection of sources on John's Hibernian history. You have given me an idea where to do additional research on my Irish ancestors who lived in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, I find newspapers a great source.
DeleteWow, great stories! My McSherry family were lifelong members and committed members of the HACBS too.
ReplyDeleteSA was small state population wise and with the one Catholic newspaper there was scope for lots of personal stories and anecdotes.
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