James Cleary
James Cleary was born in Illaun, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland, in 1861. He was the son of Martin Cleary and Mary Griffin.
It is reported that James travelled to Australia on a steamship on its maiden voyage, but other details are unknown.
On 18 January 1888, James married Mary Glinny in St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. Mary Glinny was also from Miltown Malbay (some records show Kilfarboy, the old name for Miltown Malbay, and she was the daughter of Matthew Glinny and Mary Glinny (nee Dinneen) who were also farmers. Mary travelled to Australia separately, repored to have travelled in 1882 on the Western Monarch.
The children of James and Mary were:
- Martin Cleary (b. 18 November 1889; died 1936)
- Francis Edward Cleary (1890-1953)
- Thomas Cleary (1891-1951)
- James Matthew Cleary (born 1893; date of death unknown)
- Bessy Ellen Cleary (born 1895; date of death unknown)
- William Patrick Cleary (1896-1957)
- Daniel Joseph Cleary (born 1900; date of death unknown)
- Stephen John Cleary (1902-1947)
- Gertrude Mary Cleary (born 1904; date of death unknown)
- Catherine Agnes Cleary (born 1906; date of death unknown)
- Josephine Ann Cleary (1907-1998)
It is known that his brother Daniel remained on the farm in Miltown Malbay. It is thought that James was the only child who emigrated to Australia and that the rest of the family emigrated to the United States but no information about them is available.
Thanks to Brian and Val Cleary, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, for providing much of the above information. Brian is descended from James Cleary.
Any further information about Martin Cleary or his descendants would be appreciated. Please e-mail FamilyOrigins network.
