James Christopher Dunne
James Christopher Dunne was the son of Patrick John Dunne and Jane Murphy, born 24 July 1855 in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW birth registration V1855450 142A) and baptised 30 August 1855.
A young man named James Dunne, age 19, born in Sydney, occupation "machine rider", was the father of a child born to unmarried Frances Ryan in Sydney. Annie May Ryan was born on 11 May 1874 in Woolloomooloo. Information is sufficiently consistent (age and name of father, location etc.) to conclude that the father of the child was James Christopher Dunne. The registration of birth for baby Annie May Ryan was subsequently endorsed "Omit particulars of father - Frances Ryan, mother, 2 Jun 1874". It would appear that James did not participate in raising the child but evidence indicates that he was the biological father.
A man named James Dunne, aged 31 years, died of "epilepsy exhaustion" in Callan Park Asylum in Balmain Road, Leichhardt in Sydney on 27 June 1887 (NSW death registration 1887/002319). Sufficient information is consistent to conclude that this was the son of Patrick and Jane. James' occupation was originallly transcribed from the death record as "machine ruler" but, in view of the alternate description above, "machine rider" is more likely to be accurate. Any specific information about the nature of work undertaken by a "machine rider" in the latter part of the 19th century would be welcome.
Thanks to Valmay Archer of Queensland, who provided some of the above information. Valmay is a descendent of James' daughter, Annie May Ryan.
