Jane Feeney arrived in Sydney on this day 170 years ago....


Jane entered the South Dublin workhouse on 14 July 1848 and left on 02 December 1848 bound for her new life in Australia.  

 We don't know how Jane was "transported" from Dublin to Plymouth, England.  On 16 December 1848, Jane boarded the 787 tons Digby in Plymouth for Port Jackson.  On board, there were 22 married immigrant couples and 234 "orphan" immigrant girls.  

After a voyage of 107 days, the Digby arrived in Sydney on 04 April 1849 with a 16 year old Jane Feeney aboard.  Two girls died on the voyage.

 Another orphan on the ship was Margaret McCabe who went on to marry Jane's brother, Edward, in 1853. 

 We now know that Jane's arrival in Sydney saw her reunited with her mother, two brother and two sisters.  The girls were housed at the Female Immigration Depot at Hyde Park Barracks just a few streets from Kent Street where the Feeney family lived.

 We're unsure how long Jane spent in Sydney before she travelled to her new life in Port Macquarie.  We do know that she was indentured to an employer (probably William and Elizabeth Killion) in Port Macquarie by September 1849.  

 If you're interested in following the "Walking with Famine Orphans Trail" from Port Jackson to Hyde Park Barracks, please contact me for a printed brochure.


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