FAMILY TREE GALLERY

O’DONOGHUE – Limerick, Ireland

I could only trace two lines of O’Donoghue’s that arrived in South Africa in the 19^th Century.

They were James Michael O’Donoghue (1838 – 1894) from Limerick, County Limerick and Henry O’Donoghue (1836 – 1904 from Nenagh, County Tipperary. Henry O’Donoghue was Knighted by the Pope and was award Chevalier. One of the descendants of Henry O’Donoghue was the popular radio personality of LM Radio, Barry O’Donoghue. Henry O’Donoghue can be read about in “O’DONOGHUE, People and Places” by Rod O’Donoghue.

JAMES MICHAEL O’DONOGHUE ( 1838 – 1894)

Origins

James Michael O’Donoghue was born in Limerick to parents Michael Donohugh and Bridget Landrigan. This is as it appears on the baptism certificate (St Mary’s Church- Limerick). James and Ellen Donohugh were the sponsors. The name of Landrigan seems to be an uncommon name and difficult to trace at the moment. When one looks at the direct links of my family tree, the names of James, Michael, Bridget and Ellen appear through the generations.

Arrival in South Africa

James Michael O’Donoghue arrived in Table Bay (Cape Town) aboard the Maria Somes which left Southhampton on 22^nd November 1859 and arrived on the 18^th February 1860, A trip lasting three months. It is on record that he was Blacksmith, aged 21 and on arrival he went to a Mr Clerk of Cape Town to get work. The Maria Somes was a Barque type (three mast) sailing vessel with 252 immigrants landing at Table Bay. The barque was built for the Indian trade by Joseph Somes, one of the founders of Lloyd’s Register and had very good accommodation. She was extremely clean on arrival and the passengers had behaved very well except for one young woman who was troublesome throughout the voyage. The ships cook proved to be incompetent and had to be replaced by an immigrant. One case of smallpox occurred but fortunately it was contained. The Immigrants Board Cape Town later reported that many of the young woman had no training at all and were ignorant of the duties they undertook.   

There were no births or deaths on board on this particular trip. This was part of the British Government emigration scheme from 1857 to 1861’. Although many immigrants were part of the scheme, it appears that James Michael O’Donoghue was a volunteer and not part of the scheme. ‘The voyage was not long enough to achieve transformation, but most immigrants benefited from this exposure to civilized standards. The many complaints made about the Irish settlers both on board and by their new employers at the Cape must be seen in this context. Most came from urban or rural slums where there was little hope of escaping the vicious circle of poverty, malnutrition, lethargy and ignorance many became useful and respected citizens is a tribute to their ability to improve their condition when opportunity offered but not all Irish settlers were difficult, but as a group, caused more trouble than any other settlers. They refused offers of employment where there were no Catholic Churches…….’

‘Unfortunately the Cape suffered a prolonged drought……the worldwide depression of the 1860’s, caused much hardship and unemployment……..the Cape suffered a further setback with the opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869…….however the discovery of diamonds in 1867 kindled some hope for the future.’ Very little is known about James Michael O’Donoghue during a gap of fourteen years between the time he arrived and the time he married in 1874. However, there is mention that he was a shop owner in 1866 in Uniondale, He settled in Uniondale in the Langkloof area of the Cape Province, South Africa.  The coincidence is that Limerick and the Langkloof are known for their apple orchards.  The apple orchards however were established by a certain Mr Baldi after O’Donoghue arrived in the Langkloof. Uniondale was established with the combining of Hopedale and Lyon in 1858 , this town was known mainly for its wagon building and ostrich farming (ostrich feathers were very fashionable) The wagon building is possibly what attracted JMO’D to this area, He married Dirkje Margaretha Aletta Strijdom in 1874. Dirkje was born on the 9^th September 1848 at Baviaanspoort in the Langkloof area of the Cape Province and was a descendent of a Dutch family that landed in the Cape in 1674.

Together they had ten children during the twenty year period, 1875-1894.

Recorded next to their names is the number of children born in those respective families:

• Michael John Heyns O’D 8 children
• Mathew Johannes O’D 8 children
• John James Michael O’D (married Castelyn) 5 children
• Martha Maria Magdalena O’D (married Oosthuizen) 3 children
• Bridget Elllen O’D (married Van Rooyen) –
• James Patrick O’D (married Jonker) 3 children
• Mary Leonie O’D (married Tait/Pearce/Lesley) 3 children
• Margaret Ellen O’D (married Greenaway) 4 children
• Johanna Petronella O’D (married Hale) 3 children
• George Edward O’D 2 children

James Michael died in April 1894 and the death certificate only reflects nine children as being dependents. The tenth child was born in December, 1894. When he died, the five youngest children were raised by the mother and of course with the Dutch influence. This was very evident in that today it will be found that those that stayed in the Langkloof area with their mother, reared their children under the Dutch influence and those that trekked to Natal, reared their children under the English influence.   This has continued until today. The story goes that one brother fought for the British and the other for the Boers during the Anglo-Boer War.  This I still have to confirm but it was mentioned in a letter to me from Steve (George Haig) O’Donoghue.

James Michael’s one son was my grandfather, John James Michael O’Donoghue (1880 – 1936) He also married a girl of Dutch descendancy, Margaretha Sophia Castelyn (1897 – 1965 ).

They had six children:

• Gladys Ellen (1913 – 1996) (married Allchin) 2 children
• James Thomas( 1915 – 1984) (married Boshoff) 3 children
• John Patrick (1917-1983) (married Krugel) 3 children
• George Douglas Haig (1918- (married Elfhers) 2 children
• Donald Charles (1920-2000)    (married Vorster) 4 children
• Michail Basil (1928- (married Hood) 5 children

My mother, Wilhelmina Hendrina Boshoff (1919-1972) family line included J.N.Boshoff who was President of the Orange Free State Republic in 1855-1859

Acknowledgements.

Esme Bull – Aided Immigration from Britain to South Africa 1857 to 1867.

Gladys Ellen O’Donoghue Allchin

The story of Pineapple the cow

December 2002

Kobie O’Donoghue-De Vries received the following letter from a Mrs Gladys Ellen Allchin (b.O’Donoghue) in 1990 . Gladys was the granddaughter of James Michael O’Donoghue

(b. 1838.08.? in Limerick and d. 1894.04.07 in Haarlem, Cape Province, South Africa).

  Gladys’ father was John James Michael O’Donoghue – b.1880 d.1936

An exact copy of the letter, from page 3 to page 8, as written, follows:

John James Michael O’Donoghue

Born:  1880.03.24 in Uniondale, Cape Province, South Africa

Died:   1936.02.27 in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa

Married to

Magretha Sophia O’Donoghue (nee Castelyn)

Born: 1897.02.15 in Estcourt, Natal, South Africa

Died:  1965.05.02 in Durban, Natal, South Africa

Children O’Donoghue’s 6

• Gladys Ellen
• James Thomas
• John Patrick
• George Douglas Haig
• Donald Charles
• Michail Basil

Married in Estcourt, Natal.  Mum aged 16. Dad aged 33.

A wonderful blessed marriage.  We all enjoyed a beautiful childhood. Such loving and caring parents, whose lives were completely devoted to us all. I being the eldest and only daughter, had a very interesting childhood – a Tom Boy and at the same time spent a lot of my young days, assisting my mother in every possible way.  Run the home and care for the 5 brothers. I became domesticated at a very young age, for instance, making bread from the age of 9.  Was able to run the home completely at the of 13. We attended our early school days at Richmond, Natal.  Dad was employed on the railways.  Mum was an extremely hard working lady.  Apart from caring for us all, she tailored our 5 brothers trousers for school. So lovely to think of all the happiness.  Each afternoon just before 5 o’clock mum used to call us to please wash and tidy ourselves and she as well as Dad would be arriving and no matter what Mum, cat, dog, our precious cow Pineapple would career to the gate as the 5 o’clock hooter blew, all to meet Dad but that was not all.  As he arrived, all the leghorn fowls would gather at the kitchen door waiting for Dad to finish drinking his cup of coffee, as he would then go to the run, feed them and lock up.  But the most wonderful instance of all was Friesland cow who gave us so much milk we were able to drink as much as possible, make lots of butter and even used to sell to a customer. Each morning before going to work Dad used to place a paraffin tin with mealies on the stove to cook and Mum would add bread crusts, potato peelings, pumpkin skins etc and by the evening all would be so beautifully cooked for Pineapple’s supper.  At times unknown we and our school friends would help ourselves to the lovely mealies cooked soft and added salt. Now while dear Dad would be enjoying his coffee, Pineapple would become very impatient and would rattle the door knob with her horns, which were very short, wanting her huge dish of food which Dad would prepare salt and bran and whilst she was eating we would climb on her back. When she was finished poor Dad was not allowed to leave until he bound a piece of cloth around a twig and cleaned her ears, first one and then she would turn for the other. When I was 17 years of age, Dad was transferred to Greytown, Natal.  Pineapple was sold to the local doctor. She was so unhappy and he lived a distance from where we were and poor Pineapple would go charging down at 5 o’clock.   I cannot remember what came of her later.

When in Greytown, I decided to go out to work.  By then 5 boys were at school.  Three at high school. Dad so enjoyed gardening and his sons assisted him in planting, reaping etc.  One could always hear peels of laughter. Dad had a terrific sense of humour.  Mum always busy cooking, sewing etc.  Meal times were very happy times, especially in the evening.  Mum and Dad used to relate their young days etc.  Boys down to homework, I always kneading bread for the next day and at 76, I still bake twice a week.  Now all our little jobs completed, we all would be in Dads room, Mum included, as Dad retired very early.  As far back as I can remember as a child, Dad suffered a great deal and at night could remember him actually moaning, very sever arthritis in his whole body and dreadful headaches and yet in the morning up and to work. In the evenings when in bed we would all sit on the double bed around Dad.  He was stout and rest his bible on his chest, read to us and then all the stories of his and Mummy’s young days and also his army career and Mummy always used to chat likewise to us during the day.  Our lives were so full with our dear parents we found very little time for going places.  Boys naturally loved their sport. Something I will always remember, our home was situated almost opposite the high school and always at about 10.30 in the morning Mum would have tea, hot fresh bread and butter for boys up to 8 to 10 at a time. Very interesting to see the lads climbing through the fence. Dad’s health steadily became worse.  By then James had left – was working in Ladysmith and John in Greytown, George in Matric, Donald at high school and Michael only 9 years of age Mum was absolutely broken hearted as they were extremely devoted. What blessings in our family to this day.  The boys educated the younger ones, especially George, who put the baby through his career as a surveyor and then only decided to marry in his early thirties. Today he cares for Bill and I.  Takes us to where ever we need to go and our two wonderful sons have helped us so much in every way. All I can say everything originates from those marvelous god fearing parents.”

Gladys from what I remember of the times I visited her family in Greytown was very smart and I will never forget she always wore her hair in a bun. She married Bill Allchin ,Bill was the local Blacksmith and I can vividly remember the times as a youngster visiting his works and watching in amazement how he “manufactured” horse shoes and parts for oxwagens etc. Gladys and Bill were very involved and respected by the community and participated in local organisations.

They were in 1950’s the Mayoral couple in Greytown.

Cousins Day

St Patricks Day – Sunday 18^th March 2019 – South Africa

The O’Donoghue cousins gathered on this day and were hosted by Trevor Thompson and Sharneen O’Donoghue-Thompson on their farm, Seaforth.

Seaforth is located at Umhlali on the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal in a most beautiful setting. Their house is also a B & B and so accommodated some of the out of town cousins. The B & B has three double rooms and a 5 bed family suite.

The 11 cousins present were from

• Dublin, Ireland  Kathleen O’Donoghue-Clarke & Justin Clarke
• Pretoria Maureen Schuster
• Johannesburg Aileen O’Donoghue- Ramsay & Grant Ramsay
• Johannesburg John O’Donoghue and Rosalind
• PietermaritzburgElaine O’Donoghue-Langlois
• Pietermaritzburg Barbara O’Donoghue- Allison
• Pinetown KZN Robyn O’Donoghue- Savage
• Kloof Colleen O’Donoghue- Patrick
• Howick Shelagh O’Donoghue- Goddard &
• Umhlali Sharon O’Donoghue- Palm & Brian
• UmhlaliSharneen O’Donoghue- Thompson & Trevor Thompson

It was such a great reunion since most of us last saw each other about fourty years ago. All cousins present were ladies and the only male was John O’Donoghue. The other males present were the partners. Unfortunately, there were two families not represented. The cousins of the parents of Gladys O’Donoghue-Allchin and John (Bull) O’Donoghue. Bryan O’Donoghue who lives in New Zealand was also not present. Sharneen and twin sister Sharon did an amazing job catering and some real Irish decorations. Trevor did a roast on the barbecue and he looked the professional chef carving the delicious fillet. Meeting the partners of my cousins was a “highlight” and made the get together so complete. Of course, some of them are on retirement. It just goes to show how time flies and have now for the first time ever, as cousins, that we have assembled together. The venue added some much colour and atmosphere to the occasion. Beautiful well kept flower gardens with sub-tropical fruit trees. Avocado, banana’s, granadilla, litchis, lemons, macadamia, oranges, pawa paws, pecan nuts and pineapples.

After lunch Trevor took us on a tour of the property. Trevor first took us to meet his prize Brahman bull. We of course kept our distance. While having a good look at this brute we missed a cow giving birth. It was very interesting watching the reaction of the cow and how she “managed” the new born. There were seven beautifull nGuni cows. Of course, I forget the very friendly dogs. Next, Trevor took us to his “honey” factory. He is a devoted beekeeper and prides himself in bottling the best honey. He maintains 400 beehives from Tongaat to Amatikulu of which 250 are his own.

What a day we had!