Members Family History's
THE KERLIN FAMILY -
Leo Pain (1096)
Dennis KERLIN was born in County Derry, Ireland to Edward KERLIN and his second wife Bridget MORAN in 1849. He came to Australia on the ship "LIGURIA" in May 1883, his passage being sponsored by his older brothers who were already settled in Australia. The shipping list gave his occupation as "mason" but it is known that he was a bootmaker and actually brought his boot-making tools with him. On arrival he worked for his brothers for some time in repayment for his passage.
On 19th October, 1886 he married Catherine REILLY in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. As Catherine was only 20 years of age, she required her father John's consent. John REILLY was a miner and his wife Bridget ( nee HANLY) were from Tarradale. At the time, Catherine was living in Collingwood as a domestic.
After their marriage, Denis and Catherine lived in Rochester where Denis operated his boot-making business for a time and later he acquired land and took up farming at Nanneella. After some years living on the farm, the KERLINs moved to Rochester East.
Denis and Catherine's nine children were:
William (1887-1924) married Veronica L'HUILLIER of Bendigo in 1908. Shortly afterwards they moved to Queensland, taking up farming at Taroom. Many descendants still live in this area.
Annie (1889-1966) married James KAVANAGH. They farmed at Tongala before moving to Reservoir in Melbourne.
James ( died in infancy)
Denis (1891-1978) did not marry, In World War 1, he served with distinction with the Australian Light Horse in Egypt. He lived in Rockhampton, Queensland.
John Roy - known as Jack. (1893-1964) married Mary KEENAN and lived in Rochester East.
Katherine (1894-1979) married Willoughby PAIN. Will came from Bendigo to Rochester to work on construction of the new bridge over the Campaspe River and during his stay there met Katherine (Kitty). They married in 1916 and moved to Melboume where Will worked as a cab driver. Later they returned to Rochester where Will was involved in construction work for the Water Commission, following which he was a Water Bailiff at Pine Grove and Fairy Dell. He and Kitty retired to Rochester and lived in a house moved from Bamawm to Bridge Road.
Sarah ( 1896-1993) had delicate health as a child . At 15 she was apprenticed to a dress-maker, Following the advice of her doctor, she moved to Queensland at the age of 20 to live with her older brother William. Her health improved and in 1919, she married Bill REYNOLDS. She died at the grand age of 97 having produced 10 children, who in turn gave her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mary - died in infancy.
Mary- known as Molly - conducted her own accounting business in Rochester , at the same time caring for her elderly mother. She was very active in the Catholic Church and local community, being secretary of the St Joseph's Social Club. In 1935, she won the Rochester Popular Girl competition in which she raised 375 pounds which was shared by the R.S.L. Baths and Town Beautification Committees. Molly married Arthur MORRISON and they moved to Ararat. When Arthur died, Molly married Harold BRYANT. She regularly corresponded with the family in Ireland.
Denis died on 10 December, 1929 aged 81 and Catherine on 7 8eptember 1943 aged 78. They are both buried in the Rochester Cemetery.
- Submitted by Leo Pain , son of Katherine KERLIN and Will PAIN.
Top - Members Story Index - Members' Surname Interests
Copyright © - All Rights Reserved - Echuca Moama Family History Group