Our Irish ancestors were quite extraordinary. I recently got to watch a documentary called "Death or Canada--Fleeing the Irish Famine". Intellectually I know the Irish faced hard times in the Famine years (1845-1852) but this documentary put the day to day hardships into sharp focus for me. Disease and starvation forced Irish fisherman to sell their boats and nets to buy food for their families. Typhus caused many more deaths than starvation brought upon these families.
I'd long known that many of our Irish came to the United States through Canada. Apparently as the wave of Irish immigrants began to overwhelm Eastern US ports, they reacted by increasing the fees owed by the shipping lines and immigrants. Canada was kinder (read:cheaper). Many Irish took the long two month voyage to Canada because they had no other choice for survival. Survival.
I believe Timothy Ryan immigrated during the Famine years. We know that Patrick Flynn's mother Ellen immigrated from Ireland but I believe this was later, though I'm not certain. The Pierces and the Nevins came from Canada but each are Irish families. Even if Ellen did not leave Ireland due to the Famine, she survived the Famine years there--imagine the strength and certain Irish luck working in her favor!
No small wonder the Irish are generally dark and brooding. No wonder their stories are often fanciful if not outright falsehoods. They are strong and resourceful. And we descend from these people. "Take a break and think about the past" came from this documentary and I think they are appropriate words for Labor Day 2012.
This is a picture of the oldest Irish ancestors that I have so far: William Sr (Timothy's son) and his wife Kate Bentley Ryan. I can almost picture Timothy from this as well as so many of the other Irish fishermen and farmers. I think you've seen it here before but it pays to look again with new eyes.
2 comments:
I will have to try to see that documentary. Things always seem more real when you can personalize them. I've often wondered about what it must have been like during the famine. I know I wouldn't be the same person I am now if I had to live through something like that. Mostly because of my current love of food.
I really don't get your connection to a hummingbird and the Irish, but I know you love your birds and our heritage, so that's good enough for me.
I don't think I've ever seen that picture before. It's awesome. Makes you wonder too, about having a photograph from that era, or before. There just aren't that many pictures left. We are lucky you are the keeper of our family history. Thanks for sharing.
Now, get back to work! School's open!
Yes I probably didn't make the hummingbird Irish connection clear enough--it felt destined and kind of mystical which I associate with the Irish.
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