Most viewed - Carrucan and Sweeney Photo Galleries

Most viewed

Eltham Elementary School Experimental Plots - circa 188025 viewsThis photo, from John Marshall's book 'Pioneers and Painters' shows xperimental plots which the students maintained. The early schooling was general in nature and focused on rudimentary reading and writing as well as giving the students basic farming capabilities.

Home / General Eltham / 25 viewsThis early postcard of Eltham was passed onto me by Peter Cuffley.

2010 NZ - coastline between the Kawhia and Aotea Harbours, Southwest of Auckland25 viewsThis picture was taken by Matthew Carrucan during his last Holiday in NZ. It shows the beautiful coastline between the Kawhia and Aotea Harbours, Southwest of Auckland. He comments 'There's a volcanic spring here. Dig a hole at low tide and you can enjoy a nice hot bath.'

Te Henga or Bethels Beach25 viewsMatthew Carrucan advises that
'Te Henga is significant because we used to go there with (my Father) and the Auckland athletic club and they would run along that beach and we would head off behind the beach into the truly massive dunes.
A trip to Auckland is not complete with out at least one visit to one of these beaches.
In the 50's at night in West Auckland you could apparently hear the surf breaking.'

This is a scan of a painting done by Matthew Carrucan

The Church at Motat25 viewsThis is a photo of the Anglican Chapel at Motat. It is very similar to the Catholic one where so many Carrucans were married.
It is a very typical example of a simple wooded New Zealand parish chapel/church.

Photo from Matthew Carrucan

1880s late - Patrick Carrucan and Mary Carrucan (nee O'Brien)25 viewsPatrick CARRUCAN (1831-1894) married Mary O'BRIEN (1838-1927) some time around 1856 at Ennistimon, County Clare, Ireland. She was 19 and he was 27.

Later in that same year of 1856, they left Ireland, bound for Australia. Once there, they joined Patrick's sister Bridget and her husband John Coleman in Eltham.

This photo, taken some time in the late 1880's shows an elderly couple formally posing for a Richmond photographer. Is this Patrick and Mary? Investigations are continuing.

1896 - Bridget Lane (nee Carrucan) with children Syl, Tom, Ellen and Bridget (Dolly)25 viewsBridget CARRUCAN (1858-1949) married Patrick Richard LANE (1851-1896) in 1875. The photo shows Bridget with 4 of her children. We are working on birth dates but we believe they are

Baby - Syl, Feb 1896
Boy in black - Tom, Aug 1893 would be 2 years 6 months
Ellen - Oct 1887, sitting, would be 8 years 4 months
Bridget (Dolly), Jan 1884, standing, 12 years 1 month

1910 approx - Susan (Sue) Kent nee Carrucan25 viewsSusan Carrucan (1862 - 1943), the third eldest child of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien, married Edward Shae (Ned) Kent (1858 - 1907) in 1881. Ned died in 1908 and Susan moved to Brighton in 1910, owing a house called 'Rothwell' at 143 Church St. She lived there until the 1920s and we assume this photo dates from that period.

1914 - Cornelius Joseph Lane25 viewsCornelius Joseph (Con) Lane (1891-1948), a grandson of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien, was born in 1891 in Coolgardie in Western Australia and was one of 13 children born to Bridget Carrucan (1858-1949) and Patrick Richard Lane (1851-1926).
Photo from Cherie Honey.

1913 - Mary Carrucan (nee Sweeney) with baby son John (Jack)25 views1913 - Mary Carrucan (nee Sweeney) with baby son John Francis (Jack). Jack continued on the family farm in Dalton St after his parents Mick and Mary died and he was the last Carrucan still living in Eltham when he died in 1976.

1917 - Ivan and Con Carrucan, children of John Francis and Margaret Carrucan25 viewsTaken in 1917, this photo shows Ivan Francis and Cornelius Patrick (Con) Carrucan, the eldest children of John Francis (Jack) and Margaret (Maggie) Carrucan of Cheswick. Ivan and Con were great grandsons of Patrick Carrucan who migrated from Co. Clare to Eltham in the 1850s. Ivan was born 30.11.1913, married Ellen Kiniry in 1969 in Melbourne and died on 15.5.1994, aged 81 years. Con was born 14.3.1915, married Clare McArdle in 1945 and died in a drowning accident 1.3.1949.

1950s - Joe Carrucan25 viewsJoseph Thomas Carrucan (1903-1960), third youngest child of Patrick and Ellen Carrucan, was born in 1904. In 1929 he married Eileen Mary Farrelly the only girl in a family of seven boys and they lived in 60a Gold Street Collingwood. They had six children: Helen (1932), Ivan (1933), Patricia (1935), Kathleen (1937), Michael (1942) and Maree (1947).
Joe was a grandson of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien.

1950s - Eileen O'Sullivan nee Carrucan25 viewsEileen Carrucan, born in 1919 in Ballarat, was the grand daughter of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien. She married John O'Sullivan in 1953 in Kew and they had 3 children - Timothy (1954), Carmel (1957) and Michael (1964). Eileen died in 2000 in Ringwood.

1950s Robert Edward Calnin - Bundoora Mounted Branch25 viewsRobert Edward Calnin, born in 1929, was the the eldest (along with his twin brother John) of the children born to Maurice Calnin. He was a great grandson of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien. He became a policeman, served in the Bundoora Mounted Branch and then at Buchan. Riding a horse was essential for policing in the rugged mountain country of that area. When he retired, he took up farming at Buchan. He and his wife Betty had 2 children, Dale and Robyn. He died in 2010.
This photo shows Bob 3rd from the left when he was in the Mounted Branch. The photo was taken at the Bundoora Police Stud Farm
Photo from Maurice's grandson Dale Calnin.

1950 - Helen Carrucan marries Duncan Thomas25 viewsJoseph Thomas Carrucan (1903-1960), third youngest child of Patrick and Ellen Carrucan, was born in 1904. In 1929 he married Eileen Mary Farrelly the only girl in a family of seven boys and they lived in 60a Gold Street Collingwood. They had six children: Helen (1932), Ivan (1933), Patricia (1935), Kathleen (1937), Michael (1942) and Maree (1947).
This photo shows the wedding of Helen to Duncan Thomas. Helen is a great grand child of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien. Her father Joe is on the right.

1950 - Mary Carrucan, Betty Erickson with children Mick Terry Tim as baby25 viewsElizabeth Agatha (Betty) Erickson (nee Carrucan) at the Dalton St Eltham farm with her mother Mary Carrucan (nee Sweeney). With Betty are her 3 boys Mick, Terry and Tim (baby being held by his grand mother). Mary had married Mick Carrucan, the eldest son of the original Patrick Carrucan, and Mick farmed the Dalton St farm until his death in 1942. After his death, Mary continued on the farm, supported by her son John Francis (Jack) Carrucan and it was in that family environment that this photo was taken.

1954 John Francis and Margaret Carrucan at the wedding of their son Greg25 viewsThis photo shows John Francis (Jack) Carrucan and Margaret Ellen (Maggie) Carrucan (nee Doherty) on the occasion of their son Greg's wedding. Jack and Maggie lived at Cheswick in country Victoria and Greg was one of 7 children.
Jack was a grandson of Patrick Carrucan who migrated from Co. Clare to Eltham in the 1850s.

1955 - Mary Carrucan with grandsons Michael Terry Tim Erickson at Eltham25 viewsThis photo shows Mary Carrucan (nee Sweeney), the wife of Mick Carrucan of Dalton St Eltham, with her 3 grandsons Mick (born 1946), Terry (born 1947) and Tim (born 1950) Erickson.

1958 - Betty Carrucan and boys Queenstown25 viewsElizabeth Agatha (Betty) Erickson (nee Carrucan) with her 3 young sons Mick, Terry and Tim in Queenstown, Tasmania, in 1958. Betty was born in Eltham in 1915 to Mick and Mary Carrucan and was the granddaughter of Patrick Carrucan who migrated from Co. Clare.

1961 - Peter Tony Bernie Maureen Mick Theresa Bernie Mary Chris Kelly25 viewsThis photo, taken in 1961, shows Mary Frances (Molly) (1916-1992) and Bernard Thomas Kelly (1916-1980) with their 7 children.
Molly was the great grand daughter of Patrick Carrucan\r\nThe photo shows Peter, Tony, Bernie, Maureen, Mick, Theresa, Bernie, Molly and Chris Kelly.

1963 Maureen Kelly profession Bernie & Molly Kelly25 viewsMaureen Kelly is one of 7 children of Molly (1916-1992) and Bernie Kelly (1916-1980) and is a great great grand daughter of Patrick Carrucan. This photo shows Maureen with her mother and father on the occasion of her profession as a Brigidine nun in 1963.

1967 approx - Frank Carrucan of Ballarat25 viewsFrank Carrucan, who lives in Ballarat, is the great great grandson of Patrick Carrucan who migrated from Co. Clare to Eltham in the 1850's. Frank is one of the children of Cornelius Patrick (Con) and Clare (nee McArdle) Carrucan and a grandson of Jack and Maggie (nee Doherty) Carrucan. He is one of the main cogs in the active family history group. Frank was born in 1948 and this photo shows him as a young man.

1979 May - Marriage of Mary & Julian Conheady25 viewsThis photo shows the marriage of Julian Conheady and Mary Dempsey in May 1979. Mary is a great great granddaughter of Patrick Carrucan.
Back: Lil McArdle, Frank Carrucan,Su Dempsey, Wal Dempsey, Mary (nee Dempsey) and Julian Conheady,Tom Crowe
Front: Maree Conheady (flower girl), Michael Dempsey (page boy), Mary Dempsey (nee Carrucan) with Melissa Holland in front of her.

1995 - Tony Ganly Pat OBrien Theresa Jane Adshead Leo Ryan Theresa Jane Ventura25 viewsThis photo was taken at a Ganly family gathering in 1995. It shows

Back: Tony Ganly
Middle: Pat O'Brien and Theresa Jane Adshead
Front: Leo Ryan and Theresa Jane Ventura

Tony Ganly is Mal & Anne's son. Patricia (Pat) O'Brien is the daughter of Peggy O'Brien nee Ganly.
Theresa Jane Adshead and Leo Ryan are Alicia (Ganly) Ryan's children.
Theresa Jane Ventura nee Kelly is Molly's daughter.

2010 - Fr Frank ORegan chalice25 viewsThis article was published in the July 2010 edition of the Diocese of Sale newspaper 'Catholic Life'. It was the Sale Diocese in eastern Victoria where Father Frank ministered for so many years, from 1949 to 1985. The chalice, donated by Frank's family, is still in use now and provides a fitting reminder to his years of service to the Catholic community of so many parishes in that region.

1906 approx - John Sweeney portrait circa 1906, when about 62 years of age25 viewsJohn Sweeney, the son of Thomas Sweeney, lived in Eltham all his life (1844-1909). My brother Michael Erickson has the original large portrait at his farm in country Victoria. The following is written on the back of the photo:
To my dear sister Ellie with much love
J. F. Sweeney
28/12/06

1900 approx - portrait of Mary Sweeney as a young lady25 viewsMary Sweeney was one of 5 daughters to John Sweeney - Portrait as a young lady, circa 1900.

1901 - Ellen Sweeney Dance Invitation25 viewsA dance invitation extended to Miss Ellen Sweeney from the Batchelors of Edenhope.

1902 approx - John Francis (Frank) Sweeney25 viewsJohn Francis (Frank) Carrucan was the 9th of 10 children born to John Sweeney and Ellen Kenney. He was born at Eltham in 1882 and died in 1952 in Perth, West Australia.

1920 approx - Ellen (Nelly) Sweeney poses side saddle at Culla Hill25 viewsEllen (Nelly) Sweeney was one of the ten children born to John Francis Sweeney and Ellen Mary Sweeney nee Kenney. She was born in 1874 at Culla Hill and died in 1940. She was a fine horsewoman.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - View of Original Buildings Second Scan25 viewsSweeney's first home at Culla Hill was a 12' x 15' shack of roughly sawn timber palings with a chimney of hand made bricks, still standing and seen on the right of this photo, taken in 1940 and featured in a "Home Beautiful" magazine. In the background are seen the cottage and barn which also belonged to the original homestead.

1934 - Bern West in his late 20s in Perth24 viewsBernard West (1916-2007) was a great grandchild of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman. This photo shows him in Perth in his later 20s, probably around 1934.
This photo was passed onto us by his daughter Cheryl.

1950 approx - Ted, Nig, Lil, Jack, Eileen and George24 viewsGerald Martin and his wife Bridget (Bertha) nee Coleman had five children, all born in the Ballarat district, all with either nicknames or abbreviations, as was common at the end of the Victorian Era. The children were
Lilian (Lil) Bertha(1896-1984)
Edwin (Ted) Gerald (1897-1978)
John (Jack) Herbert (1899-1977)
Constance (Connie) Mary (1902-1938)
Rebecca (Rita) Winifred (1905-1989)
The photo shows 3 of the children with their respective spouses - Ted, Nig, Lil, Jack, Eileen and George.

1965 approx - Lilian (Lil) Bertha Martin24 viewsLilian (Lil) Bertha(1896-1984) was the eldest child of Gerald Martin and his wife Bridget (Bertha) nee Coleman. Lil was one of five children, all born in the Ballarat district, all with either nicknames or abbreviations, as was common at the end of the Victorian Era. The children were
Lilian (Lil) Bertha(1896-1984)
Edwin (Ted) Gerald (1897-1978)
John (Jack) Herbert (1899-1977)
Constance (Connie) Mary (1902-1938)
Rebecca (Rita) Winifred (1905-1989)

1975 - Rita Waller with her brother Jack and sister-in-law Eileen Martin24 viewsJohn Herbert (Jack) Martin (1899 - 1977), the grandson of Bridget Carrucan and his wife Eileen (nee Grant) and his sister Rita Waller.

1990 Richard Zeita Ken David and Judith Waller24 viewsKen Waller is the son of Ernest Arthur Waller (1905 - 1965) and Rebecca (Rita) Winifred Martin (1905 - 1989) who is the granddaughter of Bridget Carrucan.
In 1954 Ken married Zeita Lillian Coleman. The photo shows Ken and Zeita with their sons Richard and David and David's wife Judith.

1942 - marriage of Henry and Marie Doube24 viewsHenry Joseph (known as Harry), the second son Henry John (Harry) Doube (1879 - 1939) and Augusta Mary Ziesing (1882-1966), was born on 16th September 1913 in Adelaide. While serving in the RAAF during WWII, he met and subsequently married Marie Elizabeth Kelly, at St Savior's Catholic Church, Hindmarsh, on 6th April 1942 . They had a family of 4 boys - Michael, Anthony, Gregory and Paul.
Harry was a grandchild of Bridget Mary Carrucan and John Doube.
Back: Michael Kelly, Harry and Marie Doube, Mary Doube
Front: Mrs Kelly

Plot 274 - Patrick Carrucan24 viewsPatrick Carrucan, born in 1831 in Ireland,migrated to Australia with his wife Mary in 1956 to join his sister Bridget who had migrated in 1853. He died on 6 October 1894 at age 63 and is buried in a family plot in the Catholic section of the Eltham Cemetery. His gravestone was in such disrepair that Betty Erickson (nee Carrucan) paid to have a new one erected in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, this gravestone, like the original, only honours Patrick and does not record the other family members buried here.

Mary and Patrick O"Callaghan24 viewsMary O'Callaghan died 1879 aged 64 and Patrick O'Callaghan died 1883 aged 67

2000 - Faunarooska Castle24 viewsFaunarooska Castle is a name that comes up every now and then in the Peter Carrucan - Hannah Woods line. What was the connection?
At some time in the past, the farming property which included the Faunarooska Castle had passed into the hands of the Woods family. John Woods, Hannah's father, is mentioned as residing in Faunarooska in the 1855 Griffith Valuation. It was there that Hannah was brought up, within sight of the historic keep on the family property. Presumably it was still in reasonable repair when she emigrated to Australia in 1857 and, in her last years, she remembered it like that and expressed a desire to return to Ireland and lay claim to it.
Alas, by then, it was a derelict structure that was no longer capable of habitation.
This photo, taken between 1890 and 1915, shows the keep still more or less in its entirety although missing its roof. A collapse in 1985 left it as a ruinous pile of rocks.

Annaly House24 viewsAnnaly House, in Fanore, is the farmhouse B&B run by Pasty and Ann Carrucan

Ballyvaughan Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen24 viewsSituated 8km from Ballyvaughan about 100m off the Corofin Road on the left between Ailwee Cave and Learaneagh Castle, this stone tomb dates between 2500BC and 2000BC. The highest slab (portal) is 2m, the capstone measures approx 3.6m x 2m.

Cliffs of Moher24 viewsThese majestic cliffs, amongst the most magnificent stretches of cliff scenery in Ireland, front the Atlantic to a height of nearly 200m and extend for a distance of 8km from Hag's Head due west of Liscannor to a point beyond O'Brien's Tower. They take their name from a ruined promontory fort, Mothar, which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.

Fanore - cemetery-224 views

Willsmere24 viewsThe Kew Lunatic Asylum was a place where many Carrucans worked, either as nurses, farmers, gardeners, warders or as general hands. As you can see from the photo, it was a huge establishment and was found in Kew on the southern banks of the Yarra River.
Operational from 1871 to 1988, Kew was one of the largest asylums ever built in Australia. Later known as Willsmere, the complex of buildings were constructed between 1864 and 1872 to the design of architects G.W. Vivian and Frederick Kawerau of the Victorian Public Works Office to house the growing number of 'lunatics, inebriates and idiots' in the Colony of Victoria.
Kew continued to operate throughout the 20th century as a 'Hospital for the Insane', 'Mental Hospital' or 'Psychiatric Hospital', treating acute, long-term and geriatric patients until it closed in December 1988. The main building and surrounding grounds were sold by the State Government in the 1980s and were redeveloped as residential properties.

1930s early - We originally thought this was a photo of travelling piper Johnny Doran with Jimmy Carrucan's father in law, Jack Clair, at St Bridget's Well, Liscannor. Further discussion indicates that it might in fact be a photo of piper Tim Wr24 views

1950s early - Mary and Jacko Carrucan24 views

The Aquaduct in 2005 - only remnants remain of this Great Depression Initiative24 viewsThe aquaduct, built as a Govt initiative during the Great Depression, has largely disappeared and only remnants survive. This section in Allandale Rd (near Zig Zag Road) in North Eltham is one such reminder to the work done by these early pioneers.
many local Eltham residents including the Carrucans worked on this in the late 1880's.

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