Potato Famine Orphan - Peter Hall A

In 1848 Catherine was transported aboard the New Liverpoolto Australia where she went on to survive a harsh life in the Victorian goldfields, the loss of two husbands, and the loss of five of her thirteen children. She survived hunger, thirst, poverty, floods, bushfires, riots and family tragedy. Her resilience saw her live until l914. It is a story that takes us back seven generations

Here we are today in the twenty-first century, still living and breathing despite the threats of nuclear extinction. While we still have time, we strive to define ourselves, to establish our place in an ever-expanding universe, and at the same time to place ourselves on the time continuum, somewhere between here and eternity. 

‘The future is not ours to see’, as the song tells us – que sera sera. But the past is. It has already happened and we are fortunate enough to have the means to investigate it. We have historical documents, letters, diaries, public records, photographic imagery and to top it off the boundless possibilities afforded by the internet. And better still we now have DNA analysis that provides information about our links with the whole human race. 

This story is an attempt to reconnect with Cathy, the humble Potato Famine orphan, and with us, her subsequent family. For me, Cathy’s story was one that needs to be told. One cannot help but be inspired by her resilience and determination to establish a place in the world for herself and her progeny. At the same time, I hope that this is an intriguing story that will provide a source of entertainment between TV shows and computer time. The Cathy story is not about royalty, great politicians, wealth, fame. It’s about a humble, peasant-girl who survives famine, poverty, illiteracy, and helps people the earth with her progeny.

Maybe it will strike a familiar chord with your own story.