ORPHANS

The young women who came to the Australian colonies during the Famine years of 1848 to 1850 were from the Workhouses throughout all 32 counties Ireland. All were destitute and many had lost their parents and families, so were true orphans. But some were simply unable to support themselves within the family situation. However, the term ‘orphan’, meaning loss of at least one parent did apply to the vast majority of the 4112 who took up the offer under Earl Grey’s Famine Orphan Scheme.

The Great Irish Famine Commemoration Committee is gathering stories about all the women. The few that follow have been written by their proud descendants. Others can be found through links to the women on the shipping lists and will be updated as this website expands.

NOTE THAT NOT ALL SHIPS AND ORPHAN GIRLS HAVE YET BEEN ADDED TO THE DATABASE