- If you search through records for
many a year, you are likely to find what you don't want to hear.
- Your ancestors may
have not known of planes, and don't be surprised if they arrived here in chains.
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- In an old Council photo you will
faintly see, a Shellharbour counsellor named "Killalea".
- Whom in his late teens had been in
much strife, like so many others he was 'Sentenced to Life'.
-
- After the trial many
months before, Edward finally made it to Australia's shore.
- He arrived here in New South Wales
State, on a convict ship not knowing his fate.
-
- After spending some time in Sydney,
a 'Ticket of Leave' was granted to Edward Killalea.
- This ticket shows he had headed South, with an Irish accent
coming from his mouth.
-
- About this time things become confused, as what happens next
leaves a lot amused.
- Edward married Maria at Jamberoo, but we still want to know:-
"Maria who"?.
-
- Twelve children were born to Mrs Killalea, but Maria used seven
names you see.
- From a photo we now have seen her face, and her ancestry so far
there has been no trace.
-
- Above Killalea Beach was the councillor's land, but things
didn't go as Edward had planned.
- Then Maria took the younger children away,
leaving Edward to
cope day after day.
-
- With too many problems remaining unsolved, the thoughts of
suicide then took hold.
- Nobody will ever know all the reasons why, but Edward felt it
was more painless to die.
-
- Over the years the family has grown, and moved to all states
statistics have shown.
- Today some are Kellalea so certificates say, whilst to others
the name is pronounced Kill-a-lay.
-
- But a century later Edward Killalea, has descendants all over
including me.
- Naming Killalea Beach meant a lot to us, so hopefully others
will never make a fuss.