Clare Genealogy: Mary Ellen Fairbairn (nee McNamara) 1881-1955 by Ann Rackstraw

James and Bridget McNamara’s children:
A. Laurence McNamara
B. Catherine McNamara

A. Laurence/Lawrence McNamara was born on 15 Sep 1878 at Kondoparinga, near Meadows, South Australia, (CD, SA Births, 1842-1906, Book 206, page 242 and the Death Certificate for Lawrence). He was baptized at Mt Barker, South Australia, the Sponsors were Michael Watson and Bridget Campbell, his father, James was recorded as a farmer of Paris Creek (Information provided by Judy Smith, email dated 16 Oct 2008).

Three weeks after the death of his younger sister, Kate, Lawrence died of Inflammation of the lungs on 8 Oct 1888, age 10, at Round Hill, New South Wales, he had been ill for 2 weeks, the informant was his father, James McNamara (the cause of death is consistent with a lung injury in the setting of sepsis and shock). It was recorded on his death certificate that he had lived in NSW for 7 months. He was buried on 10 Oct 1888 at Round Hill (Taltingan), New South Wales. Roman Catholic Priest, Father Richard Kiely officiated at the funeral (NSW Death Certificate No 1888/13969).

Lawrence's sisters Mary Ellen and Helena Lillian told their children of an accident that occurred when the family was travelling to or from Broken Hill to register the death of Kate, the horse bolted and Lawrence was injured and died of his injuries several weeks later.

B. Catherine (Kate) McNamara was born on 20 Dec 1879 at Meadows, South Australia (CD, SA Births, 1842-1906, Book 231, page 294). She was baptized at Mt Barker, South Australia, the Sponsors were John Egan and Mary Kain, her father, James was recorded as a farmer of Paris Creek (Information provided by Judy Smith, email dated 16 Oct 2008).

Kate died of Pneumonia on 15 Sep 1888, aged 9, at Round Hill, New South Wales, she had been ill for 4 weeks; the informant was her mother, Bridget McNamara. She was buried on 16 Sep 1888 at Round Hill (Taltingan), New South Wales (NSW Death Certificate 1888/013957).

The Round Hill (Taltingan) Cemetery does not contain any marked graves; it was fenced and restored in 1997. It is believed that there were approximately 64 burials in the cemetery between 1887 and 1904 (Bush Cemeteries NSW, website).