Presently the only two documents relating to the short life of James Hanrahan are his baptismal record from Murher parish, Kerry, and his death cert from Melbourne. He was baptised on January 4th. 1865, his godparents were Timothy Hanrahan and Ellen Sheahan.
He emigrated to Australia however he died of typhoid fever in Alfred Hospital, Melbourne on April 20th. 1889. According to his death certificate he died at the age of 21 however his baptismal record would suggest that he was actually 24. The death certificate also reports that he was a 'Labourer', 'Not Married' and that it was 'Not Known' how long he had been in the 'Australian Colonies'.
He was buried on the 21st of April in Melbourne cemetery in a plot which would later hold his sister Johanna (died 1909) and her infant son, James (died 1891).
The grassy area in the centre of
the photo covers the unmarked grave of James, his sister Johanna andher infant
son James in Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton. The grassy area is actually
two plots with the three Hanrahans buried in the left half in Plot 582. Plot 583
on the right side is marked 'Cunningham' on the cemetery plan. Johanna and
James's mother was Margaret Cunningham so possibly it is more than a coincidence
that the Hanrahan and Cunningham plots lie side by side. Maybe the Cunningham
plot contains a cousin or an uncle of Johanna.... ( Thanks to Jenni Vanyai
for the photo)
To view the death certificate of James Hanrahan click on the thumbnail below.
