The William Smith O'Brien Petition: The 1848 Petitions

This petition, signed by over 80,000 people from every part of Ireland and from Liverpool, Manchester, and other parts of England, between 1848 and 1849, is a unique historical and genealogical source from the period of the Famine. It contains the names, addresses and occupations of those who signed, scanned images of all 166 petitions, extensive commentary, and a preface by the Australian Ambassador to Ireland. This petition, signed by over 80,000 people from every part of Ireland and from Liverpool, Manchester, and other parts of England, between 1848 and 1849, is a unique historical and genealogical source from the period of the Famine. Following the failure of the 1848 rising, O'Brien was sentenced to death, and this petition was collected to gain clemency for the rebel leader. As a consequence his sentence was commuted and O'Brien was transported to Australia for life. Ruth Lawler has compiled and edited this petition for publication to enable all researchers to access this important, yet unknown, source. Eneclann is committed to bringing new and rare historical records to public attention as well as easing access to all genealogical sources in Ireland. This publication contains the names, addresses and occupations of those who signed, scanned images of all 166 petitions, extensive commentary, and a preface by the Australian Ambassador to Ireland.

About the Author :
Australian born Ruth Lawler nee Folan has always had an interest in Irish genealogy and history, instilled in her by her father Kevin Folan, a Dublin man with strong Galway roots. Ruth originally trained as a nurse in Australia, and came to Ireland to marry Joe Lawler. Ruth and Joe run a Bed and Breakfast in their family home, St Brendan's, in the historic harbour town of Howth, Co Dublin. Now that her family has grown, she has finally found time to follow her lifelong interest in Irish family history. In June 1999 Ruth qualified in the Certificate in Genealogy Course in University College Dublin*. On completion of the course she won an Oscail scholarship, which subsequently enabled her to enroll for a B.A. Humanities course in N.U.I., Maynooth. Ruth is a founding member of the Certificate Genealogists Alumni Group in UCD, and a committee member of The Irish Family History Society. She has also lectured in Genealogy to various groups including Fingal County Libraries and the Ireland/Australian Association. In the course of research for the William Smith O'Brien database Ruth discovered a number of other smaller petitions, including other memorials from the period and Repeal of the Union petitions, which she hopes to have published at a later date. Electronic publication of the Smith-O'Brien petitions has been financed by Eneclann Ltd. However, Ruth worked independently on this project for an initial two years with no funding. Eneclann is delighted to now have the opportunity to publish these petitions, and make them available to a wider audience. Ruth Lawler's dedication and hard work has paid off. She has succeeded in extending our knowledge of the Irish population in Britain and Ireland at the height of the Famine.