Hynes of St Brendan's

A study of the Hynes family of St Brendan's Newfoundland.

What thoughts must have passed through the minds of those who left behind the places of their birth to settle this new land and continent that we, their descendants now call home? What fears, hopes, dreams?

Students of history that we are, we can today look back and see all manner of reasons they may have left, may have chosen or been forced to abandon the known for the unknowns that North America and the new world offered. The reasons to leave Ireland were as many perhaps as the numbers of people who did make the crossing of the Atlantic for places like the United States, Canada and Newfoundland.

They left behind so much that was good and beautiful, equally they left behind as much that wasn't, left behind a place, and a people that despite the generations to come would for many still in many ways be 'home', even today, 4,5 or 6 generations away from Eire many of us still, first and foremost speak of ourselves as Irish Canadians, Irish Americans.....We've held onto our roots, dream of the days perhaps to come when we can make that trip back to the 'ould sod'.....

Like the Irish, the peoples of Newfoundland have themselves seen their populance spread out and away from the Island that was their first home here in the new world, and again like the Irish, the reasons are also as varied.....but also, like the Irish they've held onto their roots, their love for that place that still is home. They remain proud of their "Newfie" heritage, hold to it fiercely be they now in Quebec, or Boston, California or Fort McMurray....Newfies they be, and Newfies they remain...

This, and these pages are given to them, those of the past, who through their courage and perseverence made today possible for myself, and mine.

Hynes:
derived through anglicanization of the gaelic Ó hEidhin meaning meaning "descended from Eidhin", variants of the name cane be found as Haynes, Hines, Hinds, Heyne or O'Heyne though the most common spelling to be found in Ireland today is indeed Hynes

Learn more about the Hynes family history and origins by visitting the Hynes Clan Pages an ongoing and fascinating study into both the past and the present state of the name and clan.

The Hynes Journey:
(the tale of one branch)

From Ireland

Through the mists, and reflected on the water we see the tower of Dunguaire Castle, County Galway, Ireland the historical home to those of O'Heyne blood. True, we can find Hynes' and Hines', Hinds, and Haynes in many another place in Ireland and Britain, but nowhere are they as seated as they are in Galway where the roots of the tree were first seated.

To Newfoundland

North America's oldest settlements and Canada's youngest province situated in the North Atlantic this near desolate Island became home to many a man in search of new life, new beginnings and new hopes...

Became home to many a Hynes as well, one of which founded the line of which I am descended and of whom these pages are about. His particular story time has take away from us, but the line of his descendants remains and grows what greater testament or monument could any man have asked for.....

Before any more is or can be said here I owe thanks to those who over time have aided me in my research of my family roots, without them, and without the help they offered none of this really could be possible.

My Paternal Grandmother
Ann (Maher) Hynes
Who many years ago, helping me through a high school history project gave me not only the first of my data but also instilled in me an interest in discovering more that remains to this day.

Shirley Picard
A cousin from the maher side, who not only rekindled the interest, but took it on herself to start to draw back together family that had grown too far apart in too many ways.

Helen Walsh
We're cousins though distant ones, but Helen, as much as anyone has taught me what little I know of St Brendan's.

Shirley Foley
I'm not sure just what our blood connection might be, but again, a teacher to whom I am and will forever be grateful.

Bert Hynes
Cousins in more than one way, Bert did much of my initial research as well as clarifying some of my earliest questions.

Father Michael Hynes
(who is 50 years in the priesthood this year)
Whom I have just come to meet recently, again a man with a fine memory who's already cleared up some questions.

The countless web pages browsed and contributors to each, works of love for the most part for which most don't expect thanks, but tis work indeed they do, and thanks they deserve.

And of course, to those I've pestered with emails, far too many to mention here, but never the less integral parts of this project.

and lastly, my wife
Gail McLachlan
Who has had the patience to put up with it all (and me)

and children
Brendan
Richard
Sean
Daniel
&
Erin

(What errors one may find in these pages are surely the fault of the transcriber and not those who's given all they have in memories and thoughts of people, places and events long since passed)

Pages and links

St. Brendan's Hynes
History

The beginnings
First generations
Middle Generations
Latter generations

Reports
Register style
Descendant lists
Family reports
Individuals_reports

Data form
(To help me fill in the blanks and missing limbs of the tree)

Connected Families

Maher
Register Report

Hollohan
Register Report

Newfoundland and Genealogical sites

Newfoundland's Grand Banks
The ultimate place to begin any Newfoundland search, be it for your roots, or merely to discover and learn the history and settlement of Canada's youngest province.

Another Newfoundland and Labrador research site

Encyclopedia of Newfoundland & Labrador