On this St. Patrick's Day, we give special tribute to my widowed great, great grandmother Margaret (nee Roach) Foster. Margaret Foster hailed from the Townland of Mota Bower, Parish Carnew, County Wicklow, below Dublin in the southeast of Ireland. She had been widowed on October 1, 1837 when her husband, Isaac Foster, passed away, leaving her with five minor children. They were tenant farmers, living on land owned by the Earl of Fitzwilliam, called the Coolattin Estate.
On April 18, 1849 Margaret, along with children Harriett, James, Elizabeth, William (my great grandfather) and Isaac, boarded the ship Bridgetown from New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, during the throes of the Irish Potato Famine. On June 1, 1849 the ship landed in Quebec, Canada and the Foster family's adventure in the New World began.
And a special shout out today, to my Albertan cousin and his wife who have so assiduously tracked down our heritage, and kindly shared the fruits of their labors.
Erin go bragh!
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