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Roach, Catherine
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NameRoach, CatherineDate of Birth4 March 1830Date of Death10 August 1910OccupationHousekeeperBiographyCatherine Roach/Roche was born at Doneraile, County Cork, Ireland 4 March 1830, to Jeremiah (Jerry) and Catherine Roche (nee Lenahan/Lenihan/Lynahan).
Jeremiah and Catherine were married 2 February 1823 at Doneraile. Their marriage register records their names as Jerh Roche and Cath Lynahan.
Jeremiah and Catherine had several children. The following baptisms were found in the Cloyne parish records -
Mick - 5 October 1823, Parents Jerry Roche and Kate Lynehan, Parish Doneraile.
Joanna - 3 June 1825 - Parents Jeremiah Roche and Catherine Lingane, Parish Doneraile.
James- 22 November 1828 - Parents Jeremiah Riche and Cath Lenehan, Parish Doneraile.
Catherine - Baptised 4 April 1830 - Parents Jerry Roach and Catherine Lenihan.
Bridgett - 2 February 1834 - Parents Jerry Roach and Catherine Lenihan,, Parish Doneraile.
Patrick - 8 August 1835 - Parents Jer Roche and Cath Linahan, Parish Buttevant.
Jerry - 30 April 1837 - Parents Jeh Roche and Cath Lenihan, Parish Buttevant.
The family's residence at Doneraile is listed as Sycamore.
Catherine Roach came to Australia and lived at Shellharbour for many years. One possible shipping record for her arrival is 26 September 1862 aboard 'Ocean Empress' which records Catherine Roach, single female, as both servant and dairymaid, aged 25 years, Roman Catholic, from Doneraile, County Cork. Catherine perhaps altered her age from 32 to 25 to make employment more viable. Her brother M. Roach paid money for her passage.
The shipping records state 108 single females aboard the ship were received into the depot, Hyde Park Barracks, and that 13 were hired, and 95 left to join friends or relatives.
By 1865, Catherine was living in the Illawarra as in that year, she had an unclaimed letter from the Wollongong Post Office.
In 1881, Catherine gave 5 shillings to the Rev. Dean Flanagan Testimonial.
On Arbor Day in Shellharbour 1895, Catherine Roach presented the Progress Association committee with three trees to be planted in the reserve at Shellharbour.
An article in the Kiama Independent 29 Sep 1898 talks of Miss Roach's house being near the reserve at Shellharbour.
In 1908, a ten-roomed weatherboard cottage owned by Miss Roach near the reserve in Wilson Street at Shellharbour burnt down, and an inquest was held. The house at the time was one of the oldest in the district, being over 45 years old.
The inquest revealed Catherine had been living in the cottage with a tenant, Miss Olsen, however, had moved to another home four months prior when Miss Olsen left.
The inquest stated she was a pensioner aged 67 years. This most likely was a mistake in the newspaper, her age being closer to 77 years, if born in 1830.
Catherine Roach died at Shellharbour 10 August 1910. Her cousin Mary Ann Rogan was an informant on her death certificate. Catherine’s obituary stated she had worked for Mr. Thomas Alexander Reddall as housekeeper of his Peterborough House at Lake Illawarra, and on retirement had lived in Shellharbour for about 20 years.
In her Will, Catherine left property to her cousins, Julia Mackay (nee Roach) and Mary Ann Rogan (nee Roach). They were the daughters of convict, James Roche and Mary Ann Rourke, of Dapto. James b.1808 Doneraile, County Cork, was transported in 1828 aboard 'Borodino' for lamb stealing. James was the son of Thomas Roche and Julia Mellan.
Two of Catherine’s brothers had come to Australia -
Michael b. 1823 Doneraile (died 1867, Ulladulla)He arrived on the "Chance" on 13th July 1860 and according to the records went to an" Uncle James Roche Illawarra".
James b. 1828 Doneraile (died 1907, Goulburn) Arrived on the 8th of October on 'The Robert Sale'and also went to "Uncle -Kembla Illawarra"
Michael Roach died after being struck by a tree while felling timber with his brother, James. The Sydney Morning Herald 13 Sep 1867 stated 'Michael Roach was a native of Cork, Ireland...The body was conveyed to a relative's named Fry in Milton'. Michael's effects were given to James.
The relative referred to in the article was Edward Warrington Fry who had married convict James Roach's daughter, Elizabeth.
Shipping records for Michael and James Roach state -
Michael Roche arrived in Australia in 1860 aboard 'Chance'. He was described as an agricultural labourer from Cork and 27 years old. If he was born in 1823, he would have actually been 37. His shipping records state he left the ship 18 July 1860 to live with his uncle, James Roche in the Illawarra.
In 1862, M. Roach (Michael) paid for Catherine Roach's passage to Australia.
In 1864, James Roach (Michael and Catherine's brother) arrived aboard 'Sir Robert Sale'. He was described as a labourer from County Cork, aged 27 years. James too, lied about his age, having been born in 1828. His shipping records state he went to live with his 'uncle ? Illawarra'.
James Roach married Margaret Foley at Goulburn in 1870. Margaret was the daughter of James and Sarah Foley, and the granddaughter of convict Samuel Foley and Mary Ann Mason who farmed at Stoney Creek, Croom. At the time of their marriage James was about 42, and Margaret was 20. James and Margaret had Michael (Roche) b.1871, William Patrick (Roche) b.1873, Jeremiah (Roche) b.1875, Mary Agnes (Roch) b.1878, Sarah (Roach) b.1880.
James Roach died 1907, Goulburn age 79.
External LinkWest Dapto Sale 1860Unclaimed Letter 1865Death Michael Roach 1867 (Catherine's Brother)Fatal Accident Ulladulla 1867 (Catherine's Brother)Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Michael Roach 1867Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction James Roach West Dapto1873 (Catherine's Uncle)Marriages Renno-Roche 1875Dean Flanagan Testimonial 1881Arbor Day 1895Miss Roach's House 1898Death James Roach 1907 (Catherin's Brother)Obituary James Roach 1907 (Catherine's Brother)Fire at Shellharbour 1908Fire at Shellharbour 1908Fire at Shellharbour Inquest 1908Obituary Catherine Roach 1910Two Wills Catherine Roach 1910Obituary Margaret Jeffs (Catherine Sister-in-Law) 1934
Jeremiah and Catherine were married 2 February 1823 at Doneraile. Their marriage register records their names as Jerh Roche and Cath Lynahan.
Jeremiah and Catherine had several children. The following baptisms were found in the Cloyne parish records -
Mick - 5 October 1823, Parents Jerry Roche and Kate Lynehan, Parish Doneraile.
Joanna - 3 June 1825 - Parents Jeremiah Roche and Catherine Lingane, Parish Doneraile.
James- 22 November 1828 - Parents Jeremiah Riche and Cath Lenehan, Parish Doneraile.
Catherine - Baptised 4 April 1830 - Parents Jerry Roach and Catherine Lenihan.
Bridgett - 2 February 1834 - Parents Jerry Roach and Catherine Lenihan,, Parish Doneraile.
Patrick - 8 August 1835 - Parents Jer Roche and Cath Linahan, Parish Buttevant.
Jerry - 30 April 1837 - Parents Jeh Roche and Cath Lenihan, Parish Buttevant.
The family's residence at Doneraile is listed as Sycamore.
Catherine Roach came to Australia and lived at Shellharbour for many years. One possible shipping record for her arrival is 26 September 1862 aboard 'Ocean Empress' which records Catherine Roach, single female, as both servant and dairymaid, aged 25 years, Roman Catholic, from Doneraile, County Cork. Catherine perhaps altered her age from 32 to 25 to make employment more viable. Her brother M. Roach paid money for her passage.
The shipping records state 108 single females aboard the ship were received into the depot, Hyde Park Barracks, and that 13 were hired, and 95 left to join friends or relatives.
By 1865, Catherine was living in the Illawarra as in that year, she had an unclaimed letter from the Wollongong Post Office.
In 1881, Catherine gave 5 shillings to the Rev. Dean Flanagan Testimonial.
On Arbor Day in Shellharbour 1895, Catherine Roach presented the Progress Association committee with three trees to be planted in the reserve at Shellharbour.
An article in the Kiama Independent 29 Sep 1898 talks of Miss Roach's house being near the reserve at Shellharbour.
In 1908, a ten-roomed weatherboard cottage owned by Miss Roach near the reserve in Wilson Street at Shellharbour burnt down, and an inquest was held. The house at the time was one of the oldest in the district, being over 45 years old.
The inquest revealed Catherine had been living in the cottage with a tenant, Miss Olsen, however, had moved to another home four months prior when Miss Olsen left.
The inquest stated she was a pensioner aged 67 years. This most likely was a mistake in the newspaper, her age being closer to 77 years, if born in 1830.
Catherine Roach died at Shellharbour 10 August 1910. Her cousin Mary Ann Rogan was an informant on her death certificate. Catherine’s obituary stated she had worked for Mr. Thomas Alexander Reddall as housekeeper of his Peterborough House at Lake Illawarra, and on retirement had lived in Shellharbour for about 20 years.
In her Will, Catherine left property to her cousins, Julia Mackay (nee Roach) and Mary Ann Rogan (nee Roach). They were the daughters of convict, James Roche and Mary Ann Rourke, of Dapto. James b.1808 Doneraile, County Cork, was transported in 1828 aboard 'Borodino' for lamb stealing. James was the son of Thomas Roche and Julia Mellan.
Two of Catherine’s brothers had come to Australia -
Michael b. 1823 Doneraile (died 1867, Ulladulla)He arrived on the "Chance" on 13th July 1860 and according to the records went to an" Uncle James Roche Illawarra".
James b. 1828 Doneraile (died 1907, Goulburn) Arrived on the 8th of October on 'The Robert Sale'and also went to "Uncle -Kembla Illawarra"
Michael Roach died after being struck by a tree while felling timber with his brother, James. The Sydney Morning Herald 13 Sep 1867 stated 'Michael Roach was a native of Cork, Ireland...The body was conveyed to a relative's named Fry in Milton'. Michael's effects were given to James.
The relative referred to in the article was Edward Warrington Fry who had married convict James Roach's daughter, Elizabeth.
Shipping records for Michael and James Roach state -
Michael Roche arrived in Australia in 1860 aboard 'Chance'. He was described as an agricultural labourer from Cork and 27 years old. If he was born in 1823, he would have actually been 37. His shipping records state he left the ship 18 July 1860 to live with his uncle, James Roche in the Illawarra.
In 1862, M. Roach (Michael) paid for Catherine Roach's passage to Australia.
In 1864, James Roach (Michael and Catherine's brother) arrived aboard 'Sir Robert Sale'. He was described as a labourer from County Cork, aged 27 years. James too, lied about his age, having been born in 1828. His shipping records state he went to live with his 'uncle ? Illawarra'.
James Roach married Margaret Foley at Goulburn in 1870. Margaret was the daughter of James and Sarah Foley, and the granddaughter of convict Samuel Foley and Mary Ann Mason who farmed at Stoney Creek, Croom. At the time of their marriage James was about 42, and Margaret was 20. James and Margaret had Michael (Roche) b.1871, William Patrick (Roche) b.1873, Jeremiah (Roche) b.1875, Mary Agnes (Roch) b.1878, Sarah (Roach) b.1880.
James Roach died 1907, Goulburn age 79.
External LinkWest Dapto Sale 1860Unclaimed Letter 1865Death Michael Roach 1867 (Catherine's Brother)Fatal Accident Ulladulla 1867 (Catherine's Brother)Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Michael Roach 1867Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction James Roach West Dapto1873 (Catherine's Uncle)Marriages Renno-Roche 1875Dean Flanagan Testimonial 1881Arbor Day 1895Miss Roach's House 1898Death James Roach 1907 (Catherin's Brother)Obituary James Roach 1907 (Catherine's Brother)Fire at Shellharbour 1908Fire at Shellharbour 1908Fire at Shellharbour Inquest 1908Obituary Catherine Roach 1910Two Wills Catherine Roach 1910Obituary Margaret Jeffs (Catherine Sister-in-Law) 1934
CONNECTIONS
CollectionPeopleFamilyReddallRoganFoley (Samuel & Mary Ann Branch)PersonRoche (Roach), JamesPlaceLake HouseOld Peterborough Homestead
Roach, Catherine. Shellharbour City Council, accessed 24/08/2026, https://discover.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/18008