A search for the family of Thomas Harrison of Kilrush

[Peter K. Viney]

A big Australian G'Day to all in County Clare. I am trying to find the family of my Great Grandfather Thomas Harrison. Thomas joined the British 80th Regiment of Foot in Sydney in 1844. He said his birthday was 21/06/1824 in Kilrush. His obituary says he was first in Sydney in 1836 when he would have been12 . I cannot find any reference to him being in any other Regiment as a Drummer Boy . So how did he get to Australia? In 1836 a Convict ship out of Cork arrived in Sydney with female convicts. the Ship was the "Thomas Harrison" and the Master was a Thomas Harrison. Was my Thomas the son of a convict lass, and he changed his real name to avoid the shamebefore joining the army? Can anyone assist with the birth of a boy in Kilrush on 21/06/1824, or the names of any 12 year old boys on the convict ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1836 out of Cork. I would be most grateful if anyone can assist at all.
My wife and I were in Clare in 2000, we stayed at Limerick and Kilkee. And didn't it rain!!
Regards from the Vineys at Askaig---------Peter