THE SKEHAN FAMILY

of Kilmore Victoria.

Since 1854.

The Skehan Name

The actual origin of the Skehan name has been a mystery to me since I first started researching our family history in 1984—long before the internet appeared—when the only genealogical information available was what so‑called genealogists of the day were selling. Their sources were limited to the books available at the time, which, to me, created more confusion with their varied statements than solid facts. I don’t believe their research went so far as to include visiting the UK and searching its many centuries of archives. It always struck me that there wasn't much information beyond Oliver Cromwell and his doings in the 1600s.

Thanks to Cromwell (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwellian_conquest_of_Ireland), which may explain the alignment with the Thornton name, and the British Government (https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/rising1916/therising), the Irish historical records were, over the years, treated as expendable. This was especially true in 1920, when the British rolled in their heavy artillery to quell the Easter Uprising: (https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE7019592&mode=browse),

(During World War II (known in Ireland as "The Emergency", there was further wanton destruction of Irish archival history, and during “the great tragedy,” the Four Courts fire in June 1922, even more was lost.

The 1922 Four Courts Destruction

The Event: During the opening engagement of the Irish Civil War, the Public Record Office of Ireland (PROI) at the Four Courts in Dublin was destroyed by an explosion and fire.

What was lost: Seven centuries of documents were incinerated, including:

- Census returns: Nearly all 19th‑century census records (1821–1851).

- Parish registers: Roughly two‑thirds of the Church of Ireland’s original baptism, marriage, andburial records.

- Wills and deeds: Most pre‑1858 probate records and countless medieval manuscripts.

Sources: