William McCAY c1842-1919

William Robert McCAY is my gg-grandfather.

He was born about 1842 in Dublin, Ireland.  At this stage I have no photograph of William and haven’t been able to confirm his birth or arrival in Australia, however I have made a lot of progress on his father in Dublin, William’s siblings, and a lot more on his earlier years in Australia.

The photo [top right] shown is William’s father’s residence at 25 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin, Ireland.  William McCartney McCAY [my ggg-grandfather] was living here from 1862 and possibly earlier – this may have been the family home where William Robert McCAY lived before coming to Australia.

Despite earlier research implying that William Robert McCAY lived at Wollombi River in New South Wales, subsequent research as well as assistance from a “local” has proven that William Robert was living on the Wallamba River, Cape Hawke, NSW at the time of his first marriage in September 1868.  He was still there when he married his second wife in 1873 and as late as 1882 when my g-grandmother, Laura Grace McCAY was born.

William Robert McCAY died of natural causes at Fotheringham’s Hotel, Taree in 1919.

The death notice stated that …

The deceased gentleman was a highly-respected man of more than ordinary ability, and years ago did a good deal of literary work, and was a picturesque and forceful writer.

There is more to be found out about my gg-grandfather William Robert McCAY!