I Michael Lynskey was born at Hollymount in the County of Mayo Ireland on the 29 September 1837 and went to school there until

July 24, 2000

The following was received from (Peter) John Lynskey (Taranaki, NZ). He had received a photo copy of the original letter, but it was in such poor shape he could not scan it in. John was kind enough to hand type what he could decipher, and also included some additional notes:

I Michael Lynskey was born at Hollymount in the County of Mayo Ireland on the 29 September 1837 and went to school there until I was twelve years of age. Afterwards went to a private school managed by Kelly Bros of Tuam in the County of Galway.Where I remained until I entered the service of Mr Thomas Jackson, land and estate agent at Rath………….? as clerk, where I remained for two years after which I went to live with his brother another land agent living at Streamfield near Dunmore in the County of Galway where I remained for some time.

Returning home, I lived with my father a land surveyor where I remained until I married. Twelve months afterwards started with my wife and child for N.Z. leaving Dublin on 10^th April 1861, arriving in London on the 14^th. Sailing on the 18^th and arriving in the ship ‘Crysolite’ at the end of July. I joined the Police on the 7^th August 1861 where I remained for 18 months, then resigned taking the appointment of Bailiff in the Magistrates court Kaiapoi from the late Sir John Hall who was the Resident Magistrate. In July 1864 I was appointed Clerk of the Court at Rangiora, Oxford and Leithfield. Later on in 1885 was appointed Clerk of Court at Kaiapoi in addition to the others. Finally I was retired 1^st July 1903. My first appointment as Deputy Returning Officer was at Rangiora where Mr Moorhouse was elected Superintendent for the Province of Canterbury, and have been connected with elections up to my retirement and latterly returning for the Kaiapoi district also Registrar of Electors, Kaiapoi, Ashley and Cheviot districts as well Census emmerator Clerk of Awards.

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Chuck,

Michael’s parents were Thomas (a land surveyor) who died on 16 September 1879, aged 60. His wife was Mary Rutledge.

Michael’s wife was Ellen Moran, whose parents were William and Catherine (nee Monaghan). They were married at Killmaine, Co Mayo, at the ages of Michael 21 and Ellen 20. Ellen died in 1908 aged 68.

Michael Lynskey died in 1917, at the age of 80. His son Thomas died in 1899, aged 37.