| Some Historical Tidbits - Page 1 |
| Most--if not all--our Irish ancestors left Ireland during the 'Great Potato Famine' The O'Briens supposedly emigrated from County Cork, Ireland in 1847 to Lafayette County, Wisconsin. The Kilbrittain Castle, County Cork was built by the grandson of Brian Boru. It is a Bed and Breakfast Accomodation today. Lawrence O'Brien became a miner in New Diggings, WI before buying his farm in 1872. The McDermotts definitely came from the Currin Parish in County Monaghan, Ireland. The Lynches emigrated from County Cork, Ireland during the Potato Famine. The Callaghans supposedly arrived in New Orleans from County Clare, Ireland, and travelled up the Mississippi to Lafayette County, Wisconsin. Many of our O'Brien ancestors were married at the Immaculate Conception Church in the Town of Kendall (Lafayette County, Wisconsin). Quite a few of the O'Briens and McDermotts are buried in the cemetery located behind the Church. Michael O'Brien was a "gentleman" farmer and raised Clydesdale Horses on the family farm in the Town of Kendall, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. |
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| Wisconsin Lead Mine Territorial History - From a Historical Road Marker in Lafayette County, Wisconsin |
| "Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties were once the center of a lead-mining boom. Indians had sold lead to early traders, but there were few white miners here in 1820. Mining brought in a large part of the 37,000 population credited to the three counties in 1850. Prospecting was done by practical men with little aid from mineralogical experts. Their tools were the shovel, pick, gad or crowbar, hand-drill and blasting powder. Mines were lighted by candles set in gobs of fire-clay which would stick to any part of the rock wall. Some of the miners spent the winters in caves or hurriedly prepared dug-outs and were nicknamed "badgers." Many of the once thriving mining centers are now ghost towns, only their refuse dumps and pock-marked land bearing the evidence of the old mining days." |
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| The O'Briens are descended from the first (and some say only) High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. |
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| This is the O'Brien Knot which is often embroidered on clothing. |
| This is the O'Brien Family Coat of Arms |
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| O'Briens Spread Across the US! |
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