Tracing the Browner Family Tree

The Dunbrody, a replica of the cargo ship built in 1845. It became a famine ship and brought human cargo to the U.S.


The John F. Kennedy monument at the harbor at New Ross, Ireland. JFK, Eunice Shriver and Jean Smith visited New Ross when JFK was president. His grandfather Fitzgerald was from County Wexford, and the JFK Trust funded the Dunbrody replica, helping to preserve this part of Irish history.


Moss covered headstone at the "old cemetery" near Borris. Maybe my great grandfather's grave?


Gene at the gate of the "old cemetery".

My great grandfather, Philip Browner, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1850. He emigrated to the United States in 1868 and became a U.S. citizen in 1870. A blacksmith and machinist by trade, he may have taken a ship from New Ross, which is situated up the river from Waterford. A replica of a famine ship (or "death coffin" as they were known because of the number of emigrants that died aboard), has been built and is on display in New Ross. The population of Ireland before famine and emigration was 8 million . . . which was whittled down to 4 million in just a few decades.

After visiting the Visitor's Center in New Ross, checking their data base for Browners (there was no Philip Browner) and seeing the Dunbrody, the replica ship, we drove to Borris where it is believed Philip Browner worked on a large estate. We were given directions to the "old cemetery" and located it 1-1/2 miles down a country road behind a farmer's pasture. The oldest grave was dated 1772, but search as we might, no Browner headstones were found.