Kirkwood Genealogy

 

Robert Kirkwood and his Descendants        Last updated Feb 2009

Kirkwood - Scottish or Irish

Background

The Kirkwood Clan

A question that is often asked of people named Kirkwood or descended from a Kirkwood is “What part of Scotland did your ancestors come from?”. There are many Scottish Kirkwoods in Australia, and even more in the USA. There are also many Irish Kirkwoods in both countries, and it is to the descendants of some Irish Kirkwoods in Australia that this website is dedicated.

 

Pioneers, Explorers, and Heroes

Every large family has members whose achievements are considered noteworthy, and others about whom little is known. While there may be no Kirkwoods in a list of major achievers in Australian history, there are several worthy of mention. Their stories are included in this website.

Development of the Kirkwood Genealogy

The Authors

Fannie Madeline Kirkwood (Edmonds)

Fannie Madeline Kirkwood (1901-1993) was a great granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood, descended from David Simpson Kirkwood (seventh child). In 1930 she married William Edmonds. She and her cousin Rosalind Victoria Kirkwood worked for many years on the Genealogy of Robert Cooper (1777-1857), which was first published by Miss Kirkwood in 1965. This contained details of the descendants of two of the seven offspring of Robert and Sarah Kirkwood, who had married members of the Cooper family. These were Margaret (third child) and David Simpson (seventh child).

Mrs Edmonds sought information from members of the other branches of the Kirkwood family and, with the assistance of Miss Kirkwood, published the Robert Kirkwood Genealogy in 1967.

Rosalind Victoria Kirkwood

Rosalind Victoria Kirkwood (1900-1988) was a great granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood, descended from David Simpson Kirkwood (seventh child), She completed and published the Genealogy of Robert Cooper (also her great grandfather) in 1965, having taken over the mammoth task begun by her brother John Dawson Kirkwood (1896-1958) following his death. Robert Cooper arrived in Sydney as a convict in 1813, and later became a successful businessman. He had 28 children by three wives over more than 35 years. His descendants now number many thousands, and are spread across all levels of Australian society.

The Key Contributors

Timonee Ann Kirkwood (Schaeffer)

A great great granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood, descended from Robert (fourth child).

Norma DeLange Kirkwood (Abernethy)

A great great granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood, descended from Robert (fourth child).

Gertrude Rollins (Bland)

A great granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood, descended from James Paul (first child).

Matilda Kirkwood (Malcolm)

A great granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood, descended from James Paul (first child).

John Garlmons Quinlin

A great great grandson of Robert Kirkwood, descended from Robert (fourth child).

It is not known whether any of these key contributors is still living **. It is somewhat surprising that none of their birth dates appear in the original document. ** Update Feb 2009 - Mrs Schaeffer is still living, and Mrs Abernethy only recently passed away, aged 93 years.