In 1874, my Great grandfather, Patrick Hyland and his wife Johanna Prendergast, left Avoca in County Wicklow and settled firstly in Widnes, before moving to St Helens, to make their home.

Patrick and Johanna had nine children in all, but it is thought that Mary and Roseann either died before leaving Ireland, or shortly after arriving in England.

It is known that the couple had seven surviving children, and we are now trying to contact descendants of those seven children, as there is to be a "Family Gathering" on March 14, in the functions room at the JJB Stadium, the home of Wigan Athletic.

So far we have located the families of James Patrick, Julia, and Richard Hyland.

James Patrick Hyland moved to Farnworth, where he was a pork butcher, well known in the town and attended St Gregory's Catholic Church.

There are many members of the Hyland Family in and around Bolton to this day. If there is anyone, who is descended from Patrick and Johanna Hyland, or from James Patrick, you are very welcome indeed to attend the "bit of a do".

We are also trying to find the following: Marcella Hyland (b 1873 Avoca, Wicklow), married Edward Taylor of St Helens. Edward was a house painter, and they had at least four children, Richard, Henry, Edward and James.

At the time of the 1901 census they were living in Claughton Street, St Helens, which appears to be next door to Edward Taylor's family.

Joseph Hyland (b 1885 in either Widnes or St Helens) is known to have become a pork butcher like his older brother James.

We have no other details concerning him, other than the fact that he might have had a son, also named Joseph.

There was also a sister named Annie Hyland (b 1883) of whom nothing is known.

If anyone is part of our family and are interested in attending the "bit of a do" on March 14, please contact me.

maryjoan@fsmail.net