What really intrigues me is the picture of that distinguished-looking old man, Charles Dillon, who worked continuously for Smyth & Co. for 76 years!! I wonder if he was my great great grandfather? I think my great grandmother, Catherine Dillon, may have been Charles Dillon's daughter. Catherine Dillon was married to my great grandfather, John Stretton, who came over to Balbriggan from Nottinghamshire around (I'm guessing) 1880. I think my great grandfather, John Stretton, probably worked for Smyth & Co. from the early 1880s to around 1894, when he and my great grandmother, Catherine (Dillon), returned to Hucknall, Notts. My grandmother, Elizabeth, was born in Balbriggan in 1883 and her eldest brother, Charles, was born in 1884.

I was curious to know, if you have a list of Smyth & Co. employees over the years? I wonder if my great grandmother, Catherine, also worked for them? The time range that Charles Dillon worked for Smyth & Co. was 1844 to 1920, which is truly amazing. Catherine was born around 1854, which I feel points to a strong possibility Charles was her father, even though Dillon is a fairly common name, and I'm sure that quite a few Dillons have worked at Smyth & Co. over the years, as evidenced by your article that mentions Dillon as one of the surnames well-known in Balbriggan. Anyhow, it's all very intrigueing to me.

I myself was born in Doncaster, England, but enjoyed hearing stories from my Balbriggan-born grandmother about her father, John Stretton, making stockings for Queen Victoria!! I will be 65 next month and live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most of my family still lives in the Doncaster area, except for one sister and her family who live in Australia.

I love to travel -- my daughter and family live in Maui, Hawaii -- but I have never been to Ireland. I'm about to change that, and I'm thinking of coming to Ireland next year, and a visit to Balbriggan to look up my Dillon ancestors will be at the top of my list.

I'd appreciate hearing from you and any information you may have on Charles Dillon and his family. Thanks again for your wonderful Balbriggan website.

Catherine Busse (I was named after my great grandmother Catherine Dillon!)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



March 2006 news Here
February 2006 News Here
January 2006 News Here
December 2005 News Here
Archive News Here
can you name these please White Horses on the front strand Dec 03 The Dozer 70's Gang. At last we have all the names. Two photos, the first from 1960 , the golfer has just tee'd off and three unknowns admire the shot. The second photo is a charity walk from 1970. Left, Harry Tuite Sn and Tommy Smith T.Smith, T. Cluskey and M Early. Ring Commons School. Bnet team. On board Don Kellys Boat. Glebe North Soccer Club OAP Committee photo 1072 Balbriggan & District Historical Society. 34th Balbriggan Scout Troop. Santa Ponsa August 2004 Watercolour Effect of Balbriggan Harbour Click Here to see the photos that Roger Turner has sent us Click Here to see image enlarged Read Roger Turners account of 1950's Balbriggan The Hoe Guildea and Sean McNally Red Island Skerries. Barnageera views Photos belonging to Mrs Murtagh. Roger Turner Click to see both Photos Ardal O'Hanlon gets to meet Martin Fanning Photos by Veronica Kenny New Roundabout on Dublin Road Aerial Photograph of new Roundabout Fingal County Council Statement ADHD Support Group Balbriggan Pioneers 1935 Nora O'Hara Inside Church Photos St. Patrick's Day Parade in Balbriggan. Chicago Photographs by carol Geary The Buddy Halligan Harry Reynolds David Brangan Collection of Balbriggan Photographs key Ring views of Balbriggan Click here to view photos from Naul, Bellewstown and Skerries. Squirrels at Ardgillan Castle Balbriggan. Click here to see various photos by Joe Curtis North Co. Dublin Pigeon Club from 1954 North County Cricket Club Photographs taken at Newbridge House The Dublin Butterfly House in Fingal. Tommy Caffery Irish International Roger Turner from Sheffield writes exclusively for balbriggan.net Photos from the chrildrens party in 1972 Quay street from Viaduct early 1900's Balbriggan Boy Scouts with Dublin's Lord Mayor in the 1930's Monica Tolan Beauty Clinics. Roger Turner in Sheffield used to holiday every year in Balbriggan in the 1950's. Click here to read his amazing stories of Balbriggan long ago. Click Here to view this 4 minute slide show. Save the download and then "Run" the Slide Show. 23mb. Broadband recommended Click here to view the Guest Book Click here to contact us If you have a photo that you want put on the web, click here Please sign the Guest Book by clicking here Want to know who we are? Click here