My mother in wheelchair Mildred Elizabeth Goldfoot nee Robinson at a big reunion we once held. I'm in the gold tee shirt with bangs and glasses; and my grandson is behind me. Nadene Goldfoot
Irish Robinsons did not arrive in Massachusetts in the 1600s, as the name is English, not Irish. However, Irish immigration to Massachusetts began in the 17th century, with people arriving as indentured servants in the 1650s and larger groups coming in the 18th century.Many of these early Irish immigrants were English-speaking Protestants from Ulster who were pushed by economic hardship in Ireland and pulled by the promise of religious and economic freedom in New England.
Abiathar Smith Robinson b: 1829 in Vermont and son, possibly Frank
Our Robinson grandfather was Frank Hugh Robinson, and his father was Abiathar Smith Robinson.
Frank Hugh as a young man
Grandpa Frank Hugh Robinson with my Uncle Edward Kenneth Robinson behind him.
From there, it's all conjecture with some DNA from others to help guide me somewhat. My mother was Frank's daughter, Mildred Elizabeth Robinson and her brother was Edward Kenneth Robinson. Ed's son, Kenneth Arthur R. tested for DNA. Through him, we found we had deep Irish DNA and a lot of Irish relatives. Ken's Y-DNA:R-FT111213 tested in the Big Y test.
Frank always thought they were from Wales.
My Uncle Edward Kenneth my mother, Mildred, Diane, Ed's daughter, Charlotte, his other daughter, and his son, Kenneth Arthur Robinson. Gosh! I love this picture ! Mom was a blonde, colored her hair to become a red-head; had blue eyes. Her hair turned white at age 39. She was born in 1914 in Hillsboro, Oregon.
My brother, David Alan Goldfoot, Phd b:1942 and Tom Mead b:c1947, (1st cousin once removed of Mead's wife-Leola Mae). Tom's father was the son of Abiathar Smith R. We met for the 1st time at the cemetery in Wenona, Marshall, Illinois. David was living in Wisconsin at the time, and this was drivable to see where our great grandparents were buried and to meet Tom, son of Abiathar's last and 11th child, son, Arthur Roy Robinson and wife, Minnie Mae Smith,'s daughter, Leola Marie Robinson who was married to Tom's father, Thomas Verner Mead.
Were there Irish Robinsons in Wales?
Yes, it is certain that Irish Robinsons have lived in Wales. Significant Irish migration to Wales has occurred over many centuries, and the English surname Robinson has a long history in both countries.
Our Abiathar Smith Robinson was born in 1829 somewhere in Vermont.
Here are the key factors contributing to the presence of Irish Robinsons in Wales:
Removing the Rebels: Peter Robinson’s settlement of Irish immigrants to Upper Canada
The South of Ireland was in dire straits at the end of the 18th century and on several occasions was on the verge of civil war. The Whiteboys developed as a secret oath-bound society among the poor. Their operations were chiefly in the counties of Waterford, Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary and were not directed against the government, but rather against local landlords. No amount of legislation seemed to tame the anger which had led to many “disturbances”. As a means of removing some of the rebels, offering them a new life and free land in Upper Canada, and hopefully settling the anger back home in Ireland, the government decide to pay for families to be resettled at the expense of the government. Peter Robinson, brother of John Beverley Robinson, was tasked with finding and settling the emigrants. In this presentation we will look at the history and politics that led to what has become known as the Peter Robinson’s Settlement Scheme. We will also take an in-depth look at the various resources available for researching your Peter Robinson Settler ancestors. (I have a Peter with a brother John Robinson who is related to the John who sent the Pilgrims on the Mayflower.) I wonder if all the Robinsons aren't related to each other somehow.
The Great Famine: The most substantial Irish migration to Wales occurred during and after the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s. By 1861, the Irish-born population in Wales had peaked at nearly 30,000 people. Many settled in the industrial towns of South Wales like Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport, where they worked in the docks and mines. Some of these migrants, both poor and skilled, undoubtedly carried the common Robinson surname.
Geographic proximity and easy travel: The short sea journey and established trade routes between Ireland and Wales made migration relatively easy. For centuries, people have traveled and settled across the Irish Sea for economic opportunities.
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson (Irish: Máire Mhic Róibín;néeBourke; born 21 May 1944) is an Irish politician who served as the president of Ireland from December 1990 to September 1997.
Mary Robinson, whose husband was a Robinson, was the former Irish President with the surname Robinson. She served as the seventh President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997 and was the country's first female president.
Mary Robinson's husband is Nicholas Robinson. They married in 1970. As Ireland's first First Gentleman, he is an author, historian, solicitor, and cartoonist.
More information on Nicholas Robinson:He was born in Dublin in 1946 and met Mary while they were both law students at Trinity College Dublin. Together, the couple founded the Irish Centre for European Law at Trinity College in 1988.
Moving to Israel in 1980 was a big decision, and one I'm so glad I made. As a 22 year teacher of Elementary education, I became a junior high teacher of Engish as a 2nd language in Safed after a 10 month educational experience in Haifa of which I completed and became a certified Israeli teacher, even passing the Hebrew test by the skin of my teeth actually after breaking my elbow and arm bone just as the 1982 war was about to start. I've written 2 true books and now have been working in 6 blogs; 3 about Israel and 3 about family genealogy. It's all enough to keep me very busy. I've met the best of people this way that I dearly love, while in my home my time is spent with my female Llasa apso, my age in dog years and as spoiled as can be. I swear she understands too much.
