This website was commenced in December 2009 and is a result of some 10 years of compilation. It is to be noted that the original “Cooper of Killenure” was written circa 1970, and much of this site is information reprinted with the kind permission of the author, the late Rev. Fr. Ted Cooper. Additional stories and family trees were compiled by Michael Cooper OAM, Ballarat, Victoria, with grateful assistance from many members of our family.

Soon after his death on 9th September 2013, we recorded tribute to Father Ted on this page.

Sadly we now record the passing of Reverend Professor Father Austin Patrick Cooper OMI AM, on 5th July 2023. Austin's story has been added under the heading of his Grandfather (also) Austin. Extract of death notice is as follows-
"With great sadness, the Australian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate announces the death of Fr Austin Cooper OMI on 2nd July 2023. Fr Austin was born on 14th January 1933 in Sorrento Victoria. He was educated at Assumption College Kilmore. He joined the Oblate Novitiate at Sorrento in 1950 and was sent to study atPiltown Ireland. He was ordained in Ireland on 16th September 1956. Fr Austin was the founding Rector of St Mary's Seminary Mulgrave, and Foundation Master of Catholic Theological College Melbourne. He went on to become Master twice more and lectured there from 1972 until his death. He helped form many future priests, bishops and lay people. He served as Oblate Provincial from 1076 to1983. The Oblates thank God for the life of Fr Austin Cooper OMI"

This site will initially deal with the Australian connection, WILLIAM DAVID COOPER,who arrived in this Country in mid 1850's. He lived at Elaine Victoria, and passed away 1st February 1903. He is buried at the tiny cemetery,in the rural hamlet of Clarendon, on the Geelong-Ballarat Road.

Latest website of interest is killenure.com which advises that Killenure Castle was opened to the public as a tourist attraction in May 2012 and lists the many features of the property, as well as some history.

Another site of interest is "Tall Tales from the Trees" by writer Colin Slater. Some of the Cooper and Chadwick stories, some outlines previously known to us, are expanded in Colin's writings, and are of great interest to us. Just hit the "Cooper" link.

It would be a rare claim for any modern day person to be able to trace one of their bloodlines back 12 generations to the 17th century. However, thanks to Fr.Ted , and his story “Cooper of Killenure”, members of our clan can not only do that, but have also been given a rich  and interesting insight to some of the characters that have gone before us.

I guess that those with the Cooper name would get a kick out of such publications, but even to see ones name recorded in a Family Tree and to grasp where they fit into the overall picture, and to learn just a little about their ancestors, no matter how far back, could be just as interesting.

For those in this Cooper clan who have not had the privilege of possessing and reading this early history of our family, with Father Ted’s kind permission, his story forms the backbone of this compilation. To it, has been added some additional stories of our Cooper clan. We possess a most comprehensive collection of Family Trees, dating right back to Austin Cooper known as "Austin The Settler" 1614-1690. Some of the history, from that time, to William David's arrival in Australia, can be told at a later date. In this regard, Father Ted’s research is remarkable and future generations are in his debt for his efforts.

On the surface, it is difficult for one to grasp the overall family tree, but for several of us, who have had the time and inclination to document details of our clan, to gain knowledge of the “big picture”, the exercise has been most interesting and rewarding. For myself, it has given me an excuse to speak briefly to many of my relatives, to acquaint oneself, or to reacquaint.

In gathering information for a simple “tree” and to then add some contact details, one cannot help but wonder, that when William David Cooper decided to migrate to Australia around the mid 1850,s  (or was forced to), did he ever imagine that he would commence an Australian branch of the family which now January  2024 together with spouses, is nearing 1000 persons. Each generation contains incidence of both large families, and members of the clan who did not procreate. Branches in some cases died out altogether. We have many incidences of marriages later in life, possibly a sign of those times, most certainly against today’s regular custom. The incidence of twins is common, and starting with William and Rose Ann themselves, two sets of twins sadly saw only one child surviving in both cases.  
 I would imagine, that never in his wildest dreams, would this William David Cooper, a Protestant-born Anglo-Irishman, have thought that he would be responsible in providing the Australian Catholic Church (initially at least), with four nuns, four priests and four brothers. In addition, we have and have had, a diverse range of professions.

Possibly the story which originally moved me the most, is the beautiful account of the life of Sarah Elizabeth Cooper - Sister Gerard of the Loreto Order. It seems that all the goodness that was ever possessed in our genes shone through in this humble servant of God. The various accounts of her life and the accolades heaped upon her by her peers indicate that we have had claim to a “saint” in our midst. Contacts with Loreto Convents at Normanhurst and Ballarat, for additional information revealed that this holy woman is still remembered and revered by the Order almost 50 years after her death. We were able to contribute to  a
 chapter on her life, included in a recent publication dedicated to the group of Loreto Sisters who are buried in the ground of the Convent at Normanhurst, NSW. The book, "Resting Beneath The Rainbow", was launched on 3rd May 2007. The dedication to Religious life of Sarah Elizabeth has now been mirrored by that of her nephew, Michael Austin Smith (Marist Brother Walter), who passed away in Faisalabad Pakistan, on 2nd December 2006. His story has now been added and grouped under  chapter 7-those of "Next Generation"

We have often heard the expression “I don’t know where to start”. In my case it has been difficult to know where to finish the various areas of information compilation. However I intend to draw a line now and go into print with this publication, but have every intention of producing further enhancements at a later date. In undertaking the various areas of research, so many other avenues open up, and I hope some additional information will be inspired by this publication. In this regard I invite all family members to provide any corrections or additional information to improve on this record of our family history.

I say compilation, as 90% of what is here written is the work of others. I humbly acknowledge all the input gleaned from writings of others, together with the many letters and phone conversations with my relatives to construct the various family trees.  In commencing this compilation some 25 years ago, I had no idea of what future technology would enhance the delivery of our history. 

Michael Cooper OAM, Ballarat, Victoria.January 2024
 email address cooperm1944@gmail.com