In County Cavan, of the Irish Free State, on November 12 1830, John Birnie was born into a catholic family.

On 20 January 1840, Jane Gibson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her father was a Presbyterian minister. The family had come from Scotland.

Jane and John's wishes to marry were strongly opposed by family. In response they eloped to Dunedin. They were married in St Paul's Catholic Cathedral on 12 Sep 1863. They then moved to Clyde.

The John Birnie family moved from Clyde to Carricktown (or possibly Potters Gully) on the Carrick Range. John Birnie worked as a storeman, carter, delivering goods from Clyde to the Carrick goldfield.

Unfortunately Jane Birnie suffered a 'breakdown' shortly after the birth of Isabella (5th child). Isabella was taken into care by Thomas and Mrs Shaw, a childless couple who lived in Duffers Gully.

on 12 Feb 1876, Mary Birnie (4th child) died after eating poisonous berries. She is buried in the Cromwell cemetery. She had been playing dolls tea party and made her tea with the berries.

During the time that the Birnie family were living in Carricktown, John Birnie appears to have worked for some time as a miner.

The Birnie family moved from Carricktown to Bannockburn so that Ann, Margaret and Jane could attend the Bannockburn school. It appears that dwelling #235 was built by John Birnie about this time.

On 24 Jun 1878, the three Birnie daughters were enrolled at the Bannockburn school.

John Birnie (2) was born on 1 Oct 1879 in Bannockburn, Unfortunately he died on 5 Oct.

John Birnie listed in Stones directory as a miner.

On 12 Feb 1887, Margaret Birnie was married to Thomas Marsh Sanders - in Cromwell.

On 10 July 1889, Ann Birnie was married in Cromwell, to John Thomas McNulty.

John Birnie applied for a mining licence in Adams Gully.

The gully where dwelling #235 is situated was named on the Ridlands map as Birnies Gully.

On 28 Jul 1892, Jane Birnie was married to Francis Kitto.

John Birnie died on 20 mar 1902 at the age of 71 years. he is buried in the Cromwell cemetery.

On Jan 5 1903, Ellen Birnie was married in the Cromwell Catholic church to James Cummock.

On 30 Sep 1908, Isabella Birnie was married in the dwelling of Thomas Shaw at Nevis, to John Williamson.

After the death of her husband in 1902, Mrs Jane Birnie continued to live in dwelling #235 for a number of years.

Jane Birnie may have moved to dwelling #46 in Terrace (Hall) Road. The last entry for Jane Birnie in Stones directory is for 1908.