Michael Cairns and Mary Ann Higgins were married in Bothwell, Tasmania on the 6 August 1868.
They had many children in Bothwell, all registered in varying names fron Carns to Kearns. They had a James registered as KARNS in Hamilton. Perhaps this is your James Michael.

Name: James Karns
Birth Date: 29 Sep 1870
Father's name: Michael Karns
Mother's name: Mary Ann Higgins
Birth Place: Tasmania
Registration Year: 1870
Registration Place: Hamilton, Tasmania
Registration Number: 716
I know nothing about Michael but I do have details of Mary Ann Higgins if you think this may be him.


Notices re- James Michael Carnes;

The Mercury Thursday 29th December 1927 - Memorium Notice Placed by Sarah Carnes
IN MEMORIAM. CARNES.-In fond memory of James M. Carnes, who died at Hobart, December 29, 1926, aged 56 years; also his dearly loved son, James W. D. Carnes, who died at Launceston, July 30, 1924, aged 23 years. Sadly missed. Inserted by their wife and mother, S. Carnes, Bothwell.


IN MEMORIAM. CARNES.-In fond memory of James M. Carnes, who died at Hobart, December 29, 1926, aged 56 years; also his dearly loved son, James W. D. Carnes, who died at Launceston, July 30, 1924, aged 23 years. Sadly missed. Inserted by their wife and mother, S. Carnes, Bothwell.

The Mercury Thursday 30th December 1926 FUNERAL NOTICE
Funeral of the late James M Carnes will arrive at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Oatlands, on 'Friday, afternoon at 2 o'clock. PIERCE J. KEATING.


The Mercury Thursday 30th December 1926 - Death Notice DEATHS. OATLANDS On December 29 1928 at Hobart, James Michael, the dearly beloved husband of Sarah A Carnes, aged 57 years. Requioscat in pace.

Thank you, will follow up. Already had death and funeral notices.The birth date I have for James is 29.09.1871 but that of course could be wrong have been relying on older family members. Would appreciate info on James mother just in case we are on the right track. Thanks so much been at this for years.

Mary Ann Higgins born abt 1849:
Parents-
Father: was Hugh HIGGINS born abt.1820 at Dumfries-shire, Scotland
Died on 22 March 1898 at Campbell Town, Tasmania Australia
Mother: Mary BURNETT born 28 December 1830 at Loan Head of Glenfarg, Scotland. died on the 15 May 1913 at Campbell Town, Tasmania
Marriage: 20 April 1847 at Oatlands, Tasmania
Children from this marriage were:-

*Mary Ann Higgins 1849 m. Michael CAIRNS 6 August 1866
Joseph Higgins 1852 ? 1932
John Higgins 1855 ? 1933
William Higgins 1859 ? 1935
James Higgins 1862 ? 1885
Robert Higgins 1865 ?
Hugh Higgins 1868 ? 1868
Hugh Higgins 1870 ? 1871
Richard Higgins 1873 ? 1956

* children of Mary Ann HIGGINS and Michael CAIRNS were:-
Mary Ann Kearns b: 11 March 1868 at Bothwell, Tasmania
James Karns b: 29 September 1870 at Hamilton
Elizabeth Kearns 15 July 1872 at Bothwell
John Kearns b: 3 September 1874 at Bothwell
Alfred Cairns b: 17 March 1878 at Bothwell
Honor Cairns b: 25 July 1880 at Bothwell
Thomas Edward Cairns b: 7 June 1883 at Bothwell
Ellen Mary Carnes b: 24 August 1888 at Bothwell
Michael George Kearns b: 22 October 1891 at Oatlands
Ruby Isabel Carns b: 4 February 1894 at Glamorgan
Celia Lucy Carns b: 23 September 1895 at Bothwell

** Note the different spelling of all the surnames.
Direct decendant Shirley Higgins advises that the surname was pronounced 'Karns'and these are the names on the birth certificates.

again thank you very much, trying to get somewhere with all this for years, can I ask on this page does anyone have anything on WILLIAM SMITH and EMILY JANE CLEAVE also married around Oatlands district 1872. Have lots on the CLEAVES but very little on SMITH.

Hello Janilye, I have found a Hugh HIGGINS on the convict list, but having trouble reading it. Looks like he was 18 convicted and came out in 1838, so the dates seem to fit, do you think this is him. Cheers.