Sisters

Little girls born around the time of Emily and Miriam

Burke- June 14, at 54, Blessington-street, in this city, the wife of Rev. Wm. John Burke, Incumbent of Castlejordan, diocese of Meath, of a daughter.

16 June 1863 – Dublin Evening Mail – Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. P 1
Miriam Sophia Burke was the first born of Rev and Mrs Burke. Born in 1863 she was Emily’s only sister and four years her senior. Being the only girls the sisters may have been close as children, as it turned out the burke sisters were they only two to survive beyond 25 years.

Both girls attended a Clergy Daughter’s School in Dublin. These schools educated young ladies very well, making it possible for them to earn an independent living, this became necessary as their parents died in 1883 when they were 20 and 16 years old. These schools were homes away from home, giving some security to the Burke sisters who found themselves alone in the world at an early age.

Sources:

http://catnipstudiocollage.blogspot.ie/2010/10/free-vintage-clip-art-victorian-sisters_12.html

16 June 1863 – Dublin Evening Mail – Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. P 1

Ní Dheirg, Íosold. Emily M. Weddall: Bunaitheoir Scoil Acla. Beann Éadair, Baile Átha Cliath: Coiscéim, 2010.