A BRIEF CHRONICLE OF
CHARLES JOHN 'NOMAD' McGUINNESS

Originally Compiled By John McGuffin
 j@mcguffin.freeserve.co.uk

Chronicle Periods   1893-1914   1914-1928   1928-1947

Céad Míle Fáilte! or A Very Warm Welcome!

Readers Note: Much of this information is conflicting due to the many myths and the many biased sources!  They are offered for both potential historical value and amusement!

• Charles John McGuinness - "Nomad" or "Sailor of Fortune" - born March 6, 1893.

• Grew up in Lower End, Derry City.

• Mother Margaret Hernand - Spanish descent from shipwrecked Castilians, CM claims.Mother dies when CM young, according to Fr. Coyle.

• Father Charles McGuinness  Seaman. Ship captain and harbor master at times. Brought two monkeys and spears and shields back from Africa. Harrington alleges that CM's grandfather was also a ships captain.

• Charlie raised by the Coyles? At Lower end. Also lived at 19 Meadowbank - other Coyles, inc. Fr. Coyle lived at 25 Meadowbank

• Nomad's brothers - Hugh - went on to become headmaster of St Eugene's in  Rosemount. Fr. Coyle was a pupil.

• Brother John - teacher - went to Halifax and married a woman called Murphy

• Aunt - Mary Ann Coyle raised him?

• Nomad's sisters - Maisie - spinster

• But Daisie married a Cunningham - is this the source for the seaman's trunk?

• Daughter Sheila?

• Nomad's wives - 1st wife Clara (Claire) - German -  Is the one he married in Vienna and lived in N.Y. with son Patrick Joseph A.

• Coyle says a second wife is buried in the City cemetery.

• Another wife buried in Donegal. Family from Shreeve.

• Used to holiday in Redcastle

• 1908, aged 15 CM runs away to sea on schooner Vixen

• 1909 First world trip - on Cedarbark - Wales to Iquique in Chile. Then on to New York. In New York end of 1909.

• 1910 Arrives in Sydney, Australia on the Pilgrim.

• CM is shipwrecked off Tahiti. (1910) again on the Pilgrim.

• Pearl fishing adventures and tropical experiences of the seventeen year old Irishman in the South Seas. More seafaring adventures in Australia take place - CM takes part in riots and mutinies on various boats. A visit to Java & to Easter Island.

• Gold mining in Australia before World War I  - and of voyages of discovery in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, South and West Africa, Mexico, West Indies, Brazil, China, Japan & S. Africa. [Only evidence we have for any of this is CM's account in 'Nomad.']

• Experiences hoboing in Canada, riding the rails in America and a brief stint in the Canadian militia before his return to Europe and his incarceration in a Venice dungeon. Again, no confirmation.

Chronicle Periods   1893-1914   1914-1928   1928-1947