Sir, - This office is responsible for the management of "Lanyon", a historic house museum in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The principal building, a fine, substantial house, was built about 1859 by Andrew and Jane Cunningham who, before migrating to Australia in 1844, lived in Ballina, Co Mayo.
Jane Cunningham was the daughter of John Jackson, collector of customs in, Ballina. Her brother, William Oliver Jackson, a Church of Ireland minister, seems to have spent most of his life in the Ballina area.
To try to increase on knowledge of the early years of "Lanyon" and the Cunningham family, we are trying to locate people who might have relevant information. In particular, we would like to locate any extant letters, descriptions, diaries, or other material about daily life at "Lanyon" and the way the house and associated grazing property developed, with a view to obtaining copies. If any of your readers can help, would they please write to me at Museums and Galleries Section, Bureau of Arts and Heritage, Department of Business, the Arts, Sport and Tourism, P.O. Box 1119, Tuggeranong A.C.T., Australia 2901. - Yours, etc.,
Research consultant,
Tuggeranong, ACT,
Australia 2901.