Geoghegan Newsletter November 1989

One of the most memorable chapters in the history of the Celtic race deals with Niul, youngest son of Fenius Farsa, King of Scythia. Niul was reputed to have mastered all of the languages of the then-known world. The fame of his learning and wisdom spread world-wide, and King Forond, the first-styled "Pharaoh Cingris" of Egypt, invited him to Egypt to instruct Egyptian youth in the sciences. The King gave Niul a large fiefdom on the Red Sea, and gave him, also, his daughter, Scota, in marriage. The MacGeoghegans are descended (via many generations) from this union. It is also reported that the Egyptian River was renamed the Niul (now, Nile) in his honor. There's quite a bit more to this story which must be reserved for another newsletter so that I can have room for the headline story, here.

This facility for languages seems to be an inherited trait of the Geoghegans judging from the number of times I have come across famous (and less well-known) Geoghegan translators, writers and orators. While I have written several books, I somehow missed out on the foreign language ability. However, my son David Neil (named before I was aware of the connection of the name Niul, Niall, Neil and similar derivatives in our family history - it was just a tradition to have a Neil in the family) is trilingual (English, Spanish and Portugese). My English "cousin", Michael Geoghegan (we share the same great-great grandfather), who serves with the U.N. in New York, is fluent in eight languages. There are many more instances too numerous to mention.

But imagine my surprise and delight when I received information and documentation from Mrs. Mayo Geoghegan Greer, of Lacy, Washington (and others in the Orcas Island, WA branch of the family) about the incredible Richard Henry "Harry" Geoghegan, of Fairbanks, Alaska, who was reported to have mastered more than two hundred (That's 200!) languages. A quick cheek with the Guiness Book Of Records provided the information the the present living world's record holder has mastered 19 languages, and has a working knowledge of some 12 others. The all-time record-holder knew 41 languages.

It seems to me that we should start some kind of an effort to get Harry Geoghegan in the record books! While he, himself, was always shy and retiring and shunned publicity, his prodigious knowledge of languages is legendary among linguists of the world and should be fairly easily documented - at least the first hundred or so languages. Is there anyone out there who will chair this worthy project? Relative, or not, it seems such recognition, although quite belated, is much deserved, and I hope someone out there interested in languages will pick up on this.

But, I get ahead of my story. Richard Henry Geoghegan, usually known as "Harry", was born January 8, 1866, in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, son of a prominent Irish physician. His father had a practice in Dublin, Ireland and Liverpool, England. When he was an infant Harry had an accident which left him permanently crippled. All of his father's skills could not re-set the shattered limb.

Hoping to become a diplomat in the foreign service, he enrolled at Oxford University where he studied Chinese, and picked up several other languages while he was at it - Greek, Latin and Gaelic. He found that languages came naturally to him and before long knew all of the modern languages of Europe. Next, he added Japanese and Hindustani to his repertoire and started to explore the work of artificial languages (later, he collaborated with Dr. Zamenhoff of Russia in the development, of "Esperanto", a language for international use). Eventually he was considered by many as the world's leading authority on artificial languages, even inventing one for his own amusement which reputedly could put over twelve hundred words on a single small note-page.

Then, several crushing events took place. First, his lameness precluded his serving in the British diplomatic corps. Then, the tragic sudden death of his father placed on him the burden to become a major support of his mother and six brothers and sisters. The family had heard of the opportunities in America, so they moved lock, stock and barrel across the ocean by ship, then across Canada in winter by the old cross country locomotive to Vancouver, then by paddle-wheel steamer to Orcas Island, Washington, where they homesteaded a small farm.

Harry was not cut out for farm life and he eventually went to the mainland around Seattle where he held a series of clerical and stenographic jobs which employed his language and writing skills. He continued his study of languages, adding Russian, Sanskrit, Egyptian Hieroglyphics and later, Lepcha, Tibetan, Korean, Swahili, Arabic, Khmer, and practically every modern and ancient tongue in the world! With his photogenic memory, he once stated that by concentrating on a word for six seconds it would be firmly implanted in his mind.

He first moved to Alaska in 1902, returned to Seattle a year or so later, then around 1904 he took a job as a court reporter for the famous Judge James "The Terrible" Wickersham and moved back up to Valdez, Alaska. Several years later the court site was changed to Fairbanks, Alaska, and Mr. Geoghegan moved there to spend the rest of his life except for several brief excursions to the U.S. and to Japan. His life as a court reporter on the circuit trail by dog sled, horse, boat and all manner of primitive transportation would make a real Jack London book on it's own, but the real story is his continued pursuit of knowledge in language.

He is said to have known all of the various systems of shorthand and could transcribe two at a time, using both hands as fast as the text could be dictated! Another of his reputed accomplishments was to transcribe dictation directly on a typewriter as fast as the words were spoken. History records the key role he played in breaking the Mayan calendar code; writing the first English text on Esperanto and developing the first dictionary of the Aleut Indian language. He died in his log cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska on October 27, 1943. Although he had continued scholarly correspondence with libraries and language authorities around the world up until his death, it is almost as incredible as his knowledge of languages that he died in practical obscurity. Belatedly, the State of Alaska, through the University of Alaska is trying to reconstruct details of his life and work. If you have any information or papers relating to Richard Geoghegan you are urged to contact this office.

At left (click to enlarge) is the front-page article from a recent issue of the WESTMEATH EXAMINER. The entire article, which continues on another page four columns wide the full length of the page with pictures and comments really gives a great deal of publicity to our efforts! With typical Irish "blarney" it states we have "1,000 paid-up members" (Don't I wish! See Treasurer's report, below). It also gives the impression that we'll have thousands of Geoghegans visiting Castletown! I had nothing to do with its publication, and while it is true that we have over a thousand Geoghegans on our mailing list, not all are active members. I just hope that the good people of Castletown don't tar and feather me if thousands of tourists don't show up! Nevertheless, it's great publicity and 1 hope it will encourage a few of you who have been "standing on sidelines" to come on board.

It is now technically possible to prove or disprove the connection between the Pharaohs and Irish nobility (the Geoghegan clan in particular). This can be done by comparing DNA samples from Egyptian mummies and blood samples from present-day Geoghegans. If anyone out there has access to such techniques, please let me know. It would be a genealogical landmark if we could successfully conduct such an experiment. In the next issue of our newsletter, I'll give the pedigree of the Geoghegan family all the way back to the Pharaohs a Nectonibus and Cingris.

As you can plainly see from the following figures, this has surely turned out to be a non-profit venture! I swore I would not send out any more newsletters to anyone who has not at least sent in a family tree, but the last newsletter generated several new contributors and, more importantly, a couple of real "treasure troves" of Geoghegan information, so here I go again with another newsletter to all 1,000 plus on my mailing list!

INCOME: 6 contributions @ $100; 2 @ $50; 19 @ $35; 1 @ $25 and 1 @ $10 - TOTAL: $1,400.

EXPENSES: Mailing list-$22.85; Mailing labels-$23.32; Printing-$575.08; Stationery & envelopes-$451.35; Stamps-$1,440; Photos & photocopies-$74.22; Secretary (mostly putting data on computer)-$425.00; Database software & computer time-$780; Research books & materials-$136; 9 doz. T-Shirts-$718.60; contribution to Castletown Geoghegan Tidy Town committee-$100.00. TOTAL OUTGO: $4,846.42. (I have not taken anything for my own time spent on this project, nor for the many phone calls I have billed to my personal account).

If anyone out there would like to make a contribution it would be most welcome, no matter how small. If anyone who has made a contribution does not think they are getting their money's worth, just let me know and I'll give you a prompt refund. Please make all checks payable to me personally, John J. Gargan, as we ran into too many problems setting up a bank account in the fictitious name of the MacGeoghegan Family Society. All contributors will receive a color photo of the MacGeoghegan Castle. Contributors of $100 or more may call me any time to get money-saving tips and valuable information about travel in Ireland.

Results of our survey are now tabulated. Members approved, by a big majority, the first four items, and by a somewhat narrower margin rejected the fifth proposal (that the Clann Chieftain must reside in Ireland during the term of his/her office). Items approved were:
1) That all Geoghegan descendants who are members of the MacGeoghegan Family Society and are over the age of 21 be allowed to vote.
2) The Clann Chieftain and other officers may be of either sex.
3) The term of office shall be for five years, and the Chieftain may succeed him/herself
4) That we will continue the tradition of a formal inauguration ceremony at the MacGeoghegan stone near Castletown Geoghegan.

O.K. now, listen up, this is important. The next edition of the MacGeoghegan Family Society Newsletter (August, 1990) will include an official ballot to elect the Clann Chieftain. Only those who are active members of the Society will receive the next Newsletter and be permitted to vote, and the only requirement to become an active member is to care enough about your heritage to send us a copy of your family tree (even if all you know is your own name and birthdate). It is NOT necessary to make any monetary contribution to be a member of the society (although it sure would help if you could).

My plea for nominations for Clann Chieftain have so far gone unanswered although several of you have nominated me. I am honored that you would ask me, and would serve, if elected. If there are any others out there who have the time, energy and money to serve as Chieftain, I would be glad to hear from you (this will definitely NOT be an "honorary" position). We'll also have to figure out the nominations and/or appointment of a Secretary and Treasurer.

All votes for Clann Chieftain must be on the official ballot and received in this office no later than September 15, 1990, at which time the tabulation will be made and a special letter mailed to all members announcing the results. Then we will set a date for the ceremony to be held at the inaugural stone, probably in October or November of 1990 (or we may wait to tie it in with the big "Gathering of Clanns" at the hill of Tara the following year).

To help put a dent in our budget deficit, we are pleased to announce the availability of MacGeoghegan T-Shirts and Posters. The T-Shirts, modelled here by Erich Barth and Denise Loden are top-quality 100% cotton "Fruit Of The loom" shirts with the family crest on the front, and a picture of Donore Castle on the back, with the logo "SAVE THE MAC GEOGHEGAN CASTLE". They are available in S, M, L, X-L and children's sizes at $15.00 each. The 20 X 30 inch full color photos of the castle are $30 each. Please specify vertical or horizontal poster and sizes of shirts. Add $2 per item for shipping and handling.