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I am looking for some help from the readers of Our Canada in finding out information about a ceramic heirloom cat that has been in my family for decades. The cat was made during the
Irish Potato Famine (1845 to 1849) and was used to bring valuables from Ireland to Canada during this famine. The history of the cat, as we understand it, is as follows: There were five families who, during the Potato Famine, made five cats out of clay and iron to resemble piggy banks. Within these cats, they hid valuables. Four of the cats are laying down and one, which is mine, is sitting up. My cat measures 13½ inches tall and weighs 7.5 pounds. All five families made it out of Ireland with the cats and made their way to Canada and the U.S. We believe that one of the cats held the list of which cat belonged to which family and what valuables they included. We also believe that four of the families went to Pennsylvania and one family went to Toronto. We have been told that my great-great-great grandmother was the one who brought our cat to Canada. We think this is a photo of her (above), and that her family name was Thompson. Ever since, the ceramic cat has been passed down to the eldest girl in the family. I am looking for anyone who has information or artifacts about the Irish during this time that might relate to our story. I would really appreciate establishing contact with anybody who might have additional information or knowledge of these special cats. If you have any information to share, please contact me at joandobsoncat@ gmail.com.