The origins of this particular branch of the Fife family go back to William Fife (1802-1880) who lived on a moderate farm at Drumcullion, County Fermanagh, Ireland. All five surviving children of his first marriage to wife Bessie (née Nixon 1807-1850) immigrated to New South Wales, Australia between 1859 and 1865. The aftermath of the Great Famine, the death of their mother, their father remarrying and better prospects in an overseas colony were all contributing to factors to them leaving Ireland.