Andrew ROONEY was born 9th June 1807 in Saintfield County Down - 18km south of Belfast, Ireland

He married Francis THOMPSON in Saintfield

With his wife and 1st child (Anne Jane Rooney), he emigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1838 on the MANDARIN and then in 1841 to Auckland, New Zealand with their first 2 children (Ann Jane & Sarah Rooney)

From the Australian and New Zealand Gazette
- 4th December 1880
.. Another of the early pioneers of the province has passed away in the person of Mr. Andrew Rooney, whose death took place at his residence, Epsom, at the advanced age of 76. The deceased was well known to all the old residents of Auckland. Mr. Rooney arrived in Sydney in 1838, where he stayed but a short time, and came on to Auckland in 1841, shortly after the foundation of the colony. He entered into business in the boot and shoe trade, which he carried on successfully, and his place of business in Queen Street was at one time the favourite rendezvous of Auckland politicians to discus politics or for the inauguration of movements in the cause of social progress. Mr. Rooney took an active share in the leading events of that period. For many years past he had retired from active business, though always ready to assist in developing the industries of the province in some of which enterprises his speculations proved unsuccessful, owing to circumstances over which he had no control. In private life he was ever active in assisting the distressed and the unfortunate. He leaves a widow, with a son and daughter unmarried, besides five married daughters, and a large number of grand and great-grandchildren. Mr. Rooney was a native of Belfast. In his death the Masonic order lose a very old and zealous and respected member. He was one of the founders of Lodge Ara, the earliest in Auckland, of which he was one of the trustees till his decease

His children were:
1837-1914 Ann Jane Rooney
- born in Saintfield County Down
- died aged 77 in Kingsland Auckland

1840-1918 Sarah Rooney
- born in Sydney, NSW, Australia
- died aged 77 in Manurewa Auckland

1844-1932 Bethiah Rooney
- born in Auckland New Zealand
- died aged 88 in Rotherham Canterbury

1846-1932 Francis Eliza
- born in Auckland New Zealand
- died aged 86 in Taupiri Waikato

1849-1886 Margaret Rooney
- born in Aucklnd New Zealand
- died aged 36 in Union St, Auckland CBD

1851-1851 James Rooney
- born in Auckland New Zealand
- died aged 5 days in Auckland

1852-1929 Andrew James Rooney
- born in Auckland New Zealand
- died aged 76 in Christchurch Canterbury

1855-1930 Mary Harriette Rooney
- born in Epsom Auckland
- died aged 74 in Tuakau Waikato/Auckland

1858-1943 Julia Rooney
- born in Epsom Auckland
- died aged 84 in Chatswood, NSW Australia
- (her mother died at her home in Tamworth NSW in 1885 while on a visit)