Siblings

Line drawing courtesy Copilot

I thought I would look at numbers of siblings in families in my tree.

My grandmother told me that her 2nd great-grandmother, Janet FORSYTH (nee DEWAR) was last of 24 children in her family. I have not been able to prove this, (yet), but her parents David DEWAR and Euphan HONEYMAN were married 10 January 1741 in Kennoway, Fife, Scotland and Janet was baptised in 1757. There would have had to be several multiple births in the 16 years between, but so far I've only found 7 other baptisms, so that remains a Record to be proved.

I have 2 families which hold the current record, each with 16 children.

William Samuel COALES, brushmaker, and Lydia Elizabeth MILLER married 30 Aug 1858 at St Mary, Newington, Surrey, England, and had their last daughter in 1885. Amazingly only 2 didn't make it to adulthood, so those children grew up with 13 siblings. None of them produced anything like that number of children themselves.

Richard GRENFELL and Susan SAMPSON married 11 March 1856 in Penzance, Cornwall. Their last child was born in 1881. As far as I have found out, only 8 of them survived to adulthood, but it could well be less.

Families with 15 children:

• Thomas Joseph BYRON and Evenly SHARPLESS m 1919 New South Wales, Australia
• William BOLITHO and Ellen SHARD m 1882 Victoria, Australia
• Thomas WOOLLEY and Augusta JORDAN m 1867, New Zealand
• Francis HIBELL and Sarah PARTRIDGE m 1823 Worcestershire, England
• Richard James MICHELL and Ethel Harriett DANIEL m 1900 New South Wales, Australia
• Charles ADDINGTON and Rosozinnia Ann HALL m 1880 South Australia

Families with 14 children:

• William WALSH and Betty KAY m 1799 Lancashire, England
• Johann TROYAHN and August Wilhelmine Johanna HAGNOW m 1866 Queensland, Australia
• Phillip EBERT and Agnetis LAQUEI m 1688 Prussia
• Alexander BRAY and Louisa STEPHENS m 1869 South Australia
• George IVIL and Jane JORDAN m 1865 New Zealand
• Alfred Thomas STEPHENSEN and Ruby May WEINHEIMER m 1918 Queensland, Australia
• Thomas Parkins MILLAR and Mary Ann LAX m 1889 Queensland, Australia
• James Sweet UREN and Elizabeth Ann CUNDY m 1849New South Wales, Australia
• James WALKER and Eliza WRIGHT m 1845 Hertfordshire, England
• John O'CONNELL and Mary RIORDAN m 1867 Limerick, Ireland
• Thomas HIBBERD and Marion Amelia PENMAN m 1874 New South Wales, Australia
• Gordon HUNTER and Jean Mackenzie DROVER m 1937 Ontario, Canada
• Richard RENFREE and Amelia BRAY m 1863 Victoria, Australia
• Jacob HATFIELD and Laura Rosina MCPHAIL m 1892 Utah, United States of America
• Willian HANSCOMBE and Mary SMYTH m 1749 Hertfordshire, England
• William WALLS and Mary BOLITHO m 1839 Cornwall, England

If any of the links don't work, then go directly to my website https://www.chriswright.id.au/ and search for the names.

The IRELAND & HORSMAN families migrate to Australia

We will probably never know what prompted Esther PAYNE to decide to come to Australia in February of 1840. She was the eldest child of John Walpole IRELAND and Esther HORSMAN, and in 1836 married William PAYNE.(1)

"The Colonist", Wed 12 Feb 1840 p2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31724557

There 'seem' to be no children of this marriage, and we can only assume that William died, as Esther emigrated as a 'single' cook, aged 25, (daughter of John IRELAND (Cooper) and Esther IRELAND), aboard the "James Pattison". She spared little time before she married Heinrich PROTT (Henry), in April 1840, as a widow. Also on the same ship was her sister, Mary Anne COOKE (nee IRELAND), with her husband Robert COOKE, In addition, her 17-year-old brother Alfred, a pastrycook, who was engaged on board the ship on arrival. What eventually happened to Alfred is a mystery, as in 1846 his mother was advertising for him in "The Sydney Morning Herald":

FREDERICK OR ALFRED IRELAND, who arrived in this colony free, per James Pattison, in 1840, and entered the service of Mr. Lachlan McAlister, is requested to forward his place of residence, for the information of his mother, who has been unsuccessfully seeking him for the last five years.
N.B -Any person who can afford any information of the above-named person, will confer a deep obligation by addressing a line to Mr. H. Witton, 59, Elizabeth-street, Sydney; or, Mrs. Ireland, Darlinghurst Brewery.(2)

The ship departed for England, via India on 7 March 1840, but caught on fire on 29th of September, and although being totally destroyed the crew were saved.(3)

John Walpole IRELAND and Esther (nee HORSMAN) arrived as bounty immigrants aboard the "Queen Victoria" on 26 July 1841. Perhaps they were excited to meet their first grandchild, William Henry PROTT who was born only weeks before their arrival. It appears that John & Esther were accompanied by their daughters Martha Rebecca and Matilda Ruth. Their 2nd eldest daughter, Harriet Elizabeth, who was 24 at the time, 'appears' to have remained in England. How another son, John William IRELAND came to Australia is yet to be determined.

"Port Phillip Patriot & Melbourne Advertiser" 2 Aug 1841, p2
 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226511494 

On his immigration, John Walpole IRELAND had said he was a cooper, but he must have shifted his trade slightly as 2 years after arrival he was charged with illegal distillation, at or beside Albion Brewery in Sydney. Sometime after this he became a publican and held the licence to the "Cottage of Content" in Wooloomooloo Street until his death in 1852. Esther took over the licence, but sold just over a year afterwards. Apart from an altercation in 1857, where she was charged with failing to appear on a summons regarding threatening language, (in which she was wrongly named), nothing further is known until her death in 1873.

Esther had been the eldest surviving child of her parents, James HORSMAN and Mary (nee CUCANN or KUKAN), but they had died in 1825 and 1840 respectively, so perhaps the death of her mother also had some bearing on the decision to migrate to Australia. Nothing much is known of her other siblings, but it seems that her youngest brother, William Burnell HORSMAN and his wife Eliza Silke (nee EVANS), also decided to emigrate. The youngest of their 8 children, Ruth, was born in Sydney in 1843. Sadly, William was drowned when the "Sovereign" steamer was wrecked off Amity Point, Queensland in 1847.(4)

There are over 800 currently known descendants of the IRELANDS, and 172 currently known descendants of the HORSMANS in Australia.

(1) Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucester, Gloucestershire; Gloucestershire Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Numbers: Gdr/V1/374

(2) "Advertising" The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) 20 November 1846: 4. Web. 25 Feb 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12899871>.

(3) "AUSTRAL-ASIA SHIPPING." South Australian Record and Australasian and South African Chronicle (London, England : 1840 - 1841) 24 October 1840: 15. Web. 25 Feb 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245933247>.

(4) "MELANCHOLY LOSS OF THE SOVEREIGN STEAMER." The Sentinel (Sydney, NSW : 1845 - 1848) 1 April 1847: 1. Web. 26 Feb 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226461801>.

Letters & Diaries - A Love Story

When this topic came up I was wondering exactly what I was going to write about. I don't have any diaries, apart from my own, and although I do have letters, none are particularly old ones. 

So, I thought I might just have a look through my mother's 'box'. 

I have only briefly scanned it in the 13 years since she died, and didn't really think there was anything of to much interest there. How wrong could I be? There were certainly letters, quite a few from me, including one sent when I was a child and sent to a camp at Magnetic Island, and another after I gave birth to my eldest son. There were letters from my Grandfather...I had forgotten that he had always written in red ink! They are hard to read, so for another day. There were receipts for lots of things, telegrams, cards, medallions, and newspaper clippings. The real gem was an unassuming little Spirax notebook with my mother's name, Val Anderson, on the front. 

It seems that this is a bit of a diary from before she married. And, the little bit of diary is about the holiday she went on with her future-to-be sister-in-law, (also Val), where she met my father!

It reads:

Monday 16th July 1956

The boat was set to said at 11 o'clock. We went to the Wintergarden to see "Never Say Goodby (sic)" then we looked over the ship. Had a snack at Haddon Hall. Then home to cook the tea.

9 o'clock Auntie & Uncle picked us up and we boarded the 'Elsanna" shortly after.

Dad came too and they were just going to see us off settled & then go. We watched the loading of cargo, and Dad spoke to Mrs. Campbell & introduced us. Then the bier was over and the time passed quickly. Fun and games with the streamers and one honeymoon couple on board. Stayed on deck for a while going down river.

Tuesday:: Slept fairly well!

Breakfast: Pawpaw, rolled oats, Haddock & tea & toast. 

Cloudy at first, but gradually lightening. Record sitting for meals.

A porpoise led the ship this morning. Said to be a good sign. Pinky colour, big & very fst. Also spotted a whale.

Lunch: Soup (veg), Sirloin steak, vegs & ginger steamed pudding.

Afternoon tea.

Sunbaked on deck, knitted & slept.

Sadly, the following pages are written in shorthand, so I can't read them. Mum was a stenographer, shorthand/typist.

the "Elsanna"

The story that I have been told is that Val was sea-sick, so Mum had been sunbaking on the deck alone. She looked up and Dad, a 4th Engineer on the ship, came up from below-decks in his white uniform, dazzling in the sun. It was love at first sight!

Val and Barrie at the ship's wheel

Dad looks very pleased with himself there.

I also have the letter that Mum sent to her mother telling her that she had met "the one"!

There doesn't seem to be a photo of Dad in his white uniform, but here he is at what I think is their engagement.

Barrie in his uniform, Val sitting

This meeting had a happy ending as they married on 21 December 1957, and were together 54 years until Val died. 

Barrie SMITH (1934-2014) and Val (nee ANDERSON) 1935-2012)

Surprise! I'm Related!

In over 40 years of family history research, some of the best surprises I have had is when I discover that someone, who I already know, is related to me.

The year 2000 was when I set off, back-packing alone, on my first overseas trip, to visit and experience the places of my ancestors, Scotland, England, & Germany. I had a wonderful time, and when I returned home, a lovely friend caught up with me for a coffee. She asked what surnames I was looking for in Germany, as her husband also had German ancestors. I reeled off the main surnames: WEINHEIMER, WEIBLER, MELCHERT... She said "hold on! I've got Melchert relations!" I really thought it was unlikely, as every MELCHERT in Australia seems to be a descendant of one William Frederick Martin MELCHERT, who came to Australia some time before 1877, and we have a pretty good handle on all his descendants. I even thought that she had misheard what I said, but it turns out that my great-uncle William Frederick Martin MELCHERT, Junior, is married to Lee's great-aunt, Elsie Beatrice ROBERTSON! How exciting to be linked, (even by marriage), to someone as lovely as my friend Lee.

In the early days of research, I was mostly trying to locate my father's biological parents, given that his announcement of his adoption, (see this post), was what started me on my journey. Once he was able to legally receive his Birth Certificate, it stated that his mother was Doris BRAY. Doris had been born to Abdiel BRAY and Lily May KESSELL in 1916 in Charters Towers. I made contact with another family historian from that family, Bill BRAY, and it turned out that his son is married to the twin sister of my best friend from High School, both of whom I went to school with.

DNA has also played a part. There was no match to me, but matches to 2 cousins and to my brother of a lady who had the surname of someone I had also attended High School with, in my class. I 'had' often wondered if there was a connection, and eventually linked up with my school friend on Facebook. She confirmed that the match was her sister, and it turns out that I am a 4th cousin to their father. Our shared ancestors are Alexander Dun SMITH and Helen TURNER, from Scotland, but who emigrated to Australia in 1853. We have since caught up in person, and are both amazed to find out we are related.

I am sure there will be plenty more of these wonderful surprises yet to come, as I locate more descendants of my ancestors.

(Graphic generated by Microsoft Copilot)

The Challenge of the SMITH Surname

I guess that everyone has a SMITH somewhere in their family tree, but my maiden name was SMITH, so I have a major stake in the game of SMITH. 

My SMITH family are from Scotland, and of course it is the most common name in Scotland.(1)

Alexander Dunn SMITH was born in Barrachan, Mochrum, Wigtownshire, to Francis SMITH and Agnes YOUNG.(2) He married Helen TURNER (3), and they emigrated to Australia in 1853. (4)

My challenge is definitely his parents. The Kirk Session records for Mochrum are sketchy, and although I have found records of Alexander's older siblings being born in the same place, there is no record of the marriage of Francis SMITH and Agnes YOUNG, and no records of their births/baptisms or deaths/burials. 

These are their children:

• Mary born 17 October 1809 at Barrachan
• Jane born 7 May 1811 at Barrachan
• Agnes born 20 December 1813 at Barrachan
• James born 15 November 1815 at Barrachan
• Sarah Cherrie born 10 May 1818 at Barrachan
• Robert born 15 May 1820 at Barrachan, and
• Alexander Dun(n) born 3 Oct 1823 at Barrachan.

Apart from the records of the births/baptisms of these children, the first record I can find for Francis SMITH is 14 Sep 1822 when he received 6 shillings distributed from the Poor money by the Kirk. (5) He was a weaver, and I conclude that he was 'of' the Parish as he was receiving this poor relief. He regularly received money from the Kirk until 20 Mar 1824. So far I've not discovered any record of his death, but it must have happened between that date and 26 June 1824, when Agnes YOUNG starts receiving money from the Kirk. Agnes 'seems' to be in the 1841 census, 53 years, living at Barrachan Farm along with Agnes McKOMIR (10 years) and Agnes BROWN (85 years).(6)

So, I wait patiently to see if my challenge of poor people called SMITH, in a place with no records can ever be overcome. I'm more than happy to receive suggestions.

(1) Scottish surnames - Wikipedia

(2) Results for Alexander Smith | Scotland's People - , "National Records of Scotland", [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople] Index for ALEXANDER DUNN SMITH, Parents: FRANCIS SMITH and AGNES YOUNG, Gender: M, Birth Date: 3 October 1823, Parish #: 892, Parish: Mochrum, Ref: 20///9; accessed: 31 January 2025

(3) Results for Alexander Smith | Scotland's People - , "National Records of Scotland", [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople] Index for ALEXANDER SMITH and ELLEN TURNER, Date: 4 December 1843, Parish #: 892, Parish: Mochrum, Ref: 20///211; accessed: 31 January 2025

(4) Queensland State Archives, Microfilm of passenger list "Agricola: arriving Moreton Bay 26 Feb 1853

(5) Mocrum kirk session Minutes (1826-1847), Poors' accounts (1794-1834), CH2/269/1, CH000200269-00001-00001-.jpg

(6) Results for Agnes Young | Scotland's People, "National Records of Scotland", [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople], 1841 Census Index: AGNES YOUNG, Gender: F, Age at Census: 53; Ref: 892/ 7/ 7, Registration District: Mochrum; accessed: 31 January 2025

Overlooked

If there is a side of my research that is overlooked, it is probably on my mother-in-law's side. This is really a terrible shame and I should definitely put a greater focus on these people:

William WALSH and Betty KAY married 5 Nov 1799 at St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire, England

Ann RILEY born 1812 at Houghton Tower, Lancashire, England, (married William WALSH 1829)

Ellen HAWORTH born 1760 at Blackburn, Lancashire, England, (married Richard THORNLEY 1797)

Elizabeth BONE married Noah CASLEY 6 Feb 1796 St Just in Penwith, Cornwall

John IRELAND married Sarah PHIPPS 5 Nov 1791 Little Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, England

William PETERS married Hannah WILKINSON 13 Oct 1824 Royston, Cambridgeshire, England

William WILLIAMS married Mary Ann VOWDEN 21 Jul 1831 Veryan, Cornwall, England

Do any of these appear in your tree? I'd love to hear from you.

Image courtesy Roses free rose clipart public domain flower clip art images and 5 – Clipartix

January 17 is A Special Day!

It's a bit of an anniversary day for me today:
- birthday of my maternal grandmother - Charlotte Sophie Margaret Anderson (nee Drover), known as Queenie, born 17 Jan 1902 - died 7 Sep 1986 (the first photo);
- birthday of my paternal grandmother (who I never knew) - Doris Hamilton Bray, born 17 Jan 1916 - died 8 Apr 1969 (the second photo with her second husband); and
- the anniversary of when came to live in Rockhampton in 1996.

Charlotte Sophie Margaret ANDERSON (nee DROVER) - "Queenie"

Doris Hamilton OLSON (nee BRAY)

Nickname

Nicknames are interesting, and in my family history software Family Historian there is a place to record it. I choose not to use this field for recording what we would ordinarily think of as a nickname, but the name that a person is known by, so, I am Christine, but go by Chris, and that is what I record in the Nickname field, even though there 'is' a field for Given Name Used (perhaps one day I'll change it).

In some cases, such as for my German ancestors, they were given a Baptismal first name, (so all the sons in the family 'may' be known as Joseph), but they went by their middle name, and that is also what I record as a nickname.

Some, like mine are understandable: Alf for Alfred, Alan for William Alan, Jack for John, Jim for James, Harry for Henry, Peggy for Margaret, Bob for Robert, Ted for Edward, Tom for Thomas, Tony for Anthony, and Will or Bill for William.

Others are unfathomable: Aileen for Martha Henrietta, Angarrak for John, Angus for Robert, Belita for Elizabeth Anne, Biddy for Rosemary, Bro for George Ambrose, Buck for William, Bud for George Albert, Bunny for Alfred Baird, Cherry seemed to be used for Margaret Agnes, Alice May and Charity, Cobber is a very Australian sounding one used for Allen Robert, the Curlew Kid, Curly for Kenneth, Daisy for Sarah, Dolly for Dorothy is understandable, but also for Mary Evelena, Margaret, Olive Grace and Doris,  Erik for James, Foye for Hettie, Lovey for Florence Emma, Milly for Ida Mary and Malvina, Mousie for Blanch Virginia, Pee for Patience, Polly for Mary Ann, Mary Helen, Pauline Rosemary, & Frances Amy, Pudge for Charles Arthur, Tex for Harry, Tinnie for Lucinda (use for all the Lucinda's in a particular banch), Vera for Shirley Mae, and Wizzard for William Albert.

My own son has been known as Sox by his mates, but everyone else calls him Marc. I guess the best thing is to record what I know (with sources), and leave it up to the reader to make their own decisions on the name.

Favourite Photo

One of my favourite photos is one that I have written about before My Favourite Family Photo, not only because I believe it is one of the oldest photos I own, but because it is an Ambrotype.

Honestly, it's very hard to choose a favourite among the 1000's of photos I have. Some are prints, some slides and many digital. One of my goals is to ensure that all my printed photos are digitised for preservation purposes. 

In fact, any family photo is a favourite. 

This is a list of ancestors for whom I have no photo, and would love to come across one:

• Alexander Dunn SMITH (1823-1877)
• Helen SMITH (nee TURNER) (1816-1903)
• Philip WEINHEIMER (1827-1895)
• Clara WEINHEIMER (nee WEIBLER) (1840-1879)
• Thomas BRAY (1845-1915)
• Susan BRAY (nee HAMPTON) (c1845-1926)
• Sidney ANDERSON (1813-1877)
• Jane ANDERSON (nee ADAMS) (1813-1871)
• Elizabeth ANDERSON (nee PARKER) (1841-1880)
• John HIBELL (c1826-1915)
• Ann HIBELL (nee LLOYD) (c1829-1896)
• James DROVER (1829-1887)
• Catherine DROVER (nee RODGER) (1819-1883)

So, my current favourite photo is one of the most recent of my grandchildren, who are holidaying in Australia.

The FAN Club finds Richard PARKER

I know that we hear that you really need to research all the Friends, Associates and Neighbours (FANs)* of a person, especially if they are your brick wall.

I have one Richard PARKER, whose death eluded me. He was a tailor, but became a Wesleyan Preacher. I had only recently ‘finally’ found the death of his second wife (and my ancestor), Bridget (nee RICHARDS), but PARKER is a very common name in Herefordshire, and it really was annoying that I couldn’t pin down his death. When I found Bridget’s death in 1887, it said she was a widow.

So, using “Family Historian” (my software) hints, and the fact that FindMyPast had free access for the Remembrance Day weekend, I started working through the family. I started with Richard and Bridget. All their hints were those which I had found the details before, so I ticked ‘confirmed’. I then moved on to their children, Elizabeth (my ancestor), George and Jane. Once again, nothing new of note. Next I moved back in time to the 2 daughters of Richard’s first marriage, to Susan WORMINGTON. The first daughter, Mary Ann, had married James MILNE in New York. The MyHeritage hint for them gave me a copy of their Marriage Certificate (1), which I had not had before.

Hold on a minute…they were married by ‘her’ father, Richard! He was in New York in 1869! Wow! I was pretty sure he had died before 1871 as I couldn’t find him in the 1871 census. What if he had died in the United States? So, I did a search in MyHeritage, and BINGO I found his obituary(2) in OldNews.com. He died 29 March in 1877 in New York. He had performed a marriage ceremony only the day before, but was intending shortly to return to England to his family.

Port Chester Journal

Mar 29 1877 • Port Chester, Westchester, New York, United States

Rye.

CHRIST CHURCH

The sudden death of Rev Richard Parker cast a gloom over this community where he is so well known. At the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, and at Union Chapel, it was feelingly alluded to. At the close of the chapel service, Mr Mathews gave an impressive account of his last illness and a tribute to his faithfulness and zeal in the Master's work. Mr Parker conducted the opening services in Union Chapel under its present management and his (l)abors were very successful.

Harrison.

DEATH OF REV. RICHARD PARKER.

This gentleman, who was pretty well known to the towns of Harrison and Rye, died at his residence in New York on Thursday morning Iast in his 71st year. Mr Parker was a native of England, and expected to return to the home of his youth to spend the remainder of his days in a couple of weeks, but "man proposes and God disposes."

The deceased was emphatically a man of work, and thousands of sick and dying beds have been brightened by his presence often in the depth of winter and at the midnight hour. These were simply Iabors of love and mercy for which the reward was alone in his own breast. His ministerial life in New York was chiefly with the City Missions, though he has occupied some of the best pulpits in that city, preaching three times on the Sabbath when the stated pastors were off enjoying the balmy breezes of the country or the cool, refreshing air of the seaside. It was Mr. Parker's wish and delight to be ever in the Master's service, and he emphatically knew no rest till he heard the voice- "It Is enough come up higher." He died with harness on. His first sermons in Harrison were preached in the Memorial Chapel. " He also preached In White Plains, Mamaroneck and Rye, his more recent labors being in the " Union Chapel " of Rye. He was, indeed, announce to preach there on Sunday evening last, but he came not - the winding sheet of death held him fast! On the morning of Sunday, 18th, Mr. Parker started from his city home for church, but returned feeling unwell. On Wednesday he united a couple in matrimony as he lay upon his sick bed, and on Thursday he died, calm and peaceful, without uttering a single word. But he was not unprepared!

The funeral services were held from the Seventh Avenue M. E. Church on Monday afternoon, several ministers taking part in the same. The body is to remain unburied, awaiting the arrival of his son, who left England on Saturday for New York. Mr. Parker leaves a widow, a most estimable lady of perhaps 70; also two daughters and the son alluded to above. In the language of the bereaved widow, Mr. Parker was worn out. There was nothing for disease to feed upon, his labors were o'er and he has gone to his reward.

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Another brother alluded appropriately to the unexpected death of Rev Dr Parker and his life - long service in the cause of Christ.

Here are the details from Bridget PARKER's Death Registration(3):

8 May 1887 at 2 Sackville Cottages, Hay

Bridget Parker, female, 83 years, widow of Richard Parker Wesleyan Minister

Cause of death - Cerebral Haemorrhage, coma, certified by Robt J Shepperd LRCS

Informant - George Parker, son, 10 Clifton Street, Wolverhampton

(1) New York City Marriages, 1866-1949, https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-20807-1673655/james-milne-and-mary-anne-parker-born-rorker-in-new-york-city-marriages, James Milne to Mary Anne Parker, Nov 2 1869, Manhattan, New York, United States, https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-20807-1673655/james-milne-and-mary-anne-parker-born-rorker-in-new-york-city-marriages, viewed 8 Nov 2024

(2) My Heritage, United States Obituary Index from OldNews.com™,  Port Chester Journal, Port Chester Journal, https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-12003-50208506/richard-parker-in-united-states-obituary-index-from-oldnewscom, viewed 8 Nov 2024

(3) England & Wales General Register Office, GRO Online Index - Death (https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content : accessed 8 November 2024) database entry for Parker, Bridget. Age: 83, GRO Reference: Q2 1887 in Hay, Volume 11B, Page 99.

* Credit to Elizabeth Shown Mills for this methodology, as explained very nicely by Lisa Louise Cooke The Genealogy FAN Club Principle Overcomes Genealogy Brick Walls | Genealogy Gems

Blogiversary!

Today is 11 years since I created my first post on this blog Queenie talks about her family which was the transcript of an interview with my maternal Grandmother from about 1986.

I have not been very prolific over that time, but I have plenty of draft posts just waiting for the final lick and polish to be ready to be posted.

Bing Image Creator

A "Grave" Mystery - SOLVED!!!

It has taken 10 years to solve the mystery surrounding the inscription on the headstone of Alexander Dun(n) Smith, buried in Toowoomba & Drayton Cemetery. HERE is the link to the original post about this mystery. 

This is the original photo we had to work with and, as you can see, it is a low quality photo, and zooming in did not provide any discernable details.

Last week I was able to personally visit Toowoomba cemetery, and viewed the graves of Alexander Coutts, and Alexander Dun Smith. Here is the new photo.

There is no longer any mystery about the origins of Alexander Dun Smith, as I was able to see that his headstone, although severely weathered, says "Native of Wigton", (as is known from all records). 

Close-up of relevant section of the headstone

Enhanced digitally on the word

Tracing over the lettering (digitally) to clarify what I'm seeing

The inscription below is now nearly illegible, so while we may never know what that said, (I suspect a religious text), we can now discard any notion that the family was from Angus, and concentrate all our efforts in research on Wigtownshire. 

I will also note that in the week since I saw it, the stone has been cleaned. I was hesitant about this, (fearing damage to the delicate sandstone) but, in fact, it has brought it up beautifully, and the main inscription is now very clear.

You can see this on FindAGrave Alexander D Smith (1823-1877) - Find a Grave Memorial

Family Food Memories

There are some foods from my childhood that I suspect came down through Dad's side of the family, and were from more of a German influence from Clara, (his adoptive mother, but actual grandmother). 



One that we had quite regularly, and is Potato Cakes. These are made from grated potato, mixed with some flour and eggs, and then fried in oil. I have my own version which adds sesame seeds to one side and some grated cheese to the final side. These are very tasty with chutney. These are traditionally called Latkes (or Kartoffelnpuffer), (and seem to be of Jewish origin), but we never called them that.
(Photo by Jonathunder - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5629332)


On Sundays when we had Roast, we would always make 'baked bread'. You take slices of bread (they can be stale) then put them on a flat tray and dry them out in the oven. I have since found out that this is called Zweiback (German, meaning twice baked).

(Photo by No machine-readable author provided. Rainer Zenz assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=658529)


Mum would often make Corned Beef with cabbage and White Onion Sauce. I liked the meat but was never a fan of the 'boiled to death' cabbage and Onion Sauce. In the following days, Dad would slice the left-over corned meat and dip it in batter and fry it. Dad called this "Burdekin Fish" which I think was a salute to the huge beef industry around the Burdekin River. For dessert Mum would also make banana and pineapple fritters, which were battered, fried and then sprinkled with sugar.

A special treat for breakfast was always one that Dad prepared. He would get a tank loaf of bread, cut the crusts off, cut it into cubes, then drench with hot milk which had sugar dissolved in it. The taste of this was so heavenly to me, and years later I tried to reproduce it, but my versions were always a sad disappointment as they never tasted like those that Dad made.

Some of my childhood foods came from Mum's Scottish side of the family. One of these, which she called Posset (although the definition of Posset seems different), seems quite peculiar if you think about it. Mum would place an Arnott's Arrowroot biscuit in a bowl, cover it with warm sweet milk, put a saucer over the top and leave it for a while until the biscuit was swollen with the milk. If the milk didn't have sugar on it, then sugar was sprinkled over before eating.

Grandma Anderson was a big proponent of Porridge made from oats, and I think she made it every morning. She had a traditional porridge stick (spurtle) for stirring it. The porridge was sprinkled with brown sugar and milk added before eating.

I complained of a sore throat once when staying at Grandma and Grandpa's and Grandpa made me a 'special' mixture to ease the pain. He took some butter and mixed in some sugar to make a little ball which I then sort of dissolved in my mouth. I can't remember if it actually worked, but it sure tasted great.

Mum was not a particularly good cook, but she did her best. When she first married Dad and they went on their honeymoon at a flat at Kingscliffe, Mum had forgotten to take her recipe book, so Dad cooked a stew.

The happy couple on their honeymoon

At one stage Mum got a new Sunbeam Frypan and it came with a little recipe book which had a recipe for Cabbage Cantonese. This was basically fried onion, add some mince, then shredded cabbage and sprinkle on some soy sauce, then eat with boiled white rice. This was a fairly cheap meal and became a family favourite.

Other regular meals were a dry mince curry, Sausages and veges, desserts were Ice-cream from Evaporated milk & Jelly, or sometimes a boiled pudding. We also had French Toast, crumbed brains, lambs fry & bacon, pea and ham soup made in the pressure cooker, (which Mum was given as a wedding present). 

Mum loved lambs kidneys, but Dad absolutely detested them, so they were only served rarely. One thing that they liked that I detested was tripe. The last time I can remember Mum cooking it was in Melbourne, and I got vomited from the smell. In Melbourne we often had rabbit from the rabbit man. Sunday roast was usually a chicken, but sometimes beef. Mum baked lots of things, but she couldn't get sponge cakes to work. Mum and Dad also really liked tinned soup, and we often had asparagus, tomato, or mushroom Campbell's Soup for lunch.

When we lived in Biggenden, (in 1966), Dad was the Methodist Minister, so we were fairly poor. One of his parishioners must have shot some ducks and gave some to us for a meal. I don't think Mum had cooked it before, but she baked it. We were shocked to find it full of lead pellets! I don't think any of us enjoyed it much, and we certainly never had it again!

The only take-away we ever had was fish and chips, which came wrapped in printed newspaper, and liberally dosed with salt. Dad's favourite to have with them was Potato Scallops, but he would always share one with us kids. Mum loved fresh crab, and Dad would always try to get her some when we had an opportunity for fresh seafood.

Some of Mum's cooking items, which bring back memories are:

The bowl that the Aeroplane Jelly was always made in.

There were a set of 6 different coloured bowls for 'special' desserts

The flour sifter for baking days

There was a matching aluminium sugar bowl to go with this milk jug

The Pyrex casserole dish

Dad hand-turned these wooden egg cups

These plastic canisters were the height of fashion in the late 60's early 70's

These cups (this one and below) actually came from Grandma Anderson. This one was my favourite as whenever we visited my Grandparents, Grandpa would make me a cup of very milky tea with an Arrowroot biscuit (for dunking) before breakfast every day, and mine was in this cup.

10 Year Anniversary

Wow! it's 10 years since I started this blog.

I know I've not been very prolific, with only 19 posts, but I've got over 100 in a 'working' state, and I plan to get some of them posted soon.

My goal is to share my research with family, and initially I really wanted to share an interview with my grandmother. Here is a link to the first post.

Here's to the next 10 years, and hopefully a lot more posts than 20, (this one is number 20).

Thanks 'Heartless Gamer' for your logo https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI4kypKdwY58a_0dhUvjEQG6LK9qkjnFbRscUu_1OtP4keuocUrJgdGkJHlKkgr5U-t5bs0a0ABWKzQbCvzV77Ggk1x_2ZE8pqi7cuQMJq0CO1Rpgh6Y51sqEbgwSsxy084iP8K0SZUxx/s320/10years.jpg

A lovely memory

It is my natal anniversary (thanks #LegalGenealogist for the terminology), so I guess I'm feeling a bit nostalgic.

I love this cup and saucer. 

From as early as I can remember, (until I was 13 when Grandpa died), when we visited my maternal grandparents there was a morning ritual; Grandpa would make tea for everyone in the morning before breakfast. My tea, as I was a child, was strong and milky with an arrowroot biscuit, and served in this cup. I felt so grown up being allowed to use such a precious item. I can still smell the Bushells tea, and taste the taste. Generally, Grandma would still be in bed, (her 'bedroom' was on the front veranda), and I would sit in the chair at the small round table, (both made by my Grandfather), and sip my tea, dunking my biscuit and desperately trying to time it perfectly to get soft, but quickly enough that it didn't fall apart into the tea.

Front garden beds with painted rocks that Grandpa made

This was a holiday event so would only happen occasionally really, as we lived in Mt Isa, and would usually travel down only on Christmas School holidays to Fingal Heads where my grandparents lived. I don't think we ever stayed the full 7 weeks of the Queensland school holidays. Their home at Fingal was at the very end of Lagoon Road, and was like a paradise to me. The yard had gardens filled with flowers, (as grandpa loved to grow them; his favourite was Pansies, hence became my favourite too), and at the front was a tiny patch of remnant native vegetation which homed frilled-neck lizards. There was a small 'lookout' to the lagoon, with a 

Seat and 'native patch' the lookout is behind Mum's head

bench seat beside. I was both totally fascinated and a tiny bit scared of the lagoon. I don't remember who said it, but there was definitely an inference that 'someone' had seen 'something' in the lagoon, like a Loch Ness monster, so I would go to the lookout and watch the surface of the water carefully, scanning for a sign of the 'monster'. Of course, now I realise that it was told to us to stop us trying to go near the lagoon for a swim when no-one was around.

The house itself was a simple little beach shack. Looking through the old photos I have re-remembered that it was called "Topend".

Rough Floor Plan of the Fingal House (not to scale)

You walked up the front steps to the small enclosed verandah, and on the left would be

Grandma with me at the front steps in 1960

grandma's bedroom. The width of the verandah only just fitted the length of the bed at that end. This side of the bed was a cupbard against one wall, and under the windows at the front was a chair and the small round table. A curtain allowed this area to be made 'private' if required. Then at the front was the chaise lounge and Grandma's Singer sewing machine on the opposite side. To the right of the door (under a weird internal window from the bedroom) leading to the dining room was the crystal cabinet which held all sorts of treasures, such as Grandpa's WWI medals, and lots of these beautiful teacups. To the right was the door to the bathroom. 

Bathing beauty (me) in the bucketful of water

The bath was the biggest I had ever seen, but it could never be fully appreciated, as they didn't have a hot water system. At bath time you had to fill a tin bucket with water and put in the water heater element to heat it up. So, pretty much you bathed in 2 bucketfulls of water, which barely covered the base of the huge bath.

The dining room with screen and lamp at the back

Going into the rest of the house, you first walked into the dining room. This held the large wooden table, the sideboard, with standing floor lamp, and wooden screen, fake fireplace, and chairs lined up around the remaining space. The obligatory 3 ducks flew across the wall. All the furniture (to my
knowledge) was built by Grandpa, who was a Chair Maker and French Polisher. The other half of the house was a bedroom which held a wardrobe, double bed, and a small bed against the window, where I used to sleep. It was smaller than a single bed.

The dining room

At the back was Grandpa's bedroom on the left and the kitchen on the right. Grandpa's bedroom held his small bed with the smoking cabinet beside. On the left were two cupboards, and a tallboy at the far end. On top of the tallboy Grandpa kept his tobacco, pipes and cigars (which he rarely smoked, and always outside). 

The kitchen on the right had a kitchen table and chairs, traymobile, stove, sink and cupboards. It smelt stongly of Bushell's tea and Sunshine soap (which was in a little wire cage with a handle to swish in the dishwater for suds).

Patio area before Grandpa enclosed, June,
Aunty Nettie, Grandma, Des & Uncle Gil

Out the back door was the 'patio'. Large cement slabs surrounded by garden beds and the whole area enclosed by walls covered in asbestos sheeting, (I guess it was to provide a sheltered area from the wind as the house was on the back of a sand dune behind the beach). This must have been done later than the photo on the right. The chairs were all built by Grandpa, (of course). There were two doors leading out, one at the back, which I don't remember using much, and the other to the side, which led to the outdoor dunny, and washing area at the back of the garage. 

March 1963 my birthday party outside the kitchen windows

The outdoor dunny was at the end of a cement path. I am sure there was toilet paper, but there was also cut up sheets of old newspaper and, I think, sawdust to cover up after use. Concrete laundry tubs were outside at the end of the garage, with an wringer washing machine. Grandpa had made Grandma a wooden laundry trolley which was used to take the wet clothes over behind the 'patio' where clothesline was strung between to poles, and the clothes fastened with dolly-pegs. 

The garage was a wonder to me. It smelled fabulous, of linseed oil and other rich earthy smells. You stepped down a couple of steps inside to Grandpa's work benches around the the back and one side. Huge fishing rods were up in the rafters. I never saw anyone use them, and I think I was told they belonged to Uncle Paul. Grandpa's ute was an amazing old vehicle. He only got his driving licence for the first time when he was 60! I guess it was when they relocated there from Brisbane. Sometimes we would be taken for drives and sit in the back on the seats. That definitely wouldn't be allowed now.

You could walk from the path that led to the toilet, though the She-Oaks and out onto the sand path which led straight over the dune and down to Fingal Beach, where we used to swim, investigate and play all holiday. 

Top of the dunes at Fingal Beach (lighthouse in background), me with Grandma

Fingal Lighthouse, early 1960s, Mum & I

Fingal Dunes, early 1960s, Grandma, Grandpa and I

Front of house and garage April 1964

Front steps Apr 1964 Dad, Mum, Mal & I

Front steps, bef 1960, Dad, Mum, Aunty Val, Grandma & unknown

Front of house, Apr 1960, Aunty Nettie, Uncle Will & I