December 2015-PHT magazine - Milton Ulladulla Family History

Transcription

Milton-Ulladulla Family History Society Inc
NEWSLETTER
December 2015
Issue No 41
Pigeon House Tidings
Aim of Our Society
To encourage research and friendship in genealogy.
To promote the study and foster the knowledge of family history in the local
community.
Pigeon House Tidings December 2015 No 41 – Milton Ulladulla Family History Society Inc
Our Journal is published in June and December each year.
Patron: Mrs. Shelley Elizabeth Hancock, BA, DipEd MP
Member for South Coast, New South Wales
Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Office Bearers for 2015
President . .................John Sparks
Vice President ...........Meg Hammond
Secretary . .................Cheryl Stokes
Librarian . .................Marg Magnusson
Treasurer . .................Marilyn Boyd
Research Officer ........Committee
Activities Officer .......Vacant
Publicity Officer .........John Sparks (Acting)
Journal Editor ............Julie Gullan
Committee Member..Marg McIntosh
Public Officer .............David Weaver
Write to us:
The Secretary
P O Box 619
ULLADULLA NSW 2539
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mufhsi.org
Website contact: [email protected]
MEETING DATES
Meetings of the society are held on the second Monday of each month at the Family History Room,
Ulladulla Civic Centre, Lower Floor, 81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla. Visitors and new members are
very welcome. A small door fee is charged at each meeting to cover catering and other costs. The
Society is also open for research and visitor enquiries every Monday and Wednesday between the
hours of 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. and every Saturday between the hours of 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Thanks to Shoalhaven City Council for their assistance
Disclaimer
The statements made and views expressed by the contributors in this publication are not necessarily
those of the Editor or the Milton Ulladulla Family History Society Inc.
Cover: Representation of Pigeon House Mountain, South West of Ulladulla, New South Wales.
“....saw a remarkable peaked hill which resembles a square dovehouse with a dome on top and for
that reason I named it Pigeon House.” Lieutenant James Cook, April 21, 1770.
© Milton Ulladulla Family History Society Inc., 2015
Page 2 of 30
Contents
Welcome to new members
4
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
5
Story - The Centenaries of World War 1
By Joanne Ewin
7
Story - Ellen Collins – An Irish Convict
By Julie Gullan
11
Story - My Mother’s Great War
Postcards
By Gwen Knox
15
Story - Bound for South Australia
By John Sparks
19
Story – Table Talk
By Cheryl Stokes
21
Story - A Redcoats Story
By Graham Ledwidge
Contributors
Fashion of Ancestors – Open Day
24
RESEARCH ENQUIRIES Can You Help?
Handy Hints
25
ABOUT OUR MEMBERS Member’s
Profile Graham Ledwidge
26
Poem – Grandma and the Family Tree
27
The Librarian’s Corner
28
Fund Raising - Bunnings BBQ
29
Talk by Jan Gregory on
Family History Research AND
Talk by Cathy Dunn on
Old Sydney Burial Ground
Pioneer Directory Order Form
Brian Clayton, Jean Erwin, Brian
Morrison, Betty Bartlett, Ron Haydon,
John and Nivella Cleverly, Elizabeth
Nowosad, Elizabeth Searle and Colin
Dabinett
And welcome back to
Marg Hope who has re-joined after
having a little time off
23
30
We extend the warmest welcome to the most
recent additions to the family tree of the Milton
Ulladulla Family History Society Inc. May their
branches be full and bear much fruit.
The following members contributed material to
this edition of Pigeon House Tidings. Should
you wish to correspond with them, contact
details appear against their names.
(5100) Joanne Ewin
Email: @gmail.com
(14366) Julie Gullan
(5226/7) Ken and Gwen Knox
(14366) John Sparks
(15375) Graham Ledwidge
Page 3 of 30
From the President’s Desk……
The Committee and I hope you have had a successful year with lots
of further discoveries in your family tree. Research is never easy,
and one can get side-tracked; but be diligent and careful and
rewards will eventually be forthcoming.
Hopefully, some of the “brick walls” have gone through the
enlightening talks and demonstrations given at our Members’ Days
now held on Mondays.
A new Committee was elected to office in July we have been
involved with several projects to encourage members of the Society
to be more active. Our central location, facilities, and structured
timetable, members and general public are becoming more aware
of what we have to offer. The volunteers have been surprised with the number of visitors from the
region and elsewhere.
The Milton Ulladulla Family History Society conducted an Open Day on Saturday 22nd August, as
genealogy societies nation-wide held similar events during the month of August. The theme of the
exhibition was “Fashion of our Ancestors” and our local group, who dressed in costumes of yesteryear,
had on display an exhibition of interesting memorabilia of their families past.
We were very much enthralled by a demonstration of photographic restoration by Margo Zerbes in
September. Margo showed what can be done to bring our old family photo “back to life”, and also how
to repair damaged pictures.
During November, Jan Gregory gave us a wonderful talk on tracing family events from shoebox to
recording their history. Jan had some great ideas and spoke most enthusiastically, warning of pitfalls one
can encounter along the way.
Then, on Saturday 14th November, Cathy Dunn, the well known local historian, presented a fascinating
topic, “Old Sydney Burial Grounds”…early colonial Sydney and the burials of convicts, soldiers and
settlers from Sept. 1792 till the beginning of 1820…..on an area where The Sydney Town Hall now stands!
Perhaps the only regrettable aspect of the Society with which I am disappointed, has been the lack of
attendance at our monthly meetings. We want to encourage all to support our Society. We hope to do
this with activities of interest, inspirational guest speakers at our monthly meeting, and trips to other
societies and archives.
SO, on the days ‘The Centre’ is open we would so welcome you to “drop by” for a chat and a cuppa, tell
us how your researching is going and possibly let us know if we can assist further, or continue with your
research yourself.
Further, I am sure there are some who would, with a little encouragement, come and assist the Duty
Staff on one or two occasions throughout the year. An hour or two on a Monday, Wednesday or
Saturday would be very welcomed. Any member may come along and assist the Duty Staff on any day,
please feel obligated!!!!!! As we hear of some family history societies folding and numbers dwindling, we
are encouraged by the ten or more members that have joined us since last November. A new motto
perhaps…. “nudge a neighbour/friend/family member”.
In closing, the Committee and I wish to thank the Shoalhaven Council for their generous consideration of
our financial concerns, and their support for us to continue our work in the community.
May I wish one and all happiness and best wishes for the Christmas Season, and lots of good things to
come in the New Year.
John Sparks, President
Page 4 of 30
The Centenaries of World War 1
By Joanne Ewin (Member No. 5100)
In last year’s “Pigeonhouse Tidings” I told the story of the connection of our son-in-law, Ian Wilcox of
Gerringong, with the Battle of Fromelles in Belgium in July 1916 and how he was proud to discover
that one of the last burials identified at the cemetery there was that of his great-uncle on his
mother’s side, Private Albert Williamson, of Canowindra. With very little time left before the event
after this news he arranged to go to the funeral ceremonies with his 16 year-old son James. They had
a wonderful trip, with so much to experience and remember.
This year it was the turn of another grandson, Max Warren, aged 19, and his mother, our daughter
Sophie (nee Ewin), of Kangaroo Valley. This involved the centenary of the landing at Gallipoli and
how Max’ 1st cousin three times removed, Private Walter Seccombe (Max) Ewin was killed on the
first day, his own 25th birthday. Our present-day Max was born on Anzac Day 1996, and our eldest
daughter Melinda Caelli (nee Ewin), on Anzac Day 1962. Max is in his gap year, waiting to go to ANU
in Canberra next year to study a double degree in Modern History and Environmental Studies. He had
always said that he would like to be at Gallipoli for the centenary in 2015, so when the Government
announced that people had to draw a number in a ballot to be able to attend, our daughter entered,
drew a number and was able to take both herself and Max.
Sophie and Max Warren on the
beach at Anzac Cove 25-4-2015
Over the previous few years, we had been corresponding
with the History Department of Toowoomba Grammar
School, after they had rung to ask if we were the Ewins
connected with Max Ewin, and we were able to send
them all our information about him. His father WW Ewin
Jnr had moved his family from the Shoalhaven to
Pittsworth, near Toowoomba, when Max was about 10,
and he was sent to the school. When war came, he
enlisted in the 9th Battalion and after training in Egypt,
sailed to Gallipoli and was on one of the first boats
ashore. He reached Gun Ridge in the first rush and was
close to seeing The Dardanelles on the other side of the
peninsula, when a Turkish commander mustered his men
and attacked the Australian soldiers. We believe the
commander to have been Kemal Ataturk, the future first
president of Turkey, responsible for bringing it out of the
time of harems and sultans into the modern world.
According to the evidence of two of Max’ fellow soldiers at an
enquiry held in France the next year, the troop retreated, but Max
refused to; he continued firing and was never seen again. The
evidence was so carefully collected, amazing considering how
many men were lost that day. There were letters to and from the
desperate family in Pittsworth, with the soldier’s mother writing
often to the army and also trying to get information through their
local Member of Parliament, Mr Groom. The letters back from
both were invariably courteous and personal. Max’ name appears
on the Lone Pine Memorial and we had the deeply emotional
experience of seeing it during a visit to Gallipoli in 1997, in July
when the battlefield was empty and our guide was able to take us
Page 5 of 30
Sophie and Max Warren at the
Lone Pine Memorial, 25-4-2015
all over it, visiting the Turkish monuments as well as those of the Anzacs. We stayed at the Truva
(Troy) Hotel, on the waterfront at Canakkale, and that night enjoyed the lighted boats and music
across the harbour. The ruins of Troy are only 31 kms away to the South-West, we saw them the next
day.
When Sophie and Max went this year, they went
through a very thorough preparation, and each received
a beautifully produced ticket, giving access to the beach
area on the morning of Anzac Day and to Lone Pine in
the afternoon. They arrived at their places by 3pm on
the 24th, and were in the red banks of seats right where
the ceremony took place. They had arrived at Mimosa
Park {also the name of an old Milton farm} at noon, then
had to wait for their bus group to be called, from among
hundreds of busses, before they could walk the 3km to
Anzac Cove. Then after the ceremony at 6am, they had
to wait another couple of hours before they were
allowed take the hour’s walk up to Lone Pine. There was
another wait before they could move into the area
where the Lone Pine ceremony was held to experience
the equally moving ceremonies there.
Sophie and Max leaving Gallipoli
with the Toowoomba Grammar
At the request of the school, they took a photo of
School Old Boys’ Association Badge
themselves at the Memorial, next to Max Ewin’s name,
to be added to the school’s museum. After the Lone
Pine ceremony they had to wait six hours for their designated bus to take them off the Peninsula.
They stayed the night in Edremit, then were able to go back with their tour the next day for a closer
and quieter look at this wonderful place.
Several years before, when they first found us, the senior History class at Toowoomba Grammar
School had visited Gallipoli and had later sent us a photo of one of the boys reading out Max’ story
beside the Lone Pine Memorial. The History Master had told his story at the school’s Anzac Day
service and had taken members of the Junior School, which included his son, to see the exhibition at
the school museum. Much to his father’s immense gratification the boy, who had never worried
about history before, said at dinnertime that night: ”Wasn’t that sad about the soldier who was killed
on his birthday?”. Before they left for Turkey, the school sent to Sophie and Max at Kangaroo Valley
a memorial badge bearing Max Ewin’s name and asked if they would throw it into the Aegean Sea on
their departure from Gallipoli, which of course they did, as a final remembrance of a most moving
and significant occasion.
Private Walter Seccombe (Max) Ewin.
25th April 1890-Anzac Day 1915.
Page 6 of 30
Ellen Collins – An Irish Convict
By Julie Gullan (Member No. 14361)
Ellen Collins, daughter of Jeremiah Collins and Mary Cummins, was born 26th April 1810 in County
Cork Ireland, was christened 29th April 1810
in South Parish of Cork City. Her family were
living in Nicholas Street Cork.
Recorded Parochial Area South Parish, Cork (St. Finbar's)
Page number 375, Entry Number - CR-RC-BA-64048
After researching newspaper articles on
Ellen, I can see a person who does not want
to conform and probably didn't like being told what to do. Most likely she believed there was no real
harm in not complying to general rules. Leaving her family, being thrown into a totally new world, a
new colony, being treated as if you had no intelligence is hard to imagine. Her Irish up bringing
would have strengthened her determination and stubbornness, as well as that easy going “no
worries” way of life. Ellen was Catholic, single and could read. She was 5ft 3¼ inches in height with
ruddy freckled complexion, brown hair and hazel-grey eyes.
At nineteen years of age Eleanor obtained employment on a dairy farm north of Cork City. The farm
was located at the townland of Arkskeagh. Today, the farm is still operated by the Connell family
who were Ellen's employers in 1829. We visited the
A newspaper, The Cork Constitution of
farm this year. Mrs Connell, aged 92, fourth
27th August 1829 recalling an episode
generation was still living in the original homestead.
at the Cork City Assizes said ... The
The milking sheds are still standing and her two sons
Court was occupied for some time in the
are running the farm. They were very apologetic for
following larceny cases, which were not
the events of so long ago and thought Ellen would
interesting .... Eleanor Collins was
have been set up by their 3 x great grandmother,
charged with stealing some caps from
saying it was just how it was in those days .On 16th
Elizabeth Connell of Buttevant. On the
August 1829 Ellen was tried in the City of Cork for
cross examination of the prosecutrix, a
stealing some frilled dairy caps which was reported as
doubt was raised as to the identity of
just stealing clothes and was given a sentence of
the caps and she was asked, might
seven years transportation to NSW.
there not be caps like them. Court:"pon
my word. I don't think it would be easy
Following her trial, Eleanor was incarcerated in Cork
to find them." (a laugh)
Goal for nine months. Eleanor departed from Cobh
Page 7 of 30
The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser
(NSW:1803-1842), Saturday 15 March 1834, page 2
Harbour on the 'Forth' (2) on 3rd
June 1830 and arrived in Sydney on
12th October 1830. The 'Forth'
carried 120 female prisoners.
Upon docking at the wharf in Sydney,
all females were re-issued with the
best clothes that they possessed, if
any and made to await inspection by
male colonists, desirous of claiming a
prospective wife. Eleanor and some
of her friends knew they could
become virtually free people if they
took a husband, to whom they would
be assigned. However if they could
be assigned as house servants for a
while, they could better survey
possible suitors and be reasonably
free to move around. Eleanor opted
for this alternative, but was not
impressed by her first few
assignments. Her record, prior to
marriage, read as follows:
March 1, 1831: Fourteen days 3rd
Class & to be returned to
Government. Absent all night
without leave.
May 25, 1831: One month 3rd Class
& returned to Government. Drunk &
abusive to mistress.
August 8, 1831: 24 hours in cell and
to be returned to Government. Absent without leave.
She was working for the Walker family at Parramatta and was first impressed by George Summers, a
44 year old suitor who had a ticket-of-leave and was in the district. Eleanor's initial permission to
marry was made on 24th August 1831 when an application to publish banns at St John's Church,
Parramatta was made. This marriage did not take place for some reason.
Ellen is recorded to be employed by Mrs Dowling in Sydney and she also worked
for John & Ann Hillis. Here she met their friend, James Pegg, a handsome exsoldier who had recently lost his wife and was living in Kent Street, Sydney. He
was much younger than George and seemed a much better match. James was
34 years of age who had arrived on board the Orpheus in 1826 in the 24th
Regiment of the Queen Army. So a bann was posted at St Phillips Church of
England, York Street Sydney September 1831.
The Governor gave permission for Ellen to marry James Pegg.
James Pegg
Following their marriage Ellen, still a convict was assigned to her husband and they ran lodgings in
Kent Street Market South and South. The lodgings and the Pegg’s are mentioned in court
proceedings in August 1835 against a Mr Watts who owed money for the sale of furniture.
Page 8 of 30
After being on her best behaviour, Eleanor received
her Certificate of Freedom in 1836.
James and Ellen Pegg had eight children – Elizabeth
born 1832, James born 1833, Ann born 1834, Ellen
born 1836, Mary Ann born 1842, Alice born 1843,
Rebecca born 1846 and Susannah born 1847.
Ellen Collins is my 3 x great Grandmother and my
direct line comes down from her daughter
Rebecca.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW:1842-1954),
Thursday 25 March 1852, page 2
The Sydney Herald (NSW:1831-1842),
Monday 19 January 1835, page 2
In the 1841 Census James and Ellen were living in Pitt Street Sydney.
Unfortunately for Ellen, life did not live up to her expectations. She continued to associate with her
convict female friends and rely on alcohol to get her through a day. This only bought out the worst of
her character and she
continually was reported in
Central Police Court - Thursday
the paper for her times in
court.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW:1842-1954)
Friday 23 February 1855, page 5
Water Police Court Thursday
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW:1842-1954)
Friday 21 March 1856, page 4
Page 9 of 30
Central Police Court Saturday
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW:1842-1954), Monday 24 May 1858, page 4
Ellen was in trouble with the law right up to the time of her death. She had spent much of her life
inside the female factory.
Central Police Court Tuesday
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW:1842-1954), Wednesday 11 January 1865, page 2
Her life from a young age turned into a tragic story because of her personality of not wanting to
conform or be submissive. How different it could have been if she had not performed this simple act
of taking a dairy cap?
Ellen was thrown into a world where she had to survive cruelty
and submissiveness. She began drinking heavily to escape from
her unhappiness and was finally institutionalised at the Hyde
Park Asylum, suffering from the Delirium Tremors. After two
days, she died there on 2nd April 1865 at the age of 55 years,
although her Death Certificate states an age of 65 years.
She was buried in Camperdown Cemetery.
Hyde Park Barracks
Ellen Pegg nee Collins had succumbed to the pervading phallocracy of the colony.
Page 10 of 30
My Mother's Great War Postcards
Gwen Knox (Member No. 5226)
My mother, Winifred, was the daughter of Cyrus and Emma Turnbull and grew up in Croobyar where
Cyrus was the schoolteacher from 1893 to 1915; in June of that year he was appointed teacher at Far
Meadow, near Berry. Winifred and her sister Edna (Teddy) ran the Berry Register (purchased by her
father and brother, Ernie) and were also aids at the South Coast Red Cross Convalescent Home in
Bomaderry. My father was Stan Cork, son of Frederick Cork of "Hill Top" farm, and my mother's and
father’s war-time postcards and photographs were found when my twin sister, Winsome, and I were
sorting though her belongings at Lake Burrill after she died on 29 March 1986. (They had married on
25 November 1920 and my father died on 3 November 1954.)
A selection of my mother’s 29 postcards follows. There was a studio portrait of her cousin, Lionel
Fowler, taken before he sailed on 20 October 1914 (died from appendicitis in Egypt), 23 from soldiers
who had lived in Milton (2), Berry (6) and Nowra (1) and sent from Egypt (1), Cape Town (1), England
(7, stationed at camps near Salisbury) and France (15), and five that do not have any message/name.
Four of those from France were silk-embroidered – a thriving cottage industry began around 1915,
with the embroidery being done by French
women in their homes, often with a pocket for a
message or handkerchief, and then sent away to
be mounted on postcards. (AWM website)
The Turnbulls also kept in contact with Stan
Cork, this being one of several postcards in his
collection: “With best wishes from all at
Meadowbank. 4/3/18”: With their parents are my
mother, on the right, Teddy in front and Ida, their
young sister, on the left.
Walter Herbert Bishop
Bert enlisted in the AIF on 28 September 1915
(No. 3762), the papers showing he was a printer
who had been apprenticed to his father, Herbert Bishop, the owner of the Ulladulla and Milton Times.
Just 18 (on 4 August) he needed parental approval. He left Sydney aboard HMAT (His Majesty’s
Australian Transport) Runic on 20 January 1916, disembarked at Alexandria, and was assigned to the
newly-formed 55th Battalion, which took part in the disastrous attack on Fromelles in France, where his
cousin, Raymond, was killed on 20 July 1916.
Bert sent this card, with the enclosed
small handkerchief, “To dear Win
with all good wishes for Christmas
and the New Year from Bert. France
28-10-18”.
Shortly before then he had received the Military Medal “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty
during operations at Péronne on 1st and 2nd September 1918.” (Opening sentence of the citation, AWM
website) Bert returned on 1 July 1919, and married Teddy Turnbull on 7 November 1925.
Frederick Walter Chin
Page 11 of 30
Fred, aged 26, “the letter carrier in Milton” (Joanne Ewin, Meet the Pioneers), enlisted in the AIF on
9 October 1915 (No. 3774), and was a member of 9th Reinforcement of the 19th Battalion. He left
aboard HMAT Runic on 20 January 1916.
He sent several postcards from England (2)
and France (3); this one from “somewhere
in France 11.6.17” is from a series on
"Guerre1914-1916 117 –
(Somme)",
with French and English captions: "The
school of Mlle Gardier and the Place
Faidherbe". “This building has been
destroyed by German shells” He adds that
“You will see this place on the map” but the
censor made sure this could not happen!
However, an internet search shows that it is
Albert.
He returned on 1 April 1919.
Arthur George Lord
Arthur, who lived in Berry, enlisted in the AIF on 1 August 1916 (No. 6121), was a member of the 17th
Reinforcement of the 18th Battalion, and left Sydney aboard HMAT Ascanius on
25 October 1916. Arriving in England on 29 December, he sent this card from the
“Witty Comic” series to “My dear girl” ” on 4 February 1917. The message reads
in part: “Just a card to show I have not forgotten you. When I saw this card I
thought of you straight away. It must have been the skirt or blouse – ahem!”
On 15 April 1917, just five weeks after joining his unit in France, Arthur
was “killed just before we went into Bullecourt. He was sleeping at the time
and piece of shell hit him in the back of the neck”. The report, which
provides the quote, is taken from Arthur’s entry on the AWM website
“Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files”. His
name is recorded on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Berry War
Memorial, and AWM Roll of Honour (Panel 86).
Merton Seymour Pepper
Mert or Merty, who lived in Berry and had served in the 37th Infantry Battalion for three years, enlisted
in the AIF on 25 July 1916 (No.6372) when just 21 (born 27 June1895);three of his brothers also served
in the AIF. He left Sydney on 11 November 1916 aboard HMAT Suevic in the 18th Reinforcement of
the 19th Battalion and arrived in England on 30 January 1917. In mid-June he was posted to France and
was later promoted to corporal.
His documents state he was a “bodymaker”, and I was told by
my mother that “he made and painted sulkies, and that they
enjoyed dancing together, being quite good.” They were
“unofficially engaged” and he made this box for her, in which
she kept his letters (none retained). The date “21-2-1915” is
carved on the lid near the back.
While on leave in Paris from 14-22
February
1918 he sent eight postcards; the one of Notre Dame Cathedral
is shown on the next page. They were not addressed so
presumably sent in one or more envelopes.
Page 12 of 30
”The finest cathedral in Paris, have been all through it,
it is a beautiful building. Merty" (Very faded text)
On 5 June 1918 Mert was killed in action at
Moriancourt, near the main road that runs between
Albert and Amiens. His entry on the AWM website
“Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry
Bureau files” records 13
reports from soldiers – of
medium height with dark
hair and complexion, he
was killed instantly by a
shell when “running out
of his dug-out towards his machine gun”. "A cross and two shell cases
were put on his grave" , and he was later re-buried in Ribemont Communal
Cemetery Extension. His photograph, published in a newspaper, was
amongst my mother’s memorabilia. (Wrongly shown as "Berri") The
following Notice appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald on 13 July:
"PEPPER To the Memory of my dear friend, Merton, killed in action in
France, June 5, 1918. Greater love hath no man than this. Inserted by
Winifred Turnbull." His name is recorded on the Berry War Memorial,
AWM Roll of Honour (Panel 89) and the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission Memorial.
William Robert Gillam
Will, who also lived in Berry, enlisted in the AIF on 2 August 1916
(No. 2564); being just 18 he needed his father’s consent. He was a
private in the 37th Battalion (5th Reinforcement), and left Sydney on
9 November 1916 aboard HMAT Benalla, arriving 9 January 1917. In
March he sent my mother a long letter spread over three postcards of
Westminster Abbey, of which this is one. One reads in part: “Was out
to see Mert[Pepper] the other night and he looks as if this country
agrees with him. He is camped about 2 miles further on than Larkhill
…I had bad luck to miss Arthur Lord by a few days…. I don’t know
whether to think myself lucky at not having to go to France or not [too
young], as on one hand I miss all my mates and taking them on the
whole they are the best lot of chaps that ever left NSW and then again
it's pretty dangerous over in the trenches." He remained in England
until mid-November.
Embroidered, undated card sent from France:
Page 13 of 30
Will received the Military Medal, the citation reading in part (AWM website):“Near Warneton
during a raid on enemy trenches on 10th February 1918, although badly shaken by a shell
explosion, he continued in his work as runner, passing several times through the enemy’s
barrage. He, alone, enabled his Officer to keep the O.C. Assault supplied with information
throughout the action. ”
He was only 20 when killed “by a small field shell on 30 August, 1918…to left of Clery”. His name is
recorded on the Berry War Memorial, AWM Roll of Honour (Panel 128) and the Villers-Bretonneux
Memorial. A memorial window presented by his parents is in the Berry Methodist (now Uniting)
Church.
Harry Clement Pepper
Mert’s brother Clem enlisted on 15 August 1916
(No. 3102), was assigned to 7th Reinforcement
of the 34th Battalion and left Sydney on 24
January 1917 aboard HMAT Anchises.
He sent this un-dated card from France, with the
message on the card in the pocket reading “To
Winnie with seasons greetings From Clem”
He was gassed in June 1918 and returned in
March 1919.
Percy Harrison
Percy, 24, a motor mechanic in Nowra where his
father had Harrison’s Motor Service, enlisted in the AIF on 26 May 1915 (No. 2376), and left Sydney
on 14 July 1915 aboard HMAT Orsova. A corporal in the 1st Machine Gun Battalion, he served at
Gallipoli, and in France.
This card was sent in
response to Win’s “welcome
postcard”. Though dated
“18/1/17” the flag of the
United States, which entered
the War in April 1917, is
given the central place but
not on the card in the pocket.
He was killed in action on 18 September 1918 “near Jeancourt”, 75km east of Villers-Bretonneux,
where there was a major battle that day, and is buried in Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, east of
Péronne. His name is recorded on the Nowra War Memorial and the AWM Roll of Honour (panel 175).
Note
My husband, Ken, has provided the relevant service record details.
Page 14 of 30
Bound for South Australia………????
By John Sparks (Member No. 14366)
Henry was a mere boy when his first trip across the “wide ocean blue” happened. Little did he know
then that he was to make many a trip over the seas in his life time.
His father, a surgeon in the navy during Peninsula Wars of the early 1800s, had been wounded and
after recovery had set up medical practice in the St. Thomas Buildings, No.8, in Liverpool, England.
Henry, and his sister, Mary, who was born two years after Henry in 1811, soon were to witness the
death of their father, Joseph in September, 1812. Henry was taken into care by his grandfather who
was so fond of the boy… “he could not bear to let him out of sight…not even to go to school; which
was very unfortunate, for when the old man died, Henry was sent to his uncle in Montevideo….who
quite neglected the poor lad.”
Grandfather Kelshaw (Kilshaw) looked after the boy till he was 14 years old (1823). When the old man
died, Henry was sent to his uncle in South America. There is no evidence as to if he was accompanied
on the trip, or whether the uncle came to fetch him. But, it is written in a letter many years later, that
this uncle did not take too kindly to his new charge and did not look after him properly. [information
comes from a letter written by Henry’s second wife, Sarah Sparks… as seen above written in italics.]
However, in Montevideo, a good man by the name of Mr. Beley
eventually offered him a situation in his office.
“The gentleman proved a second father to him, encouraged him
[Henry} to study, which he did so diligently, that in Arithmetic,
Writing and Spelling he had few equals. There were no schools
in Montevideo.”
[continues Sarah’s letter]
Research so far has not discovered what happen with Henry in the intervening years; however Henry
worked in the office of Biscoe Stewart & Co for ten years with Mr. Beley who was the managing
partner, before Beley went to England to live. After that, Henry joined another trading company and
was eventually made a managing partner with this firm, Nicholas Green & Co., London.
It is assumed that Henry must have had business dealings with these firms of merchants transporting
household good and food from England to Uruguay, South America.
In 1840, at the age of 31years Henry married for the first time to a lass, Ann Overton Soden,
in Montevideo. Manchester Courier and Lancaster General Advertiser, Saturday 23rd, May 1940
printed the following:
“On the 23rd January, last, at Monte Video, at the British Consulate, by the
Rev. F.S. Phelps, chaplain of H.M.S. Stag, Henry, only son of the late Joseph
W Sparks, Esq., surgeon, to Ann, eldest daughter of Benjamin Soden, Esq., R.N.”
Ann delivered him a boy, named Overton; however Ann died shortly afterwards, possibility in
childbirth.
On one of his subsequent journeys back to England for goods, Henry met and married Sarah
Waterworth, daughter of a wealthy land owner. In 1842 the newspaper notice read:
Page 15 of 30
“On the 16th inst., (June,1842), at Stapenhill, near Burton-on Trent, by the Rev. Frederick W
Harris, A.M., Henry Palafox Gerona Sparks, Esq. Of Monte Video, South America, to Sarah, daughter
of the late Richard Waterworth, Esq. of Bowthorpe, and formerly of Wressell Castle, Yorkshire.
Sarah goes on to write: “Then, feeling his won power, he (Henry) started the firm of Henry Sparks &
Co and went to London to purchase goods. He and his partner loaded the “Ayleford” with well
selected goods, to suit the Spanish requirements. We sailed together, with Overton, two servants,
and last, and not least, a lovely Shetland pony and reached Montevideo in safety.”
Sarah writes: “Henry had prospered and when he took me to Montevideo in 1844, he said, in ten
years he would return and live in England”….”alas that never happened”
Civil War broke out in the late 1840. Sarah again writes: “The Confederate Provinces of the Argentine
Republic were united under that of Buenos Ayres, But the Bauda-Ortiental-de-Uraguay, or Eastern
bank of the river Uraguay – (its independence was guaranteed by England – refused to join, and
conducted its own Diplomatic Affairs.
Rosas, the blood thirsty tyrant, and President of Buenos Ayres – hated the Bauda Oriental of
which Montevideo was the capital, because it was more prosperous. He could not attack it directly as
its freedom was guaranteed by England, so under pretence of assisting Gerneral Gribe, the expresident of Montevideo,,,,,, Rosas brought a large army, and laid siege to Montevideo.
Rosas never intended to enter Montevideo, his object was to destroy the trade – and only one attack
was made. Many people took refuge in the ships, for Rosas had declared that the street should run
with the blood of foreigners.
The siege lasted eight years, put an entire stop to business, thus ruining many. This was a weary time
– I often wonder how we bore it so patiently. We often had a sail in the harbour, a visiting Men-ofWar and merchant vessels.
The siege was a strict one - the lines, the trenches, being carefully watched – it was very dangerous to
trespass too far ….on Sunday they (Rosas army) were not so strict. …..Well, being a lovely day there
was a general outpouring of the beauty and fashion of Montevideo including people of all classes
bent on enjoyment. When just as each thought of returning, bang went a gun. The people panicstricken hurried to the gates. Henry, with little Overton, and the Captain of the ship were farther
out. They hastened also at each report of the gun. They stopped, watched and dodged the
balls….Henry ….would snatch up his boy and run till the next report. Thrice they escaped and then got
safely within the gates.
Montevideo was blocked for several months. Finally, Urguira, the President of Corrientes, met and
defeated Rosas.
“But, alas, the outlook was anything but cheering. Trade was destroyed – salted hides, horn bones,
jerka beef, mare’s grease were the only exports. And the cattle and horses were driven out of
Uraguay.”
Trouble also occurred in the late 1845 with the loss of the “Aylesford” owned by Henry Sparks & Co.
and E Balman & Co., of Liverpool. There were treacherous sand-banks near the harbour of Rio-delPlata with a lighthouse there to guide the ship’s captains to avoid.
However, the enemy has extinguished the lights and the brig became held fast onto the sand-banks.
Sarah tells:” I remember we were at dinner….when an unusual knock came on the door…the door
opened, in walked the Captain and crew, dirty and miserable looking. They told the woeful story,
The next day, with the assistance of a man-o-war from both the English and United States to assist,
everyone went out to rescue the Aylesford. Although the Captain had secured the vessel as best he
Page 16 of 30
could with anchors out and furled sails the night before, nevertheless, during the intervening hours a
severe pampers (gusty winds) destroyed the boat and there was no sign of it to be seen.”
In the London Gazette, April 1846 there appeared the following notice.
Notice is hereby given that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between the undersigned, under
the firm of Edwd. Balman and Co. in Liverpool and Henry Sparks and Co., General and Commission
Merchants, is on this day dissolved by mutual consent. E. Balman will liquidate the affairs in
Liverpool, by paying all accounts due from, and receiving all accounts due to, the firm, and Henry
Sparks will liquidate the same in Monte Video.
Dated and signed 30th day of June 1845.
It was this same year, 1845 that a son was born to Sarah and Henry in Montevideo. This boy was to
do very well for himself in Adelaide, Australia becoming Mayor of Glenelg leaving a legacy in the
area. That’s another story.
The situation in Uruguay continued to get worse and by the end of the year 1851….
“with the state of affairs being very unsettled, and a brig. “The Bernard” being on the berth
for Australia, (Henry) determined to leave South America and take his family to Australia where the
gold fields were attracting crowds of people, left Montevideo on the 11th January, 1852.
…we left in a runaway ship, for the Captain could not pay his bets and the sails were to be taken out
of her the next day. It was a beautiful night – the band was sending forth sweet music in the
square. The anchor was weighted, unnoticed and away we went - a motley crew of English,
Spaniards, Italians, Germans, French and a good deal of furniture on board and (Henry) with 30
pound sovereign in his pocket.
[Sarah (Waterworth) Sparks would have been 6months
pregnant leaving South America. To travel first across
the South Atlantic Ocean and in this part of the world,
huge gales come up so suddenly. The ship would ride
the waves and wind like a bucking horse. The dishes
and cargo were being thrown from one side of the ship
to the other. Storms were common in the Southern
Ocean, but were not the only danger. Hygiene was
poor at the best of times and worse in bad weather.
'Batten-down the hatches' meant passengers on the
lowest deck were confined without ventilation or light
in conditions that were ideal for the spread of
disease. The route ran from west to east through
the Southern Ocean, in order to make use of the strong
Page 17 of 30
westerly winds of the Roaring Forties. Once past the Cape of Good Hope, the ship made northward
into the Indian Ocean. It would have been a horrendous voyage, not only with small children to
attend with, but also being in the final months of pregnancy!!] It was during this trip that Sarah
delivered a second son to Henry P G Sparks…..this was to be my great-grandfather, Harold Sparks.
He was born at sea aboard the British brig ‘The Bernard”, off the island of St Paul in the Indian
Ocean on April 6th, 1853
It must have been a horrendous journey across the oceans then, as the trip took nearly 12 weeks.
Also Sarah being pregnant and also having the two sons with them, Henry and Sarah would have
been greatly concerned for the welfare of their family.
While their passage had been paid to Sydney, and having tried unsuccessfully to get into Albany for
food, the ship travelled onto Adelaide.
Three weeks later the Sparks family arrived safely in Port Adelaide…they did not travel onto Sydney!!
South Australian Register….
Shipping intelligence. “Arrived Monday, May 2 – The brig Bernard, 240 tons. Ship master Mr
Crawney, from Monte Video 21st January. Passengers – Mr and Mrs H Sparks and six children, Mrs
Schrod, Mrs Guilliton, Mr Henry Blanch, in the cabin, and 32 in the steerage. One death and one birth
occurred on the passage”
“The Bernard”, has put in here
for refreshments her destination
being Sydney.
Page 18 of 30
Table Talk
Submitted by C Geddes-Stokes (Member No. 10336)
One of the objects I am the current care taker of is grandmother’s table. It is very old, battered and of
little monetary value but I love it. Where it came from before it was in my grandmother’s care, I do
not know. Perhaps it belonged to another family member; perhaps it was purchased at a second hand
auction sale.
Sometimes when I am sitting at it in the quiet moments of my day or when I polish the dust the grime
off it with a cloth, my mind wanders back to an earlier time in my life when I was just a girl sharing
time with my grandparents. I was fortunate to have lived a very short distance away from them, within
yelling distance I suppose. Many days were spent with them including Christmas Day for several years.
For most of the year the table would stand quietly in the dining room of grandparents’ old cottage.
Sometimes adorned with a vase of flowers; the petals falling softly onto and past the border of a pretty
doily placed beneath the vase. She always liked flowers, grandmother did. The table had companions
nearby; an assortment of old timber chairs that surrounded it, the gramophone with its large collection
of records to play, and the clock that ticked quite loudly and earnestly donged throughout the day.
There was a cabinet that contained the cutlery and dishes waiting ready to be placed upon the table
on those occasions when they were required.
The table holds many stories within the grains of its timber. It would have been a witness to both the
laughter and tears at gatherings of family and friends. It would have felt the slamming down of a glass
or utensil when something was said in anger. Did it feel the splintering of breakage when father scared
mother with a spider and she jumped upon the table? Did it hear or sense the wrath of my grandfather
that was directed at my father for his part is causing the table to break?
At Christmas time the table was in its element, draped with a tablecloth in readiness for the onslaught
of a large family gathering. Christmas cake, cups of tea, beer or shandies, port with lemonade. I recall
and count my aunts, uncles and friends that were present re-imagining them today squished
altogether around the table on a hot Australian Christmas Day. Grandpa, nana, (that’s what I called
them) mum (Iris) and dad (Cliff), Uncle Vic and Aunty Dot, Uncle Noel and Aunty Sue, Uncle Les and
Aunty Barbara (until she died in a tragic accident one terrible night), Uncle Joe and Aunty Audrey and
sometimes other relies and family friends. The house bulged at the seams, my brothers and I together
with cousins galore would eat Christmas dinner standing at trestle-like tables pushed together forming
a long line out on the enclosed verandah. It was great fun from what I can remember tasting my Aunt’s
trifle that was flavoured with just a bit too much “plonk” soaked cake. We pretended we were drunk.
Sometimes I would go and seek refuge with my parents who were seated at the table, particularly if a
squabble with those cousins had broken out, but I and anyone else that approached the grown-ups
were shooed back onto the verandah quick smart which seemed very unfair at the time. Now I
understand.
Grandmother’s table shows the scars of time and usage; there are scratches engrained in the timber,
what looks like an ink stain that was from I imagine from a letter that grandmother may have written
to one of my ancestors, circular marks from hot tea cups or beer glasses and thanks to my father it is
no longer an extendable table, due to his mischief with his spider joke that turned into disaster. I giggle
to myself remembering he shared this story with me some years back. My mind now wanders and
remembers watching my older cousins when they stood on the table to put Christmas decorations up
in the room, and to myself playing beneath it, hidden from view or so I thought by the canopy like tent
of the tablecloth that draped down over the sides.
It was a magical place to play, examining the windable handle and the mechanical parts underneath
imagining what might happen if I dared to give it a wind. I don’t think I was ever game enough to try.
Page 19 of 30
All those mechanical parts are gone now and the broken extendable wooden pieces were fashioned
into something else useful I was told.
Watching over everything from the walls in the room there were various old framed prints and two
photographs that gave clues to my grandparents early lives. One was that of an ANZAC. I asked
grandmother one day who that man in uniform was, she looked at me a little sadly and unfortunately
I can’t exactly remember what her reply was; I thought she said it was an Uncle, but today after
research I think it might have been her brother – or it might not have been a blood relative at all. The
sadness I saw on her face prevented me from ever asking her again. Now I so wish I had requested to
keep that photo when some of grandmothers possessions were laid out on another table in the 1980’s
for family members to choose from including possible clue giving greeting cards that she must have
treasured to have kept them until she died. Uncle would have said yes.
The other photo that hung on the wall, I do have a copy of today. It is of a man working a bullock
team with the assistance of two half grown boys doing the work of men. It is a treasured glimpse into
my family’s past, my great grandfather William (Bill), grandfather Leslie and his older brother my great
uncle, they were hard working people who I am proud of.
Today I can recall tiny snippets of the many conversations with grandfather and grandmother and I
wish I had listened more intently and made more effort to talk with them about their lives. How
wonderful it would be to remember it all.
Now I seem to be in an obsessive hurry to write it all down before it is forever lost. I research looking
for more missing details, hunt down and capture more photos from living relatives and of times I was
not even a part of but share a link with. It seems desperately important that when I am gone my
descendants may have an interesting collection of photos, documents and stories and don’t have to
spend years searching like me. Perhaps they will think it is marvelous, perhaps they won’t even care
and it will all be tossed aside and lost.
If you come to visit me today at my house, you will see that housework pales into insignificance and
gaining knowledge of my family’s history is far more important to me than having a clean house that
is clutter free. I am such a hoarder I say in despair, liking all my “collectables” that are really not so
“collectable”. Grandmother’s table is being put to good use as I sit at my computer typing this story
out. Yes it’s cluttered and needs dusting but as I said at the start I just love it and I know grandmother
would like it if she knows it is in my home.
The table sits quietly listening to conversations held between my family, visitors and friends sometimes
hearing the laughter and sometimes the tears, but I smile to myself when I see my own grandchildren
beneath it playing as I once did.
________________________________________________
Page 20 of 30
A Redcoats Story
By Graham Ledwidge (Member No. 15375)
John Jones, Born
1833in Romford in
Essex, son of James
Jones, Labourer.
Enlisted in the 12th
Regiment of Foot 02-021852, and was given
the number 3049, at
that time the regiment
was stationed in Cork.
Ireland.
Conditions in the
army weren’t great, pay
was 1shilling a day
with 1penny liquor
allowance, Mess &
washing charges were
8½ pence per day. They
also had to pay for any
lost equipment or
uniform, but at least
they got fed.
On the 1st of July
the Regiment was sent
out to Australia, John was aboard the “Camperdown” which arrived in
Melbourne 19th Oct 1854. They camped in Melb for a while, then they were force
marched to Ballarat , to reinforce the government camp during the Eureka
rebellion.
He is not documented as taking part in the attack on the stockade.
The 4th company was posted to the Swan River (Perth) colony, while he was
out there he was sentenced to 166 days prison for an unrecorded offence,
possibly Desertion. It wasn’t treated too harshly then. Another soldier, John
Leekey was also given a similar sentence for probably a related offence. John
returned to his unit in January 1859.
The 'Bride' ship “Hamilla Mitchell” full of Irish girls, Docked in Perth April
59 and any soldiers desirous of taking a Bride were allowed to choose one. The
niceties were observed by the calling of Banns and so John and his bride to be,
an 18 year old Anne Reilly from Co. Monaghan, were married on 4th June in St.
Georges Cathedral. The witness was David Alexander Hawthorne, a fellow
Soldier
To please his catholic bride the couple were re-married on the 10th Jan
1860 in St. Marys, before the birth of their first child. William Thomas was born
Page 21 of 30
on 19th April. During Williams Baptism, he was crying so hard, the exasperated
priest made the mistake of smacking him, at which time John gathered up his
wife and child and stormed out of the church, thereafter insisting on following
his own religion, The Church of England. Their second child, Mary Louise, was
born 14th July 1861.
The company was finally relieved and they were transferred to Sydney,
where their third child Elizabeth was born 1863, Paddington.
1864 sees them in Laidley, Qld for the birth of John James. Soon after,
they returned to Sydney and John was discharged from the Army as unfit and
on a pension.
At this time He had a wife and four children to support, so he sought work
as a labourer. John James died aged 2. They had a further 7 children;
Eleanore 1866, Ada 1868, Clara 1871, Clarence 1872, Herbert 1874, Maude 1876
and Percy 1878.
John died early in 1890 and Anne died later the same year
John and Anne left a large family , which only grew with each
generation, Barden, Connell, Corrigan, Cullen, Delforce, DeKenne, Elford,
Everingham, Foran, Freeman, Gilbert, Hill, Kirkman, Laney, Mcshane, Norton,
Rocks, Stapleton, Thompson, West and of course Jones. They spread to all states
and USA.
William Thomas was the only son to survive to adult hood. He married
Matilda Haywood in 1882 and moved to the Newcastle area to take up farming.
But that's a story for another time.
This was a story about my wife's GG GrandFather, originally written by Jean
Cullen, I have edited and corrected some historical facts with info from the
Regimental records and the book, Soldiers Bleed Too .
---------------------------------------
Handy Tips
Mould Remover
One of our members, Marg has a great hint for removing mould from almost
anything. A little goes a long way, so do NOT be heavy handed with the
amount of clove oil you put into the water – Less is best.
Recipe:
Maximum ½ teaspoon of clove oil to 1 litre of water in a fine spray bottle.
Leave 24 hours and then wipe off with a damp cloth. Do a test area first.
Warning: if using on a ceiling area, wear protective glasses and long sleeves
to avoid any irritation.
Page 22 of 30
Our Open Day held in August
Fashions of our Ancestors
During the month of
August many genealogy
societies nation-wide
held similar events.
Many of our members
dressed in costumes of
yesteryear. Our display
was of memorabilia of
families past.
There was a wonderful
collection of
photographs depicting
costumes and styles of
the 18th and 19th century. Articles such as toys, jewellery, personal effects and everyday household
items that grandparents and great-grandparents used, were also on display.
Old photo albums, heavily bound
showed period dress including hair
styles etc. These were of interest to
many.
A well documented history of one
society member showed hours of
extensive and careful research of her
family tree dating back to the 1700’s.
Many of the photographs had been
especially restored for the day.
It was a very interesting and colourful
occasion enjoyed by many
Page 23 of 30
RESEARCH ENQUIRIES Can you help? If so please
contact our society with your information

Burke/King reunion to be held on 1st October 2016. Vicki Burke is looking
for historical information on Burkinshaw, Berriman, Mott and Ingold
families. If you can help or interested in this reunion please contact us
and we will pass on your details.

Information is wanted for the Mudge family of Milton, Jarman family of
Foxgrove and Abe Jarman family also of Milton

Another research enquiry is for the Mitchell family of Mitchell Parade Mollymook

Juliette Craig is searching for material history for her Mother Alberta Mary Wood

Ivan Johnson is researching Edward Jonsson born c1885 Malmo Sweden, Ship crew on vessel
to American to Philadephia 1903
_________________________________________________________
Page 24 of 30
ABOUT OUR MEMBERS
Our member profile for this
addition of our magazine is on
Graham Ledwidge No: 15375
Graham started his family history
research about 10 years ago.
“When my Mother-in-Law was
diagnosed with cancer I thought she
would like to know more about her
ancestors. She only knew her
grandparents and did not have any
previous family information or
knowledge. She knew nothing about
her family name or the people or even
when they came to Australia. I thought
it could be interesting to start
researching her side, so that started
my hunting. I found a young Abraham
Medbury who came out to Sydney on
his own followed by his sister after she
married in England. With her husband, they too migrated to Australia settling in Tasmania. After
sometime I then started looking into my side and got all sorts of surprises.”
I then asked Graham who was his first ancestor to arrive in Australia and when did they settle
here?
Grahams answer was
“On my side of the family I was the first to start a new life in Australia.”
Graham was born in London England. He joined the merchant navy about 1965. During his time with
the navy he was fortunate to make 2 trips to Australia. He had a good feeling for Australia as well as
meeting a young lady, even though this romance did not eventuate. After much consideration and
knowing he was leaving his parents, two sisters and a brother behind, he boarded a ship in South
Hampton England departing in May 1969. He arrived in Sydney about 6 weeks later, June 1969, as a
Ten Pound Pom.
Unfortunately for Graham his Father died expectantly about 2 months after arriving in Sydney. His
Mother passed away in 1989 and his brother, Keith died in 1995. His two sisters are still living in
England.
Some of the surnames Graham has been researching are:
Ledwidge, Medbury, Jones, Everson, Williamson and Brown
To my question “What do you enjoy most about family history”?
“I get as much enjoyment out of helping others as doing my own research. Busting brick walls,
working through where you feel it can’t be broken and then finally you do get through is a great
feeling.” replied Graham
To date Graham has not done any related travel in researching his tree. Graham’s comment was
“Maybe in the future. If I could do another part of the world it would definitely be Ireland.”
Page 25 of 30
"Grandma and the Family Tree"
There's been a change in Grandma, we've noticed her of late,
She's reading history or jotting down some date.
She's tracking back the family; we'll all have pedigrees.
Oh, Grandma's got a hobby; she's climbing Family Trees.
Poor Grandpa does the cooking and now, or so he states,
That worst of all, he has to wash the cups and Dinner plates.
Grandma can't be bothered; she's busy as a bee,
Compiling Genealogy, for the Family Tree.
She has no time to baby-sit, the curtains are a fright.
No buttons left on Granddad's shirt, the flower bed's a sight.
She's given up her club work, the serials on TV,
The only thing she does nowadays is climb the Family Tree.
She goes down to the Courthouse and studies ancient lore,
We know more about our forebears than we ever knew before.
The books are old and dusty, they make poor Grandma sneeze,
A minor irritation when you're climbing Family Trees.
The mail is all for Grandma, it comes from near and far,
Last week she got the proof she needs to join the DAR.
A worthwhile avocation, to that we all agree,
A monumental project, to climb the Family Tree.
Now some folks came from Scotland and some from Galway Bay,
Some were French as pastry, some German, all the way.
Some went on West to stake their claim. Some stayed near by the sea.
Grandma hopes to find them all as she climbs the Family Tree.
She wanders through the graveyard in search of date or name,
The rich, the poor, the in-between, all sleeping there the same.
She pauses now and then to rest, fanned by a gentle breeze,
That blows above the Fathers of all our Family Trees.
There were pioneers and patriots mixed in our kith and kin,
Who blazed the paths of wilderness and fought through thick and thin.
But none more staunch than Grandma, whose eyes light up with glee,
Each times she finds a missing branch for the Family Tree.
Their skills were wide and varied, from Carpenter to Cook,
And one (Alas) the record shows was hopelessly a crook.
Blacksmith, weaver, farmer, judge, some tutored for a fee.
Long lost in time, now all recorded on the Family Tree.
To some it's just a hobby, to Grandma it's much more,
She knows the joys and heartaches of those who went before.
They loved, they lost, they laughed, they wept, and now for you and me,
They live again in spirit, around the Family Tree.
At last she's nearly finished and we are each exposed.
Life will be the same again, this we supposed!
Grandma will cook and sew, serve cookies with our tea.
We'll all be fat, just as before that wretched Family Tree.
Sad to relate, The Preacher called and visited for a spell,
We talked about the Gospel, and other things as well,
Page 26 of 30
The heathen folk, the poor- and then- 'twas fate, it had to be,
Somehow the conversation turned to Grandma and the Family Tree.
We tried to change the subject, we talked of everything,
But then in Grandma's voice we heard that old familiar ring.
She told him all about the past and soon was plain to see,
The Preacher, too, was nearly snared by Grandma and the Family Tree.
He never knew his Grandpa, his mother's name was Clark?
He and Grandma talked and talked, outside it grew quite dark.
We'd hoped our fears were groundless, but just like some disease,
Grandma's become an addict--- She's hooked on Family Trees.
Our souls were filled with sorrow, our hearts sank with dismay,
Our ears could scarce believe the words we heard our Grandma say,
"It sure is a lucky thing that you have come to me,
I know exactly how it's done, I'll climb your Family Tree. Author: unknown
______________________________________________________
THE LIBRARIAN’S CORNER
From Marg Magnusson
Being the Librarian for the last couple of years
has been wonderful and the many Books, CD’s,
Journals and microfiche that have gone through
my hands has been amazing.
Before moving to our present room at the Civic
Centre we had to lock all our resources in a
portable cupboard as we shared the room and
had only one day a month there.
We now have a room to ourselves and lots of
shelf space. This has enabled us to buy and
accept many books this year through donations
by some of our members. Too many to add all here but some are:
 Doomsday Heritage Towns and Villages of Norman England through 900 years - an
informative book and nice pictures of Villages as well
 Several books on The Cotswold’s
 Historical Maps Book a State by State Atlas of US History with very detailed maps
 Gallipoli Dog - Written by one of our local lady’s Deb Benson - I had trouble putting the book
down as it was a very interesting book
 Smith, Beales United a revision of Phil Ross and Smith Family - This book was started by the
father of one of our members Joanne Ewin and after he passed she finished it.
 What Price the Accepted Australian on the Faust family who settled in the Milton/Ulladulla
District. The family came to Australia well before WW1 and had two sons enlist one in the
navy and it tells of the battles the family had being of German descent.
 Soldiers Bleed Too The Redcoats at the Eureka Stockade 1854 - The book gives details of the
men from the 12th Regiment, 40th Regiment
Plus a special thank you to Graham Quinton from Sussex Inlet for donating 3 boxes of Microfiche of
various UK records and a Microfiche reader – such a wonderful gift
Page 27 of 30
Fund Raising – Bunnings BBQ
Sunday 8th November
WHAT A DAY – A fun social
day for all the volunteers
along with a good way to
raise moneys for our
Society.
The sun shone brightly
early morning, however
not for long. We had 4
seasons on the day but it
didn’t deter shoppers
coming into Bunnings and grabbing a sausage sandwich and a can of drink on their way.
There were a few moments of chaos which was handled with expertise. On my so called “shift”
Graham was our master at the BBQ. He did a fantastic job. He took over from John who also had
mastered the skills expertly.
Marilyn, our treasurer also
was taking orders and
money from our lines of
eager customers. I was
elected to take over from
her as she was now
rostered off for a couple of
hours before returning to
the so called rush hour at
12noon.
Cheryl was our chief bread
butter’er and was a hard
act to follow. Leslie arrived
to lend a hand as did
Marg. David kept us all in
line along with serving.
Many more volunteers helped out on the day and we thank you all for your time and effort. To
Cheryl we would like to say a HUGE thank you for all your time preparing, organizing and even buying
supplies etc. It would not have happened without her.
Let’s do it again.
Page 28 of 30
“Family History Research”
Given by Jan Gregory
On 9th November at our Monthly Meeting, local
identity Jan Gregory gave a wonderful talk and
demonstration. She talked about how to put together
our family history facts taking them from a Shoebox
to books. Jan’s warm and friendly delivery
demonstrated to us various methods and approaches
to find and record one’s family history. She also
warned of the pitfalls one can encounter along the
way.
It was enjoyed by all who attended and we all came
away with a little more knowledge and confidence
that we too can do this.
____________________________________________________________________
Old Sydney Burial Ground
By Cathy Dunn
On Saturday, 14th November we had the well known
historian, Cathy Dunn give an insight into the “Old
Sydney Burial Ground”. This was a fascinating topic.
This burial ground was used from September 1792 till
beginning of 1820. The Sydney Town Hall now occupies
the area.
During the time, 2300 burials took place, consisting of
convicts, members of the NSW Corps, free setters and
children.
If you missed this talk for whatever reason then you missed a great event. Everyone who came went
away with a little more knowledge, enthusiasm, had a good time and enjoyed a very nice afternoon
tea. We would like to thank Cathy for such a wonderful and enlightening afternoon. It was a splendid
presentation. Her expertise and “down to earth” approach to our gathering was excellent and we
would hope that she will come back again at a later date.
Page 29 of 30
ORDER FORM AND TAX INVOICE
PIONEER REGISTER-PRE 1920
Please use this form if you wish to order the Pioneer Register
Cost per book…… $20 plus $13 postage & handling
The price includes GST where appropriate.
Number of Books required
………
Amount of Payment enclosed …………………….
Name
……………………………………………………………………………………
Mailing Address
…………………………………………………..………………………
………………………………………………………………………….
Phone or email address ………………………………………………………………………….
Please make payment by Cheque or Money Order
Send completed form and payment to:
Pioneer Register
Milton Ulladulla Family History Society Inc.
PO Box 619
Ulladulla NSW 2539 Australia
For further details please contact:
President:
John Sparks
Secretary:
Cheryl Stokes
02 4454 0394
Office Use
Receipt Number: …………………………
Book(s) Sent: ……………………………….
Signature: ……………………………………
Page 30 of 30

December 2015-PHT magazine - Milton Ulladulla Family History

Transcription

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