Monaro Pioneers Newsletter  

 August 2009

 

 

Introduction - New Editor:

 

Good day to you one and all. I felt it appropriate that as this is my first Newsletter to take the time to introduce myself to you and

to thank Michelle for the sterling job she has previously done, she has earned a well deserved rest. Thank you also to Ian and Patrick

for allowing me the opportunity to give something back to this fantastic resource. My interest in the Monaro rests with my mother’s

family and the “Duster Orphans”. Places of interest are Twofold Bay, the Kamaruka Estate, Craigie, Bombala, Bega. I reside in

Sydney’s north western suburbs, am employed full time and breed Collies in my spare time. I will endeavour to maintain a quality

product and in time I would like to add a sprinkling of appropriate graphics to the document to add to its general appeal and I would

welcome any suggestions from you as to what improvements you would like to see In the newsletter. Thank you all for your interest in

the Monaro Pioneers.

Cheers, David Knox

New files & updates:

 

The following files have been compiled from the Monaro Pioneers database. In some of these files additional research may have been undertaken by Ian Harvey.

William Hatton  -  New file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Hatton-William.htm

Thomas Clarke  -  Replacement file - with some additional information supplied by Sheena Johnson [sheena.johnson-at-optusnet.com.au].  http://www.monaropioneers.com/clarke-t.htm

Samuel Rolfe  -  Replacement file - with some additional information supplied by Sheena Johnson [sheena.johnson-at-optusnet.com.au].  http://www.monaropioneers.com/nimmitabel/pioneers/rolfea.htm

Thomas John Sutherland  -  New file  - from information supplied by Ron Dunbar [rondunbar44-at-hotmail.com].  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Sutherland-ThomasJ.htm

James Ashton Taylor  -  Replacement file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/taylor-ja.htm

George Keeling  -  New file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Keeling-George.htm

Edward McIntyre  -  New file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/McIntyre-Edward.htm

Richard Johnston  -  replacement file  -  with photos supplied by  Melissa Blythe [mblythe-at-optusnet.com.au].  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Johnston-r.htm

Patrick McNamara  -  new file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/McNamara-Patrick-Bega.htm

Colin Cameron  -  replacement file  - after some additional information was supplied by Judy McCutcheon [judymcc-at-aapt.net.au].   http://www.monaropioneers.com/Cameron-Colin.htm

William Lock  -  replacement file  - after some additional information was supplied by Judy McCutcheon [judymcc-at-aapt.net.au].   http://www.monaropioneers.com/lock-w.htm

James Clifford  -  replacement file  - after some additional information was supplied by Judy McCutcheon [judymcc-at-aapt.net.au].   http://www.monaropioneers.com/Clifford-James.htm

John Christian Try  -  new file  - with some additional information supplied by Mark Try [willnewt-at-iprimus.com.au].   http://www.monaropioneers.com/Try-JohnC.htm

Robert Higgins  -  Replacement file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Higgins-Robert.htm 

 

Thomas Triggell  -  Replacement file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/triggell-t.htm

 

John Rogers  -  New file  - with information supplied by Lyndel Butler [lyndelbutler-at-optusnet.com.au].  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Rogers-John.htm

 

John Robinson  -  Replacement file -  with some information supplied by Lyndel Butler [lyndelbutler-at-optusnet.com.au].  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Robinson-c.htm

 

Obadiah Gammon  -  Replacement file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/Gammon_Obadiah.htm

 

John Kennedy  -  Replacement file  -   http://www.monaropioneers.com/Kennedy_John.htm

 

Henry Ingram  -  Replacement file  -   http://www.monaropioneers.com/ingram-h.htm

 

John Crawford  -  Replacement file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/nimmitabel/pioneers/crawford-pa.htm

 

John Miners  -  Replacement file  -   http://www.monaropioneers.com/nimmitabel/pioneers/miners-j.htm

 

Sidney Adolphus White  -  Replacement file  - with some additional information supplied by Lyndel Butler [lyndelbutler-at-optusnet.com.au].   http://www.monaropioneers.com/white-sa.htm 

 

Joseph Groves  -  Replacement file  -  http://www.monaropioneers.com/groves-jj.htm

 

Current correspondence:

 

From: Lesley
Sent: Sunday, 23 August 2009 12:37 AM
Subject: Speechley Family

To Whom It May  Concern,

I am searching for  the late Victoria Speechley who married the late Leslie Speechley in Adelaide South Australia. I know they had two children, and  then divorced. The late Leslie Speechley was also known as Jack Speechley who came from Bombay - India, do you have these people in you family tree.

Best Regards, Lesley Brown

Hi Lesley,

We have no reference to these people unfortunately.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Peter Newton
Sent: Friday, 21 August 2009 5:47 PM
Subject: Norris ANZACS

Hello again Ian,

A few more of the Norris clan for the ANZAC list. What is the best way to submit information to you ? I currently am using Ancestry Family Tree which, to my knowledge does not have a Gedcom download capability. I can either attach a file to an email or a PDF file.
Cheers, Peter.

Hi Peter,

Thank you for the information, if a gedcom file is not possible then any report format will be suitable.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Winter Udo
Sent: Friday, 21 August 2009 2:58 AM
Subject: Düster from Mannheim Feudenheim

Hey, I just saw your site on rootsweb. If you are interested in some informations about the Düster family from Mannheim Feudenheim, just let me know, I have the line back until about 1700.
With regards, Udo Winter

Any information on the Australian branch and/or their parents would be most appreciated.

Regards, Ian

 

From: bbauld
Sent: Wednesday, 19 August 2009 6:26 PM
Subject: Monaro Pioneers. CRAMPTON family

Dear Ian,

I mentioned your Monaro Pioneers to Bruce Crampton.  He has had a look at it and said that there are some faults with the information on David Crampton.  I suggested that he should contact you to correct them.

Beryl Bauld

Thank you,

Regards, Ian

 

From: Judy McKechnie
Sent: 2009-08-19 15:40
Subject: Please add me to the newsletter

David,

I am the great grand daughter of William Jardine, from his youngest son, James. I’ve enjoyed poring over the site, and would love to be included in your newsletter mailing.

Thank you, Judy McKechnie

 

From: Dianne Ancill
Sent: Wednesday, 19 August 2009 11:17 PM
Subject: Johnston Family Information

Hello Ian,

I have some information on some of the people you have on your web site in rootsweb.com

James Johnston

B 1861 Scotland, was born 21 January 1861 Wigton, Scotland

D 4 June 1918 Western Australia

James's parents

David Johnston

B 21 August 1837 Crosshill, Kirkmichael, Ayrshire, Scotland

D 4 March 1901 Tyntynder, Victoria, Australia

Rebecca Johnston

B 25 March 1837 Scotland

D 26 July 1883 Balaklava, South Australia

M 8 July 1855 Scotland

Rebecca maiden name is Johnston, they were cousins.

James's son

Kenneth James Johnston

B 1897 Adaminaby, New South Wales, Australia

D 28 January 1947 Western Australia

M 1925 Western Australia

Annie Sophia Spencer

B 2 March 1907 England

D 17 October 1978 Wagin, Western Australia

James, his wife & 6 of their children moved to Western Australia in 1909, this was after the youngest brother Thomas found him in New South Wales. They lived in the Pingelly area where another brother David (my great grandfather) had moved to in the earlier, Thomas & David were born in South Australia after the family moved from Scotland.

Hope this helps,

Bye, Dianne Ancill (nee Johnston)

Hi Dianne,

Thank you for the information.

Regards,Ian

 

From: Lisa Jenkins
Sent: 2009-08-19 11:09
Subject: Please add me to the Monaro Newsletter

Hi there:
I am a child of the Eppelstun family and would like to be added to receive newsletters please.

Kind regards, Lisa Jenkins

 

From: Lyndel Butler
Sent: Tuesday, 18 August 2009 9:00 PM
Subject: Rogers- Clark Family

Hi Ian,

I have been working on my family tree for the past few years. My family moved in to the Bombala area in or around 1854. What information do you require to put up on the site. I have got my tree just about up to date with 9 generations for the family how far do you post. Do you only use up to a date.

Thanks, Lyndel Butler.

Hi Lyndel,

Thank you for the offer, we would be very grateful for your contribution.  I would prefer to receive your information as a  gedcom file if you are using genealogy software and that is possible.  If not then any format will be OK.  I am happy to take as much information as you wish to provide but we will only display 4 generations unless the first settler was born in or before the 3 qtr of the 18th century then we display 5 generations.  All known living persons are flagged as such in our system and no details other than name would display in any descendancy reports we publish.  Our database does contain some family information for modern generations if that has been provided but usually we only receive information on individuals born up until the mid 20th century.  We do have some information in our database on earlier generations prior to arrival in Australia if we have received the information in a gedcom file.  If I have do the data entry manually, then I limit the information entered to first immigrants and their parents onwards.  Any photos or images should be sent as a jpg file with suitable caption information provided.  I look forward to adding your families to our pioneers list.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Mark Try]

Sent: Monday, 17 August 2009 9:55 PM

Subject: The Try family in the Monaro

Dear Ian,

Please find attached a Word document containing some history of the Try family in the Monaro district. Some details already appear in other family histories in the Monaro Pioneers database - these details are cross-referenced in footnotes and highlighted. I have not pursued the family history to the present generation(s), so the document does not contain references to any living persons. I am the grandson of [3.4.5.1] Adrian Francis Falconer Try. Thomas Try and Susanna Englestoff, in the first line of the history, are my four-times great grandparents. If you have any questions about this information please contact me at any time; if you have difficulty opening the document, or would prefer to receive it as a pdf, please let me know. I hope this is of interest. I find your web site to be a wonderful source of shared knowledge, experience and interests. And blood!

With good wishes, Mark Try

Hi Mark,

Thank you for the additional information, I have created a Pioneers Index entry for John Try.

Regards,Ian

 

From: Richard Balsillie

Sent: Monday, 17 August 2009 5:58 PM

Subject: Early Cattle Route Monara to Omeo

Dear Ian

I have just "lucked" onto your site Monaro Pioneers. Well done. I am hoping you might be able to help with a long-standing question in my family. In 1842, my G-g-grandfather, Robert Wallace, recently widowed, left his five children in the Hunter Valley, and drove cattle from the Monaro to Omeo. We believe that he was possibly employed by James MacFarlane. We understand that he made this drive a number of times until 1846 or 47 when he returned to collect his two oldest children (sons aged 14 and 12), who joined him for one of these journeys. He then moved on to Heyfield. Some years later, one of his sons William, returned to manage Omeo Station "for MacFarlane" (probably Malcolm). From what I can gather and looking at maps, I am assuming that the drives would have started at Ingebirah or maybe Beloka, and headed south to Wulgulmerang before heading west via the Limestone-Black Mountain Road and the Limestone Creek Track and the Benambra-Limestone Road. I am interested in any information that can confirm or otherwise these assumptions, and provide any other light on conditions on the drive. I am in the throes of making a family history video, and would like at some stage to follow his route as closely as possible. I am also interested in the locating holdings of James MacFarlane in the Monaro at the time.

Any advice would be most gratefully received.

Richard Balsillie

Hi Richard,

Any information we have is already displayed on our site but we can add your

request to our next newsletter and maybe one of our readers will be able to

assist you.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Wright, Peter
Sent: Monday, 17 August 2009 10:25 AM
Subject: Edward Stone Comben Descendant - Additional Information

Hallo Ian,

I recently became aware of your website on Pioneers of the Monaro.  I am a descendant of Robert Comben, Edward Stone Comben, Ellen Comben and Helen Glass (nee Hood) (entry 34) who was my maternal grandmother. I was surprised and pleased to see part of my family included on the site; however, I would like to provide updated information and edits on the following specific entries:

• My mother Valerie June Glass died on 23 July 2001 in Bega – not in 1993 in Oyster Bay. I have attached a copy of my mother’s (and my father’s) Death Certificate.
• My aunt Joan Glass married Albert Hart (not Harshaw).

I have general information on other members of my Great Uncle Alex Hood’s family (listed under Ellen Comben – entry no 19), who are still prominent members of the Bombala community.  He and Aunty Edna (known as Ned) had three sons Joseph, Stuart and John, who are pastoralists in the Bombala District.  Also, Vera Hood (known in the family as Aunty Toby) married George Cooper and they had three sons: James and Robert (twins) and Gregory. They owned a dairy farm at Wapengo, NSW (between Tathra and Bermagui).  I don’t have more details of these family members, however, I will try to contact cousins and see what extra details we can provide for the website.

Thanks and regards, Peter Wright

Hi Peter,

Thank you for the information, I have updated our web site and database accordingly.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Judy McCutcheon

Sent: Monday, 17 August 2009 8:10 AM

Subject: Re: MONARO PIONEERS NEWSLETTER Edition 2009/6

Dear Ian

Sorry to lose Michelle, who has done a stirling job.  Hope you get someone soon; unfortunately, I, too, am tied up at the moment or I would help. With regard to the current upload, I have a couple of corrections to make on the Cameron file - I have the marriage registration and birth registrations for the children of Colin Cameron and Elizabeth Mackenzie. Colin was a Quarrier - they married at Peterhead 12 July 1850. Whilst Colin was born at Ord, Ross Shire (he gave his birthplace at the 1851 Census), he was living at Peterhead from at least 1841 when he just stated born in the district.  Given that he gave the birthplace of Ord, I went hunting for a birth registration and the only one I could find was that of Colin Cameron to Murdoch Cameron and Isabella Mackenzie.  I purchased the registration, but it is extremely difficult to read, so it is still suspect. Also the wee problem of naming of children, I would have thought Murdoch would have been high on the agenda.  I do NOT have Colin's death certificate and therefore cannot tell what information was given on that, nor who gave it; (death regs. being notorious for incorrect information). We are on solid ground when it comes to the marriage of Colin and the birth of his children - Peter was born 25 Dec 1850 at Boddam, Peterhead, and baptized 15 Jan 1851; the witnesses to his naming and baptism were William Storman and Peter Gall. His brother was not Alexander M Cameron, but rather Alexander Watt Cameron, born 4 March 1853 at Invernettie-Hill, Peterhead and baptized on the 28^th March 1853 at Peterhead before John Cameron and Alexander Gray. I also have a few more birth details, including that of Ellen Kate Cameron (always known as Kate). I have some changes for the James Clifford file - Arthur James Rich - his wife was Catherine Standish.  They were married at St Ignatius RC Church at Richmond South.  I have quite a bit on Arthur James. Will attach a gedcom file for the Cameron mob, a gedcom on the Lock family and also marriage cert for Arthur. (Please note: this is all a work in progress)

Kind regards, Judy

Hi Judy,

Thanks for the update material, new pages for Lock, Cameron, and Clifford have been generated. We do have a new volunteer for the Newsletter role, David Knox.  He is getting up to speed at the moment.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Sue Whiteley  
Sent: Saturday, 15 August 2009 7:48 PM
Subject: hector mcdonald

Hi Ian,

More info re Hector and Jessie McDonald.

• death of Jessie McDonald recorded as 1885:  this is the 1 year old daughter of John McDonald and Margaret Mary Downing, not her grandmother Jessie
• The family moved from the Goulburn area to Albury in 1859

Regards, Sue Whiteley

Thanks Sue,

Regards, Ian

 

From: Peter and Karyn Hayes
Sent: Saturday, 15 August 2009 3:32 PM
Subject: William Hayes

Dear Sir

I typed in William and Sarah Hayes of Cooma and came up with a pile of information I have been trying to find for a long time. My name is Peter Mounaghan Hayes. The Mounaghan was spelt incorrectly by my great Aunt when my Father Francis Mounaghan Hayes was born and my father carried it on when I arrived. Something to do with alcohol I believe. The Great Aunt was Linda May Cordelle (Nee Hayes). My Father was the son of Thomas James William Hayes and Emma Hayes (Nee Johnson) he was named after his uncles Frank and Monaghan who died at Gallipoli in 1915. My father always said that Monaghan (known as Monney) was a House Painter and that William was a Horse breaker and a very gentle man. William and Sarah moved from Cooma to Darlinghurst , Sydney in about 1914-16 where they ran a boarding house.  In his later years William lived with his daughter Linda at Bondi which is close to Darlinghurst and Erskinville. He fell down the back stairs while putting out the garbage and died. One of the Smith children lived in the downstairs flat which also belonged to Linda.  The place was one of the Sydney terrace houses with a narrow winding staircase leading to the top flat and a banister kids love to slide down. Both Aunt Linda and Annie Died in the 1960s. On the page with William and Sarah is a photo of Sarah Ann Smith (Nee Hayes) who I knew as old Aunty Annie.  I believe that Ted Washbrook and I are on the same family tree. The Hayes family is still Catholic although some are less religious than others. William and Sarah were indeed married at Bombala according to oral tradition. My mother is in possession of Tom and Emmas Family Bible (Prayer book and Missal actually) which has the record of the family births deaths and marriages. I have Monnies and Tom’s World War 1 Service Medals and a keyring from the citizens of Cooma on Tom’s return. These are kept in the Brass Princess Mary Gift box given to Monnie in 1914. Would you be so kind as to pass on my email address to Ted Washbrook and I can either give him my mothers details or get a photocopy of the relevant pages from the family prayer book.

Hi Peter,

Ted Washbrook has been copied on this email for you. I would also appreciate receiving the family details you have to add to our database and website if that is possible please.

Regards, Ian

 

From: WendyE
Sent: Friday, 14 August 2009 2:37 PM
Subject: Change of email address

Hi

I have changed my email address. Could you please update your records.

Thank you, Wendy Malcolm

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for letting us know, we will add you new address to the newsletter distribution list. Does your email address need to be changed on any Pioneer webpages?  If so which ones?

Regards, Ian

 

From: user
Sent: Thursday, 13 August 2009 10:06 PM
Subject: Tim McLean - Descendant of James Ashton Taylor

Dear Ian,

It was great to recently discover the Monaro Pioneers site and a real thrill to confirm my convict past as a descendant of James Ashton Taylor. My mother was Beatty Edith Buckland, daughter of Fred Buckland and Helena Begley of Mallacoota. I can add further information recently received from my cousin Betty Buckland of Eden (she has some great photos of James Ashton Taylor and the Begleys circa 1900) section 16. Frederick Herbert Buckland was born on 7th March 1862  (not circa 1865) Sect 16 ix Beatty Edith Buckland born 1919 Mallacoota died 1988 buried at Healesville. Completed nursing training at Sale Hospital 1945.  Matron at Healesville Bush Nursing Hospital 1949. Married John Stuart McLean(of Maffra) 1949 Welfare Officer for Healesville Shire. Awarded British Empire Medal 1980 for community service. Beatty was NOT religious! Sect 19 Herbert Carl Buckland was son of William Edmund Buckland and Mary Nora Small (Herbert was Fred Bucklands nephew) Bert was school teacher at the old bark school at Malacoota. I am compiling my own Australian Heritage Book and would love any further information about the life of James Ashton Taylor and his parents the convicts. I would also like to be included on the newsletter list.

Regards, Tim McLean  

Hi Tim,

Thank you for the additional information, I have updated our website and database. Your email address will be added to our newsletter distribution list, the last copy of which is available on our website linked from the home page news section.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Sheena Johnson
Sent: Thursday, 13 August 2009 8:41 AM
Subject: Re: Monaro Pioneers

Good Morning Ian

Thanks so much for getting back to me.  I am pretty excited by this find as up until now we have had little or no information about my grandmother's family.  The information I have is from a family bible that I received when my father passed away, so I cannot say for sure if it is correct, but it certainly correlates with so much of the information in the Rolfe family history that I believe it to be pretty acccurate. Interestingly, the way I came across your site was by googling the 'believed' name of my grandmother's father.  I say believed because she was illegitimate and family stories suggest her father was Edward Rolfe.  On her death certificate, which I have, her father's name is listed as 'unknown' but his occupation listed as 'grazier'.  On googling this name your site came up and I found a long list of names that correlated with the bible I have - including my great grandmother and her siblings (see attached transcript from the bible) who are Clarkes, which suggests that the families are related and perhaps provides a reason for them not marrying?  I cannot find an Edward Rolfe, but there is a William Edward Rolfe, so perhaps the name was incorrectly reported down the years.  The information I would dearly love to have is the confirmed name of Nana's father. I have also attached information on the following generations, which you may want to add to the website.  I'm not sure how far you want to go with it. Please feel free to ask any questions or forward my email to anyone who might be interested.  As you can probably tell I am quite excited about all this! I look forward to hearing from you again.

Regards, Sheena Johnson

Hi Sheena,

All the contact addresses we have for any specific contributors are displayed on the various webpages on our site, unfortunately we cannot vouch for their validity as people do change their email addresses and often neglect to inform us. I would very much appreciate receiving any new information you may have on these families so that we can ensure our site is accurate at least.   Our database has become a valuable research tool and we are endeavouring to include all families connected with the Eden/Monaro region in any way, no matter how trivial.  As people discover our site as you have, and contribute more detail so our information is expanded and enriched.   With each new individual and family added more connections are established which often leads to more unknown families being discovered and included.  Thus our project continues to grow and develop. This email will also be included in our next newsletter to over 800 recipients and that may generate responses for you as well.  There are many people on our list interested in these families who may not be listed as a significant contributor. 

Regards,Ian
Good Evening Ian

I stumbled across your website Monaro Pioneers today and discovered what I believe to be a link to my father's family through the Rolfe/Clarke family tree.  Do you have a current email address for anyone connected to this family tree?  I am pretty confident it is my grandmother's family and I have some additional information (from a family bible) that might be of interest. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards, Sheena Johnson

The latest newsletter is on the website - link from the news section on the home page....The newsletter is sent by email and we will add your name to the list. Yes we would welcome any photos you may wish to contribute.

Regards, Ian

 

From: mohan and alima clarke

Date: 12/08/2009 12:37:12 PM

Subject: inquiry SHANNONS FLAT - a lost past

Hello ,

My name is Alima and I am doing research into my past. I am now 44 (Living on a property in the Blue Mountains) and at age 5 I moved to a 2000 acre property at Shannon's Flat. We named the property "Fairy Glen". My parents were Margaret and Alex Brown. Our property rested between Alan Luton's property and Max Luton's Property. It was about 5km from Morris Luton's Station going towards Adaminaby. I spent many happy years there and have incredibly fond memories of pioneering farming and sub-alpine life. Shannon's Flat was a wild place back in those days. Firstly there was the feuding of the Luton's, wild Christmas parties in the Shannon's Flat hall, feral pigs/bulls and brumbies to contend with and me coming face to face with a gigantic dingo (Morris Luton use to have hanging up in his shearing shed a huge dingo skin that he claimed was the biggest dingo ever found in the region). The stories of my childhood are rich, of a wild bush girl who grew up with a 22 over her shoulder so she could fend off feral animals and a knife in her belt to skin rabbits for dinner (Don't worry I have grown up to be a peace loving pacifist who is loves and revers the bush). My family was friends with Morris and I think it was Frances Luton and I can remember going there for tea as a child. We were also friends with Merv Venables and family (I remember collecting insects with his son for his local entomological collection), The Crawford's, acquaintances of the Curtis' and other Luton families. Any way, I am writing to you with the hope that you may be able to put me in contact with someone who has recent knowledge or contact with the area as I am trying to establish contact with someone who now owns the property or a part of it. I believe it has been subdivided into perhaps 6 lots. One lot still has the original sign we erected saying "Fairy Glen". I realise it is a long shot writing to you but it's worth a try. I feel that growing up in that region shaped me for life and its hard to shake good memories of huge granite tors (who were my best friends), spending summers in search of 'yet another lost hut' (both in the Snowy mountains and Namadgee) , alpine air/flowers and the abundant freedom 2000 wild acres offered me. I hope you can assist me in my quest and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards, Alima

Hi Alima,

We will put your request in the next newsletter and perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist you.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Dawn Coleman

Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 5:07 PM

Subject: Dent and Johnson families

Dear Ian,

I've attached a photo of the Susan and William Dent and James and Mary Johnson family which I think includes the daughters-in-law Clara May Ford, Emily Jane Elton, Margaret Helen Leslie and son-in-law Skelton Head and have narrowed the date to possibly being between 1868 when the Dent's youngest son Charles married Clara Ford and 1870 when Skelton Head was accidently killed in a shearing accident.  Is it possible to draw members attention to the photo and ask if anyone can confirm the people?

Regards Dawn Coleman

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for the photo, I have added it to the William Dent page with your comments and question.  Hopefully someone will assist you to resolve the question.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Margaret Lee

Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 1:38 PM

Subject: Adams Family History

Dear Ian

Firstly, congratulations on a wonderful website on the Monaro Pioneers.

Mary Ann Casey is my third great-grandmother. I am from her relationship with Hiram Robert Sharpe - Catherine Eizabeth Sharpe - John Campbell Carr Adams - John Quincy Adams to mary Alice Gertrude Adams to Ailsa Little to me. Alice Gertrude's brother, Arthur Hope Adams (Bill), died two days ago, and I was seeking to update some family history when I came across your website. Can you tell me if you have any other details on the Adams line?  Have you come across the Allwood History? It's another fascinating family story that cuts across the Adams line.

Thanks again and well done. Margaret Lee

Hi Margaret,

All the information we have is displayed on the site or in the database.  The information we have on this Adams tree is sketchy and does need more information contributed.  I have not heard of the other family mentioned.

Regards, Ian

 

From: jimgoodsell

Date: 6/07/2009 4:30:37 PM

Subject: Re: Info on shepherds-Monaro Pioneers

Hello Pattrick,  I have just been browsing through that wonderful site on the Monaro Pioneers and I came across the Tarlington family. I have been researching my family history for over 25 years now - Mehl/Bolton family of Moruya and Nelligen. My main search now has been  for a Bolton family different from the Cooma region family on your Monaro Pioneer site.   My James Bolton (born 1817 in Kent) arrived in the colony c1840-  and interestingly married a Sarah Marshall at Bredbatoura on 17th April 1855, witnessed by  Mrs. Mary Tarlington and Thomas Tarlington. I have a copy of the certificate taken from the Roman Catholic Church in Moruya. James then worked as a shepherd at various stations in the Krawarree region as a shepherd till he died in Dry Plains Lake Bathurst in 1886. I can only assume he was working for the Tarlingtons as he got married at their home.  His 3 daughters were born at  Emu Flat (Nithsdale), Warri (near Manar) and Reedy Creek (near Warri) -all station properties out in the Braidwood/Krawarri region. The birth at Nithsdale was my grandmother Mary Ann Bolton.  I have been trying for many years to get information if anyone has done any work on shepherds in the Monaro region.  I have spoken to the librarian at Bega Valley and a Mr. John J.Tarlington  in 2002 - an elderly gentleman living at part of the Bredbatoura property asking if any history had been compiled about the people who were employed over the years on their properties. He seemed vague and said he would ask the historical group at the library at Bega Valley.  I never did hear back from him.  I can find no info on James and Sarah Marshall except his death certificate and the birth certificates of their 3 daughters. Perhaps James was indentured to the Tarlingtons -he may have been a convict.  I am now 78 years old, I live in Western Australia and I would like to solve this mystery.  I have had Braidwood and Tumut researchers on the job for me as well as me becoming computer literate in my search. Used to belong to WAGS in Perth when I lived there but now live in the "deep south" of WA ., so dont have the resources of the Alexander Library here.  Perhaps you might know if any such literature is around  or work done on the subject of workers/shepherds on Monaro properties.  One would imagine that the Tarlingtons would have kept records of people they employed .  My James and Sarah are mystery people - perhaps the answers might be found at Bredbatoura.  Hoping you can find the time to respond Pattrick. 

All best wishes....sincerely     Noeline Goodsell  

I would suggest you check out the early convicts on the Monaro at:  http://www.monaropioneers.com/convicts/muster1837a.htm

We have only recently discovered that there were a lot of Convicts/Shepherds and the Campbell family on the Monaro in the early 1830's. Bye for now, Have a great day Pattrick Mould

 

From: Malcolm

Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 10:33 PM

Subject: Corrections / additions to Monarto database information re Hector McDonald

Hello Ian

My husband is a direct descendent of Hector McDonald listed in your database – his great-great grandson from his son, Duncan McDonald. The information below corrects details regarding his death, adds some information about him and a little about his parents and their origins in Gairloch. The attached photo is of Duncan McDonald is the best one we have of him (we have only one other); we know of no photos of Hector or Jessie McDonald. The photo was taken about 4 years before he died. Hope this is helpful.

Regards, Susan Barnett

Corrections / additional information:

1.     Hector and Jessie (nee Kennedy) were married on 23 May 1843 in Inverness. He is described as a merchant and she as “Church Street, Inverness”.

2.     Hector’s parents were Murdo McDonald and Catherine McKenzie.

3.     Hector McDonald was an innkeeper at Inverallochy near Binda in the Goulbourn area.

4.     Greville's 1872 Post Office directory lists Hector McDonald as a farmer of Sydney Road, Albury.

5.     They are buried in the Pioneers Cemetery in Albury.

6.     Their son, Duncan McDonald was a newspaper proprietor, working first in Albury and later in Myrtleford. He died c 14 November 1935 near Beechworth, Victoria, aged 85 years. He is buried in Myrtleford Cemetery, along with his wife Jane Hannah Roach and daughter, Katie Robertson. Jane died 6 January 1925, aged 67 years; Katie died on 3 August 1934, aged 35 years.

Hi Susan,

Thank you for the information and photo.  I have updated our website and database accordingly.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Graeme Pigram

Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 4:22 PM

Subject: Family History - Harmer Family

Dear Ian
I found your E-Mail address on the internet and I hope you do not mind me contacting you. I have been building a family tree primarily relating to the Pigram family but it encompasses a number of families including Bell, Harmer, Barton, Gilpin etc who are all related in some way or another.  Many of these families had some contact with the Monaro region. I have been researching the Harmer family (my wife is a Harmer) and I was particularly interested in your web page " Descendants of James Harmer".  Most of the data there accords with that which I have collected but I have found some inconsistencies.  Specifically it relates to the marriage of Mary Jane Harmer (b 13 Dec 1878, daughter of John Joseph Harmer b 1851 and Jane Day b 1858) to an Edward John Kelly.  This was recorded as having taken place in 1879 although Mary Jane was supposedly born in 1876. Are you aware of anyone who may be able to assist me unravel my problem?  I record my data in Legacy and would be happy to give you a gedcom if it is of any interest.
Regards, Graeme Pigram

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the email, clearly you have identified an error which I have rectified. We would welcome any additional information you may care to contribute to our project, our pioneers database is also managed by the Legacy software package so a gedcom or legacy file is certainly my preferred method.  We can reciprocate if you need it.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Trish Fletcher

Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 4:07 PM

Subject: Re.Denis Nolan (Cooma 1854) entry in database

Dear Ian,

I am not sure to whom I should address this, so will start with you.  re. Denis Nolan (Cooma 1854)entry in pioneer database. I need to correct some inaccurate details I was pleased to find info on my great grandparents, Denis and Margaret Nolan ( nee White), listed in the database. The details of Denis and Margaret, the list of their children, and their births and deaths, as far as I can see is mostly acurate. However some of the extended details of the children are wrong: The birth and death details of the (2M iv) John Michael Nolan listed here are accurate as far as I know, but the extended details are wrong. This particular John Michael Nolan was unmarried, NOT married to Martha Bridget Davis with a row of children. The same applies to ( 3M x) Michael William Nolan. The birth and death details are correct, but he also died a batchelor and NOT married to Bridget Crowe, as entered here. The entry for Denis Nolan (M ii ) is also incorrect: It was his father, Denis, who married Margaret White in Ireland before emigrating in 1853. Denis the son referred to here was a batchelor also. Bridget Nolan ( F iii) did marry David Roach, son of David Roach is most likely correct, but it would be a grand co-incidence ( although, I guess, not entirely impossible) if David's mother's name was Margaret Nolan. The extended information on (4M xiv) James Nolan is correct. He did indeed marry Hermina Bergmann and had a son, Denis Kevin Keith, but he also had 2 daughters, Una Margaret Sophia ( c.1914-1987) and Jane Enid Mary ( 2.3.1921 - 3.5.2008). There was a Nolan family at Nimmitabel, not related to Denis Nolan. Perhaps they had members with the same names ( e.g. John Michael Nolan or Michael William Nolan) which may have led to some confusion. Please contact me if I can be of more help in setting this bit of history straight.

Regards, Trish 

Hi Trish,

Thank you for the information, I have corrected and updated our website and database accordingly. Any further information you may wish to contribute would be gratefully received. 

Regards, Ian

 

From: Dennis Hill

Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 2:28 PM

Subject: Davidsons of Mannafield

Hello Ian

Attached a file with a few updates on marriages arising from recent research. We are recommending people check your web site for good accurate data and the Clan Davidson Society Inc now has the link. As we get more information on the 'old' family we will pass it on.

Kind Regards, Dennis Hill

Hi Dennis,

Thank you again for the information and support, we are delighted you and your fellow Clans folk find our site useful.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Don S Herbert Snr

Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 11:53 AM

Subject: Connecting Australia - George (Herbert) & Annie Clements

Dear Ian.

Just came across your web listings for the family of George Herbert & Annie Clements.  They are my Great Great Grandparents. You do have a number of errors listed, and at least one assumption, George Herbert's date & place of birth. I have every certificate available (that exists) for this family.  The attached reflects BDM and family recordings. There is no evidence to even support George Herbert's name.  His given and/or surname are likely something else entirely.  No one knows how or when (or if) he arrived in Australia.  All we do know, is that he was likely born circa 1828-29, and he himself said that he came from London, which may or may not be the truth. George and Annie did not marry.  George was likely already married we think.  He was very Protestant, and she was very Catholic.  Many an argument was had over the Bap./Ch. of the children. At least the first three children, Henry, Catherine & Mary Ann, are believed to be the children of Annie, but not George.  The next three children, William, George & Alfred Ernest, are believed to be the children of Annie, but not proven as the children of George.  No birth certificates exist for the first two children, Henry & Catherine, nor my Great Grandfather, Francis "Frank."  Frank didn't even know what his DOB was (so he stated).  Perhaps Frank isn't the son of George either. Please feel free to contact me in regard to any of the data attached.

Regards, Don Herbert Snr.

Hi Don,

Thank you for the information, I have updated our database accordingly. Your contribution to our project is much appreciated.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Dennis Hill

Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:09 PM

Subject: Duncan Davidson- Recommended text changes arising from recent research

Hello Ian attached is a copy of the text re Duncan, with recommended changes. Some is merely fine tuning but the major change revolves around Kincardine County or Kincardineshire v Aberdeen County or Aberdeenshire. In short the 'contemporary' records including microfilmed record labeling of old parish records are not quite correct and have misled just about all of we Davidson researchers by listing Banchory Devenick Parish in Kincardine County (Kincardinshire). Whilst this may be correct for up to 77% of births deaths and marriages in the 1700 and 1800s in that parish, it is incorrect for the rest. Following is a discussion of the research and is the basis on which I have now changed my records. Recent research demonstrates Kincardine is not the correct shire for Duncan's baptism and marriage. How come? The church records clearly describe Duncan and 5 of his siblings as baptised in Brae of Pitfodels Banchory Devenick Parish. The other 2, Andrew - Middletown of Pitfodels and Jean - Middleton. This is on the North side of the River Dee. So what?

- The village of Banchory Devenick is on the south side of the river Dee.

- The Parish of Banchory Devenick (parishes were more important for churches than shires or counties) in the early 1800s actually straddled the River Dee.

- The Parish of Banchory Devenick was 23% in Aberdeenshire (from 1867 and even more before then), north of the Dee and 77% in Kincardineshire, south of the Dee.

- The northern boundary of Kincardineshire or Kincardine County was the river Dee

- The southern boundary of Aberdeenshire or Aberdeen County was the river Dee.

Now Pitfodels where Duncan and siblings were all baptised is north of the river Dee so Brae of Pitfodels, Banchory Devenick Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland is the correct descriptor for 6 of the 8 and the Middleton/Middletown of Pitfodels variation for the other 2.  The marriage records (baans) for Duncan's church show him as being of Banchory Devenick Parish (and that church being North of the river Dee is clearly in Aberdeenshire) and her from Gilcomston (in Old Machar Parish). Her church listed Jane as from Chapel street Old Machar parish and you can bet pounds to peanuts they were married there, and that church is clearly in Aberdeenshire. So let the marriage record show Old Machar Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

 (ref1. The Gazetteer of Scotland by Rev John Wilson [WB 1795 ISBN:1-888265-07-8]

ref 2. http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/parishes/parhistory384.html - parish history for Banchory Devenick

Ref 3. Transcript of Description of Parish / County in 1841 Census for Andrew Davidson (Duncan’s father and the farm where that family lived from 1811) 6/06/1841, Census 1841 251/00010/01005:- Parish of Banchory Devenick Aberdeen No 9, 3 Sch and also lists Duncan's younger sister Fanny  at age 16 being born Banchory Devenick, Aberdeenshire.  [Unfortunately the microfilm identity card prepared by Genealogical Society of Salt Lake City Utah US says Parish: Banchory Devenick, County: Kincardine, which was probably a ‘convenient short cut' identifier as most of Banchory Devenick parish was in that County, but this type of sloppy labelling, which flows through to the www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk  web site is the source of all the mistakes in family history records being wrong for those Banchory Devenick parish records from Aberdeen county!] So this presents the case for the proposed text changes. It is good to be controversial!

Cheers, Dennis Hill 

Thanks Dennis,

Regards, Ian

 

From: Greg Ferguson

Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 5:49 PM

Subject: William Barry convict

Dear  Ian
I am the elder son of May Elizabeth Lucy Barry whe married Michael John Ferguson. My Uncle Clem-Clement A. Barry- to my knowledge NEVER married, yet in the decendant list of William Barry convict of Monaro District. He and his brother enlisted in A.I.F. start of 2nd Worl War and went to Egypt with the 9th Division working in Transport.When the 9th came home they were sent to Atherton Tableland then to New Guinea as "Biscuit Bombers". After"demobbed" he lived with his sister ,Muriel, and mother Mary Jane nee Woodhouse at 117 Thompson St Drummoyne N>S>W> He now had a Legion Cab taxi till his death. Can you clarify his marriage.I have gone to Births Deaths and Marriages and got no where. I can give more information re Mum's offspring if you want this.
Yours sincerely, Greg Ferguson.

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the information, I have rectified our database and website. We would be very grateful for any additional information you can provide.

Regards, Ian

 

From: Video Ezy Strathfield
Sent: Tuesday, 23 June 2009 1:24 PM
Subject: Newsletter of Monaro Pioneers - Descendants of George Walker c1842 Bombala

Good afternoon Michelle,

I am the grandson of Alice Grace Walker, the daughter of James Walker who was the son of George Walker born circa 1796 in Ireland. I have just found your site through my sister Julie, with whom I am doing our family tree and I was fascinated with the amount of information on the site and would love to receive the newsletter. Thankyou very much for the hard work and dedication the volunteers give to this site. I look forward to reading the next newsletter.

Yours thankfully, Regards, Kim Downey

 

From: Gary
Date: 2009/5/31
Subject: Monaro Pioneers - Thomas Holdsworth, c1847, Cooma

My name is Gary Goodwin, and I have been attempting to research my wife's family.  Her maiden name is Kathleen Holdsworth, her father being Albert William Holdsworth, who from my research from both family and web is related to Thomas Holdsworth who was on the Monaro Pioneers web site, and his father married a Hannaford, also indicated on your site. Also, during my research I have noticed that on BDM Albert William is shown as Albert Williams and I was wondering whether you, or your researchers have actually seen the original birth register, or whether the information on your site was obtained from BDM records on the web. Hoping to hear soon

Gary Goodwin

Hi Gary,

Unfortunately, David Smith is no longer participating in the Monaro Pioneers project and we have no idea whether he is still responding to email queries.  Pattrick, does respond to emails he receives by usually forwarding them on to me for action.  I have not seen your email until now. I now manage the website and database and can answer your question. The information on Albert William(s) Holdsworth would have been obtained from the BDM indexes given the lack of detail.  The indexes do show his second name as Williams but that could easily be a typo.  Usually, when original documents have been sighted by a contributor the full date and place details are provided.  Because we don't know his DOB or DOD we have no way of determining the correct spelling or his parentage. Could you provide this detail for Albert to enable the connection with the Holdsworth family for our records please? I do apologise for the delay you experienced in your inquiry. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Regards, Ian

 

The purpose of this newsletter is four-fold:
1. To let people know about all our activities including: the "Back to Nimitybelle" Book and the Monaro Pioneers Website.
2. To collect email and postal addresses of as many people as we can, so that they may be invited to contribute to this archive.
3. To collect Historical information about the Monaro District and the Families that have lived there.
4. And most importantly the newsletter is a venue for people who have an interest in the district to keep in contact with each other.

This newsletter is published by David Knox on behalf of all those people who are interested in the history of the Monaro. If you don't wish to continue receiving this newsletter simply reply to this email with unsubscribe in the subject line.