Tracing Family Branches

At this time of year I am always flooded with memories of past Christmases, wonderful times spent with loved ones, some no longer here but always present in my heart and mind. Each Christmas spent with loved ones is a special gift that in time becomes a treasured memory and forms part of the story of our lives. This years Christmas tree We had a wonderful Christmas with family this year, our first Christmas as grandparents.  Christmas is magical when you are a child, becomes even more special when you become parents and then the magic is renewed again when you become grandparents! Our granddaughter enjoying her first Christmas

Life has been a little hectic lately and I have not been as active on this blog as I would like.  Family commitments have kept me occupied of late with lots going on, both of our children have graduated University now, my husband managed to get bitten by a snake in the backyard (luckily it was non venomous but it still left a nasty bite and made him ill for a time), our granddaughter is growing up so fast and is very mobile now and a new family member is due to arrive next year! Healing snake bite wound Our son on his Graduation day Our daughter at her Graduation ceremony Our son in law, granddaughter and daughter on Graduation day Our beautiful granddaughter 

Today's snippet comes from the The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Advocate on the 27th April 1925. Source: TOWN TOPICS. (1925, April 27). The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Advocate (NSW : 1898 - 1928), p. 2. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121747041 Transcript:  When the C.E. portion of North Gundagai cemetery was recently burned off the remains of a number of big snakes were found in a roasted condition.  Mr Jim Worldon tells of seeing a crow taking home a 6ft. roasted snake for Easter dinner.

Below is a photograph of my husbands Great Grandfather James Harvey Murray, more than likely taken in Singapore in about 1917.  More information can be found on him from other posts I have published here and here .

Today's post concerns the wife of my Great Great Uncle Edward Donnelly.  Edward died on the 9th February 1908 (see here for his headstone inscription and photograph) leaving his wife of twelve years Margaret (nee Buckley) a widow with two young children, Sylvester about eleven years old and Frances about nine years old, to raise alone.  I had never heard of this practice until I found this article and I am very glad that she was given an option like this to see her through an extremely difficult time.  Margaret married a Joseph S. Ferguson in 1929 and lived until she was 85 years old (see here for her headstone inscription and photograph). Source: A Humane Custom. (1908, November 19). Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved October 14, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157664199 Transcript: A Human Custom. Mrs. E. Donnelly (daughter of Mr. Luckie, of Mundooran, and widow of the late Mr. Edward Donnelly,

My find today on Trove is an advertisement that my Grandmother Cluna Irene Donnelly (nee O'Connor) placed in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate in July 1943.  Losing her handbag, money and ration books would of been devastating for her, especially considering the circumstances which she had found herself in at the time.  She had already had a terrible year as her husband (my grandfather)  Mervyn James Phillip Donnelly had passed away in January leaving her to raise their six children (who were aged between about thirteen and one) alone with her being reliant on the widows pension and child endowment to support them all. Source: Advertising. (1943, July 1). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , p. 6. Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133412780 Transcript: LOST by widow. Wed., 10.55 a.m. Cardiff bus, Lady's Handbag, containing £6 and 7 Ration Books.  Reward on return, Mrs. DONNEL

My 5th Great Aunt Mary Walden/Waldon the daughter of James Walden and his wife Elizabeth (nee Myson) was born in 1820 and baptised at St. Mary's Church at Great Wratting on the 24th September 1820. Source: Find My Past Record set Suffolk Baptism Index (part 3) Category Life Events (BDMs) Record collection Births & baptisms Collections from United Kingdom  http://search.findmypast.com.au/ The 1841 Census has her living on census night in the village of Great Wratting, Suffolk in the household of one John Buffett, who was a sixty year old agricultural labourer.  Her mother Elizabeth Waldon and her nephew John Moore were also residents of the dwelling on that night. Source: Find My Past Record set 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census Category Census, Land & Surveys Record collection Census Collections from United Kingdom http://search.findmypast.com.au/ Mary gave birth to a daughter Elizabeth Walden in about 1841 with the birth regis

Today's photograph is of my Great Grandparents Leo Francis Battye and Stella Jane Christina (nee Worldon) with their oldest daughter Glennie 'Marie' (my Nan).  The photograph is likely to have been taken in the Gundagai area around 1926/7 as my Nan was born in 1924 and her parents married in 1927.

This article involves my great great grandfather James Baker Worldon and concerns the dissolution of the firm Worldon and Wells in 1917. Source: LOCAL AND GENERAL. (1917, May 1). The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved September 27, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123526756 Transcript: The firm of Worldon and Wells has been dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Wells going out of the business.

Some years ago another researcher told me that at least four children of James Walden and his wife Elizabeth (nee Mison/Myson) had been baptised at St Mary's Church in Great Wratting, Suffolk. Find my Past has now allowed me to confirm these details through their Suffolk Baptism Index Transcription record set! James Waldon and his wife Elizabeth had the following children baptised at St. Mary's Church, Great Wratting, Suffolk, England: James Baker Welden who was born in 1811 was baptised there on the 24th March 1811.  Entry No. 19792 John Walden who was born in 1814 was baptised there on the 4th December 1814. Entry No. 30. Rebecca Walden who was born in 1818 was baptised there on the 29th November 1818.  Entry No. 77 Mary Walden who was born in 1820 was baptised there on the 24th September 1820.  Entry No. 102. Source: Find My Past Record set Suffolk Baptism Index (part 3) Category Life Events (BDMs) Record collection Births & baptisms Colle

My 3rd great grandfather James Baker Worldon and his half brother Richard Worldon are the subject of today's Trove Tuesday post. Source: GUNDAGAI COURT OF REQUESTS. (1874, December 5). The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122755248 Transcript: GUNDAGAI COURT OF REQUESTS. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, Before the Police Magistrate and Mr. J.B. Elworthy J.P. JAMES WORLDON v. WILLIAM FULLER, erection of fencing £5 12s. Plaintiff  deposed to having contracted with defendant to put up some fencing at Bongongolong, at 1s a rod ; he completed 112 rods of fencing, being partly assisted by his brother, Richard Worldon, but on Monday week last defendant knocked them off work ; witness then asked defendant to pay him for what he had done, but defendant offered to give him an order upon his (witness's) brother for the amount, saying his brother owe

Today's post is about my great great aunt Mary Donnelly.  One of twin girls born to James Donnelly and his wife Mary nee Gallagher about 1870.  Her twin sister Bridget died in 1872.  Mary lived with her parents until their deaths and never married or had any recorded children.  She was buried at Mudgee General Cemetery (see here ) and information about her will came be found here . Source: Mainly About People. (1937, March 11). Wellington Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved September 21, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143408281 Transcript: The death of Miss Mary Donnelly (67) occurred in a Mudgee hospital after a long illness.  Miss Donnelly was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Donnelly, of Cooyal, and had lived in Lewis Street, Mudgee, for a number of years.  Her passing will be the cause of very deep and widespread regret. NSW BDM Death certificate for Mary Donnelly  NSW BDM Birth Indexes 12929/1870 DONNELLY MARY JAMES MARY MU

I found this advertisement on Trove concerning a grocery store operated by my great great Grandfather James Baker Worldon. Source: Advertising. (1916, September 15). The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 - 1931), p. 5. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123526481

Today's Family Notice is for Richard Worldon, who is my half 4th great Uncle.  He was the son of Catherine Rhall and John Glitherow but went by the surname of his stepfather James Baker Worldon.  Even though James Worldon killed his mother (see here ,  here and here ) Richard kept the Worldon surname.  Richard Worldon was drowned in the big Gundagai flood of 1891 leaving behind a widow and a very large family. Source: Family Notices. (1891, July 10). The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123808557 Transcript: DEATH. ON June 27, 1891, RICHARD WORLDON, accidentally drowned at Kimo, near Gundagai ; aged 46 years. But our parting is not for ever, There's sunshine in the way ; From this night of gloom and sorrow, There will come a brighter day. -Inserted by his affectionate brother, JAMES B. WORLDON NSW BDM Death

The will of Mary Donnelly (my great great Aunt) is the subject of today's post.  Mary Donnelly was born c.1870, one of twin daughters to James Donnelly and his wife Mary (nee Gallagher).  Mary's twin sister Bridget died in 1872.  Mary lived with her parents until their deaths, she never married or had any recorded children.  In her will Mary appointed Reverend Father Flanagan, Priest in Charge of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Mudgee (or his successor) and a Mr. John Downes to be her Executors and Trustees. No mention of her living siblings, nephews and nieces was made in her will. She desired that the proceeds of her Estate were to be converted into money and this money was to be used in connection with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Mudgee.  Mary died on 3rd March 1937 and was buried at Mudgee General Cemetery (see here ).  Reverend Father Edward Joseph Flanagan was granted Probate in April 1937, as John Downes renounced Probate, with Mary's Estate being val

This a photograph of my Great Aunt Dorothy Jean Briggs nee Stevens.

I am so happy that FindMyPast have the NSW Wills Books 1800-1952 as a part of their searchable records now!  The wills give me new insight into deceased members of my family and their personal circumstances and relationships.  Reading through the will of James Donnelly (my great great grandfather) was very interesting.  He appointed his wife and daughter as his executors rather than his three living sons and in the event of his wife Mary's death her portion of his Estate was to go to their only surviving daughter Mary.  His sons Edward, James and John (or their heirs) were only to get £30 each and this was only if or when Mary and/or her daughter Mary chose to sell the Estate property and only ' if any after the proceeds of the sale '.  James who was a Farmer died at Cooyal on the 27th August 1900 leaving an Estate valued at £530 net.  James was buried at Mudgee General Cemetery (see here ) and Probate was granted to his Executrices, Mary Donnelly (widow) and Mary Donnelly

Today's article involves my 3rd Great Grandfather James Worldon and a Chinese hawker named Long Wan. Source: News of the Week. (1878, June 14). The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122757389 Transcript: LARCENY. Long Wan, a Chinese hawker, was charged with stealing a table fork and a piece of iron the property of James Worldon.  It appeared that accused had been about complainant's hut, and shortly afterwards the articles were missed and were found in possession of the accused. Constable Johnson, who had known accused for six years, gave him an excellent character. The Police Magistrate said there was no doubt the articles had been stolen, but taking into consideration the fact that they were not of much value, he would let him off with a fine of £1 or fourteen days in jail.

Today's obituary is for Michael Quirk, who is my 4th Great Grandparent.  From Tipperary in Ireland he and his wife Honorah (nee Costello) came to Australia in 1841 on board the ship 'Gilbert Henderson', leaving behind their daughter Mary in Ireland with family. They went on to have a large family and in 1858 their daughter Mary (along with her maternal Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle) migrated to Australia and was finally reunited with her parents. Michael Quirk died on the 26th October 1886 at Wagra of old age.  He was buried at Wagragobilly Cemetery on the 28th October 1886. Source: MEIDFIELD JOCKEY CLUB. (1886, November 2). The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128767853 Transcript:  ANOTHER very old resident of the district has gone over to the great majority.  Mr. Michael Quirk of Adjenbilly, who had exceeded man's allotted term

This recent addition to Trove Digital Newspapers gives more details into James Baker Worldon's trial and conviction for the manslaughter of his partner Catherine Rhall.  The article produces a few interesting facts about the life that the couple were leading at this time and of their relationship.  James testified that he had been married to Catherine for eight years.  What proof other than his word was produced by James Baker Worldon as to their marital status, it had been under sufficient doubt as to move the trial to Melbourne from Beechworth, what changed?  The daughter referred to in the article as being fifteen years old would of been Catherine's daughter Sarah.  Sarah was born around 1840 to Catherine Casey (nee Rhall) and one John Glitherow, not James Baker Worldon.  The article however claims (as does his prison record) that they had four children, if so that still leaves us one child short, as we know that Sarah, Richard, William, James and Elizabeth were born to Cat