Tracing Family Branches

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 ...

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 broth...

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 129...

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 ...

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 ...

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 Donnell...

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 allott...

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 Eliza...

Today's post involves my great great Uncle Alfred Lloyd Jones death in 1943. Source: WARREN SUB. TRAGEDY. (1943, September 10). Cootamundra Herald (NSW : 1877 - 1957), p. 2. Retrieved August 31, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article144399924 Transcript: WARREN SUB. TRAGEDY Porter's Grim Find When Albert Mark Halls railway porter was returning to Miss Richard's boarding house at about midnight on Wednesday he was very much startled to hear the report of a gun. On investigating he made the grim discovery of the body of a man in the lane at the rear of the boarding house.  Both barrels of a shot-gun had been discharged into the victims head.  A piece of string had been attached to the trigger of the gun. The victim was Alfred Lloyd Jones, 34, who had been employed on "Beggan Beggan" station.  He married a Cootamundra girl, Miss Mary Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moore, of Cootamundra.  His wife had been ill in Young Hospital, wher...

Brickwall knocked down at last!  Catherine Rhall was murdered by her partner James Baker Worldon on the 14th February 1855 at Beechworth.  The Trove articles do involve my 4th Great Grandparents James Baker Worldon and Catherine Rhall!  I guess the family tree book will need updating now ;) I looked up the following record from the Public Record of Victoria and bingo the details match my ancestors records.  Catherine Rhall's fate is now known at last, she was murdered by her partner and he was only sentenced to two years imprisonment for it and by the look of it was released early in 1856!  I also found out he used the alias Milbank, which will give me new avenues for future research. Public Record Office of Victoria Series title: Central Register of Male Prisoners Sub-Item title: Worldon, James; (Milbank); (Jas Baker Worldon): No. 2265 Sub-Item number: Page 199 Date range: 1854 Public access: Open Format: Digital Source: Public Record ...

Today's Trove article follows on from last weeks posting (see here ) and involves the outcome of the trial of James Waldron for the murder of his 'wife' Catherine.  I still need to do more research to see whether or not these are my 4th great grandparents or not but I definitely have more leads for my research now! Source: Summary of Mining Intelligence. (1855, March 24). Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855 - 1866; 1914 -1918), p. 5. Retrieved September 2, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113013246 Transcript: The trial of James Waldron, for the alleged murder of his wife, came off at the Melbourne Criminal Sessions ; the result was a conviction for manslaughter, and the sentence two years imprisonment.  The presiding Judge in summing up, made a remark, which we consider anything but decorous from such quarter, viz.; that if the prisoner had killed his wife's seducer, instead of his wife, he should have been disposed to have t...