Tracing Family Branches

Today would have been my Nan's 92nd Birthday, she was a wonderful woman and is dearly loved and greatly missed.

I may of just found the baptism record for Mary Quirk who is my 3rd Great Grandmother see here . Mary was the daughter of Michael Quirk and Honorah Costello, she was left behind in Ireland when her parents came to Australia in 1841. In 1858 she arrived in Australia with her maternal Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle on board the ship Peter Maxwell and was reunited with her parents. On the 25th May 1863 at the Tumut Catholic Church she married John Pierse, an Irishman from County Kerry. Together they had fourteen known children, one of whom was Ellen Mary Pierse. Ellen married Edward Battye, her son Leo Francis Battye married Stella Jane Christina Worldon and their daughter Glennie 'Marie' Battye was my grandmother. John Pierse died in 1921 while Mary died on 24th December 1924, she was buried at Wagragobilly Cemetery on Christmas Day 1924.  More of my blog posts concerning Mary can be found here , here , here , here  and  here .

When I was going through some Irish records recently I found this which may record the marriage of my 4th Great Grandparents Michael Quirk and Honorah Costello.  It is recorded as Michael Quirk & Haner Costolo in the transcription with their marriage dated 6th February 1836 in the parish of Lorrha and Dorrha, Tipperary, Ireland.  More research is needed but I am extremely hopeful that this might be their record.  My 4th Great Grandparents came to Australia in 1841 on the Gilbert Henderson leaving behind their infant daughter Mary with family. They were not reunited with Mary until 1858 when she arrived here on the Peter Maxwell along with her maternal Grandmother Ann Costello (nee Hogan), Aunt Ann Costello and Uncle John Costello.  More of my blog posts concerning them can be found here and here .

Today's marriage notice is for my husbands Great Aunt Maria Stephani Wilhelmina Noya and J. Riboch.  According to this notice they were married on the 18th of January 1940 in the Dutch East Indies. Source: "Familiebericht". "Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië". Batavia, 19-01-1940.  Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010984240:mpeg21:a0217

Today's notice is for my husbands Great Aunt Maria Stephani Wilhelmina Noya.  She was engaged to a J. Riboch in the Dutch East Indies on 27th December 1939. Source: "Familiebericht". "Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië". Batavia, 29-12-1939.  Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010227535:mpeg21:a0072

Today's birth notice is for my husbands Great Aunt Maria Stephani Wilhelmina Noya.  The daughter of August Felix Wilhelmus Noya and his wife Eliza Euphemia Stephanie Van Maanen, she was born on the 16th May 1919 in the Dutch East Indies. Source: "Familiebericht". "Bataviaasch nieuwsblad". Batavia, 16-05-1919.  Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011038587:mpeg21:a0060

I have to admit that the shadier sides are often more interesting to research! Source: Some NEW LAUGHS (1938, September 24). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), , p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51590823

Today's photographs are of Jugiong Public School from 1925.  My Great Uncle Ray Stevens who was the son of John Patrick Stevens and his wife Ada (nee Jones) is in the photograph of the boys class and would have been about ten years old at the time.  His sisters my Great Aunt's Josie and Eunice Stevens are in the girls photograph and would have been twelve and eight years old at the time. Jugiong Public School Boys 1925.  Second from the left in the front row is R. Stevens Source: 'Jugiong Public School Centenary 1983' page 26 Jugiong Public School Girls 1925.  Last girl on the right in the back row is J. Stevens while the third girl from the right in the middle row is E. Stevens Source: 'Jugiong Public School Centenary 1983' page 26

Today's birth notice is for my husbands Great Aunt Henriette Cornelia Helena De Water.  Born in the Dutch East Indies in 1915 she was the daughter of W.N.G. De Water and his wife H. J. C. nee Kalangie. Source: "Familiebericht". "Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië". Batavia, 04-02-1915.  Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010168439:mpeg21:a0109

Today's post has two photographs from Jugiong Public school taken in 1935 and 1937.  My Grandfather Roy Thomas Stevens (1923-1989) and his siblings attended this school and he is featured in both of these photographs.  Also featured in the 1937 photograph is his younger sister Dorothy Jean Stevens.  Their teacher at the time of these photographs was Mr. Lou Benaud, his son Richie Benaud is also in the photographs (he is the first boy from the left in the 2nd row in the 1935 one and last boy on the right in the 2nd row of the 1937 photograph).  I remember my Nan bringing out Grandy's school photographs when I was in high school and showing us that he went to school with Richie Benaud (former Australian Cricket team Captain, journalist and sporting commentator).  I don't have these photographs anymore but was thrilled to find them in a book at my local library 'Jugiong Public School Centenary Publication 1983'. Jugiong Public School 1935.  My grandfather ...

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Fathers out there,especially my husband and son-in-law! My Dad is no longer with us to celebrate the day with but he lives on in my heart, thoughts and memories.  The photograph below is of my Dad, sister and I and was taken in the 1970's at Batemans Bay. From left: Myself, Dad and Kelly.

My great grandfather John Joseph Donnelly was the teacher at Sweet Briar and Balfour public schools in 1917. Source: SWEET BRIAR. (1917, January 17). Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218768361 Transcript: SWEET BRIAR. SCHOOL CLOSED (From a Correspondent.) Haymaking is in full swing here.  The weather during the past wekk has been ideal for getting in the crops.  A considerable quantity of hay has been destroyed by the heavy rains of a little while back. The Department of Education has closed the Sweet Briar and Balfour schools on account of small attendance, and the teacher Mr. Donnelly, has received notice of his appointment as assistant in the first-class public school at Erskinville, Sydney.  Mr. Donnelly has put in five years here and he richly deserves his good fortune.  The appointment means promotion in his profession and financially, and he is to be congratulated. 

Today's photograph is of my husbands Opa, Everhardus Cornelis August Filip Noya who I have made a previous post about here .  The photograph was apparently taken in the 1940's.  The original was damaged but luckily for us our daughter is very good with photograph restoration and was able to repair it.

Today's birth notice is for my husbands Grandfather Everhardus Cornelis August Filip Noya.  The son of August Felix Wilhelmus Noya and his wife Eliza Euphemia Stephanie Van Maanen, he was born on the 6th July 1915 in the Dutch East Indies.  They also placed an advertisement thanking M. Deiss for the care and treatment during childbirth. Source:"Familiebericht". "Bataviaasch nieuwsblad". Batavia, 07-07-1915.  Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011037219:mpeg21:a0052

Today's post concerns my husbands Great Great Grandfather Mattheus Cornelis Everhardus Van Maanen who died on the seventh of April, 1904 in the Dutch East Indies. Source: "Familiebericht". "Bataviaasch nieuwsblad". Batavia, 11-04-1904. Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011033780:mpeg21:a0052

Today's engagement notice is for my husbands Great Grandparents Eliza E.S. Van Maanen and August F. W. Noya in 1913 in the Dutch East Indies. Source: Familiebericht". "Bataviaasch nieuwsblad". Batavia, 10-05-1913.  Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011036275:mpeg21:a0120

Today's article involves my Grandfather Mervyn Donnelly and his brother Frederick Donnelly.  At the time of this article Mervyn would have been ten years old, while Fred would have been fourteen years old. Source: EMPIRE DAY IN THE DISTRICT. (1915, May 28). Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218451071 Transcript: SWEET BRIAR, Wednesday. Empire Day was celebrated here by the parents and residents at the Sweet Briar Public School.  The celebrations were the most successful that have been held here for years past in spite of the unfavorable weather.  Very little time was taken up in speeches and songs, but a few words appropriate to the occasion were addressed to the children, who sang a couple of patriotic songs, etc., and cheered our Sovereign, and the gallant King of the Belgians.  The rest of the day was given over to picnicking.  A friendly game of cricket was played between visitors...

Today's photographs are to celebrate the fact that this month would of marked my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Unfortunately my father passed away a couple of years ago and is no longer with us but love remains.

Today's death notice is for my husbands great Grandfather August Felix Wilhelmus Noya.  He died on the 11th October 1934 in the Dutch East Indies aged forty seven. Source: "Burgerlijke Stand van Batavia.". "Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië". Batavia, 24-10-1934. Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010230233:mpeg21:a0240

Today's marriage notice is for my husbands Great Grandparents August Felix Wilhelmus Noya and Eliza Euphemia Stephanie Van Maanen who were married on the 11th February 1914 in the Dutch East Indies. Source: "Familiebericht". "Bataviaasch nieuwsblad". Batavia, 04-02-1914. Retrieved from  http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011036614:mpeg21:a0029

Today's birth notice is for William Allardyce James Martin who is my husbands Uncle. MARTIN. - On Feb. 18, 1929, at the Maternity Hospital, Penang, to Mrs Martin (nee Violet Murray) wife of Mr. W.A. Martin, a son. Source: The Straits Times, 23 February 1929, Page 9.  Retrieved from  http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19290223-1.2.38.3 Unfortunately William did not have a very long life as he died in Barrow-in-Furness, England in 1934 aged five.

Today's death notice is for Dorothy Murray (also known as Dolly) who is my husbands great Aunt. DOROTHY MURRAY Beloved daughter of Mrs H. Murray passed away at the General Hospital.  Cortege leaving G.H. Mortuary at 3:45 p.m. for Cathedral of the Good Shepherd 4 p.m. Source: The Straits Times, 25 October 1954, Page 6.  Retrieved from   http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers

I have given the blog a bit of a refresh as I felt like it needed it :)

Searching the internet for more information on my family tree I came across the following book 'Precious Cargo' by Carlene Winch-Dummett (see here ) which concerns my 5th Great Grandparents Mary Turner (also known as Wilks/Wilkes) and David Batty who were First and Third Fleet convicts. It is very interesting and I recommend that those interested and/or related to them give it a read. Thanks to this book I now know that Mary had a son John in August 1791 whilst on Norfolk Island (father unnamed) who did not survive.  Mary's time at Norfolk Island has been a bit of a mystery for me so any new information on her time there is extremely valuable and very appreciated.

Today's article involves my paternal Grandfather Mervyn James Phillip Donnelly.  Mervyn who was also known as James or Jim was a talented writer, musician and artist.  According to family stories he would use these skills to help supplement his income when older.  My father who was only twelve months old when his father died in 1943, was told by the local publican when he was older, that when he was alive they never saw Mervyn without a book or notebook on him.  Unfortunately very few of his written works have survived, we have some of his poems but many of his notebooks and written works were thrown out when he died.  My grandmothers brother who was very good friends with Mervyn managed to save some of these apparently, but most of them were thrown out when he died many years later as his family did not know what they were.  I was told some years ago however that some have survived and are being held safe by his descendants. An interesting fact relating t...

Today's article mentions my great grandparents John Joseph Donnelly, his wife Bridget Anastasia Donnelly (nee Lambert) and their son Mervyn Donnelly (my grandfather).  John Donnelly was the teacher at Fernleigh School at the time of this newspaper article. Source: EMPIRE DAY. (1923, May 31). Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), , p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93431076 Transcript: EMPIRE DAY. FERNLEIGH CELEBRATIONS. Fernleigh was en fete on Empire Day.  Celebrations were held at the local school.  The weather was ideal, and Fernleigh school has to its credit the honour of holding the most successful picnic that has ever taken place locally.  Members of the Parents and Citizens Association and an enthusiastic gathering of parents, friends, and visitors were present. The mornings proceedings began by the forming of a hollow square round the flagpole by the school pupils (who were assembled by the teacher, Mr...

Last night our much loved, beautiful family member Tobias Algernon Drake better known as Toby passed away.  He was a wonderful dog, loving, loyal, mischievous,naughty and thoroughly devoted to us as we were to him.  He was also one of the dirtiest little dogs I have ever met and absolutely hated being clean.  We would bath him and as soon as he could he would go outside, roll in the dirt and his own pee until he was happy with his level of dirt and smell again.  We were privileged to have him our lives for the last fifteen years and will always love and miss him.

Running a bit late this week so my Trove Tuesday is more like Trove Thursday! Today's article involves the Finger Post School picnic held in 1907.  My great grandfather John Joseph Donnelly was the school teacher at Finger Post at the time and is mentioned in the article, along with his wife, my great grandmother Bridget Anastasia Donnelly (nee Lambert). Source:FINGER POST SCHOOL PICNIC (1907, August 19). Wellington Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954), , p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141594172 Transcript: FINGER POST SCHOOL PICNIC (From a Correspondent). On Saturday last, 17th instant, the School Picnic passed off very successfully.  Games were indulged in throughout the day, besides various races for old and young, no charge being made to enter any race.  Mr. Johnson was the winner of the Old Buffers' race, the prize being 50lb of flour. The Turk's Head contest was a very interesting game to all present.  A tin was placed on...

Today's post is about my great grandmother Bridget Anastasia Lambert, who was a school teacher in New South Wales in the 1890's. \ Source: Government Gazette Appointments and Employment (1898, August 26). New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), , p. 6832. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220994308 Transcript: Department of Public Instruction,  Sydney, 23rd August, 1898. The Public Service Board has approved of the transfer of the following teachers to the schools specified in connection with their respective names :- Miss B. Lambert, from Eulomogo to Illaro Provisional, as Teacher. Source:  Government Gazette Appointments and Employment (1898, November 18). New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), , p. 9067. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220971225 Transcript: Department of Public Instruction,  Sydney, 17th November, 1898. The Public Se...

As it was the seventy third anniversary of my grandparents wedding this week I thought that I would post this photograph of them taken in the 1940's. Roy Thomas Stevens and his wife Glennie 'Marie' (nee Battye)

I was doing some research into my 4th great grandfather William Bell and came across the following advertisement by him. Source: Advertising (1860, October 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13047892 Transcript: NOTICE. - The Friends of WILLIAM BELL, of The Shamrock Inn, near Berrima, are hereby informed that neither himself nor any member of his family are in any way connected or related to WILLIAM BELL, of Sutton Forest, farmer ; nor does William Bell, of The Shamrock Inn, know anything about the money found by a William Bell, except what appeared as a police case in the Goulburn papers. WILLIAM BELL, Shamrock Inn, near Berrima.  22nd October. Curious about the case I found the following information: Source: LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL. (1860, September 26). Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1860 - 1864), , p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103400771 Transcript: ...

The following article was found through the Government Gazettes on Trove concerning the estates of my Great Grandparents John Joseph Donnelly and his wife Bridget Anastasia Donnelly (nee Lambert). Source: IN the matter of the estates of the undermentioned deceased (1961, July 21). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), , p. 2202. Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220282421 Transcript: IN the matter of the estates of the undermentioned deceased persons, and pursuant to the Wills, Probate and Administration Act. 1898-1954; the Public Trustee Act, 1913-1960; Testator's Family Maintenance and Guardianship of Infants Act, 1916-1954; and Trustee Act, 1925-1942; the Public Trustee hereby gives notice that creditors and others having any claim against or to the estate of any of the undermentioned deceased persons, who died on or about the respective dates hereunder mentioned, are required to send parti...

I was browsing through the Government Gazettes on Trove  and came across my great grandfather John Patrick Stevens, 1924 registration of a stock brand.  He well knew the value of having his stock branded in order to prove ownership and avoid disputes, especially after his horse was stolen in 1906 (see  here ). Source: REGISTRATION OF STOCK BRANDS ACT, 1921. (1924, July 25). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), , p. 3720. Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222025852

Today's family notice is for my husbands Great Grandmother Helen Murray (nee Stillfried Rathenitz).  Helen was the daughter of Baron Raimund von Stillfried-Rathenitz and Nishiyama Haru.  Placed in a convent school in Singapore with her sisters, prior to her fathers permanent return to Europe from Japan in 1883, she lived most of her life in Singapore.  In 1906 she married James Harvey Murray and together they had four known children Dorothy (Dolly), Mary Clare (Molly), Violet Helen Marguerite (my husbands grandmother) and Kathleen (who died aged 10 in 1919). Death: Mrs Helen Murray, aged 75 dearly beloved mother of Mrs V. Martin and Mrs M. Kloppenburg, at her residence, 342, East Coast Road, Singapore, at 11:30 last night (14.2.55).  Funeral today cortege leaves for the Church of the Holy Family, Katong, at 5 p.m. for Bidadari. Source: The Straits Times, 15 February 1955, Page 7. Retrieved from  http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers

Today's death notice is for William Allardyce Martin who was my husbands grandfather. WILLIAM ALLARDYCE MARTIN Aged 47 years, formerly of The Prison's Dept. Singapore, passed away at Tan Tock Seng Hospital early this morning.  The cortege leaves the T.T.S.H. at 3:45pm to-day for a service at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd at 4 p.m. and from thence Bidadari Cemetery. Source: The Singapore Free Press, 23 August 1949, Page 8. Retrieved from  http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers