Tracing Family Branches

Herbert John Sheather was the husband of my 2nd Great Aunt Hannah Grace Jones.  Born in 1885 the son of John Sheather and his wife Mary Ann née Frost he married Hannah in 1914 at Tumut.  Herbert died in 1962 at Sydney.  More posts mentioning him can be found  here . Source: RE will of HERBERT JOHN SHEATHER, late of (1962, August 3).  Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001) , p. 2295. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220323548 Transcript: RE will of HERBERT JOHN SHEATHER, late of Punchbowl, in the State of New South Wales, pensioner, deceased. - Probate granted by the Supreme Court of New South Wales on the 26th March, 1962. - Pursuant to the Wills, Probate and Administration Act, 1898-1954 (Testator’s Family Maintenance and Guardianship of Infants Act, 1916-1954, and Trustee Act, 1925-1942).  Neville Robert Sheather and Dave Hall, the executors of the will of the said Herbert John Sheathe...

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 ...

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...