Tracing Family Branches

Now that life has stopped getting in the way for the moment I can finally get back to this blog.  I recently found this article on Trove which mentions briefly my Great Great Grandfather Edward (Ned) Battye.  Mr. Tipper seems to have been quite an interesting character and there are many references to him on Trove.  I also found this reference to him at the Australian dictionary of Biography website here . Source: A Tramp on Wheels. (1895, June 26). Cootamundra Herald (NSW : 1877 - 1946), p. 3. Retrieved February 25, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138451755

I hope that everyone has a wonderful, safe and healthy 2014!  2013 was a great year for our family, our daughter and son-in-law were married, Phil and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary and our son got his first job.  2014 promises to be even more exciting with our first grandchild due in March and both of our children should graduate from their University degrees at the end of the year!   Mr & Mrs Stuart

Kevin David Battye was born in 1933 the son of Leo Francis Battye and his wife Stella Jane Christina (nee Worldon).  Kevin was the sixth child of Leo and Stella's sixteen children.  While on a recreational trip to Burrinjuck Dam in 1956 he drowned after a boating accident.  My connection to him is that he is my Great Uncle. Source: Three Drown At Week-end. (1956, February 20). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 3. Retrieved December 19, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138119328 NSW BDM Death Index 5562/1956 BATTYE KEVIN DAVID LEO FRANCIS STELLA JANE YASS  

My Great Grandmother Ada Louisa Stevens (nee Jones) with unknown child.  Unfortunately those who could tell me more about the photograph have all gone and nobody wrote the information down for future generations.

Sarah Maria Jeffery was born in 1890 the daughter of William Jeffery and his wife Annora Elizabeth (Annie) nee Bell.  My connection with her is that she is my second cousin three times removed.  Sarah was tragically burnt in an accident at home on the 30th November 1898, her mother also suffered severe burns to her hands when putting out the flames.  With no doctor locally, Sarah was transported by train to Goulburn for medical attention.  The doctor thought it unlikely she would survive and the little girl was kept at her grandmothers house in Goulburn until the following Monday when the doctor ordered her hospital admission. Sarah died as a result of burns accidentally received on the 7th December 1898 in Goulburn. Source: Burning Accident. (1898, December 1). Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), p. 2. Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98669465 Transcript: Burning Accident. THE eldest daughter of Mr. ...

With Christmas rapidly approaching I thought I would find something to do with the Christmas theme for this weeks Trove Tuesday post. I don't know what today's children would make of Santa Claus using a dray drawn by bullocks adorned with fragrant blossoms on Christmas Eve, instead of a flying sleigh with reindeer!  It is an interesting mental image to say the least. Source: Santa Claus in New South Wales. (1881, December 24). Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 - 1872), p. 3. Retrieved December 10, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64974829 Transcript: Santa Claus in New South Wales. (See page 13.) And why not?  Why should not Santa Claus be as welcome in Australia as in the old world!  Colonial children are as fond of toys and as deserving of them as are those upon whom big-hearted, good-natured, ever-loving Santa Claus bestows his welcome favours in Europe and America.  Already crowds of little ones in this land of sunshine and flower...

I love this old photograph of my grandfather Roy Thomas Stevens.  Grandy always had a cigarette with him and loved animals, especially dogs.  He always felt the cold too and would wear multiple layers to try and keep warm!  This photograph would have been taken in the 1940's around Jugiong.