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. E...

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 r...

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 ...