Family History

Photo: S.W.T. the first of this side of the family to arrive in Australia, was born in Canada, his father born in Cornwall, England.

Well, I finally received the report from 'Cornish Bob'. It was everything I was hoping for. I can now confidently trace this side of the family back to circa 1720 Scilly Islands, Cornwall.

My book is progressing slowly as I am waiting on 2 certificates, one from England and another from NSW. I try to scan as many certificates as possible into my book and any other record like census records. I am concentrating on both of C's parents families.

I have one from 1870 USA which includes one ancestor as a US Soldier. He reportedly ran away and joined the Union Army during the Civil War (he was a drummer boy). His father brought him back home and then he ran off again. At the time on the 1870 Census he was old enough to be in the Army.

I love these little tales.

He came out to Australia and married the daughter of Austrian and Scottish immigrants. His Ancestors went to America from Holland some generations and through marriages there are also Swedish ancestors in his tree.

So my husband has Ancestors from Australia, Sweden, Holland, America, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Austria (the place now is known as Luka Sipanska, Dubrovnik, Croatia).

All very interesting and I think exciting.

News from 'CORNISH BOB'

M.P. and S.W.T.

Photo is of J.T.'s son S.W.T. and his wife M.P. They married in 1875 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

'VERY EXCITED'

At last I have had some news from Bob. It seems my initial research here in Australia on J.T. (born 1810, Cornwall, England) and his ancestors has been on the right track. He is putting together a report along with photocopies of Parish records to validate his findings (and mine) and will send them on to me in the next week or so.

'VERY EXCITED'

Cornish Bob

S W T

Still no news from 'Cornish Bob'. When he finally gets back to me is he going to 'MAKE MY DAY' or totally disillusion me, that is the question?

The person in the photo S W T is the son of the J T the person I am waiting information on. S W T was born in New Brunswick, Canada and came out to Australia in February 1864. He was my husband's great grandfather. J T was born in Cornwall, England 1810 and went to Canada circa 1820 with his grandmother.

Enough, I shall just have to remain patient .

Patiently Waining

I am still waiting for the researcher from Cornwall (we call him Cornish Bob) to get back to me with some results.

As anyone who is into researching and hiring a researcher would know it is wise to set a limit as to how much you are prepared to pay. I have sent my limit and hope that Cornish Bob can get me some vital confirmation within my limits. If so then I will consider increasing the limit.

We have been emailing over the last few days and he thinks that the information I have gathered is on the right track. If this is so then I have traced my Husbands family back to the Scilly Islands, Cornwall, 1720.

Yesterday C and I went along to the local Ulysses Club 'Tyre Kick'. The club has only recently changed Venues and I think they are on a winner with this new one. This morning we joined the group to go to Little River for a vintage bike meet. Some great bike there.

35th Wedding Anniversary

Today is our 35th Wedding Anniversary. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!!!!!!!

We shall celebrate with a quiet dinner at home, just the 2 of us.

We had a fairly full weekend, all to do with family.

Saturday night saw us catch up my husband's cousins at the annual Cousin's Dinner. Each year a group of the cousins, all over 50, get together at a restaurant for dinner and 'CATCH UP'. This year we went to 'Alma Zette', a Turkish restaurant, in North Caulfield, Melbourne, complete with a belly dancer. As can be expected, the numbers vary each year; we only make it about every third time. Conversation was very loud as each of us was talking about our children and grandchildren. Photos were distributed with the usual, 'Oh, isn't he(she) cute.'

I was able to talk with one other researcher of this family (both of us are in-laws) and we exchanged information and new leads. Every bit helps. I am still waiting on my Cornish researcher to get back to me, so it was really great to actually talk with someone who doesn't think I am obsessed.

Sunday lunch was with my family to celebrate my elder sister's 60th. She is going overseas so we had to celebrate a little early. It was the only day we could all get together. She is off the NZ, for about 6 weeks, then onto Hawaii for 10 days and then mainland USA for about 5 months. Again the photos came out and new ones taken. Whatever did we do before digital cameras? So great to take a photo and then check that it looks OK. I have one question. Why, oh why, do I always look so much bigger than I think I am in all these photos? Yes, I guess it's time to do something about it.

Certificates - BMD

Yesterday, I purchased copies of my husband's grandparents' death certificates. The Victorian BMD site is very quick. I had only to pay and they were there for me. A little different with NSW, where a 10 day wait turned into 3 months.

The information on these certs. is quite substantial including, reg. no., when and where died, usual place of residence, name and surname, occupation, sex and age, cause of death, duration of last illness, legally qualified medical practitioner by whom certified, when last seen, name and surname of father and mother and occupation, signature, description and residence of informant, signature of Registration Officer, date and where registered, when and where buried, Undertaker, name and religion on Minister, names of witness, where born, how long in Australian States, where and at what age married, to whom married, conjugal condition at date of death, issue in order of birth, the names and ages.

These certificates actually have 3 generations on them.

The only 1 have ever had to purchase from South Australia was a death certificate for my own great grandfather. The only information on this cert. was the date, his name, sex, age, rank of profession, Suburb where he lived, cause of death, place where he died, signature, description and residence of informant, signature of registrar. No mention of his wife, children or parents. Not a very informative cert., and the most expensive to date.

I am gradually gathering as many certificates as possible to substantiate my findings.

I have recently hired a researcher to help with my research. After tracing my husbands paternal ancestors from various parts of Victoria, Australia, through New Brunswick, Canada and back to England (most likely Cornwall ) circa 1810, I now need someone who can access the parish records to confirm my results. I found a researcher in 'The cornwall Family History Socitey' magazine.

I hope to hear in about 10 days from this researcher. Am waiting patiently (really rather impatiently) but there is nothing I can do but wait.

I currently subscribe to Ancestry.com, Genes Reunited, Scotlandspeople.gov.au and use FamilySearch.org and Free BMD.