Justice for Nancy

Y'all know I am obsessed with genealogy. I don't actively research as much as I would like these days (full time work, owning and maintaining a house...adulting lol), but whenever I get the chance, I do. More recently I've been dedicating my time to researching my Grandmother - Nancy Craddock nee Robinson.

Nancy as a child

Nancy passed away 10 years before I was born in 1980, at 47 years old - she went missing from Taos, New Mexico. To this day 45 years later she is still missing. Her body has never been found. In 1985, Nancy’s husband (Note: my grandparents divorced in 1973 and both re-married, the husband noted above is her second husband) sought action to have her declared legally deceased. Referencing the court's subsequent declaration, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) closed the case in 1992 without providing any answers to my family. Life had to go on for my Mum, Aunt and Uncle - marriages, children, grandchildren, work etc but not a day has gone by where they don't think of their Mom and what they wish they could tell her. In 2024, my Mum, Aunt and Uncle requested the NMSP re-open the case. The case is now sitting with the cold case unit.

The Santa Fe New Mexican, 4 June 1981

As luck would have it, earlier this year we discovered the Solve The Case website. As explained on their website - 

Solve the Case is a non-profit that is dedicated to finding missing persons, solving cases of murder and other serial offenses. We use the power of the internet to bring the community together to look at cases in new and innovative ways with investigative professionals.

National Cold Case Month

It also allows for one singular place to post all the facts of a case for people to see. There are hundreds. Nancy's page is linked here.  September is also National Cold Case Month in the US, as such, Solve The Case has been sharing not just Nancy's case, but many others. 

This past week, my Mum and Aunt have done a couple of interviews about Nancy. The fact that we are even getting media attention at all is an absolute godsend and we are so so grateful. As Nancy's case was closed, it had completely fallen off the police radar. I am so proud of my Mum, Aunt and Uncle for choosing to re-engage with the police and being open to talk to not just journalists, but anyone, about Nancy and her disappearance. 

The first interview published was with KRQE, one of the local new stations. The video on the website is region blocked those outside US but you can read the article and watch the video on the KRQE YouTube. The fact this was even on TV IN THE TOWN NANCY WENT MISSING FROM (yes that deserved all caps!!) is incredible. Absolutely blown away. 

The second one was with Taos News, the local town news. This article is more in depth about Nancy's hobbies and interests. We couldn't be more appreciative of the coverage.

Thank you to my social media friends, for engaging, liking, and sharing. It is so very appreciated. 

As Solve The Case shared in their Facebook post earlier, media outlets can play one of the most powerful roles in solving cold cases: keeping victims’ stories alive and in front of the public. The only way to keep victim's stories and cases alive is to share them and talk about them. 

Just like thousands of others, Nancy's story will not be forgotten. Nancy's story deserves to be told.

Thank you Grandma Nancy, for vicariously giving me your love and obsession with genealogy. It is also in more recent years that I have realised Nancy probably contributed to me studying a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and my keen interest in true crime documentaries and podcasts. 

We love you Nancy.

Nancy (right) with her 3 children - Molly, David and Patty. 

Aunt Elizabeth's DNA

My last blog post was back in May? Time flies when you work full time.

I received Aunt Elizabeth's DNA results back in July and have been having a fun time analysing them.

Her DNA results are:

DNA Results as at 5 Oct 2018 for my Aunt Elizabeth [Ancestry.com]

This is similar to what I was expecting, although the Norway surprised me.

My DNA ethnicity estimate is:

DNA Results as at 5 Oct 2018 for myself. [Ancestry.com]

Interesting how we both have 5% for Sweden, however she has more Ireland and Scotland than me, and I have more England, Wales & Northwestern Europe. 

We have a decent number of shared matches -

1 First Cousin, 4 Second Cousins, 12 Third Cousins, and a number of 4th Cousins.

I have been going through the shared matches and labelling what part of the family they come from.

In regards to her own DNA matches, I have found a couple of matches on my grandfather's paternal grandmother's side that I did not have.

I'm still working my way through it all. More exciting times ahead.

In other news, my Mum has asked if she could do a DNA test. SHE ASKED. I didn't have to ask her. 

I'll be getting that sorted soon. 

As I said, exciting times ahead.

mtDNA - Aunt Elizabeth's Female Line

I've been in Sydney this weekend visiting my Aunt Elizabeth. This morning I asked her if she would spit in a tube for me, and she kindly agreed. Her DNA is ready to send back to Ancestry. Yay! I am really keen to see what her DNA tells me, particularly in regards to her mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA). As she is my Aunt (my Dad's sister), and not my mother, she will have different mtDNA to me. mtDNA is passed down from mother to child (men receive it but cannot pass it on). mtDNA enables you to trace your direct maternal line, ie. your mother's mother's mother's mother's mother's mother and so forth.

My mtDNA line is my mother, her mum Nancy (my Grandma), Nancy's mum Pauline etc. Aunt Elizabeth will have my Nanna's mtDNA from her female line. It occurred to me a few minutes ago that I am actually at a brick wall here, so I thought I would introduce you all to my Aunt Elizabeth's female ancestral line.

My Nanna, Eunice Hazel Dyer, 2011.
[Source: Personal]

1. Aunt Elizabeth

2. Eunice Hazel Dyer 

My Nanna.

B: 3 May 1916, Bowraville, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
D: 4 June 2012, Sydney, NSW Australia

3. Eva Florence Mackay (Great Grandmother) 

B: 25 Jul 1888, Bowraville, NSW, Australia
D: 14 May 1976, Bowraville, NSW, Australia

2x Great Grandmother
Elizabeth Lucilla Gill
[Source: Personal]

Great Grandmother
Eva Florence Mackay, 1913
[Source: Personal]

4. Elizabeth Lucilla Gill (2x Great Grandmother)

B: 1867, Kempsey, NSW, Australia

D: 20 Sep 1905, Bowraville, NSW, Australia

5. Alice J Wright (3x Great Grandmother)

B: 1845, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
D: 17 Dec 1926, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia

3x Great Grandmother, Alice J Wright
[Source: Personal]

6. Elizabeth Graham (4x Great Grandmother) 

B: approx. 1815, England
D: 24 Dec 1895, Kempsey, NSW, Australia

Elizabeth Graham was a convict and sent to Australia in 1833 for stealing spoons when she was 18.

Who were her parents? Where in England was her family from?

I'm hoping my Aunt Elizabeth's mtDNA will give me some clues.

Have you had any success with mtDNA? Share your stories below!

Conferencing It Up!

I'm writing this from my Grandparent's living room in Midland, Texas, USA. I arrived in the USA on the 4th of February. I've been staying at a friend's house in Dallas and also went to New Orleans for the first time and experienced my first Mardi Gras. This week I'm with my Grandparents. Next week, with my Uncle - we're doing genealogy! The weekend of the 23rd-25th, I'm going to a family reunion! Yay! It's for the descendants of my 5x Great Grandparents John Gowan and Edith Faulk. 

On the 26th of February, I fly to Salt Lake City for my second ever RootsTech (Feb 28th - Mar 3rd)! I'm so excited! I can't wait to catch up with the friends I've made through genealogy. I've been going through the schedule and selecting the classes I might like to go to - most of them revolve around DNA and American research. If you have not got the app on your phone yet, download it! It is a must! You can see your calendar/schedule of the classes you have selected. It's so easy.

It's going to be a wonderful genealogy week!

The main stage. [Photo taken by me, Feb 2015]

I'm also excited for the huge Expo Hall! Ahhhh! [Photo taken by me, Feb 2015]

But that's not all.

I arrive back in Sydney on the 7th of March. On the 8th of March, I have to check into a hotel in Sydney for the Australasian Conference on Genealogy and Heraldry (9th to 12th March). It will be my first Congress. When I tell people what Congress is, I say it's the Australian version of RootsTech.

I'm so thankful for this quiet week with my Grandparents as from next week it's going to get busy.
Genealogists do like to party!

Can't wait! Going to be so much fun!

We have a winner!

My competition for a RootsTech Pass closed on Thursday, 23 November, and we have a winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition by sending a response to the question: If you could have been born in any other year, what would it be and why? I loved reading your answers.

I wish I had passes to give all of you, however, I only have one. And the winner is...

Marian Wood! 

Congratulations Marian! You've won a 4-Day RootsTech Pass valued at $US279!

Marian's response to the question was:

If the genealogy genie could grant me this wish, I would choose to be born in 1886, the year that the Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York harbor. She made her official debut on Oct 28, 1886, so my wish is to have that be my birthday, too. Imagine being born in the same year, as this icon of freedom and hope was presented to the country, with a million people watching.

Marian is a RootsTech first timer and is very excited to attend next year. I look forward to meeting you Marian! You will have an awesome time!

How is it that we are already only 3 months anyway? 

An excited group of genealogists at RootsTech 2015.
L-R: Hilary Gadsby (UK), Me (AUS), Roger Moffatt (US), Sharn White (US),
Cheryl Hudson Passey (US) & Alona Tester (AUS)

____________

As an Ambassador for RootsTech, I have kindly been given free registration. All opinions are my own. 

GIVEAWAY - RootsTech Pass!

One of the perks about being an Ambassador for RootsTech 2018 is that I have a 4-Day RootsTech pass to give away!

That's right, you read correctly.

A 4-Day RootsTech Pass valued at US$279!!!

[Source: Giphy.com]

The awesome pass includes
- over 300 classes
- Keynote/General Sessions
- RootsTech classes
- Innovation Showcase
- Expo Hall
- Evening Events

You will have to fund your own travel to and from Salt Lake City, the conference, hotel, and food, but I promise you it is worth it!

If you win and you have already paid for a RootsTech pass, you will be refunded.

Now that all the minor details are out of the way, how do you win said RootsTech pass?

Easy peasy.

Answer the following question:

If you could have been born in any other year, what would it be and why?

No lengthy responses required -  a couple of sentences will do.

Here's my answer: 1970 - My maternal Grandmother passed away in 1980, ten years before I was born. She was the genealogy queen in our family. 1970 would give me ten wonderful years with her.  

E-mail me your response to genealogicallyspeaking@gmail.com by COB Thursday, 23 November.  

My mother will draw a name randomly from the responses and the winner will be notified via e-mail, and if applicable, social media.

I can't wait to read the responses!

____________

As an Ambassador for RootsTech, I have kindly been given free registration. All opinions are my own. 

RootsTech 2018 - I'm going!

I'm heading back to Salt Lake City in February, 2018, for my second RootsTech! I am so excited! I have been given the wonderful opportunity of being an Ambassador too. Never thought that would happen. In 2018, RootsTech is being held at the end of February from 28 Feb to 3 Mar.

Ambassador for RootsTech, 2018.

I can't believe it will have been three years since my first RootsTech in 2015. I'm so keen to catch up with all my friends and meet new ones. The socializing at genealogy conferences is one of the best things ever.

Valerie, Caitlin, and Cheryl at RootsTech 2015

Asides from that, the speakers and classes are awesome.

Two of the keynote speakers have been announced -

Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton

Humans of New York creator, Brandon Stanton

I will be honest. I've never heard of Scott Hamilton, but I have heard of Brandon Stanton. I have been an avid follower of Humans of New York for a few years now. I can't wait to see him live.

The RootsTech stage! Taken by Me, Feb 2015. 

RootsTech is a must attend bucket list item for any genealogist/family historian, regardless of whether you're a beginner, amateur, or professional. They have classes dedicated to beginners! How neat is that?! And then there's the Expo Hall. Oh my, the Expo Hall. All your favorite genealogy brands in the one place! It's huge and amazing.

The schedule for the classes has already been released (subject to change) and I have spent this morning browsing through it. I'm just so excited!

If you need any more persuading about why you should attend, have a quick read of this.

The RootsTech Pass is currently available for the promotional price of US$199, but be quick, because it will go up to the full price of US$279.

However, keep an eye on my blog and social media channels the next couple of days because I have a RootsTech pass to give away, valued at US$279. Stay tuned!

____________
As an Ambassador for RootsTech, I have kindly been given free registration. All opinions are my own.

Genealogy Roadshow: Researching Abroad, Day 2

Wednesday, August 9, was day two of Unlock The Past's Genealogy Roadshow - Researching Abroad: Finding European and British Isles Ancestors. Day two was all about researching European Ancestors with German genealogist Dirk Weissleder taking the lead.

Dirk's talks focused on primary and secondary sources in Germany, researching European ancestors in general, and Archives, Libraries and Genealogical services in Germany. I have not discovered any European ancestors in my family thus far, so I have not had to do any research using European records. However, I recently started doing my best friend's family tree, and he's got a few German ancestors. I thought it would be great to listen to Dirk's talks and figure out what on earth I'm doing with European records. Even if I wasn't doing my friend's family tree, I definitely would still have gone. Regardless of whether you have ancestors from the area or not, I think it is always great to go to seminars because you never know what you might learn.

Genealoot [Source: Personal photo]

I walked in having very basic knowledge of German history, and at level zilch with European genealogy. I walked out with a significantly improved understanding of both.

Did you know that Germany has states? I did not! I always thought it was a country that was one big country, with no states - just hundreds of towns and suburbs. Dirk really stressed the fact that when you are researching German ancestors, or any European ancestors for that matter, you need to know what you are searching, where and when. Are you researching in the former east or former west Germany? Before 1871, there was no Germany - it was made up of different kingdoms. Currently, Germany has 16 different states. But was the town you are researching, in the same state 50 years ago?

These are a few things Dirk mentioned that we should be thinking about, and can easily be applied when researching ancestors in other countries - the place of interest, most recent knowledge on an area, churches/archives in the area, what information is already accessible, local societies, experts and translators, cemeteries, and the social life in the area.

There was something that Dirk mentioned which I thought was important, and that is we need to Think Geneaglobally.

Think Geneaglobally
[Source: GIPHY]

My good friend Helen Smith also took to the stage and talked about DNA and the benefits it has for genealogy. I did an AncestryDNA test in 2015, and I am still learning how it all works. Each time I listen to a DNA talk, it sinks in a little bit more.

All in all it was a wonderful two days full of learning and socializing with my geneafriends. Thanks Unlock The Past for putting on an awesome Roadshow. It is hard to believe it is now over - the team deserves a sleep in! 

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As an Ambassador for the event, Unlock The Past kindly gave me free entry.  All opinions are my own.

Genealogy Roadshow: Researching Abroad, Day 1

On Tuesday, Unlock The Past's Genealogy Roadshow - Researching Abroad: Finding European and British Isles Ancestors - began in Brisbane.

Tuesday was British Isles day with Scottish genealogist Chris Paton giving four talks about researching ancestors from that area. As a majority of my ancestors came from England, Scotland, and quite possibly Ireland, I was eager to hear Chris' talks and pick up some new tips. I have been stuck at a Scottish brick wall for a while now...

Click the image for more information

Chris' talks were on British and Irish Newspapers, Scottish research resources before 1800, Irish family history resources online, and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching ancestral crisis. I was most eager for the Scottish resources before 1800, and boy did I learn a lot! I have a long list of websites to check and indexes to search. I feel more confident in understanding Scottish land records too. I also learned that not everything was bequeathed in a Will! I have my Great Great Grandfather William Gow's Will. He died in Scotland in 1874. I will be reading that again with a different mindset. In the final talk, I learned that 'illegitimate' was noted on birth records from about 1855 - 1918. My 2x Great Aunt Jeannie Gow had four illegitimate children (with three different men I believe) between 1889 and 1910.

One of the overarching points of the day was that if you are struggling to breakdown a brick wall and go through it, you might have to go around it...

What we wish we could do. Instead, our ancestors make it
more challenging (and fun!) by sending us on a roundabout.

Aside from the educational aspect, it was great to catch up with my awesome geneamates and meet some new ones. A bunch of us had dinner on Tuesday night and it was wonderful to catch up with Chris. If you have British Isles ancestors and you've got a chance to hear Chris speak - do so! You will learn a lot. Trust me.

Stay tuned for my report on Day 2.

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As an Ambassador for the event, Unlock The Past kindly gave me free entry.  All opinions are my own.

Getting Excited for the Genealogy Roadshow

I'm excited.

Why?

It's August, which is National Family History Month.

It's August, which means Unlock The Past's Genealogy Roadshow - Researching Abroad: Finding European and British Isles Ancestors - is about to begin! Woohoo!

Two leading international genealogists Chris Paton and Dirk Weissleder are coming down under for a few weeks, visiting most major capitals to talk genealogy.

Click the image for more information.

The roadshow kicks off in Brisbane on the 8th and 9th of August - this coming Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, Chris will be talking about Scottish and Irish research, and on Wednesday, Dirk will be talking all things German genealogy. Before my ancestors ended up in Australia and the USA, they were predominantly from Scotland, so I am very keen to hear Chris' talks. I am also curious to hear what Dirk has to say about using German records. I do not have any European ancestors...that I know of...but I have started looking into one of my best friend's family history, and he has a few German ancestors. I need all the help and advice I can get. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to German records.

I am looking forward to meeting Dirk, and it will be great to catch up with Chris who I met at  a previous Unlock The Past event in 2014.

Me & Chris Paton, February 2014.

As with every genealogy event, I cannot wait to catch up with my friends and meet some new ones. I wonder if there will be a dinner on Tuesday night?

Click here for more information on the Brisbane event.

Click here to find out when the roadshow is coming to a major capital near you.

Excited!

I will be live-tweeting as much as possible (@caitieamanda) so make sure to follow me on Twitter to stay up to date with all the news from the event.

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As an Ambassador for the event, Unlock The Past are kindly giving me free entry. 

GeneaBloggersTRIBE

When I started blogging about my genealogy adventures in 2012, I discovered this wonderful creation called GeneaBloggers. It was a community resource for genealogy and family history bloggers and was run by Thomas MacEntee. I was so excited when I discovered this community because at the time I did not know anyone who was a geneablogger, let alone into genealogy. I have much appreciation and thanks for GeneaBloggers as it allowed me to connect with many amateur and professional genealogists around the world. It is very exciting when you finally get to meet in person at a genea-event too. I know I have made some lifelong friends. 

At the beginning of May, Thomas announced that he was taking a step back from GeneaBloggers to focus on his other genealogy interests. In my opinion, I felt GeneaBloggers had become such a vital part of the genea-world, that if it did not exist anymore there would be a gap. Thomas had announced that as of June 1, the GeneaBloggers domain and other assets would be redirected to Abundant Genealogy. Towards the end of May, I noticed a couple of my genea-mates putting the call out for volunteers who would be interested in joining together to keep GeneaBloggers going, with Thomas' agreement of course. I did not even hesitate to say yes! A core group of about 20 volunteers from various countries and time zones signed up. As Thomas was retaining the GeneaBloggers domain, we needed to come up with something new. 

On June 1, GeneaBloggersTRIBE was announced. Thomas posted the official announcement on GeneaBloggers. The team behind GeneaBloggersTRIBE will continue to provide links to resources, daily blogging prompts, and highlight new and/or improved content-providing technologies. You can find support for not just blogging, but other content providing formats such as podcasts, vlogging, and micro-blogging (Twitter, Instagram etc). It's not just about blogging!

GeneaBloggersTRIBE - for the new badge, click here.

I am so excited to be part of the leadership team for GeneaBloggersTRIBE. I am one of two Aussies with my mate Jill - GeniAus. I am also the youngest on the team, and would love to see GeneaBloggersTRIBE carried out into the future. Huge props go to Pat Richley-Erickson and Laura Hedgecock for being our transitional leaders and ensuring everyone was and is aware of their roles.

The team is still settling in, so do bear with us while we're finding our feet...or mouses. If you are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact us! 

Trove Tuesday: An Engagement

I was quite excited to find today's Trove Tuesday as I had not seen it before. It is the engagement announcement for my paternal Grandparents which was in the Nambucca and Bellinger News on August 11, 1944.

Awww!
[Source: Family Notices (1944, August 11). Nambucca and Bellinger News (NSW : 1911 - 1945),
p. 2. Retrieved June 6, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214657964]

They married on October 12, 1944.

Nanna & Poppa.
[Source: Personal Collection]

Census Sunday: 1880 USA Census

Grave of Mary Polly (George) Couch.
Italy Cemetery, Texas, USA.
[Source: Find A Grave]

The other day I decided to dive back into the world of my American ancestors. I thought I would have a look at my 4x Great Grandparents John Couch and Mary 'Polly' George. John was born in about 1800 in South Carolina and passed away in 1863 in Odgen, Utah. Mary Polly was born in 1804 in Tennessee and passed away on 30 June 1882 in Italy, Ellis County, Texas. They married in approximately 1828 in Alabama and had eight children - Elva Jane, Samuel Mitchell, John Meredith, William Jackson, Mary Elizabeth, Marion Walker, Nancy, and James Keys Clark.

When I checked Mary Polly's hints on Ancestry, I noticed there was one for the 1880 US Census in Ellis County, Texas. This made sense as she is buried in Italy Cemetery, Ellis County.

Mary Polly is Number 36 below. She is 75 years old, and has her Granddaughter Lizzie Couch with her. It tells me that Mary Polly's parents were both born in North Carolina, which I did not know. I don't even know her parent's names. Mary's sons Samuel and Marion both married Cherokee women. According to the census, Lizzie Couch's mother was born in 'Cherokee Nation' but I'm yet to figure out if her father was Samuel or Marion.

1880 USA Census showing Mary Couch. 
[Source: Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 4, Ellis, Texas; Roll: 1301; Family History Film: 1255301; Page: 491B; Enumeration District: 050. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]]. 

Mary Elizabeth Sharp nee Couch, approx 1900.
[Source: Personal Collection]

Hang on a minute! I see a Sarah Couch and Nancy Couch just above Mary. Who are they living with? Mary E Sharp. Sarah and Nancy are Mary E's nieces. Who is Mary E Sharp? Mary Elizabeth Couch, Mary Polly's daughter. Mary Elizabeth is my 3x Great Grandmother. She was born in 1838, Alabama, and in about 1855 she married Jesse Euing Sharp, my 3x Great Grandfather. Mary Elizabeth is listed as a Widow, which is correct as Jesse passed away around 1861. Mary Elizabeth's nieces Sarah and Nancy, also have their mother's birthplace as 'Cherokee Nation' - two more children of Marion and/or Samuel. Mary Elizabeth's two sons with her are William and John Sharp. In addition to William and John, Mary and Jesse Sharp had two older children - Jessie Mitchell and Mary.
Mary Elizabeth passed away in 1915 and is buried in Frost Cemetery, Texas.

Okay, let's pause on the Couch/Sharp family for a minute.

Below Mary and Lizzie Couch is a George W Spencer. George is with his wife Frances E and children Burnett, Mattie, George, Jesse P, William, and Charles.

How are they relevant? What's going on? Who are they? All the questions!

George W Spencer is none other than George Washington Spencer, my 3x Great Grandfather. George (1832 Alabama - 1904 Texas) married Frances Elizabeth McWilliams (1837 Mississippi - 1908 Texas) in 1855, Mississippi. In addition to the six children listed above, they had two older children - Julia Latchapalee and Mary.

George Washington Spencer
approx 1880s.
[Source: Personal Collection]

Cast your eyes back to the census for a minute. Who do you see at the bottom, underneath the Spencer's?

Do you see the surname McFaddin?

Who is listed as the Wife? Julia L...also known as Julia Latchapalee Spencer! In 1877, Julia married Porter McFadden in Ellis County, Texas. They had one son, George Beveley McFadden, born in February 1880. He is the baby listed with them.

Sadly, in 1882, Porter McFadden passed away which left Julia on her own with a toddler. But not for long...

Because on the 25th of April, 1885, in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas, Julia Latchapalee Spencer McFadden married Jesse Mitchell Sharp. This is how the the Sharp/Couch family and the Spencer family become one. Julia and Jesse are my 2x Great Grandparents.

Marriage Record for Julia Spencer and Jessie Sharp.
[Source: "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QV1C-Q4WT : accessed 4 June 2017), Jesse W Or Jesse M Sharp and Julia L Mcfadden, 08 Apr 1885, Marriage; citing Navarro, Texas, United States, various county clerk offices, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas Dept. of State Health Services and Golightly-Payne-Coon Co.; FHL microfilm 1,034,859.]

Thanks to the 1880 Census, I think it is safe to say that the Couch's/Sharp's and Spencer's knew each other well before the wedding of 1885.

Five Years

Five years ago, on the 4th of June 2012, my beautiful Nanna passed away. 

Five years? Already? Sometimes it feels like yesterday.

Forever missing you Nanna.

Eunice & Caitlin, 22 Apr 1995
[Source: Personal Collection]

Eunice Dyer, Graduation Photo 1942,
Sydney Sanitarium & Hospital
[Source: Personal Collection]

Eunice Hazel Dyer

3 May 1916 - 4 June 2012.

Eunice & Caitlin, Jan 2012.
[Source: Personal Collection]

Oh My, Miss Mary Prince: Part 2

Last year, I told you a story about Mary Alice Helena Prince, my 1st Cousin, 3x Removed.

Here is a brief summary -

Mary was born in 1894, Macksville, New South Wales to parents Harriett Helena Gill (1869 – 1953) and John Charles Prince (1855 – 1930). After her youngest sibling was born in 1912, she relocated to Melbourne with her parents. However, by 1930, she was back in New South Wales and living at Little Billabong Station, near Holbrook in New South Wales. She remained there until at least 1949; the last Electoral Roll I found that has her living at Little Billabong. 

Location of Little Billabong Station
[Source: Google Maps]

I had also discovered, thanks to Trove, that in 1953 Mary was suing John James McLaurin for breach of promise. John was a grazier at Little Billabong and to whom Mary was engaged for 21 years. In the end Mary was granted $1000 in damages for McLaurin's breach of promise. 

One of the many articles about the court case.
[Source: WOMAN SUES GRAZIER (1953, May 14). National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954),
p. 4. Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161659492]

At the time of writing about Mary last year, I had learned that in 1963 Mary was living in Castle Hill, Sydney, except her surname was Lawson. In 1968, she was living in Swansea, Newcastle. In both electoral rolls there was no other Lawson at her address. I had not been able to find a marriage in Victoria or New South Wales. I wondered if she really married or changed her surname for some sort of protection. The court case was very publicized in newspapers all around Australia. Mary passed away in 1971 and I was not sure where she was buried either.  

Last month, I finally got around to ordering Mary's death certificate. 

Snippet of  a transcription of Mary's death certificate ordered from NSW Family History Transcriptions

What information am I most interested in? 

Name of Spouse: Christopher Bernard Lawson. A likely explanation as to how she changed her surname to Lawson.

Age at Marriage: 60. If Mary passed away at 76 years in 1971, her approximate marriage year is 1955. 

Place of Marriage: Box Hill, Victoria. Unfortunately, the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages historical index currently has marriages until 1942, which would explain why I could not find a marriage record for Mary.

Conjugal Status: Widow. This provides the assumption that Christopher passed away before 1971.

As Mary was living in New South Wales when she passed away, I searched the New South Wales BDM Index for a potential death record for a Christopher Lawson, including other spelling variants. Conclusion: Negatory.

I searched the Victoria BDM for a death record for a Christopher Lawson and was given the following result:

Name: Christian Bernard Lawson.
Death Year: 1966
Age: 77
Place: Mont Albert, Victoria. 
Father: Frederick Lawson
Mother: Mary Catherine Lyons

I immediately ordered his death certificate to find out more.
Cause of Death: Effects of injuries received when he was struck by a motor car. 
The verdict was declared at an inquest held by the coroner. 

Where Married: Mont Albert, Victoria.
Age: Unknown
To Whom: Mary Uren
Conjugal Condition at Death: Married
Children: No

Is this him? I am not sure yet. The informant was the coroner, so perhaps he did not know the correct information about this Mary Uren? I found Christian's birth record for the year 1889, but could not find a marriage before 1942 for a Surname Lawson to a First Name Mary. 

I found two Victorian Electoral Roll records for a Christian Bernard Lawson.
1 - 1949, Scott St, Vermont. 
2 - 1963, View St, Subdivision of Surrey Hills.

In 1963, Mary is listed in the electoral rolls as living in New South Wales. Both were living on their own. Keep in mind that sometimes people forgot to update their address when they moved. 

The Victorian BDM says that marriage certificates can be applied for without identification documents if the marriage occurred more than 60 years ago, and both parties are deceased. 60 years ago was 1957, and Mary and Christian are both deceased. I wonder if the Vic BDM will be able to help me? I would love to know if this Christian is indeed the Christopher Bernard Lawson on Mary's death certificate.

Janet Mackay, Is It You?

This past week, I have been researching the descendants of my 4x Great Uncle Hugh McKenzie Mackay. His son Angus (1857 NSW - 1929 QLD) had 2 marriages and 16 children. Angus' 3rd child, Janet Mackay, according to the baptism record, was born in New South Wales in 1887 to his first wife Jane. I had a number of leafy green hints for Janet which I had a look at. 

This led me to another tree that had Janet listed with two marriages - Richard Daley in 1911 and Harry Walters in 1945. But hang on a minute, I had just read her sister Sarah's obituary on Trove. Sarah had died in 1938 before she was 50, and I was hoping Trove would provide me with some clues as to why. I got more than that though - Sarah's obituary wonderfully listed all her siblings! Her sisters first names AND married names were given.  

Obituary of Sarah Stone, nee Mackay.
[Source: Mrs. Sarah Stone. (1938, July 12). The Wingham
Chronicle and Manning River Observer
(NSW : 1898 - 1954), p. 2.
Retrieved January 29, 2017,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167877131]

Can you see Janet's name in the list of Sarah's siblings?

"Janet (Mrs J H Geelan, Elands)."

On the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages Index, the only marriage for a Janet Mackay & male Geelan is to a James Samuel Geelan in 1936, Taree (#3184/1936). 

James passed away in 1947 – there’s an inquest and everything! And yep, his wife Janet is mentioned. 

If you are interested, here is a link to an article detailing the inquest - it is very long!

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168523959

And his obituary...

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162163307

I found a death on the NSW BDM for a Janet Geelan in 1954, with parents listed as Angus and Jane (#8318/1954). I guess it is time to order the death certificate and find out if this is her.

But what about this other tree?

Well, I checked it out and they are not a direct descendant of Janet, but of a sibling of Angus' first wife Jane. I guess this is another case of not believing in other public trees on Ancestry until you have done your own research. I would not want someone else coming along and taking the information from my tree to be 100% correct. We all make mistakes.        

So, will this death certificate tell me what I want to know? Is this Janet Geelan the Janet Mackay I am looking for? 

Time to play the waiting game.