#52 Ancestors #Week 13 - In the Paper

#52 Ancestors #Week 13 - In the Paper

In Australia we are fortunate to have the wonderful website that is Trove.

Established by the National Library of Australia, trove.nla.gov.au gives access to a wealth of resources - across more than 90 million items - about Australia and Australians.

Trove’s content comes from more than 1000 libraries around Australia as well as other cultural and educational institutions and international collections with relevance to Australia.

Through Trove it is possible to search across pictures, unpublished manuscripts, books, oral histories, music, videos, research papers, diaries, letters, maps, archived websites and Australian newspapers from 1803 to 1954.

I have made some great discoveries through Trove.  I found the sad Coroner’s report into the accidental death of my grandmother’s older brother

From SMH 21 Jun 1887: CORONER'S INQUEST. The City Coroner, Mr. H. Shiell, J.P., held an inquest yesterday, at the Children's Hospital, Glebe Point, touching the death of a boy named Max Morgan, 6 years of age, who died in the institution on Saturday last. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that on the preceding Monday, while staying with some friends at Summer Hill, the lad was, through his own negligence, run over by a cart, and he suffered a fracture of one of his legs and other injuries. He was shortly afterwards taken to the hospital, where he died on Saturday, tetanus having supervened on the previous day. The jury returned a verdict of death from the effects of injuries accidentally received.

I have also been able to read the many accounts of the petty crimes of my great uncle Michael.  A barman in his father’s hotel, he had several arrests before the war for drunkenness, but after 1918, perhaps damaged by his war experience, there were other transgressions – drunk and disorderly, thefts of a bike and of small amounts of money (usually from other drunk soldiers) and one instance of smashing a window.

There are joyful discoveries too.  In country newspapers, weddings are described in minute detail.  There are lists of guests with descriptions of what they wore, with special attention to the outfits worn by the bride and her attendants, and the mothers of the bride and groom.  If you’re lucky you get this kind of detail (an account of the marriage of my great aunt, Violet White, in Lismore, NSW,) 

The Northern Star 28 November 1912

…The wedding cake, which was a work of art, was made and decorated by the bride's mother. The usual toasts were proposed and honoured, and the young couple were the recipients of hearty good wishes for the future from their friends. On a side table was a fine display of presents, both useful and ornamental. Among them was a silver sardine dish from the bridegroom's employers, Maloney and Wilson, and cut glass and sliver pickle jars from his fellow employees. Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith left during the afternoon for their home, the bride wearing a pretty costume of self coloured Flemish linen, revers and cuffs of blue, with touches of black ; a white chip hat was trimmed with lilies of the valley, Mrs. White, mother of the bride, wore black pailette, trimmed silk fringe, black hat with ostrich feathers; Mrs. Robert McKenzie, black satin, with coatee of Irish guipure : Mrs. C. McKenzie, royal blue chiffon taffeta, trimmed ruchings, black hat with touches of emerald green ; Mrs. C. Stanford, black silk, and hat to match. In the evening Mrs. White entertained a number of young people, and a merry time was spent.

Funeral descriptions often list the pall bearers, and who the wreaths came from which is all invaluable in piecing together relationships.

Obituaries in country newspapers are another source of family information, although it may not always be entirely accurate.  (I have lost count of the number of old residents who died in the 19^th century who claimed to have been “the first white child born in ….”)

I learnt that my 2 x great grandfather was a gardener, like his son:

The Northern Star 6 April 1898

A very old resident of the district, Mr. Charles White, sen., died on Monday at the age of 72. Mr. White a few weeks ago seemed strong and hearty, and as if he had many years of life before him, but a few days ago he had a paralytic stroke, from which he never rallied, and died at the residence of his granddaughter, Mrs. Kuskey, with whom he had been living for some time. Up till a few years ago Mr. White carried on a market garden at South Lismore, and was well known for the excellent produce he grew, which he generally exhibited at the Spring Shows. His wife died three years ago, and soon after that event he gave up the work of the garden. Messrs. Edward, John and Robert White, resident in the district, are sons of his, and another son resides in Sydney. Mrs. Robert McKenzie, of Lismore, is a daughter. The funeral took place yesterday, and in the procession were some of his oldest district friends.

One of my happiest discoveries was this one.  It’s an account in The Northern Star of a birthday party.  The birthday boy was Edwin Goldsmith, my father’s first cousin, so it’s not surprising to me that one of the guests was Miss M Gleeson, my father’s sister.  The real discovery was that the friend who presented the gift was my husband’s father and that also present was Miss K Keogh, my future mother-in-law.  My husband and I grew up in separate cities – it was a surprise to find that our families had connections long before we were born.