Tuesday 27 August 2013

Trove Tuesday: Funeral of Ann Alison Goodlet

Death of Mrs Goodlet

The death of Ann Goodlet on Saturday 3 January was reported in the Monday newspapers:

Source: Family Notices. (1903, January 5). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14523366

Source: DEATH OF MRS. GOODLET. (1903, January 5). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14523269

Funeral of Mrs Goodlet

The following report on the funeral of Ann Alison Goodlet, wife of Colonel John Hay Goodlet was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday 6 January 1903. Interestingly, good family friend of the Goodlet's, Reverend John Auld conducted the service.

Source: FUNERAL OF MRS. GOODLET. (1903, January 6). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14479820

Monday 26 August 2013

John Walker by David Scott [Carte de visite]

Photo details:

TitleJohn Walker by David Scott
Date1876
CollectionGeorgina Auld nee Muir photo album
Digital IDapc-000077

Photo TypeCarte de visite

Mount Size63 x 103 mm
Mount Thickness0.675 mm
Mount ColourLight Yellow
Mount EdgesStraight, gold gilt
Mount CornersRound
Mount BorderNone

Image Size60 x 96 mm
TechnologyAlbumen
Features

Front ImprintSmall lettering
Back ImprintLarge sized, ornate text and artwork


Front face
Rear face

Front face:


John Walker by David Scott (front face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000077-s1]

Photographers imprint on the front face reads:
David Scott, Sydney.

Rear face:

John Walker by David Scott (rear face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000077-s2]

Imprint on rear face is full sized and includes both text and artwork. Inscription of the text reads as:

FROM THE
Photographic
Studio
OF
David Scott
SUCCESSOR TO WILLIAM BRADLEY
SYDNEY
On the rear is also the printers mark which reads:
Marion, Imp. Paris.
Hand written on the rear face is also an identification and date which reads:
John Walker
1876
The identification is also written in the album as:
Rev. J. Walker
.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Trove Tuesday: Obituary for Leucina White

With all of the new newspaper titles coming online of late on Trove, the wealth of material for the genealogist can be a formidable task to sort through. In my Trove Tuesday post on the Obituary for Rev. John Auld back in March this year, I talked about using obituaries to flesh out the history of an ancestor. In this particular post I want to show how obituaries can be used to help build some branches in your tree, even when there is only a brief mention of an ancestor in the obituary text.

In this example I stumbled across an obituary for Leucina White, the mother-in-law of Maxwell Patrick Auld that appeared in The Muswellbrook Chronicle in 1955.

Obituary of Mrs Leucina White


Source: OBITUARY. (1955, July 8). The Muswellbrook Chronicle (NSW : 1898 - 1955), p. 1.
Retrieved August 20, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article107757902

Listed as living siblings of Leucina White are:

  1. William
  2. Alma (Mrs Cliff Andrews)
  3. Ethel (Mrs Brice Deards)
  4. Charles; and
  5. Dorothy (Mrs Max Auld)
Mention is also made to Leucina White's husband and three additional children who had passed away previously. Also listed are the four pallbearers:

  1. Brice Deards (son-in-law and husband of Ethel)
  2. Max Auld (son-in-law and husband of Dorothy)
  3. Douglas Andrews (grandson of Mrs White and son of Cliff and Alma Andrews)
  4. Donald Andrews (grandson of Mrs White and son of Cliff and Alma Andrews)

Verifying some names with NSW BDM indexes


A quick look on the New South Wales Births, Deaths & Marriages online index website reveals the following information:

  • Lucina [sic] Bridget WHITE - death was registered in Mudgee with Edward and Mary listed as her parents (NSWBDM Death index number 14748/1955)
  • William H. WHITE married Leucina B. LARGE in Gulgong circa 1904 (NSWBDM Marriage index number 1228/1904)
  • Maxwell Patrick AULD married Dorothy Phyllis Elaine WHITE in Mudgee circa 1951 (NSWBDM Marriage index number 28365/1951)
Between the years 1904-12 there are four children of William and Leucina WHITE listed in the online birth indexes. These dates in turn can give us an approximate date of birth for those children.

That said, the objective of this post today was to show how, with just a mention of a name in an obituary (in this case Max Auld), one can place several more branches on the family tree with very little effort!

Thursday 15 August 2013

Joseph Paxton by Hemus & Hanna [Carte de visite]

Photo details:

TitleJoseph Paxton by Hemus & Hanna
Date1877±1
CollectionGeorgina Auld nee Muir photo album
Digital IDapc-000108

Photo TypeCarte de visite

Mount Size64 x 105 mm
Mount Thickness0.745 mm
Mount ColourWhite
Mount EdgesStraight
Mount CornersRound
Mount BorderSingle thick gold line

Image Size60 x 97 mm
TechnologyAlbumen
FeaturesOval picture mask

Front ImprintSmall lettering
Back ImprintMedium sized, text and artwork

Front face
Rear face


Front face:

I am very appreciative of the assistance of fellow researcher Paul Cooper, whose help has been invaluable in identifying the individual in this particular carte de visite as Joseph Paxton.

Joseph Paxton by Hemus & Hanna (front face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000108-s1]
Larger version on Flickr

Original has been cut and reduced in size slightly at the top with the top corners squared. Photographers imprint on the front face reads:
HEMUS & HANNA.

The name written in ballpoint pen on the front face is 'Erasmus Wellsted'. This name is fictional and does not correspond to the individual identified. As mentioned in a prior post, the history of the ballpoint pen also needs to be taken into account. With this additional information we can safely say that the name was written well after the date that this photo was taken.

On a recent visit by Paul Cooper to view several of the Auld albums that I have in my possession, Paul identified Joseph Paxton immediately. It so happens that Paul is currently researching Paxton and recognised his photo as being similar to an illustrated engraving that was published in Australian Men of Mark. Further investigation revealed a three page biography (pages 273-275) including the illustrated plate for Joseph Paxton (see below) appeared in Australian Men of Mark Volume 2.

Australian men of mark. Vol. 2., Illus. with authentic portraits. Charles F. Maxwell, Sydney. p 273.

Joseph Paxton passed away 18 May 1882 and an obituary was printed in the Australian Town and Country Journal the following month.

The Late Joseph Paxton, Esq., J.P. (1882, June 3). Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 17. Retrieved August 13, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70969656

Accompanying this article was an illustration of slightly older Joseph Paxton, which reinforces the identification that has been made of this carte de visite.

The Late Joseph Paxton, Esq., J.P. (1882, June 3). Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 17. Retrieved August 13, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70969656

Research into the Auckland based photographers (see detail below in regards to rear face) puts the age of the carte de visite between 1875-85. The death of Joseph Paxton further narrows this date range down to 1875-82.

In regards to placing Joseph Paxton in New Zealand, additional research uncovered by Paul Cooper has also revealed that Paxton left Sydney on 27 November 1876 and arrived back from New Zealand on 7 February 1878. These dates help narrow the time frame down even further to 1877 ±1 year.

Rear face:

Joseph Paxton by Hemus & Hanna (rear face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000108-s2]

Imprint on rear face is medium sized and includes both text and artwork. Inscription of the text reads as:

Hemus & Hanna,
Artist Photographers
QUEEN STREET, CORNER OF WELLESLEY WEST,
AUCKLAND.
Miniature and Enlargements
Painted in Oil or Water Colors. 
See Hemus & Hanna, Auckland NZ [Photographers] for more information on Hemus & Hanna and their photographic studio in Queen Street, Auckland. As discussed in that post, the documentary evidence based solely on the information provided on the back imprint dates the photo between August 1875 and April 1885.

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Trove Tuesday: Troves notification service

Several weeks ago in the course of researching Auld obituaries, I came across an article which was part way through the digitisation process. For users of the Digitised newspapers on Trove, these articles will be noticeable by being grayed out and the words [coming soon] appended to the end of the newspaper article title. An example of a current article (as of today) that is part way through this process follows:

Example of notification service on Trove. Retrieved August 13, 2013.

Having an interest in the obituary article I had found, I signed up to the notification service by typing in my email address into the field provided then I clicked on the "Email me when available" button.

Last Saturday evening I was pleasantly surprised to see an email from Trove with the following subject heading:
Trove - National Library of Australia - newspaper/magazine article availability notification
On opening the message the text reminds the reader of what article(s) have changed status on Trove and have completed the quality assurance process and is now available for general access. All of the articles that have changed status are then listed, for example the obituary I was after had the following text:
The following article has completed quality assurance processing and is now available for you to access:
  Newspaper/magazine: Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954)
  Issue: Monday 31 May 1909
  Page: 7 Edition: DAILY
  Article: OBITUARY.
  Web URL: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/112057171
I proceeded to click on the link provided and the article was displayed in my browser. A few corrections to the text later, as well as tagging the individuals and places mentioned in the text, and the text was ready to use in my research with the citations conveniently provided by Trove.

Another newspaper comes online

With the notification I received from Trove, I am also alerted to the fact that another newspaper is now available, or is in the process of coming online. In this particular instance the newspaper is the Queensland Times (Ipswich) and covers the period 1909 - 1954. Some background history to the publication is also available on Wikipedia.

The article found relates to an obituary for John Livingstone Auld which was printed in the Queensland Times (Ipswich) on 31 May 1909.

Obituary of John Livingston Auld


Source: OBITUARY. (1909, May 31). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 7 Edition: DAILY.
Retrieved August 13, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112057171



Monday 12 August 2013

Two for One

Several years ago whilst undertaking my Diploma of Family Historical Studies with the Society of Australian Genealogists I was searching for certificates of family relatives in Victoria. I was able to locate several marriages that occurred within that state, by using the Victorian marriage index on CD-ROM. Having the registration numbers in hand, I proceeded to the Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria website.

Using a reference number (VICBDM Marriage Reference 1885/4665) and names for one of the marriages I had on file, I proceeded to pay for and download the PDF document containing the scan from the original register. Within five minutes I had an A3 printout of the certificate (shown below). With marriage certificates received this way, there are two additional entries on the page besides the one that you ordered and in rare situations, such as this, you strike it lucky.

On this particular occasion I had hit the jackpot in that on the bottom of the page was the marriage of the brother I had just searched for, the marriage that occurred six weeks later at the same venue. (VICBDM Marriage Reference 1885/4667)

Source: Online image of Victorian Marriage certificate for Peter William Auld and Rose Mitchell, married 11/07/1885, registered in the Registration District of Bourke (Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, Marriage 1885/4665) and Marriage certificate for James Wallace Auld and Harriett Stevens, married 20/08/1885, registered in the Registration District of Bourke (Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, Marriage 1885/4667)

Transcription of certificates

The following is a transcription of the first Victorian marriage shown in the image above between Peter William Auld and Rose Mitchell. Peter and Rose were married 11 July 1885, with the marriage registered in the Registration District of Bourke.

VIC MARRIAGE REGISTRATION TRANSCRIPTION - REF NO 1885/4665
GROOM Peter William Auld
STATUS Bachelor
PLACE OF BIRTH Melbourne
OCCUPATION Iron Moulder
AGE 23
PRESENT RESIDENCE 1 Nowry Street North Carlton
USUAL RESIDENCE 1 Nowry Street North Carlton
FATHER John Auld
OCCUPATION Baker
MOTHER Jane Auld M.S. Fair
BRIDE Rose Mitchell
STATUS Widow 1883 (2 living children from previous marriage)
PLACE OF BIRTH Gippsland
OCCUPATION Hotel Keeper
AGE 24
PRESENT RESIDENCE Castlemaine
USUAL RESIDENCE Castlemaine
FATHER William Halstead
OCCUPATION Farmer
MOTHER Mary Jane Halstead M.S. McCauthy
DATE OF MARRIAGE 11 July 1885
PLACE OF MARRIAGE Erskine Manse Carlton
RELIGION Presbyterian Church of Victoria
WITNESSES Thomas Fair, Jane S. Yule
MINISTER Alexander Yule

A transcription of the third Victorian marriage shown on the page image above between James Wallace Auld and Harriett Stevens follows. As above, the marriage was registered in the Registration District of Bourke, with James and Harriett being married on 20 August 1885.

VIC MARRIAGE REGISTRATION TRANSCRIPTION - REF NO 1885/4667
GROOM James Wallace Auld
STATUS Bachelor
PLACE OF BIRTH Beechworth
OCCUPATION Brickmaker
AGE 27
PRESENT RESIDENCE Northcote
USUAL RESIDENCE Northcote
FATHER John Auld
OCCUPATION Baker
MOTHER Jane Auld M.S. Fair
BRIDE Harriett Stevens
STATUS Spinster
PLACE OF BIRTH Brentwood England
OCCUPATION Tailoress
AGE 22
PRESENT RESIDENCE Drummond St Carlton
USUAL RESIDENCE Drummond St Carlton
FATHER George Stevens
OCCUPATION Tailor
MOTHER Sarah Stevens M.S. Appleby
DATE OF MARRIAGE 20 August 1885
PLACE OF MARRIAGE Erskine Manse Carlton
RELIGION Presbyterian Church of Victoria
WITNESSES John Auld, Jane S. Yule
MINISTER Alexander Yule

This article first appeared in the Hawkesbury Crier, June 2006 edition, pp. 25-26.

Thursday 8 August 2013

John Hay Goodlet Auld by unknown [Photo]

Photo details:

TitleJohn Hay Goodlet Auld by unknown
Dateunknown
CollectionGeorgina Auld nee Muir photo album
Digital IDapc-000006

Photo TypePhoto

Stock Size110 x 160 mm
Stock Thickness
Stock ColourWhite
Stock EdgesStraight
Stock CornersSquare

Image Size81 x 130 mm
TechnologyGelatin Silver
FeaturesFull bleed

Front ImprintNone
Back ImprintNone



Front face

Front face:

John Hay Goodlet Auld by unknown (front face)
[Auld Photograph Collection apc-000006]
Photo appears to have originally been framed. Slight silvering / mirroring around the edges of the photo. There is no photographers imprint on the front face.

Written on the page in the album where this photograph was placed is the following identification text:
John Hay Goodlet Auld (born 1874 died 1964)
Presbyterian minister
John Hay Goodlet Auld was the eldest child of Reverend John Auld and Georgina Muir.

Rear face:

Although the photo has been stuck into the album, there is no imprint on the rear face, hence there is no dateable evidence provided.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Trove Tuesday: Obituary of Vera Auld

Just a small post for Trove Tuesday today with double bonus points with the obituary I found not published on Obituaries Australia.

Nepean Times now online

The obituary that I came across had been published in the relatively newly released The Nepean Times, the digitisation of which was supported by Penrith City Council. Most readers of the online newspapers on Trove will be familiar with the 1954 cut off date due to copyright restrictions, the Nepean Times on the other hand covers the period 1882 through to 1962. This post relates to an obituary for Vera Auld which was printed in the Nepean Times in this later period of 1961.

Obituary of Vera Auld nee Hore


Source: OBITUARY. (1961, August 31). Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), p. 11.
Retrieved August 6, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100982050

To date I didn't have a entry in the Auld database for Vera, but based on the information provided within the obituary it shouldn't be a hard exercise to find where Vera's husband William links in...but that is another exercise.

Obituaries Australia

If you do come across a printed obituary, take the additional time and double check to see if your individual has been recorded in Obituaries Australia. If not, submit your obituary via the online submission form a relatively quick process.