27 August 2020

National Family History Month - second presentation

Yesterday afternoon, through Nicole from Melton Libraries, I presented a talk on James McAra Mitchel. Mitchel married my 3x great aunt, Mary Hamilton Allan in Lancefield in 1881. Mitchel managed the Rockbank Sheep Station (which covered 54,000 acres from Sunbury to the Werribee River, to William Taylor's Land in Keilor. 

It was a privilege to share some of Mitchel's story with people interested in the history of the district. Mitchel started a fire brigade for the property, organised cricket teams for the workers, arranged for the repair and construction of dry stone walls (50% of the dry stone walls still standing in the district, were built under his watch), improved the drainage of Rockbank swamp, and was well respected by employees and others in the district.

One of the attendees at the Zoom event was a lady who lives on land that was part of the original Rockbank Sheep Station. She had photos of Mary and James McAra Mitchel, and very kindly forwarded them to me.

This is exciting.




 

21 August 2020

National Family History Month

 

Presenting in front of others is often a bit nerve-wracking, and today was no exception. You’d think having been a secondary teacher would put me in good stead, but before the Zoom cameras came on, I was feeling a little anxious. No need. The people who joined the Zoom meeting organised by the Family History Librarian at Melton Libraries, Nicole Hilder, were relaxed, friendly and engaged.

The attendees were interested in the subject: Starting your family history research, and we covered some useful tips.

The usual suspects in family history research popped in to say hello:

  • ·         Trove (the National Library of Australia’s digitised newspapers)
  • ·         Births, Deaths and Marriages,
  • ·         The British Newspaper Archive,
  • ·         Ancestry
  • ·         Find My Past
  • ·         The Public Records Office Victoria

·          The hour passed quickly; I hope it’s a good sign and means some will join in the next on-line family history adventures.


05 August 2020

Keep looking

Yesterday a leaf (hint) came up in Ancestry, on the name of my 2xgreat grandfather, Robert Allan. This was unusual because there haven't been many for him. I clicked on the leaf and found a gem. It's the digitised deposition Robert gave to the coroner on the event of his father's death. I didn't even think to search PROV for his name, so I'm pleased to have found this record.

What's so special about it? In the deposition he says he was with his father when James was dragged from the wagon by the bullocks: the incident which ultimately cost James Allan his life. I didn't know Robert (16 at the time) was with his father. There's no mention in the newspaper articles that he was present.

Now I have to rewrite 3000 words of my work in progress.

I've transcribed the deposition, but sadly Dr Youl (Coroner) had terrible handwriting. The question marks indicate words I can't make out, but it's still an interesting read. Poor Robert gave the deposition 9 days after his father's funeral.
If anyone can make out words I couldn't that would be great :)

Coroner’s Inquest

Colony of Victoria

To wit:

This Deponent Robert Allan on his oath saith, I am a son of the deceased.

Residing at Monegeetta.

The deceased ? was my father. I was with him on the eighth instant when he was driving a Bullock Wagon. I was next to him when the ? ? in ? I was sitting in the wagon ? I saw a ? when the King bolt came out ? ? ? ? ? ?  the bullocks broke away and dragged my father (the rest is illegible).

Taken and Sworn by me, on the 18th day of April 1873 at Melbourne.

Dr Youl, Coroner.


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