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.

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 18^th day of April 1873 at Melbourne.

Dr Youl, Coroner.

More research

This is the article from the Lancefield Examiner, April 1873 referring to the accident that utlimately caused the death of James Allan.
My mother's cousin originally found the article at the State Library of Victoria on the microfiche, but didn't cite the article. It is not digitised on Trove. I could go into the State Library when it reopens and check the microfiche, but I can't see it. So, with some detective work, with the article I published yesterday following this one, and with the same tone, I've made an educated guess that this is also from the Lancefield Examiner. Please note, it is typed from the article - mistakes are as written originally.

“During the week a complete chapter of accidents can be recorded. In addition to the two recorded elsewhere it becomes our painful duty to report the occurrence of a very serious and painful injury to Mr. James Allan of Monegeetta. On Tuesday last Mr. Allan, accompanied by a friend, was proceeding with the waggon and team of bullocks to Mr. Scott’s Mill for a load of timber. Both were riding on the waggon, but when at the top off the hill close to the mill, Mr. Patelo got off to fix the break. After fixing it he jumped upon the fore carriage to ride as before. He had hardly been in his place a moment when the king bolt came out, and the fore part of the carriage immediately came to the ground, crushing Mr. Allan’s legs beneath its weight. The bullocks, freed from the drag of the hind carriage and without break, immediately started at a run down the hill, dragging Mr. Allan with them. They were eventually brought up by running against a stump, and assistance was quickly rendered in extricating Mr Allan from his perilous position. When he was released he was at once conveyed to Mr. Scott’s house, and medical aid at once sent form. On examination, Dr. Phipps found that a compound comminuted fracture of the bone of the right thigh had been sustained. As the case was serious, it was determined to send the patient to the Melbourne Hospital without delay. He was accordingly sent to Riddell’s Creek, and thence to Melbourne by the mixed train. Mrs. Allan was fortunately tim time to meet the train at the Lancefield Road, and to accompany her husband on his painful journey. There are few people in this district who are held in greater respect and esteem than Mr. Allan, and the sad occurence has spread a feeling of gloom over a wide circle of sympathising friends.”

Lancefield Examiner April 1873

I'm working on a piece for an end of semester assignment in the Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing at Deakin University, and am teasing out the accident that killed my 3x great grandfather, James Allan.
Here is the newspaper article describing his injuries and funeral.

Last week we had to report the occurrence of a very sad accident which befell Mr James Allan of Monegeetta, and in consequence of which he had to be conveyed to the Melbourne Hospital. This week, it is our melancholy duty to record Mr Allan’s death. The sad event took place about 3 o’clock on Wednesday, 9^th inst. The shock to the system caused by the frightful nature of the injuries received was such that he never rallied sufficiently to allow of amputation to be performed. He gradually sank, and at the time above mentioned, passed quietly away. He was sensible to the last, and was able to converse with his wife, brother, and other members of his family, up to within a short time of his death. The remains were conveyed on Thursday last to the Lancefield Road Hotel, the residence of Mr George Jeans, son-in-law of deceased. The funeral took place on Good Friday, the procession being one of the longest ever seen in this district, reaching the entire length of the Main Street, Romsey. The day being a holiday enabled a great many to attend, and thus testify in some measure to the respect in which Mr Allan was universally held by all who knew him. Indeed the sad event, and the shockingly sudden manner of its occurrence, has cast quite a gloom over the entire district…As me remarked last week, there are few people in this district held in higher esteem than as the late Mr Allan. His unsullied reputation as a man of the strictest integrity in all business transactions, his never-failing good humour, and Christian kindness, served to command the respect and highest appreciation of all who knew him. His death may be said in some respect to be a public loss, for the district cannot spare many such men…Mr Allan was only 42 years of age at the time of his melancholy death.

Lancefield Examiner, 10 April 1873