52 Ancestors #41 - Joseph Emanuel Antoney - a 1st cousin twice removed

This post is for Week 41 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week - colourful.

Colourful, what does that mean? Does it mean they wore colourful clothes? Or, does it mean they were 'colourful characters'? I think I'll sort through my family file for the characters.  After sorting through and considering this one and that one I have decided on a 1st cousin twice removed - Joseph Emanuel Antoney AKA Manny the Murderer.

Manny was born in Walkerston near Mackay, Queensland on the 2nd April 1900 to Manuel Silva (Emanuel) Antoney and his wife Annie Marie McLaughlin, he was the only child of that marriage. He married Kathleen Judith (Kitty) Coren in Sydney in 1940 and by the time of the murder he was divorced though I have been unable to find the divorce papers at this time.

52 Ancestors Week #40 - birthdays in October

The theme for the first week in October is: what ancestor has a birthday in October? So I thought ... I'll just go to my Legacy program and generate a report about birthday's in October. Simple I thought, there won't be many. I already  knew my son, Sean Patrick, was born on the 15th October 1971 in Seymour, Victoria and my favourite maternal grandmother, Dorothy May, was born on the 4th October 1898 in North Eton via Mackay, Queensland. How wrong I was. The report is six A4 pages, ranging from fourteen individuals born in October with no date to lists for each day of the month in October. It must have been the time of year for my ancestors to have children. I will have to think about this a little more.

So, 16 on the 1st, 9 on the 2nd, 8 on the 3rd,11 on the 4th including my grandmother Dorothy May, 10 on the 5th, 6 on the 6th, 9 on the 7th, 11 on the 8th, 13 on the 9th, 12 on the 10th, 6 on the 11th, 7 on the 12th, 7 on the 13th, 11 on the 14th, 12 on the 15th including my son Sean, 9 on the 16th, 11 on the 17th, 11 on the 18th, 7 on the 19th, 13 on the 20th, 13 on the 21st, 15 on the 22nd,  16 on the 23rd, 6 on the 24th, 14 on the 25th, 11 on the 26th, 13 on the 27th, 5 on the 28th, 9 on the 29th, 12 on the 30th and 14 on the 31st - so fairly evenly spread over the month with a grand total of 349 ancestors born in October. 

They are spread over several countries - Australia, in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia; New Zealand the North and South Islands; England, Middlesex, Northumberland, Somerset, Surrey, Hampshire, Lancashire; Northern Ireland in Londonderry and Armagh; Republic of Ireland in Dublin; Scotland in Argyll; Barbados; Trinidad and Tobago; United States, California, Iowa, Oklahoma and Missouri.

Happy Birthday to all 349 ancestors born in the month of October.

52 Ancestors #23 - Patricia Dorothea McCann - a favourite wedding photo

This post is for Week 23 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week  -  wedding.

June weddings, so popular in the northern hemisphere as the weather could be expected to be better. Perhaps not so popular in Australia as winter commences however the beautiful weather we are currently enjoying in Brisbane would be ideal though I don't know about strapless bridal gowns!

Patricia Dorothea & Joan Douglas McCann 1946

I have a favourite wedding photo on my mother and her sister Joan on Mum's wedding day the 14th October 1946. They are seated in front of a mirror at Denmora my great-grandparent's home at Bowen Hills. To me, the picture shows two happy sisters enjoying the day. All the preparation over and the excitement of the day to come. This photograph was taken after the wedding ceremony and before the reception which was also held at Denmora.

I remember looking into that very mirror many times as it was just outside Granny McCann's bedroom. A favourite photo of two wonderful women both now reunited in heaven.

52 Ancestors #22 - Emanuel Vero & Joseph Antoney - a great and a 2nd great grandfather

This post is for Week 22 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week  -  commencement.

Thinking about commencement meaning 'a new beginning' two of my family came to mind. My maternal 2nd great grandfather Joseph Antoney and my paternal great grandfather, Emanuel Vero. What a coincidence, two people from the Azores Islands, Portugal from two sides of the family.

I wonder what made them come to Australia, they could have chosen any country after all couldn't they? Emanuel is a mystery to me as I have not been able to correctly identify him from shipping lists. He married Dorothy Oswald on 20th June 1874 in Newcastle, New South Wales and went on to have nine children.

Joseph was a sailor and left the Fiery Star in Brisbane, Queensland on 20 November 1864. He married Elizabeth Hannah Young on 30 July 1867 and settled in Bowen and later the Mackay district. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your point of view, Joseph was declared an Alien in 1920 and applied for and was granted Naturalisation. I say fortunately because Joseph listed all the places he had been as a sailor which has allowed me to build up a picture of his life before Australia. I wonder why Joseph chose to leave the ship in Brisbane when he had been all around the world, I guess he saw opportunity.

Thinking of these two men, they both had 'new beginnings' and new lives in Australia. Emanuel found work at the docks in Newcastle as a coal trimmer and life was hard as I have mentioned in previous posts. Joseph had a more fortunate life in that he selected property and farmed the land. A strange occupation for a seaman perhaps? Maybe he came from farming stock in the Azores, I will never know. I also wonder how they managed with the language, no English classes then for migrants! 

52 Ancestors #21 - three family members on Gallipoli

This post is for Week 21 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week  -  Military. As this is the 100th Anniversary of Anzac, I thought I would write about some of my ancestors who fought on Gallipoli. 

Firstly there is Henry Surman Connor - known as Harry - Harry was wounded just after midnight on the 2nd May 1915 at Courtney's Post, in the Dardanelles (Gallipoli). Harry was evacuated and died at Heliopolis, Egypt on the 7th May 1915.

Then there was Harold George McKerihan - Harold died of wounds received at Lone Pine Gallipoli, on 16th August 1915 at Alexandria, Egypt, just two months after leaving Australia. His baby daughter Una was just 11 months old and would never know her father.

Finally, Major Gilbert Samuel Colin Latona Birkbeck for the 2nd Light Horse Regiment survived Gallipoli and went on to the Egypt and Palestine where he received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and was Mentioned In Dispatches (MID).

As I continue my research this year I may find other family members that fought on Gallipoli or indeed in WWI. The stories of these brave men were astonishing and we must remember them.

A view of Anzac Cove possibly taken about mid-summer 1915. [AWM A03632]

52 Ancestors #20 - black sheep

This post is for Week 20 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week  -  black sheep.

I have several ancestors in my family who could be considered troublemakers or ne'er-do wells, the problem is deciding who would be the one to write about today.

It could be William Nelson McCann, AKA William McCann Neilson, he is fascinating, but I need to sort through the pile of newspaper clippings I have on William to write coherently. Perhaps it could be Joseph Emanual Antoney, known as 'Manny the murderer' in the family, but have I sorted through the inquest papers and comments from family members? No of course I haven't.

What this post has brought to my attention is the need to organise my plethora of newspaper clippings on family members. Just as well I am using Evernote!

So this is all I am saying about the black sheep in my family for now, stay tuned for further posts when I have organised my filing.

The black sheep of the family
© Copyright Nigel Mykura and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

52 Ancetors #19 - Emanuel Vero - a great-grandfather

This post is for Week 19 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week  -  there's a way.

I have often wondered about my paternal great-grandfather Emanuel Vero. I know little about him, he died in 1905 in Newcastle, New South Wales after all. Emanuel arrived in Australia from Portugal, the Azores Islands, before 1874 when he married Dorothy Oswald in Newcastle, New South Wales. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find an accurate shipping record for Emanuel, perhaps he swam!

Emanuel & Dorothy had nine children, five boys and four girls all born in the suburbs of Newcastle. Emanuel worked at the coal-loading port as a coal trimmer, and that is where he met his future son-in-law Arthur Connor. 

Life was hard in the suburb of Carrington for families and in 1894 Emanuel applied for bankruptcy as noted in the Maitland Weekly Mercury of 7 Jul 1894, he was aged 58 at the time. Emanuel and his family were obviously respected by the local community as in April 1902 the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate reported that a meeting was held to make final arrangement for the Vero Family Benefit with the Mayor Alderman Light occupying the chair.

This was obviously successful as the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate reported on Wednesday 23 April 1902.

Emanuel and Dorothy lost a son, William Joseph, in March 1902, he was 20 years of age.

I wonder what exactly were the hard times that befell the Vero family in the later part of the 19th century, first causing Emanuel to apply for bankruptcy and then for the community to hold a benefit concert. I hope that the proceeds from the concert and the obvious kindness of the local community helped the family.

52 Ancestors #18 - Jonas Thomas - a 4th great-grandfather

This post is for Week 18 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 18 - Where There's a Will.

Aren't wills an amazing insight into someone's life? It is an opportunity to glimpse a fragment of their lives. Sometimes it is a clue to other family members that you weren't aware existed. Sometimes it allows you see how different family members were perceived by the testator. For example, in the will of Jonas Thomas, my 4th great-grandfather, he mentioned his son James Thomas owing him money, so he reduced the amount left to him, another insight into the Thomas family.

Jonas Thomas Will, Somerset, 1825

My 9th great-grandfather, Johannis Proverbs' Will revealed a daughter Mary Budd. Mary had obviously married a man named Budd as Johannis left her 3 acres of land. I could then trace her in the English Settlers in Barbados 1637-1800  records. Without the will of Johannis, I would not have known of Mary's existence.

52 ANcestors #17 - all my ancestors who came to Australia

This post is for Week 17 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 17 - Prosper.

I have chosen all my ancestors who came to Australia for this post. From the earliest, Peter McCann, who arrived in January 1800 to the latest, Catherine Eunice McLaren, who arrived in 1890, they were all coming to an unknown land. Some like Peter McCann and other convicts had no choice to come to Australia. Others, like Granny McCann, came to Australia from New Zealand with two of her sisters for an adventure and stayed. 

Image: SS Great Britain leaving Prince’s Pier, Liverpool, for Australia, 1852. ANMM Collection

Regardless of how my ancestors came to Australia, they found a new land and endless opportunities for those who were willing and able to work. The McCann side of my family went on to develop the cement industry in Victoria, farmed and developed various successful business ventures. The Connor side, from County Derry, farmed and learnt trades and experienced different occupations. The Thomas side also farmed and ventured into business in Queensland. And so on ...

What this tells me is that a number of my ancestors, except for the convicts, of course, made the decision to risk all and start a new life on the other side of the world. How it must have seemed alien to them, the weather, the vegetation and the animals. Imagine when they first saw a kangaroo, or a large snake, or the strange birds, they must have wondered where they were. Of course, many of the younger members of the family would have relished the experience but I think of the mothers who had to adapt to a strange new world.

Thank you to all of my ancestors who journeyed to Australia, we have certainly prospered because of you.

52 Ancestors #16 - Dorothy May Thomas - my maternal grandmother

This post is for Week 16 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 16 - Live Long - time to feature a long-lived ancestor.

Dorothy May with her mother

For this post, I will feature my maternal grandmother, Dorothy May McCann nee Thomas. Dorothy May, Nan,  lived to the age of 98 years and three months when she passed away on the 8th December 1996. She always said she wouldn't make 100 and Nan was right as usual.

Dorothy May was born in Eton outside Mackay, Queensland in 1898. She was educated in Eton and Brisbane, at Duporth Private School at Oxley and trained as a nurse at the Brisbane General Hospital where she met the love of her life, George Douglas McCann. They were married in January 1924 in Brisbane and were happy together until Doug's death at Easter 1969.

Nan was active in the Country Women's Association, Queensland Branch and enjoyed cooking, craft and sewing. Her pastry and scones were legendary, she always scolded me for 'playing' with the dough too much, saying 'your hands are too hot' as usual she was right.

Dorothy May aged about 94

In her later years, Nan lived at Lady Small Haven retirement village at Benowa in a self-contained unit where she enjoyed craft mornings and bus trips - how she enjoyed those bus trips! I was always amused when she told me about visiting  the 'old folks' at the nursing home or hostel - they were usually younger than her. But then, age is a matter of mind really.

Nan passed away peacefully at 3:30 am on the 8th December 1996 and was cremated, and her ashes interred with her husband and youngest daughter, Joan, at Toowong Cemetery. There is a space there for me when the time comes.

I miss Nan almost every day especially when doing my family history research. I inherited all her photos and memorabilia and lots of her notes and musings. Nan was the repository of all things family and knew just when cousin so and so was married, divorced or died. As I have said before, Nan is my genie-angel.

52 Ancestors #14 - Patricia Dorothea (Mum) and Helen Patricia

This post is for Week 14 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 14 - Favourite Photo - who is in the favourite photo?

It was hard to choose a favourite photo I love looking at so many of them. However as I recently lost my much-loved mother I have chosen a favourite photo of her with me. We are obviously dressed to go out for the day and it must have been in winter, hence the coats. The photo was taken at my grandparent's home on Constitution Road, Windsor around 1951. Note the bow in my hair, I had dead straight hair and they always put a bow in it.

Patricia Dorothea (Mum) & Helen c1951

52Ancestors #13 - leaving home for the unknown

This post is for Week 13 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 13 - Different. What ancestor did something different?

Thinking about my large and diverse family tree, I have been pondering about the many young ancestors that left their homes on the other side of the world to come to the unknown. Would I have done the same in their circumstances? Probably I would have, but then again perhaps not.

Some of my early ancestors came as convicts, so had no choice in the matter. However, the later immigrants made a clear choice to come to Australia. I cannot imagine what  they thought would be here when they arrived. As they came from Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, England and two from the Azores Islands the climate when they arrived would have been a shock.

Some of my female ancestors travelled to Australia alone or with sisters, a few of them were only 15 years old. Again I cannot imagine leaving home and travelling to the other side of the world and knowing you would never see your family again. Brave women indeed.

I wonder what they were feeling as they boarded the ships that sailed away from home. Were they excited? Were they afraid? Did they want to jump off the ship and return home? I am glad they stayed on the ships and came to Australia otherwise I would have been living in Ireland or Scotland or England or Portugal. Thank you for coming!

52Ancestors #11 - James Douglas & Sarah Moore - 3rd great-grandparents

This post is for Week 11 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 11, Luck of the Irish. This week I am going to write about my 3rd great-grandparents James Douglas & Sarah Moore and hope that the Luck of the Irish works for me.

James Douglas & Sarah Moore are a brick wall for me. Their daughter Jane Douglas married my second great-grandfather James Thomas in Mackay, Queensland in November 1864 in the Church of England. On her marriage certificate, she states that her father was a weaver, that makes a lot of sense as County Armagh was a significant player in the Irish linen industry. 

However, I can find no record of James Douglas or Sarah Moore in Armagh or indeed anywhere in Ireland. They must have just disappeared in a puff of smoke. Jane was born in 1835 in Portadown, Armagh and was Church of Ireland. 

Perhaps as it is near St Patrick's Day the luck of the Irish will shine down and I will magically uncover some information about James Douglas & Sarah Moore. Here's hoping for some leprechaun magic!

52Ancestors #12 - Helen Connor - a 3rd cousin once removed

This post is for Week 12 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 12, the same. The further questions are: What ancestor is a lot like you? What ancestor do you have a lot in common? Same name? Same hometown?

Well, I have a third cousin once removed named Helen Connor. This Helen Connor is the daughter of Hilton Clarence Connor and Marjorie Carr who married in Grafton, New South Wales in 1946. So, Helen is a baby boomer child like myself. 

Is she a mirror image of me?

I wonder what this Helen is like. I wonder about her growing up in the Clarence Region of New South Wales. I wonder does she know about me. Does she like coffee as much as I do? Does she love reading, and what books does she like? Is she fascinated with her family history?

I would like to meet this 'other' Helen Connor. I am planning a trip down to the Clarence and Richmond River regions later this year, perhaps I will meet up with her.

52Ancestors #10 - Vigereux Morris Clement Birkbeck - a half great uncle

This post is for Week 10 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - 2015 - by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. Prompt for Week 10, Stormy Weather. I have decided to write about my Uncle Morrie who lived for a long time in Cairns, Nth Queensland.

Morrie was the half brother of my maternal grandmother, Dorothy May McCann nee Thomas. He was the youngest of three children born in 1915 to Gilbert Samuel Colin Letona Birkbeck and Annie Jacintha Mary Elizabeth Thomas, nee Antoney in Mackay.

Morrie & Viv Birkbeck & Family (Cairns)

Uncle Morrie married Vivienne Ham in 1939 in Gympie and together the couple had six children, four boys and two girls, all born in Queensland. I am not sure when Morrie and Viv moved to Cairns but remember them being there in the early 1960s.

The reason I am writing about the Birkbeck family is that they lived in tropical North Queensland where the weather was often stormy and tropical cyclones were no rarity. The cyclone season is between November and April. Indeed, in the 1970s there were four cyclones that battered the Cairns coast and caused flooding and wind damage. So anyone living in North Queensland was always prepared for the stormy weather. 

Bureau of Meteorology Map

See the map for Queensland from the Bureau of Meteorology displaying the number of cyclones off the coast from 1961 and 1997. It looks like a child has scribbled with a texta pen but each coloured line represents the path of a tropical cyclone.

I remember my grandmother being teased by her youngest brother and her entering into the fun - I miss those carefree days.