Evidence in many forms

This series of posts focuses on an A-Z theme for April in 2025. I have chosen events that occurred On This Day in April of years in the past. These events are recorded in my genealogy database.

E - Evidence

Evidence of existence may be in the form of birth, marriage and death certificates. Sometimes one can only find a single piece of evidence but the more pieces found the more likely the person's existence is verified. 

Some of these people listed below are partners of cousins, a mother of a brother in law and a father of a different brother in law. The last in the list is a sad case reported extensively in the newspapers of 1944.

On this Day April 5

1891 - Birth: Mary Immaculate THOMPSON, Penfield, South Australia, Australia

1907 - Birth: Isabella Doreen ROSS, Kapunda, South Australia

1910 - Birth: Maria Elizabeth ANTAL, Budapest, Hungary

1912 - Birth: William Henry (John) CORFIELD, 

1924 - Birth: Kathleen Veronica Josephine DOODY, 

1944 - Death: Francis Leo PAYNE, Broken Hill, New South Wales

1944 - Death of Francis Leo Payne - a granduncle of my husband

Francis Leo Payne was the youngest child of six born to Mary Agnes Walmsley and Edward John William Payne. He was born in Adelaide on the 24 January 1902.

His parents had married in New Zealand where their first child Florence was born. The next, Natalia was born in Western Australia, then son Edward in Queensland. Their father Edward was following the goldfields. Norman and Grace the next two were born in Ballarat in Victoria where their father attended the School of Mines. The story is rather complicated from then on as the father constantly travels and is found in both South Africa and England in both 1900 and 1904. 

Even before Frank's birth his father had left for South Africa and apparently did not ever return to Australia again, a long story for another day.

By 1940 Francis or Frank as he was known, was living in Broken Hill and working as an electrician. As part of a musical family it is not surprising to find him as the conductor of the choral society.

1940 'Broken Hill Pars', Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954),
7 December, p. 4. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96352972

On June 1st of 1940  year he married Mary Gertrude Burns in the Broken Hill Catholic Cathedral.

 

Francis Leo Payne was electrocuted in 1944 while working at the Power station leaving behind his young wife and baby. 

His story with more details is recorded in this post Tragedies and Transfers

Ai generated image - not F. Payne

1940 'A JUNE BRIDE', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 10 June, p. 4. , https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48351352

 1941 'Thrilling Musical Feast Provided By 'The Messiah'', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 21 November, p. 1. (HOME EDITION), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48395003

1943 'Utility Driver Convicted', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 14 May, p. 3. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141320656

1943 'Jottings Of General Interest', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 28 June, p. 4. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141334832

 1944 'MAN ELECTROCUTED AT CITY COUNCIL'S GALENA ST.POWER PLANT', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 5 April, p. 7. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49563844

1944 'The Funeral', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 6 April, p. 3. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143786375

1944 'Advertising', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 9 May, p. 2. , , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143777908

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Dive in and deliver the details

This series of posts focuses on an A-Z theme for April in 2025. I have chosen events that occurred On This Day in April of years in the past. These events are recorded in my genealogy database.

D - Dive in and Deliver the details

A deep dive into newspaper notices delivers the details of many family events, some sad and some joyous.

On this day - April 4th

1928 - Death of a 3rd cousin - Sylvester Sebastian Francis RYAN

So many infants died early deaths. This sad notice details the short life Sylvester lived. Sylvester was the second of seven children born to James Sylvester Ryan and Ivy Bandt between the years of 1925 and 1948. He was a gt-gt-grandson of the O'Deas who had arrived in South Australia in 1854.

RYAN.—On the 4th April, at Freeling Hospital. Sylvester Sebastian Francis, dearly loved
infant son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Rvan, age 5½ months. Rest in peace.

1928 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 5 April, p. 12.  

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49368717

His funeral notice appeared in the same paper.

RYAN - THE FRIENDS of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Ryan, of Freeling, are respectfully notified that the Remains of their Infant SON (Sylvester) will leave the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ryan, sen, at 11 o'clock a.m. for St. John's Cemetery.

1928, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 5 April, p. 6.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page2485915

*********************

1935 - Marriage: Charles Kevin MOY and Mary Julia HORGAN, Spalding, South Australia

2nd cousin once removed

Mary Julia Horgan was the eldest of six children born to Daniel Horgan and Honorah Murphy. Her father died in 1919 just before her 10th birthday leaving her mother with six young children. 

Mary Julia known as Maisie is misnamed in this picture as Miss J Horgan when she was teaching at Bundaleer School. The photo was published with several others as a promotion by the Education Authorities.

EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY.

Every consideration is given by the Education Authorities to the needs of children in the outback districts, school facilities being provided wherever possible. (1)

Maisie Horgan, centre front, with her 17 pupils at Bundaleer in 1933

Looking at the school in the background it appears that it was corrugated iron, oh so hot in summer with just one small window for ventilation. It must have been very cold in winter too.

Maisie was also a member of the North Bundaleer Literary Society.

Maisie was engaged to Charles Kevin Moy when she turned 25 in May of 1934. (2)

A farewell at the end of March 1935 was held for Charles but no mention in the report is made of his upcoming nuptials. The ladies in the report are relegated to providing entertainment and supper.

1935 'MR. CHARLES MOY WILL LEAVE FOR QUEENSLAND.', The Areas' Express
(Booyoolee, SA : 1877 - 1948), 22 March, p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218881538

St Augustine Catholic church Spalding - now a private home

The wedding in April 1935 was reported in the Burra Record.

MOY— HORGAN.

On 4th of April a quiet wedding was celebrated at St. Augustine's Church, Spalding (Father Whealan officiating) between Charles Kevin, son of Mrs. M. A. Moy of Kensington Park, and the late Michael Moy of Bundaleer, and Mary Julia (Maisie) eldest daughter of Mrs. H. and the late Daniel Horgan, of Booborowie. 

The bride entered the church on the arm of her uncle, Mr. J. Murphy, who gave her away. She looked very charming in a frock of grey corded wool-de-nil, finished with cream velvet with hat, shoes and gloves to tone. She carried a beautiful bouquet of lilies of the valley and maiden hair fern. Her sister, Miss Nora Horgan, who attended as bridesmaid chose a frock of a dainty blue shade, and carried a lovely bouquet of pink carnations, dahlias and maiden hair fern. Mr. Frank Moy, bridegroom's nephew, was best man. 

After the ceremony the bridal party adjourned to the hotel, where the wedding breakfast was partaken of, only a few of the near relations being present. The usual toasts were honored. The happy couple later left by motor amid showers of confetti and good wishes for their future home in Queensland. (3)

In 1936 Maisie and Charles were living at 43 Railway Terrace, Milton in Brisbane where Charles was listed as a labourer.

Maisie died in Brisbane in January 1950. Her death notice acknowledges the names of her husband, their five children and her siblings.

MOY (nee Horgan). — On January 5 at Brisbane (late Booborowie). Maisie, beloved wife of Charles, and loving mother of Michael, Mary, Kath, Joan and Peter, and the loved sister of Eileen, Dorothy, Dan, Jule and Nora. R.I.P. (4)

 

1. 1933 'EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY.', Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), 11 May, p. 36.  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90884694

2. 1934 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 19 May, p. 18. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47559435

3. 1935 'Weddings', Burra Record (SA : 1878 - 1954), 10 April, p. 3.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36076025

4. 1950 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 6 January, p. 16. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50208530

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Collect and Collate

This series of posts focuses on an A-Z theme for April in 2025. I have chosen events that occurred On This Day in April of years in the past. These events are recorded in my genealogy database.

C- Collect and Collate

I collect as many facts as possible for each person - births, marriages, membership of organisations, any census data and so much more to build a picture of a person's life. At times information is limited to the newspapers of the day. There are sometimes surprises when a known person from the past turns out to be a relation. Sr M Stanislaus was one of those surprises.

On this day - April 3

1907 - Marriage: Thomas Benjamin COCKSHELL and Catherine Frances (Kitty) O'DEA, 

COCKSHELL—O'DEA.—On the 3rd April, at St. Michael's and St. John's Church, Terowie, by the
Rev. W. Doyle, Thomas B. Cockshell, of Broken Hill, to Catherine F., second daughter of T.
O'Dea, Terowie

1907 'Family Notices', The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), 23 April, p. 1. (4 o'clock.), viewed 02 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208908730

Kitty O'Dea as she was known, a 2nd cousin once removed, was the fifth child born to Thomas and Margaret O'Dea in Terowie, South Australia. Two of her older siblings had died as babies. Three more children were born after Kitty. Thomas, a younger brother only lived for 4 days, so Kitty grew up with four siblings. 

When she married in 1907 Kitty was 23. The Catholic Church in Terowie had originally been built as a Wesleyan place of worship in 1877 but in 1882 was sold to the Catholics when the Wesleyans built a new church.

 

St. Michael and St. John Catholic Church, Terowie

Thomas and Kitty had five children but the two baby girls died in their infancy leaving three boys. In 1939 Kitty, her husband and the two older boys were all still living at Terowie.

Kitty died in 1959, her husband Thomas had predeceased her in 1945. They are both buried in the Terowie Cemetery.

**********************

1907 - Johanna Horgan - Reception into the Dominican Order as Sister Mary Stanislaus

Johanna Horgan, a first cousin twice removed, was born in 1883. She was the sixth child of eight born to Thomas Horgan and Mary Carroll. Johanna's family were devout Catholics who lived at Manoora in South Australia. Johanna was named after her grandmother Johanna, who had brought her father and his two brothers John and Daniel to South Australia in 1852.

When she joined the Dominican nuns in April 1907, Johanna took the religious name Stanislaus. Eighteen months later she took her final vows.

The impressive ceremony of the reception into the Dominican Order of three young ladies took place at St. Mary's, Cabra, on Wednesday, April 3. The Right Rev. Monsignor Byrne, V.G., assisted by the Very Rev. Archpriest Nevin, presided. The names of the young ladies received are Miss Kinnane, in. religion Sister M. Francis; Miss Horgan (Sister M. Stanislaus); and Miss Ryan (sister of Rev. J. Ryan, Snowtown), of Limerick, Ireland, in religion Sister M Vincent de Paul.

During my years at Cabra Convent in Adelaide in the late 1960s, we viewed her as a very old nun, but I had no idea she was related to me on my paternal side. After many years of teaching, Mother Stanislaus as she was then known, died at age 94 in January 1978.

1907 'Reception at Cabra Convent.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 12 April, p. 11. , viewed 02 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167038162

1908 'Profession at Cabra.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 23 October, p. 11. , viewed 02 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166973318

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin