Is your Kain here?

Guests at the golden wedding celebration

On the veranda at “Clare Villa” in Hamley Bridge, South Australia, this family group gathered for a photo on the occasion of John and Maria O’Dea’s golden wedding anniversary.

The winter chill of early August 1913 did not dampen the spirits as the reports in the newspapers of the day record. The newspapers report the date of August 8th however having determined that August 8 was a Friday in 1913 it could be that this photo was taken after Sunday Mass on August 10, 1913. All are dressed in Sunday best clothes and that would have been a non working day for the farmers and others in the group – a suitable day for a celebration.

Original photo on black card

But who were all the characters in this photo and where did they fit in the lives of the elderly couple? I’ve been spurred into action by a recent comment on my blog from a Kain descendant and indeed many of the folks pictured above are Kains, my mother’s uncle and aunt and her first cousins.

The photo is badly damaged and while I revisited the photo and attempted to improve it by retouching and repairing with limited photo-shopping skills, the wise folks on a genealogy Facebook group pointed me toward the Rootschat photo restoration group. Within 24  hours of uploading the photo I now have several improved versions thanks to those generous volunteers.

photo enhancements by Rami_loord74

Back row - left to right, with relationship to John and Maria O’Dea my maternal great grandparents 

Peter Paul Kain:  born 30 Jun 1899 – died 27 Mar 1939, grandson, parents Bridget and Colman.  It appears that Peter never married and died at Parkside in Adelaide. His friends were notified in the newspaper that his private funeral had been held the day after his death. (1)

Michael James Kain: 15 May 1898 – 14 May 1920, grandson, parents Bridget and Colman (2) A life cut short by appendicitis

Patrick Joseph O’Dea: 18 Oct 1877 – 8 August 1919, son, my maternal grandfather An early death, victim of the influenza epidemic of 1919.

Martin Kain: 5 August 1894  – 7 Oct 1940, grandson, parents Bridget and Colman
In 1916 just before his 22nd birthday Martin volunteered for the AIF. By January of 1917 he was in France with the 32nd battalion. He was wounded in battle in October 1917 resulting in the amputation of his lower left leg. After three months in hospital in England he was shipped home and disembarked back in Adelaide in March 1918.(3) Martin’s service records are available on the National Archives of Australia site.  A few weeks after his return he married Bertha Hilda May Meacham in Adelaide on 27 April 1918.

Michael James O’Dea: 3 April 1881 – 25 Jan 1962, son.

Thomas Kain: 22 Dec 1891 – 13 October 1964, eldest grandson, parents Bridget and Colman

Col(e)man Joseph  Kain; c.1860 – 22 Jan 1932, son-in-law, husband of Bridget O’Dea and father of six sons and and one daughter. He was the youngest son of  Martin and Catherine Kain, born in South Australia 3 years after their arrival on the ship ”Lady Ann.” He married Bridget in February of 1891.

Patrick Joseph Kain: 13 Feb 1893 - 13 Nov 1967. 

The missing son of Bridget and Colman is John Francis Kain: 11 May 1896 – 20 Aug 1956 unless the names written under the photo are incorrect. They were added many years later. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who may be able to resolve this anomaly, perhaps another descendant has this photo with the names.  

photo enhancements by McGroger - sepia version

Middle row left to right, with relationship to John and Maria O’Dea

Margaret O’Dea: 13 Dec 1865 – 1 Mar 1930, daughter. She remained unmarried and cared for her parents until their deaths.

Maria O’Dea (born Crowley) c.1841 – 21 Sept 1929 the matriarch with bouquet of flowers. Maria arrived in Melbourne of the “Henry Fernie” in 1862.

Hannah Teresa O’Dea: 1869 – 8 September 1943, daughter. She remained unmarried and cared for her parents until their deaths

John O’Dea: c. 1834 - 26 Jan 1922 the patriarch  John arrived in South Australia with his parents aboard the “Time and Truth” in 1854.

Bridget Kain (born O’Dea) 1864 – 20 Sept 1936, daughter. Wife of Colman Kain, mother of six sons and one daughter

photo enhancements by ymfoster

Front row left to right, with relationship to John and Maria O’Dea

Mary Ellen O’Dea: 1 June 1908 – 16 December 1988 granddaughter (father -  Patrick O’Dea back row) My mother’s eldest sister who must have travelled up with her father Patrick and uncle Michael from the block at Ngallo, Victoria where her parents had moved to in 1911. The handwriting on the photo notes her married name of Conley so these names were added to the photo sometime after 1933 more than 20 years after this event took place.

James Benedict Kain: 17 May 1904 – 13 Jan 1977 grandson, parents Bridget and Colman

Maria Immaculate Kain: 2 July 1901 – 12 November 1928 granddaughter, parents Bridget and Colman. Another early death at only 27 years old. (4)

List of 50 found articles in Trove about the Families of Bridget O'Dea and Col[e]man Kain

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References

1. KAIN.—THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. PETER PAUL KAIN, formerly of Hamley Bridge, are respectfully informed that his Remains were peacefully laid to rest privately on TUESDAY, 28th inst., in the West Terrace Catholic Cemetery. Rev. Father T. Moore officiated.
1939 'Advertising', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 29 March, p. 16. , viewed 15 Oct 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49800344

2. Death of Michael James Kain -  May 1920
Quite a gloom was cast over the town [ Hamley Bridge] on Friday afternoon, when news was received from Wallaroo that M. Kain, fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Colman Kain, had died there, after an operation for appendicitis. He was for some time engaged in the loco. department here, and was transferred to Wallaroo. He was born in this district, and was just entering on his 22nd year, his birthday being on the day following his death. He was a fine young fellow, and a great favourite with all who met him.
1920 'COUNTRY NEWS.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 28 May, p. 3. , viewed 27 Aug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108287163

3. On Thursday morning at Hamley Bridge when the train arrived from Adelaide a number of the townspeople assembled on the platform gave a hearty welcome home to Private M. Kain. About two years ago Private M. Kain and his brother enlisted. After a short time in England they were sent to France, where Private M. Kain was wounded in October last. An amputation of one leg was found necessary.
1918 'HONORING SOLDIERS.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 18 March, p. 8. , viewed 15 Oct 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5536488

4. KAIN. —On the 12th November, at the North Terrace Hospital, Adelaide, Maria (Queenie), beloved and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Coleman Kain, of Hamley Bridge; aged 27 years. R.I.P.
1928 'Family Notices', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 13 November, p. 8. , viewed 29 CAug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53603925

This post first appeared on https://earlieryears.blogspot.com/2017/10/is-your-kain-here.html 
© CGalvin 2017