A young life lost

Remembrance Day 2020

When Kevin Francis Galvin was born in May 1923 in Unley South Australia, his parents John Michael and Grace Walmsley Galvin brought him home to their two young sons, John Dominic, 4, and Desmond Joseph, 2. The family were then living in Charles St. Forestville. Three years later, Kathleen a younger sister for the 3 boys was born and the new baby was brought home to their house in Randolph Street in Henley Park.  

About 1929 the young family moved to Melbourne as John Michael rose in the ranks of the Locomotive Engine Drivers' Union. Youngest son Gerard was born there several years later in 1936. By this time John Dominic was 18 and was one of 14 selected from over 400 Victorians applicants for a Royal Australian Air Force cadetship. John went on to qualify as a pilot and his is a story for another day.

Kevin Francis Galvin
25 May 1923 - 8 June 1944

It is not surprising then that younger brother Kevin was keen to enlist in the RAAF as aircrew when he was 18. He earned a wireless operators ticket and then qualified as an air gunner in 1942. In May 1943 he left Australia for the UK and by May 1944 he was with 77 Sqn.  A mere 15 days after joining 77 Sqn he was killed in flight. 

How parents must have dreaded those telegrams that carried the terrible news

Flight Sgt Kevin F Galvin of Thornbury has been killed in an operational flight as a member of the crew of a Halifax bomber which crashed at Elvington. Yorkshire, during the early invasion period. He was the third son of Mr. J. M. Galvin, Federal secretary of the Locomotive Engine Drivers' Union, and was educated at St. Thomas' C.B.C.. Clifton Hill, and later at St. Kevin's, Toorak. Before enlisting at the age of 18, he was a junior clerk In the Victorian Railways. He celebrated his 2lst birthday a fortnight before his death.

1944 'ROLL OF HONOR', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 20 June, p. 4. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206784304 

Kevin is buried in Harrogate Cemetery in Yorkshire

LEST WE FORGET

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National Archives of Australia Flt/Sgt Kevin Francis Galvin 418382  Records

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery Sec. B. Row E. Grave 17.

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

Grave Tales and True

Cemeteries, tombstones and memories

In the course of examining the lives of the past, tombstone information found in cemeteries or graveyards can add vital details about ancestors lives. More than that however, cemeteries are special places of remembrance and over the years I've had the occasion to visit many, not just for funerals but for memorial services and to ponder on life in places of great beauty and significance. Here's a small taste of those experiences.

Beauty in remembrance

1. Here are a few of the beautiful floral graves of Pietersfriedhof in Salzburg, Austria. Many will recognise this scenery from the "Sound Of Music" film. My 2014 photos do little justice to these nurtured mini gardens.

2. Overawed - War cemeteries of northern France and Belgium

For 4 years my husband worked in Paris. In that period we visited a wide range of war cemeteries and attended many memorial services on the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium. The frequency of small cemeteries along rural roads and the sheer size of the memorials often left one overawed at the scale of death. 

3. The coldest cemeteries

Sevenhill, South Australia vs Vimy Ridge, Cemetery in France.

In July 2018 we attended the funeral of a dear brother-in-law Christopher Stephen Maloney. The Mass was held in the stately Sevenhill Church, never famed for its comfort. The funeral proceeded to the top of the hill for the internment. It was a bitterly cold day with the temperature hovering well below 8C with an accompanying breeze. 

The day that challenged the chill factor was at the ceremony held in May 2000 when the Commonwealth War Graves Commission handed over a casket containing an unknown Canadian soldier to be repatriated to Camada. My husband was one of the ABCA (American, British, Canadian and Australian) attaches designated to slow march accompanying the coffin up the hill to the Vimy Ridge Memorial. The wait for those of us standing at the top was agonisingly cold but nothing compared to agony of the slow march in Australian service dress not designed for frigid temperatures with a chill wind.

4. Monumental 

 The size of the monument at Thiepval in northern France only becomes obvious as one comes close. It can be seen from a distance but as one draws near it dominates the surrounding landscape. More than 72300 names are commemorated here. 

Equally impressive of course is the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris where each day at 6 pm a wreath is laid at the tomb of the unknown soldier. 

The ceremony at the Menin Gate, in Belgium each evening is another monument of import we attended in remembering the war dead.

It is difficult to capture the size and extent of the ossuary at Douaumont and the surrounding gravesites on the battlefields of Verdun.

5. Smallest 

In the corner of a field at Pinkerton Plains in South Australia lies a small cemetery containing the graves of the Catholics of the Hamley Bridge, Pinkerton Plains and Alma areas from 1862 until the last burial there in 2013. My Smyth great grandparents along with their some of their close relatives are buried there. The O'Dea side of the family also list internments at Pinkerton Plains but no monuments for those families are visible.

6. Dearest to me - Navan near Riverton, South Australia

Off a countryside gravel road, a small mortuary chapel marks the entrance to Navan Cemetery. Built on land donated by John O'Brien to the local Catholic parish, this cemetery has the graves of my parents, paternal grandparents, aunt and uncle along with many Smyth and McInerney relatives. The most recent funeral attended there was for my beloved sister in law Louise who died in 2018.

7. Oldest known Australian ancestor burials - St Johns near Kapunda

Great-gt-grandmother Johanna Horgan was buried at St Johns in 1880. Her son John (gt-grandfather) died after a short illness in the winter of 1883 and also rests there along with his sons Thomas and John and daughters Catherine and Johanna.

8 Memorable

Anzac Day in 1997 occurred shortly after we arrived in France. Commemoration ceremonies were to take place at both Bullecourt and Villers-Bretonneux. On a cold wet windy day, bringing home to all something of the conditions those in the trenches must have suffered, we headed north. Our daughter was privileged to read the ode at the Australian Bullecourt ceremony that day. My husband's official duties accompanying the Ambassador as wreaths were laid, was just the first of many of these occasions which followed in the next four years.

French memorial - Bullecourt

Lunch at VB

The repast provided by the village of Villers-Bretonneux at the conclusion of the ceremonies was outstanding with platters of food in the shape of kangaroos, maps of Australia and more.

9. Tribute memorial- Smyth chapel

The next time I visit Adelaide I intend to visit the West Terrace Cemetery and see the Smyth Chapel built to commemorate the memory of my gt-grandfather's brother, the Rev John Smyth. He arrived in Adelaide in 1853 and proved to be a gifted administrator and orator in the early years of the Catholic Church in South Australia. He was appointed Vicar General but died in 1870 aged in his mid forties. The newspapers of the day published many tributes and funds were raised for the memorial chapel.

10. Simple marker 

A simple marker on this grave of a 1st cousin once removed in Katanning, Western Australia 

A humorous incident

To finish with an anecdote. More than 50 years ago teenagers in their final year of schooling were attending a social dance for a girls and a boys school in Adelaide. A certain young woman wanted to escape the nuns' supervisory vigilance and planned to meet her boyfriend outside the hall, specifically in an unlit location - in the nuns' cemetery. I accompanied her as she assured me her friend had a friend. Need I say more, that was the night I met my husband-to-be, of all places - in a cemetery.

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

Forty four years later

It was late spring, October 1898 when Catherine Mary Fitzgerald aged 32 celebrated her marriage to Francis John Smyth in the Marrabel Catholic Church.  This was just before the harvest season so Francis' parents Edward and Margaret along with his sister Elizabeth may have travelled the 25 miles (c. 38 km)from their home near Alma via Tarlee by  horse and buggy or perhaps they ventured further north towards Riverton where the eldest sister Catherine was now married to John Callery. We do not know if Francis' youngest sister Margaret attended the wedding as she had married James Byrne in January of 1898 and was living in distant Lameroo.

St Agnes Catholic Church, Marrabel

Catherine and Francis welcomed their first child Margaret Mary in 1899 followed by son Edward John in 1905. Catherine led an active life with farm and household chores, as well as church and local community events. As Francis was active in the Tarlee Hibernian group, Catherine was no doubt engaged in providing supper for the annual social evenings and Hibernian Balls.  She and Francis are listed as attending several such events both in Tarlee and Hamley Bridge.

After many long years at Alma and having rejoiced in seeing her son ordained as a priest, Catherine's life came to an end just before she and Francis would have celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.  This obituary for Catherine was published in the Southern Cross newspaper in 1942.

DEATH OF MRS. F. J. SMYTH, 

ALMA.

Father Smyth, R.A.A.F., Bereaved.

ON the 5th inst. occurred the death of Mrs. F. J. Smyth, of Hillside, Alma, at the age of 76 years. The deceased lady, venerable and beloved throughout the countryside in which she lived, was wife and mother of rare excellence. The home which, with her husband (Mr. Francis J. Smyth), she established was a model Catholic home blessed in its generosity to God and to neighbor by the ordination to the priesthood of her only son—the Rev. Fr. E. J. Smyth, Chaplain to the R.A.A.F. in South Australia.

To the bereaved husband, to Miss Mary Smyth (daughter) and to the Rev. Fr. Smyth, respectful condolence is here extended.

His Grace the Archbishop attended the Requiem Mass (celebrated by Rev. Fr. E. J. Smyth) at Riverton, and the obsequies and funeral which took place to the Navan Cemetery. Present also were the V. Rev. Dean T. P. Davis, P.P., Kingswood; the Rev. Fr. D.' Sparkes, P.P., Manoora; the Rev. Fr. R. Farrelly, P.P., Hamley Bridge; the Rev. Fr. J. Whelan, P.P., Riverton; the Rev. Fr. T. J. Maloney, P.P., Kapunda; the Rev. Fr. P. J. Walsh, St. Peters; the Rev. Fr. V. Barry, Adm., Glenelg; the Rev. Fr. M. Dempsey, Thebarton; the Rev. Dr. M. F. Toal, D.D., P.P., Burra; Chaplain the Rev. Fr. W. Bustelli. 

May her soul rest in peace.

My father Edward John Horgan would have attended this funeral as he had lived close to this uncle and aunt for many years and was a close friend with their son his first cousin, Fr Eddie Smyth. 

The Smyth tombstone in Navan Cemetery

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

Farewell to the Smyths

It must have been a difficult decision. 

Francis John Smyth had lived and farmed the land "Hillside" near Alma in South Australia for more than 50 years. He had been born at Humphreys Springs in 1867 and now in 1946 at the age of 78, accompanied by his daughter Mary, he was leaving the farm and moving to Gawler.  

Frank was the last remaining sibling in his family. His sisters Mary Christina, Catherine Teresa, Elizabeth Agnes and Margaret had all predeceased him. His wife Catherine had died in 1942.  His son Eddie was a priest and daughter Mary was now approaching 50, so there was no immediate relative to carry on farming.

This report of a farewell function held in the Tarlee Institute appeared in the Kapunda Herald newspaper.

A very large crowd gathered in the institute on Thursday evening to bid farewell to Mr. Frank Smyth and Miss Mary Smyth, who have been residents in the district for a number of years. 

An excellent programme of items was arranged by Mr. Parker Hogan. Those contributing items were:—Miss Joan Arthur, piano solo and accompanist for the evening; Mrs. Jack Burrows (Riverton), violin selection; Miss Enid Dodd and Mr. P. Dodd, a banjo and piano selection; recitations were given by Miss G. Molineux, Mr. C. H. Branson (Kapunda), and Mr. Parker Hogan; solos were rendered by Mrs. Vandeleur and Mr. Brown (Alma). 

Speeches were made by Mr. Bert Kelly, Mr. John McInerney (Riverton), and Rev. Father Honor. [ed. Honner] On behalf of the residents of the district, Father Honor presented the guests with a blackwood arm chair each. 

Father Smyth responded on behalf of his father and sister. A sumptuous supper was served by the ladies. Dancing to the music provided by Mrs. D. Wilson brought a very happy social evening to a close. (1)

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Frank Smyth, brother to my grandmother Elizabeth, had married Catherine Fitzgerald in October of 1898 in the Marrabel Catholic Church. They were in their early thirties and had their first child Margaret Mary in 1899. I do not know if there were further children in the intervening years as there are very few early Catholic records in this area, but Catherine was 39 when their son Edward John was born in 1905.

Margaret Mary, known as Mary was named after Frank's mother, Margaret Byrne, and Edward John was named after his father Edward Smyth.  His father had died in 1901 but his mother Margaret was still living with them until her death in 1907.

Frank's sister Elizabeth had married Andrew Horgan in 1906. The Horgan children grew up with first cousins Mary and Eddie nearby. Elizabeth also named her first son Edward John in 1910. (my father)

District activities

Frank was an active member of his community and is mentioned in many newspaper articles.  He was a founding member of the Hibernian group attached to the Catholic congregation at Tarlee and also served as the group's president from 1892. As vice president of the annual Tarlee Catholic Picnic and Sports which was held each New Year's Day, not only was he busy with its organisation and administration but he also participated in novelty races, quoits and horse races.  He was active in seeking mains water for local farms and took on the role of clerk on the Alma District Council in 1906. 

In 1926 he entered 2 paddocks of 50 acres in a Midlands Region wheat crop competition which was judged between November 17 and December 4. His crops were ranked at 49 and 54 just above the Horgan Brothers at Linwood who were ranked 60th in the 65 crops judged. (2) 

Occasionally his name appears in trotting competitions at local picnic races. It appears he may also have had or been interested in greyhounds as he is mentioned in a meeting of the Tarlee Coursing Club in 1935.

Leaving the district behind after many years involvement would have been difficult. His sojourn in Gawler was short as he died only 2 years after leaving the farm. The Hibernians published this obituary in the Southern Cross in 1948. (3)

Obituary - another of our pioneer members has been called to his eternal reward by the death of Bro. Francis John Smyth at Gawler on May 28, aged 80 years. Bro. Smyth was initiated a member of Ss. John and Paul's Branch, Tarlee, on December 3, 1889. Well known in the Lower North area on the "Hillside" property at Alma, Bro. Smyth was a trustee of the branch until his removal to Gawler some little time ago. To his son, Rev. Fr. E. J. Smyth (Willunga) and daughter Mary (Gawler), the sincere condolence of all members is tendered.

Francis John Smyth is buried in Navan cemetery near Riverton with his wife Catherine. (4)

1. 1946 'TARLEE', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 4 April, p. 3. , viewed 04 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110298541

2. 1926 'WHEAT CROP COMPETITION.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 8 January, p. 3. , viewed 04 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108303265

3. 1948 'H.A.CB.S. News', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 4 June, p. 15. , viewed 04 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167720161

4. 1948 'Family Notices', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), 28 May, p. 10. , viewed 04 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129900284

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

Where there is a Will

The Last Will and Testament of John Horgan 1883

John Horgan arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "China". In 1863 he married Hanorah O'Leary and in 1883 at the time of his death he had 6 surviving children. Here he makes provision for them by leaving the distribution of his assets to his wife. The right of women to inherit land had only been passed in South Australia in 1883 which suggests that John was in tune with political developments of the time.

 

Extract - John Horgan 1883

This extract is from the will of John Horgan of Linwood. It reads:

                                                   June 21st 1883
Last will and Testament of John Horgan Linwood
near Tarlee South Australia. I John Horgan of
Linwood near Tarlee Province of South Australia do
hereby bequeath to my wife Hanorah Horgan (formerly
O'Leary) all my worldly possessions which she will
distribute among the children of our marriage. I
further empower her in the said distribution to
make use of her discretionary powers giving to each
equal or unequal shares of said property. In the event
of my wife's death I appoint David O'Leary Linwood
near Tarlee John Hogan Taylors Gap near Tarlee
Province of South Australia & Daniel Horgan Taylors
Gap near Tarlee Province of South Australia Executors
& trustees of my worldly possessions And to this
my present will I appoint the aforesaid David O'Leary
John Hogan & Daniel Horgan my executors.
John Horgan
We the undersigned witnesses do hereby certify that the above
Testament was duly signed by us severally in the presence of him
and each other Witnesses Timothy Hogan, John Q Hogan

David O'Leary was Hanorah's brother, John Hogan was married to Johanna Horgan, John's elder sister and Daniel Horgan was his younger brother. The witness Timothy Hogan was the son of John and Johanna Hogan. John Q Hogan was related to John Hogan one of the executors.

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

May 2020, May or May Not

Personal experiences during Covid-19, May 2020

Since late March in Australia, everyone has had a variety of experiences as lockdowns were imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In response to a suggested blog post by fellow genealogist Pauleen this is a record of some of my experiences during May 2020 that may or may not be of interest to those in the far future! The questions supplied by Pauleen on her post serve to focus my thoughts about this last month. 

What are you most grateful for during this Covid-19 crisis?

The last two months have proved a torrid time for many people as restrictions imposed on daily life were compounded with job losses and business failures. I am very grateful that my husband and I are happily retired from the paid workforce and live a comfortable life with good health, in our own house and in a place of our choice. My gratitude extends of course to the health workers who dedicate their lives to caring for the sick.

What have you missed most during the full or partial lock-down?

I have missed face to face interaction with friends and acquaintances through both formal and informal meetings.

Has your hobby sustained you during this time?

My genealogy and sewing hobbies have both had some extra time devoted to them. Some more photos have been sorted and named and some more data added to ancestors on my husband's family tree assisted by the cooperation of some of his relatives. Free access to Ancestry and FindMyPast provided by local and State Libraries has been invaluable. 

My sewing cupboard has been sorted with some material donations ready for appropriate organisations.

Have you been exercising more or less?

Exercise became a priority to prevent endless hours hunched over screens or buried in books or puzzling out sewing patterns. It has been a pleasure to walk uncrowded paths and enjoy the quiet beauty of our surrounding areas. My bike has had more use in traffic free areas too. Two YouTube channels I have found particularly useful for seniors are The Girl with the Pilates Mat and More Life Health Seniors. Both these channels provide simple and sustainable short exercise sessions for seniors.

Has the refrigerator been your friend or foe?

Neither

Have you been participating in virtual gatherings with friends or family?

I have a regular virtual Friday morning coffee session with four friends, we will resume face to face in the real world in the coming weeks.

Have you taken up new hobbies during the lockdown?

I have been teaching myself how to use LibreOffice Base via online tutorials. While I have been a long time user of a wide variety of databases, I have never had to set one up from scratch.

Are you cooking or gardening more?

No, we are both regular cooks and share the load so have seen no need to change that pattern. The garden mostly bumbles along with occasional interference for maintenance.

Have you shopped more or less? Online or offline?

We have shopped less often for groceries tending to make a list rather than popping down to the supermarket on a whim. I have probably bought a few more titles on Amazon when I have run out of titles to read via the online libraries to which I have access.

Have you found the changes and experience stressful/anxious/worrying?

Not particularly apart from the distressing news from around the world as the death tolls increase.

How have the closures affected your local community?

As this region depends on tourism several businesses have closed permanently and many are under severe financial stress. The local libraries, often a haven for seniors and parents with young children, have been quiet and closed while still providing their online services. They have been targeting the young with online story times. A click and collect service has been available now for two weeks for those wishing to borrow paper books. Our local genealogy society reopens in a limited manner today after 2 months closure. The local playgrounds were still off limits during this last weekend 

Have in-person meetings been replaced with virtual meetings via Zoom, Skype etc?

As mentioned above, a virtual coffee morning via Zoom has replaced the real thing.

Do you enjoy the virtual meeting format?

It is suitable for a wide range of circumstances and is useful for sharing factual information. Face to face interaction allows for more personalised interpretation of body language and its accompanying gestures.

Have your habits changed over the past months?

I have watched more online educational content through YouTube.

Have you had to cancel travel plans for pleasure or family? Do you think you’ll be able to travel in 2020?

We had to cancel travel plans in April but are hoping to visit family south of Sydney before the end of the year.

Have you/others been wearing masks when out and about in your area?

I have seen very few masks out and about. Early on I did make one, but have never worn it.

Will you change your lifestyle after this experience?

I will continue with the exercises provided through YouTube rather than attend gym classes. Overseas travel may be a casualty after this Covid-19 experience.

My sympathies are extended to those severely affected by Covid-19, I am well aware of the privilege of living free from debt, infection and any major inconvenience. 

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

So that was April

A quieter month than usual

River walk at sunset unusually quiet

Empty roads and roundabouts

Deserted pathways

But what does one do when confined to #StayAtHome during the COVID-19 crisis? Record one's family history and our part in it.

• Wrote and posted 26 entries for the A to Z blogging challenge, this kept me busy for hours and finally committed me to writing something about my husband's ancestors
• Took daily walks,  enjoyed the stunning weather in this part of the world in April
• Bike rides, ideal weather and flat terrain for this oldie
• Read and read some more - total for the month 12 books, mainly fiction
• Enjoyed the company of visitors to our garden including this cheeky peewee who often sits just outside the window where I am writing
• Tidied some of the genealogy files and shared some research and photos with interested relatives

As restrictions ease signs are less prescriptive

In our house life is open for business as usual. For retirees we might miss the companionship of friends, social activities and visits to family but we have much to be thankful for, good health, good food and weather, and good spirits.

Thank you to those who commented on my blog posts. 

Family History blogs I followed

Anne's Family History An excellent series on the London of Anne's ancestors

Family History Across the Seas In depth look at gratitude across one lifetime and those of ancestors

Genealogy Challenges Some really interesting ancestors occupations here

GeniAus A wide range of a convict's descendants

Molly’s Canopy Awed by how much she can recall of her primary school years

The Curry Apple Orchard A very readable family history retold in story form

Other blogs of interest I enjoyed

Black and White Words and Pictures A fascinating series on English nursery rhymes and their block printed illustrations

A Heep of Everything Postcards received

Best Bookish Blog Book reviews, many already read and some I'll seek to read

Will I do April A to Z again? It does require a significant commitment of time, of which I had plenty this April. The positives - it commits one to writing, the negatives - artificially finding something to fit each letter of the alphabet is limiting but challenging. Yes, it was a quieter month than usual but I am satisfied to have finished the posts and to have found some new directions to research.

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

If you do nothing - Zero

So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. My clippings include a variety of articles about relatives of my children's ancestors.

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The end of the series

If I had done Zero, nothing, perhaps these newspaper snippets may have remained unseen by descendants.

If you have Australian or New Zealand connections try Trove and Papers Past. A wealth of stories awaits.

If you do nothing else but locate some interesting family clippings, store them in a list, tag some names and places, correct the text so the search is easier for the next person.

I used articles from several lists to compile this series. If you wish to revisit any article or see it within the context of the news of the day these lists are housed on Trove.

1. Galvin - Descendants of Michael Galvin 1833-1894 and Bridget Crotty 1840 - 1940 Includes articles and notices relating to Michael's siblings and their descendants
2. John Michael Galvin The career of J M Galvin a newspaper perspective
3. Payne  Related to the ancestors and descendants of Mary Agnes Walmsley and Edward John Payne
4. Stirling - Ancestors of Phyllis Yvonne Galvin (born Stirling)
5. St Patrick's Dramatic and Literary Society 1915 -1918 Adelaide SA

Short how to videos - less than 4 mins

• Trove Basic search
• Trove Advanced Search
• Making lists on Trove
• The Australian Government Gazettes 1832 -1968
• Australian Web Archive: How to Search

National Library of Australia

Learning Webinars

These are about one hour long and cover a wide variety of topics. Some titles that may interest family historians are:

• eresources: Newspapers for family history, 
• Find the map you want
• Finding and dating photographs
• Ask a family history librarian
• Discover Trove: How to navigate and effective research techniques
• Trove for Family History

So that's it for the 2020April AtoZ put to bed zzzzzz.

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

Youth and yesteryears

So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. My clippings include a variety of articles about relatives of my children's ancestors.

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The indiscretions of Youth may be captured in the news of the day. A driving fine, riotous behaviour or poor decision making. Young lives taken too soon are accounted for in accidents and illnesses.

The posts throughout this series have covered what I refer to as the Yesterdays and Yesteryears of the Galvin and Stirling lines in the family. Here's a timeline of some of the key events, places and years mentioned in this A - Z series. The variety of types of information gathered from articles indicates the value of newspaper research in reconstructing our family histories.

1800s

1842 - 1859 David Crosbie's tailoring business - New Zealand
1860 - 1890 Michael Galvin's immigration and subsequent bankruptcy - Sydney, NSW
1874 - Arrival of the Walmsley family via the Hydaspes and subsequent quarantine - New Zealand
1886 - A bankruptcy in New Zealand - EJW Payne
1887 - Edward John William Payne's gold explorations - Western Australia
1894 - Death of Michael Galvin - Sydney, NSW
1898 - Charles Edward Stirling and family attend court to retrieve their dog - Glebe, NSW

1900s
1902 - John Patrick Galvin and family move - Adelaide SA
1906 - John Michael Galvin passes a piano exam - Adelaide SA
1906 - John Patrick Galvin travelling photographer has a lucky escape - Casterton, Victoria
1909 - Grace Walmsley Payne - credit in music - Ballarat, Victoria
1910 - Marriage of Norman George Payne to Rosie Maude Briggs - Adelaide
1913 - Marriage of Natalia Cecelia Payne to John Lynch - Adelaide
1915 - 1917 John Michael Galvin and Grace Payne perform in the Literary Society - Adelaide, SA
1917 - Marriage of Edward John Payne to Kathleen Hourigan- Adelaide
1917 - Marriage of John Michael Galvin and Grace Walmsley Payne - Adelaide
1918 - Death of Cornelius Gothard at age 80 - New Zealand
1923 - Death of Catherine Galvin and sale of her household goods - Adelaide SA
1923 - Agnes Stirling end of marriage - Sydney, NSW
1927 - Photo: John Patrick Galvin appointed JP and Grand President of Hibernians in SA - Adelaide
1929 - Gordon Wallace Stirling of Glebe Point, NSW appears in wage case
1932 - John Michael Galvin, Federal secretary of Locomotive engine driver's union - Victoria
1933 - Wage inquiry involving William Francis Galvin - Adelaide SA
1934 - Death of Edward John Payne
1935 - Death of David Payne in Railway accident
1938 - John Dominic Galvin in aircraft crash
1940 - Marriage of John Dominic Galvin and Phyllis Yvonne Stirling
1940 - Death of Bridget Galvin - Randwick, NSW
1944 - Death of Francis Leo Payne by electrocution
1944 - Death of Kevin Francis Galvin on active service in England
1946 - 1955 Life in the Blue Mountains JD Galvin and family - NSW
1947 - John Michael Galvin appointed Conciliation Commissioner
1952 - Marriage of Kathleen Mary Galvin to Francis Mercovich
1954 - John Michael Galvin appointed Public Service Arbitrator
1954 - Death of Gordon Wallace Stirling
1970 - Photo:John Dominic Galvin entertains in Loxton, SA
1978 - Photo: Gerard Galvin CSM, Darwin, NT

sources: Trove, Papers Past, own family collection

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

Unexpected finds

So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. X is always a difficult letter but I did come across something uneXpected while searching my husband's family tree.

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Marriage

My parents-in-law, John Dominic Galvin and Phyllis Yvonne Stirling married at St Brigid's Church, Coogee, NSW on May 11 1940 after an engagement of seven months. I have just received a photo of their wedding with Phyll dressed in an eXquisite gown., but that is not the matter of this post.

Phyll had been brought up by her paternal grandmother Maud Stirling after her parents separated when she was quite young. Phyll's parents were Gordon Stirling and Louisa May Lawson. I did not know where to look for Louisa as there was no divorce notice in the archives and she had been noted as deceased on the 1940 marriage certificate. Perhaps that notation was just a reflection of lack of contact through the years.

The unexpected

When Gordon Stirling died in 1955, I found Louisa via this notice as administratrix of his estate.

1957 'IN the Supreme Court of New South Wales.—Probate Jurisdiction.—
In the estate of GORDON WALLACE STIRLING,',
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), 15 November, p. 3679. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220359306

There had been no divorce and Louisa had remarried her long term partner in January 1956 less than a month after her former husband's death. She died in 1973 on the mid north coast of NSW.

One never knows until one searches!


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

Wages and working conditions

So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. My clippings include a variety of articles about relatives of my children's ancestors.

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Wages in 1933

An ongoing inquiry into the cost of living saw William Francis Galvin, brother to my children's paternal gt grandfather giving evidence about his fortnightly expenditure and ongoing costs. By 1933 his older brother John Michael Galvin was the federal secretary for the union, so it was highly likely that he encouraged his brother to provide this evidence.

Cost of living

1933 'DROP IN RENTS', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954),
8 March, p. 17.
 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74001023

Francis William Galvin, railway employee, of Gladys street, Edwardstown, said that he received £3 6/ a week. After deducting 3/5 a week superannuation, he was left a net income of £3 2/6. Some weeks he might receive a shilling or two more. He had a wife and two children, aged five and three years. He was endeavoring to purchase a house, the full purchase price of which seven years ago was £995. He had a first mortgage of £750 and a second mortgage of £200. and the freehold of the land was valued at £150. He had a liability of £13 5/ a quarter for interest, but he had not paid anything off the principal for two years. The total paid off was about £100.
A statement put in showed that his household expenditure for one fortnight was £6 12/9. and for 10 days, £6 9/5. He was in arrears with water and council rates, but had made arrangements for payment to be postponed.

Francis William Galvin had married Clarice Rosina Tonkin in 1927 and sons Colin Francis and Kevin Lawrence had been born in 1928 and 1930.


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

Vicissitudes of a Remarkable Career

So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. My clippings include a variety of articles about relatives of my children's ancestors.

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Visitors to a town or city were often reported in the gossip or About People columns of newspapers. The results of Voting for committees and organisations are excellent finds where relatives may have been listed. Veterans of wars are commemorated through In Memoriam notices and on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. This is about a veteran of a different kind.

A most elusive character - A veteran of the goldfields

When Edward John William Payne died in Birmingham, England in 1932 a variety of newspaper articles recalled his life and career. How much of that is true? Was it poor management of money and interpersonal relationships? Will we ever know? These were the headlines of the day, choose the links to read any of the long articles.

1933 'LIFE OF ADVENTURE',
Western Argus (Kalgoorlie, WA : 1916 - 1938), 17 January, p. 28.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/34610904

1933 'LIFE OF ADVENTURE.', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954),
18 March, p. 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32466716

That lengthy article talks of his education and explorations as well as his time in Africa before ending up in England. It does make some fantastic claims, so let's step back a few years and trace his earlier days.

Confectionery, Marriage and Bankruptcy

In August 1884, Ted as he was known, married Mary Agnes Walmsley in Auckland, New Zealand. She had arrived there with her parents aboard the Hydaspes as recounted in an earlier post. The first newspaper mention is of the birth of their daughter in 1885. In 1886 a fire broke out in their premises where Edward was running a confectionery business. His father in law, John Walmsley, had taken over a previous confectionery premises from Payne in 1884.

FIRE IN WELLESLEY-STREET., New Zealand Herald,
Volume XXIII, Issue 7552, 3 February 1886
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18860203.2.20

The article goes on to describe the circumstances of the fire and the rescue of family and servant with no apparent reason for the fire being found. Just one month later Edward is declared bankrupt and appears to have left Auckland and perhaps even New Zealand. 

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 78, 27 March 1886, Page 7
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18860327.2.96.9

By September of 1886 when his second daughter Natalia is born, he can be found in Western Australia seeking his fortune looking for gold. When the final dividend of 4s 11½d in the £ was to be paid to creditors in December 1886, he was long gone. (1)

In September of 1887 notices appeared in Western Australian newspapers noting that a Mr Anstey was putting together an expedition for the purpose of prospecting for gold.

He will be accompanied by Mr. Richard Greaves and Mr. Edward Payne, both of whom have had several years' experience on the colonial goldfields. For travelling purposes, Mr. Anstey has had constructed by Messrs. Donegan A Flynn a cart specially designed for his purpose. It is divided into compartments for carrying water and specimens and rations (2)

This raises the question of where was Edward's previous experience in the goldfields? Perhaps in Ballarat as a very young man before he went to New Zealand. He had studied chemistry and mineralogy at the Ballarat School of Mines where he is listed as a 24 year old in an enrolment book (3) but he also claimed to be 24 on his marriage certificate in 1884.

Nevertheless the expedition was successful with the discovery of gold at Yilgarn, not Payne's Find as family folklore thought. Payne's Find is attributed to a Thomas Payne not Edward Payne.

A 1906 article reflecting on early gold prospectors in Western Australia comments:

How Greaves and Payne were rewarded for their exertions is a standing disgrace to the State. They got nothing while the feather-bed prospector, Anstey, received the then Government reward.of £500. At this time Dick Greaves was lying on what all the doctors in Perth thought was his dying bed, and , it was only after years of painful operations under the surgeon's knife that he recovered... Payne cleared out to Africa in disgust. (3)

This poster reprooduced at the end of that article commemorates  those who discovered the Western Australian goldfields. His photo appears just to the left of centre.

courtesy State Library of Western Australia
http://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b1976225_1.jpg

So no fortune thus far, a bankrupted confectionery business in New Zealand followed by a very successful gold find in W.A. but without adequate compensation.

1889 finds Edward and his wife Mary Agnes with the two small girls in Queensland where their first son Edward John was born on September 8th of that year. By 1892 they had returned to to Ballarat where by this time Mary Agnes' father John Walmsley had a confectionery business. Son Norman George was born there in 1892 followed by the birth of Grace Walmsley Payne in 1893.

Edward was still not settled and this advertisement signalled his intention to leave Ballarat.

Was it another failed confectionery business or itchy feet to get back to mineral exploration?

1893 'Advertising', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 25 October, p. 3. ,
 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209799061

By 1902 the family or some of them are in Adelaide as youngest son, Francis Leo was born there in 1902.  Some time after this Edward leaves his family in Adelaide and from the article previously mentioned which was written in 1906, he had left for Africa.

The accounts of his life after this time are variously reported in the articles listed below. John Michael Galvin in his 1968 memoir claimed that his wife Grace knew nothing of her father's whereabouts until the articles about his death in Birmingham came to light in Australian newspapers.

Edward John Payne m. Mary Agnes Walsmsley
⇓⇓
Grace Walmsley Payne m. John Michael Galvin
⇓⇓
John Dominic Galvin m. Phyllis Yvonne Stirling  - my children's paternal grandparents

Some unresolved issues

Who were the family he left behind in Birmingham?

Did he really make and lose fortunes or was that just hearsay?

Who were his parents and where was he born?

1. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7827, 22 December 1886, Page 8, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18861222.2.62.5

2. 1887 'GOLD PROSPECTING IN THE EASTERN DISTRICTS.', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 29 September, p. 3. , viewed 25 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3113834

3.  Clare Gervasoni, October 2007, updated January 2008, Federation University https://federation.edu.au/about-us/our-university/history/geoffrey-blainey-research-centre/honour-roll/p/edward-francis-john-william-michael-payne-1853-1938

4. 1906 'PIONEERS OF PROSPECTING.', The Sun (Kalgoorlie, WA : 1898 - 1929), 14 January, p. 9. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article211739588

Lengthy newspaper articles detailing the life of Edward John William Payne
Kalgoorlie Miner https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/95024397
Western Argus, Kalgoorlie https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/34610904
The West Australian https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32466716
Queensland Times, Ipswich https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/113447024
Smith’s Weekly, Sydney https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/235069602

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

A Union Man

So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. My clippings include a variety of articles about relatives of my children's ancestors.

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Undertakers notices provide the details of where the deceased were to be buried, providing a lead to further cemetery research. If ancestors were members of a Union details of that organisation's activities may provide a glimpse into working conditions of the day.
John Michael Galvin was certainly a Union man and an interesting timeline can be constructed from newspaper clippings of his years.

Railway Worker to Union Secretary to Public Service Administrator

Early years

John Michael Galvin, or JM as I shall refer to him, had left school at 14 and joined the South Australian Railways at the end of 1911 as an engine cleaner. Although only young, born in 1896, by the time he was 20 he was already making his mark with his colleagues as seen in this clipping.

1916 'A PRESENTATION.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931),
21 April, p. 10. ,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8714881

1916 A PRESENTATION.
Several friends of Mr. J. M. Galvin on Thursday presented him with a silver-mounted pipe to mark their appreciation of him on the occasion of his transfer from the drawing office, Islington, to the loco. branch. Mile-End.

His ambition was to become a locomotive engine driver so the transfer to the locomotive branch would seem to have been a step along that path.  With marriage in 1917 and arrival of first born son in 1918 his concern with wages and working conditions strengthened his involvement with the union movement. With his flair for public speaking and performance as demonstrated through his years with the St Patrick's Literary and Dramatic Society it would appear that he quickly became a spokesman for the workers and took on the role of secretary to the union.

By 1928 he had moved his wife and four young children to Melbourne when he had been appointed as assistant federal secretary of the Locomotive Enginemen's Union. (1) From then on there are many references to his appearances in the Arbitration Courts on behalf of the enginemen's claims for improved conditions and wages.

The Railway Arbitration cases often involved travel across the Australian states as the committee examined conditions in different locations. Here they had come from Melbourne and travelled to Broken Hill via Peterborough and Cockburn. the trip to the west coast of South Australia involved Port Lincoln and far distant Thevenard.

1929 'RAILWAYS ARBITRATION CASE', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954),
 29 June, p. 2. (SPORTS EDITION), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129121152

Middle years

Throughout the 1930s references to JM appear in the papers as attending various wage claim cases and as a delegate at annual ACTU (Australian Council of Trade Unions) conferences. By 1932 JM was the general secretary of his union and his appearances in other committees for industrial action bodies increased. He became a powerful advocate for the rights of the working man. In 1932 he was part of the committee determined to fight for the right of the railway workers to remain under federal jurisdiction. (2) 

1933 

In 1933 he was a strong advocate for the restoration of the 10% wage cut that had been imposed across the board.

Today's snapshot outside the Arbitration Court of Mr J. M. Galvin, Federal secretary, Locomotive Engine-drivers and secretary to the Labor advocates, appearing In the hearing of the union's application for restoration of the 10 per cent, wage cut. (3)

When he arrived in Perth via train with other interstate delegated to attend the Locomotive Enginemen's Conference April 1933, his photo again appeared in the newspaper.(4)

1934 saw the conclusion of hearings about the disputed railway workers wages that had gone on for 7 years. JM then was tasked with visiting each state to explain the effects the new award had on workers' pay.

1934 'EFFECT OF LOCO MEN'S AWARD', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954),
13 December, p. 4. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128469324

He continued to travel representing the union and alongside the Conciliation commissioners as they sought to resolve a variety of claims and disputes, both federal and state. He represented the union in numerous cases providing evidence to the sitting judges. He attended endless meetings Australia wide and reported on all of these to the national executive.

Throughout the early 1940s there are dozens of articles about the issues raised such as working hours, condition of rolling stock and housing for railway workers along with wage matters. Here are a few examples from the more than 500 newspaper articles mentioning his name in that decade

1942

1942

1944 His sense of fair play for all is summarised in the case below

1944

"fight for justice in employment and promotion rights for both ex-servicemen and essential workers" (5)

A New Role

With more than thirty years experience in the union movement and his fair representation for all attitude, it was not surprising that in October of 1947 he was appointed as a Conciliation Commissioner.

1947 (6)

This article goes on to provide an extensive summary of his career including praise received from the bench.

Another article notes: 

He is regarded as a painstaking official and an authority on Arbitration Court procedure. He is a keen advocate of the Arbitration Court, (7)

On his appointment he was allocated to cover matters involving the building trades awards, and the ships' painters and dockers. From then on he appears in the Law Courts lists with details of cases to be heard.

The Metal Trades Award

1952  (8)

The Metal Trades Dispute tested everyone's patience with hundreds of newspaper articles reporting on his ruling and the subsequent court appeals. The search  "J M Galvin" limited to 1952 in Trove, has 445 results and it is for this dispute that he is well remembered. Many unionists felt betrayed and depending on the allegiance of the paper the decision is reported in widely varying terms.

 An example of a subsequent hearing from 1953:

Mr J M Galvin -Conciliation Commissioner Kelly's Room -10.30 Metal Trades Award application to vary re special rates height money
2 30 Metal Trades Award application to vary re margins for holders up and rivet heaters (9)

Later years

In 1954 he was appointed Chief Conciliation Commissioner,

May 1954 (10)

and in 1956 appointed as the Public Service Arbitrator

1956 (11)

These are just a few snippets from an illustrious career which we have the privilege to follow through the news of the day. In 1963 he was awarded the CBE.

Mr. John Michael Galvin, of Balwyn, Vic., Public Service Arbitrator, Papua-New Guinea, since 1961; Commonwealth Public Service Arbitrator 1956-61, Chief Commonwealth Conciliation Commissioner since 1947— for his outstanding public service. (12)

John Michael Galvin, my children's paternal gt grandfather, died in 1971.

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1. 1929 'LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEMEN.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 30 May, p. 5.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35734543

2. 1932 'RAILWAY WORKERS', The Australian Worker (Sydney, NSW : 1913 - 1950), 14 December, p. 18.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146152270

3. 1933 'MEDICAL EVIDENCE IN WAGE-CUT CASE', The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), 6 April, p. 9. , , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243122498

4. 1933 'ENGINEMEN ARRIVE', The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950), 24 April, p. 8. (LATE CITY), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84989574

5. 1944 'NEWS OF THE DAY', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 17 June, p. 2. , , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206776274

6. 1947 'CONCILIATION COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 21 October, p. 2. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2728096

7. 1947 'New Conciliation Commissioners', Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), 22 October, p. 5. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article69027495

8. 1952 'A Former Enginedriver Made A "Landmark" Award', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 28 March, p. 2. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18251099

9 1953 'LAW NOTICES FOR TO-DAY', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 6 May, p. 6. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18365733

10. 1954 'New Conciliator Begins Tomorrow', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 27 May, p. 8. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205385731

11. 1956 'Mr. J. M. Galvin Public Service Arbitrator', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 19 January, p. 2. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138117327

12.  1963 '14 New Knights. One Promoted QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AWARDS FOR 200', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 8 June, p. 5.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131722402

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