Earlier Years: April 2020

30 April 2020

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.

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.

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

Short how to videos - less than 4 mins

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

29 April 2020

Youth and yesteryears

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

28 April 2020

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.

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

27 April 2020

Wages and working conditions

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

26 April 2020

Vicissitudes of a Remarkable Career

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

24 April 2020

A Union Man

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.

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

23 April 2020

Tragedies and transfers

In this series of posts we have had some Theatrical performances from Grace Walmsley Payne and John Michael Galvin but here in 1944 they faced two tragedies .

Kevin Francis Galvin 1923 -1944

As we approach ANZAC Day in Australia I have chosen here to commemorate not a World War I death, but a tragedy in the Galvin family during World War II.
Kevin Francis Galvin had joined the RAAF in May 1942 just prior to his 19th birthday. His older brothers John and Desmond were servicemen so he would have been keen to follow in their footsteps. In 1943 he left Brisbane for the UK to join 77 Sqn. Kevin's service record is available at the National Archives of Australia.
Several papers noted his death in 1944.

1944 'Family Notices', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954),
14 June, p. 6. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206784129

1944 'H.A.C.B.S. NEWS', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 16 June, p. 7. ,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167781688

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

ROLL OF HONOR

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. Galvln, 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.

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

Kevin is a family name that has been added down the generations in two of his brother's families and also in one of the Nayda families, descendants of the Paynes.

Francis Leo Payne 1902 -1944

Francis or Frank as he was known, was Grace's youngest brother, the son of Mary Agnes Walmsley and Edward John William Payne. By 1940 he 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 that year he married Mary Gertrude Burns in the Broken Hill Catholic Cathedral. At the Quartette Club's production of the Messiah described as a "thrilling musical feast" in November of 1941, Frank is listed as the pianist.(1) From other articles in the news one can ascertain that he and his wife were living at the Newmarket Hotel.(2) (3)

In April 1944 tragedy struck.

MAN ELECTROCUTED AT CITY COUNCIL'S GALENA ST. POWER PLANT.

WHILE engaged on alterations to a transformer at the City Council's power station in Galena Street about 1.40 o'clock this morning,. Francis Leo Payne (42), an electrical fitter, was electrocuted and died before the arrival of a doctor.

Payne was working on the job with two other employees when the fatality occurred. Inquiries by Sgt. E. Richards, officer in charge of the Railway Town police, have revealed that Payne was engaged in work behind the main switchboard and was taking the pothead off a transformer when he touched a live terminal carrying 7,000 volts. He was thrown some distance to the concrete floor of the power house, and when other employees went to his assistance he was unconscious. Dr. Funder was summoned immediately, and after an examination pronounced life extinct.

Working with Mr. Payne at the time were Mr. W. Gers and apprentice N. Summers. Neither of these men were able to say how Payne came in contact with the terminal.

The matter was reported to the Coroner (Mr. M. J. D. Austin), who formally opened an inquest at the morgue this morning. After the body had been identified to the Coroner by Sgt. J. Loy, the inquest was adjourned until 4 o'clock this afternoon. The unfortunate occurrence threw all the engines out of commission and repairs occupied about two hours.

Mr. Payne, who was regarded as an efficient workman, had been in the employ of Council for over three years. He had been in Broken Hill for some years, coming here from South Australia, where he was engaged as an electrician in the S.A. Railways, and taking up employment at the Zinc Corporation.

Mr. Payne was of a musical nature, having been organist at the Cathedral, and for the past 18 months filled a similar position at St. Peter's Church of England. He was a member of the committee of the Quartette Club, and for a time was vice-pianist.

He leaves a wife (formerly Miss Molly Burns) and one child, aged 2½ years. His mother resides in Adelaide and the body will be taken to that city for burial. The funeral will leave the residence of Mr. M. Burns, 107 Iodide Street, at 6.45 p.m. today for the Sulphide Street Railway Station, where the body will be entrained for Adelaide for burial in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, West Terrace, tomorrow. (4)

One day later a report of the funeral

The Funeral

The remains of Mr. Francis Leo Payne were taken to Adelaide by last night's express for burial in the Roman Catholic portion of the West Terrace Cemetery. The cortege left the residence of Mr. M. Bums, at 107 Iodide Street, at 6.45 p.m. tor the Sulphide Street Station. The bearers were Messrs. T. Eddy. E. S. Holland. Alderman Warren. Alderman Cherry. B. Hargraves, J. H. Lynch. The City Council and citizens of Broken Hill were represented by the Mayor (Alderman Rowe) and the Town Clerk (Mr. J. Sanderson), the Quartette Club by Messrs. A. Benin. E. M. Jenkins and A. A. Miller, the Amalgamated Engineers' Union by Mr. A. C. Crowhurst and Mr. J. B. Hoysted. Before leaving the home a service was conducted by the Rev. Father T. Brady. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Fred J. Potter & Son. (5)

Frank had died intestate so a probate application for administration notice was published in May. (6)

So in 1944 Grace had lost first her younger brother and then her son, how sad she must have been.

1. 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

2. 1943 'Utility Driver Convicted', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 14 May, p. 3. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141320656

3. 1943 'Jottings Of General Interest', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 28 June, p. 4. , viewed 20 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141334832

4. 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

5. 1944 'The Funeral', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 6 April, p. 3. , viewed 20 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143786375

6. 1944 'Advertising', Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill, NSW : 1908; 1941 - 1954), 9 May, p. 2. , viewed 20 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143777908

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

22 April 2020

Schools and Sports

School Results

It appears that Grace Walmsley Payne excelled at her studies and music lessons as several of her results were listed. Music played a significant role in the Payne family. In 1909 she was still at school in Ballarat, Victoria.

1909 'SCHOOLS OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY.—MERIT CERTIFICATES.',
Advocate (Melbourne, Vic. : 1868 - 1954), 14 August, p. 21.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article170909620

By 1916 Grace had left school in Ballarat and was living in Adelaide where she passed a Grade IV singing examination (1). In later life she is listed as leading the choir at the Catholic church of Colonel Light Gardens in Adelaide. (2)

In the meantime her future husband John Michael Galvin had also undertaken music lessons listed here as passing an elementary piano exam.

1906 'SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912),
12 December, p. 4. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201890777

Perhaps some of my readers may remember waiting for their own final school results to be published in the newspapers.

1. 1916 'MUSIC EXAMINATIONS.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 13 October, p. 10. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6458260

2. 1928 'HONORING A SAINT.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 8 October, p. 16. , viewed http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73726867

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

21 April 2020

Receptions and Return Thanks

The details of wedding receptions sometimes contained lists of presents. Return Thanks notices often appeared some time after a burial. In these notices people were often named as having given solace and comfort to the bereaved family. These notices are also useful where no notice of death or funeral had been posted as family relationships were sometimes listed. Family Reunions may have occurred on significant birthdays or to commemorate the arrival of first immigrants. There are several other Trove resources where you may find Recipes contributed by by family members, two examples: The Australian Women's Weekly and The Australian woman's mirror.

Return Thanks

1923 after Catherine Galvin's death

1923 'Family Notices', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954),
30 March, p. 10. ,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167739971

In some papers these notices were labelled Bereavement cards such as this one inserted by Julia Dineen after the death of her husband Jeremiah James in 1930. Julia was Catherine Galvin's sister and had married in 1892, the same year as Catherine and John Patrick Galvin. she is mentioned in the above notice too.

1930 'Family Notices', The Register News-Pictorial (Adelaide, SA : 1929 - 1931), 19 July, p. 8. ,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53799813

This same notice appeared in two other newspapers under the listing of Return Thanks which appears to have been used by the majority of the South Australian newspapers in the early years of the 20th century.

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

20 April 2020

Quarantine of the Hydaspes

As we stay at home, or are quarantined during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 it is interesting to look back on a variety of circumstances where people have been quarantined. Our ancestors often underwent long sea voyages to migrate to Australia or New Zealand. While they may have been relieved to arrive at the end of several months, how disappointing must it have been to be held in quarantine for an additional month. This is what the Walmsley family faced when they arrived in 1874. The cause of the quarantine was 'scarlatina fever.'

IN August 1874 the "Hydaspes" sailed from Gravesend headed to Auckland, New Zealand. On board were John Andrew Walmsley, His wife Grace Ann Tonson and their 5 children.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5346, 10 October 1874, Page 2
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DSC18741010.2.4.1

The ship's arrival was keenly awaited in Auckland with advertisements appearing in the papers for sales of goods to make way for new stock arriving from England. Some also advertised goods expected to arrive, a wide variety from delicate china to billiard tables and ploughs. 77 days after departure, the ship telegraphed its arrival. The first sign that trouble was afoot was contained in this notice - 11 deaths from scarlatina.

Evening Star, Issue 3653, 6 November 1874, Page 2
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18741106.2.3

The ship was immediately placed in quarantine

Evening Star, Issue 3654, 7 November 1874, Page 2
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18741107.2.12

A long report to the Central Board of health followed detailing the deaths of 6 children and the fumigation measures necessary both aboard the ship and on the island where the passengers were to be quarantined for 8 -10 days. (1) By November 11th the ship had been thoroughly disinfected by every known process, while every article of bedding or clothing likely to hold the infection has been burned or consigned to the deep.(2)

On the 14th November, one week into quarantine, the Star Pigeon sent this message:

"All are most anxious to be released, especially the single girls, who think it a great hardship that they should be kept apart from the boys when this is such a fine place for flirting." (3)

One would think the passengers may have been sick of each other's company but with the single men and women kept in separate quarters on the ship, this was just a continuation of the same but now on land.

Relief was not at hand as by the 17th November, two new cases of the fever had broken out in quarantine. The ship's Captain Babot alleged that diseased immigrants had been placed aboard his ship before they left England. The saloon passengers and the cargo were released the next day. The immigrants, still in quarantine,were indignant at this variance of their treatment. They must have wondered why should those who had travelled in the comfort of the cabins be released before the rest of the passengers.

By the 25th it was deemed that they they should be ready for release from quarantine and that the single men would be the first to leave but unfortunately another case of fever occurred.

Do we detect a similar pattern to the "Ruby Princess" 2020 situation?

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1496, 26 November 1874, Page 3
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18741126.2.28

Finally on November 30th the end of the quarantine was in sight but there followed a bureaucratic bungle! The North Shore Ferry Company angled for increased fees to bring the immigrants to Auckland, (4) Finally on 3rd December the single men and women were landed in Auckland after spending a full four weeks in quarantine. Shortly after the families followed.

The Walmsley family then settled in Auckland. John and Grace Walmsley are gt.gt.gt grandparents of my children. I have not yet found when they moved to Ballarat in Victoria but it was probably sometime in 1886 after their son in law Edward Payne had been declared bankrupt. This advertisement was for their previously occupied confectionery shop. More about him to come under the letter V.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 98, 24 April 1886, Page 7
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18860424.2.81.2

John Andrew Walmsley m Grace Ann Tonson

⇓⇓

Mary Agnes Walmsley m. Edward John William Payne

⇓⇓

Grace Walmsley Payne m. John Michael Galvin

⇓⇓

John Dominic Galvin m Phyllis Yvonne Stirling

1. "CENTRAL BOARD OF HEALTH", Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1480, 7 November 1874, Page 3 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18741107.2.18

2. New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 4055, 11 November 1874, Page 2,

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18741111.2.10

3. Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1894, 14 November 1874, Page 3

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THA18741114.2.9

4. " The Hydaspes Immigrants", Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1499, 30 November 1874, Page 2, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18741130.2.13

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

18 April 2020

Photos from the newspapers

In the 1800s many Passenger lists were published in the newspapers as the ships arrived in port. In Trove I have found many Probate notices and Property transactions. Reports of school or church Picnics list the races and activities of the day. Sometimes one may be lucky enough to find some photos in the newspapers. This post showcases a few of the Galvin Photos found.

1927 John Patrick Galvin

1935 John Michael Galvin

1935 'Secret Streamlined Engine: Aboriginal, Visitors: Enginemen In Conference',
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 14 May, p. 20. , viewed 16 Apr 2020,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37287622

DELEGATES to Locomotive Enginemen's Conference were entertained by Lord Mayor (Mr. Cain) yesterday. From left (sitting)—Messsrs. H. J. George (S-A.), H. H. Styant (W.A.), S. E. C Gay (S.A.), J. M. Galvin (V.), A. S. Drakeford, M.E. R. (V.). and Mr. Cain.
Standing— Messrs.E. Barton (N.S.W.), R. Matheson (V.), J. M, Wallace (T-), J. C. Valentine (Q.) V. T. Compassi (Fed.)

1952 'Upset unions',
Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 18 January, p. 1.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49233580

1952 Kathleen Mary Galvin

1952 'THEY WED ON SATURDAY',
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957),
25 February, p. 8. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2316487

Mr and Mrs Francis Mercovich cut the cake after their marriage at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Thornbury. The bride was Kathleen Mary, daughter of Conciliation Commissioner J. M. Galvin and Mrs Galvin.

1953 Grace Walmsley Payne (Galvin)

1953 'Liked Qld courtesy',
Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1926 - 1954), 18 January, p. 8. ,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98280500

Liked Qld courtesy - Finishes holiday

Homeward-bound to day after a week's stay in Brisbane is Mrs. J. M. Galvin, wife of Federal Conciliation Commissioner Galvin. Mrs. Galvin who comes from Melbourne, is honorary secretary of the Victorian Association of Benevolent Societies. She has also helped to raise big sums of money for Melbourne hospitals.

'We have no lottery down there to help out the hospitals,' she said last night.

Her main impression of Brisbane was the courtesy of its people — 'they are much- more courteous than in the south,' she said.

John Dominic and Phyllis Yvonne Galvin

The Loxton News c. 1970 - from family collection, no date. Caption under clipping reads:

The A.D.F.A. [ed. Australian Dried Fruits Association] invited Mr Ken Gully of Wollingborough, U.K., the buyer for Whitworth's, England's largest dried fruit importing firm, to be their guest. Mr Gully accompanied by his wife, visited Loxton last week and was entertained at lunch by local representatives of the A.D.F.A. In this picture from left are Mr and Mrs J McKay, Mr and Mrs Gully, Mr Ron Jones and Mr and Mrs John Galvin.

1978 Gerard Patrick Galvin

Northern Territory News 20 Oct. 1978, p 6

These Photos may not be good quality but they are wonderful to find in old newspapers.