Introduction to Family History Assignment - Research Plan-Alfred BRANDT

Introduction to Family History -2015 ©


Assessment Task 4: Research Plan


Introduction

I am researching my Paternal Great Grandfather Alfred BRANDT. (Number 1-Pedigree Chart).

Alfred had seven children to Louisa BARKER. My Grandfather George Henry BRANDT was the fifth of these children, who were born over a period of 12 years.


Main Research Question


What was Alfred BRANDT’s story?


1. Where did he originate from?
2. What was his occupation in Tasmania?
3. Why did he leave Tasmania?
4. What was his occupation after leaving Tasmania?


Records and Resources I Have Used To Date
Alfred BRANDT fathered his first child Alfred Lewis BRANDT on 29 June 1870 in Launceston Tasmania.[1] This Index Record was found through Ancestry.com.au

A digital copy of the Birth from the Launceston Register of Births 1870, on the Tasmanian Government LINC website needs verification by obtaining a copy of the Birth Certificate.
Six other children were born in NSW between 1872 and 1882.[2]

These Index records have been verified at NSW BDM with the same Index number and the same parents.

An Index Record on Ancestry.com for the Marriage of Alfred BRANDT and Louisa BARKER[3] was located on the Tasmanian Government LINC website. The digitised Marriage record for Alfred and Louisa in the Launceston Marriage Register shows the date as 10 January 1883.[4] It is interesting to note that this record lists Alfred’s occupation as Innkeeper.

Alfred died in 1883 in Gunnedah.[5]

On the transcription of the Death Certificate,[6] it has conflicting information regarding the year of marriage. A copy/transcription of the Marriage Certificate is needed for verification.

While making his Timeline, a Newspaper article from the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate – Thursday 2 August 1883, p2, was found.

GUNNEDAH

FATAL ACCIDENT – A fatal accident happened on Monday to Mr Alfred Brandt, hotel-keeper at Sugarloaf Flat. It appears that Mr Brandt, in company with some other men, was trying to fish up a bucket which had fallen down a well, and as Mr Brandt was steadying the rope, his foot slipped, and he fell down the well, a distance of 150 feet, and was killed on the spot. He leaves a wife and a large family of children to mourn their loss. An inquest will be held.[7]



Similar reports were published in:
The Armidale Express Tuesday August 7 1883, p38, The Maitland Mercury/Hunter River General Advertiser Tuesday 31 July 1883, p5.[9]

Armed with this information I was keen to find evidence of the Inquest Record.

I searched various sites, Ancestry, Trove, Google, NSW State Records, and could only find on Ancestry, an Index Record from NSW Register of Coroners Inquest 1821-1937 #676 for Alfred BRANDT, Gunnedah abt 1883.[10] All searches in his name for the actual record of the inquest proved unsuccessful.

I did find an Inquest Record for Alfred BRAUDT.[11]

During my searches for information as to where Alfred lived I found a record in the NSW Australia, Police Gazettes, 1854-1930,stating that Alfred BRANDT was issued with a Publican’s Licence on 28 April 1882, with the District and Situation of the House listed as Coonabarabran Rd, near Gunnedah and the Sign of the House listed as Sugar Loaf Hotel.[12] This record gives me confirmation that Alfred was indeed an Innkeeper.


Repositories and Records that I Plan to Use

Ancestry.com
Shipping/Passenger Records for Alfred.
Immigration Records for Alfred
Trove
Newspaper articles, Family Notices, Shipping Lists for any mention of the family.
NSW State Records
Probates and Wills for Alfred
Public Record Office Victoria
Passenger/Shipping Arrival Records
Ship Departures to Tasmania


Reflective Statement

I began this search of Alfred after working back from myself on my Family Tree. I had confirmed knowledge of my Grandfather George Henry BRANDT, which led to the NSWBDM website and from there I found his sibling’s and parent’s names.


Making a Timeline led me to many interesting places. The Birth records of his first son in 1870 in Tasmania show Louisa as BRANDT formerly BARKER. This record also shows Alfred’s occupation as Gold Miner. Further investigation of these records may give clues as to how he came to be in Tasmania.


With the arrival of his first child, did he decide that he needed a more secure income? Is this the clue as to why he then moved to NSW, where he then had a further 6 children with Louisa.


Their Marriage records show them being married in 1883 in Tasmania, with Alfred’s occupation being Innkeeper and Louisa listed as a Spinster. Once again the occupation being stated as Innkeeper has similarities to other records found along the way.


After receiving the Transcription record of his death, this Marriage record's validity is now in question. The Transcription Record states that he was 39 at the time of the marriage. This puts the year of marriage at 1870 not 1883 as shown on the Marriage Record. As this Transcription shows the Informant to be Louisa, it is fair to assume that it is correct. But did she have cause to falsify this record? As he is listed as an Innkeeper was there a question of beneficiaries in a future Will, which would make the Legitimacy of his children important? There is also the listing of Innkeeper on the Marriage Record, this is different to the Gold Miner on the 1870 Birth Record of his son.


Ordering a Marriage Certificate will hopefully verify these questions.


Although there are inconsistencies with these records, they do have parallels which invoke further research.


Finding an Inquest Record was my biggest challenge. I had to change my searching technique to the “Less is More” method. By only using his first name, location where he may have lived, year and place of death, I turned up an Inquest Record for Alfred BRAUDT. This record had the same Index


Number 676, showed an approx. Birth Year, his age at death, Birth Place as Sweden. The place of death on this record is the same as the Newspaper reports. I had found my record!


The misspelled name on the Inquest Records has been a valuable lesson to me, teaching me to broaden my search criteria and not look for what I think I know!


The listing on the Inquest Record, of Alfred’s place of birth as Sweden, opens up another whole new avenue of future investigation.


In conclusion, although I have yet to answer all my questions, it is these very questions that give me a starting point for my investigations and planning.


I have learnt from this course that it is not just about adding names to charts, but trying to find more of the story of some of the names on my charts.




1 http://www.ancestry.com.au Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 Index Reg #44 Alfred L BRANDT [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010 accessed 12 August 2015


2 http://www.ancestry.com.au Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 Index Reg #135592 Magnus BRANDT; Index Reg #14877 Peter BRANDT; Index Reg #15707 John BRANDT; Index Reg #22850 George BRANDT; Index Reg #25169 William BRANDT; Index Reg #17610 Ethel BRANDT; [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010 accessed 12 August 2015


3 http://www.ancestry.com.au Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950 Index Reg 685 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Accessed 12 August 2015


4 http://www.linc.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage, Names Index RGD 37/1/42#685, accessed 18 AUGUST 2015


5 http://www.ancestry.com.au Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985, Index Reg#8157 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, accessed 18 August 2015


6 NSW Family History Transcriptions Pty Ltd, NSW Death Registration Transcription Ref #1883/8157, Ref No 8270291, Printed 9 September 2015, received 10 September 2015
7 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/135952127, 1883 'GUNNEDAH.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , 2 August, p. 2, accessed 18 August 2015s


8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article192717189, 1883 'EPITOME OF NEWS.', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 7 August, p. 3, accessed 18 August 2015


9 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/135952127, 1883 'District Telegrams.', The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), 31 July, p. 5, accessed 18 August 2015


10 http://www.ancestry.com.au. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Coroners' Inquests, 1821-1937 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, State Archives NSW; Series: 2926; Item: 4/6623; Roll: 344 accessed 18 August 2015


11 http://www.ancestry.com.au. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Coroners' Inquests, 1821-1937 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, State Archives NSW; Series: 2924; Item: 4/6618; Roll: 343

12 http://www.ancestry.com.au. New South Wales, Australia, Police Gazettes, 1854-1930, Publication Date 3 May 1882 p167 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010 accessed 19 August 2015

Convict Ancestors Assignment

For the following essay for the Convict Ancestors Unit I chose to write about Elizabeth Selwyn. For this essay we were required to write and publish it on the Website "Our Family Past". It was quite a learning curve as I not only had to conquer writing an academic essay but also learn the technology of writing and posting on this site. I had to include links in my writings to other articles, which I wrote myself, from my research. So at the bottom of each part of the essay you will find in red the link to each article. For the ease of reading this essay, I have included the article directly after ( so the link doesn't work, it is just to show how clever I was!!)

My mark for this assignment was 70/100 with the Feedback as follows:
Dear Marcia, you have obviously put a lot of work into researching your story to try to piece together fragments of Elizabeth's life into a largely coherent narrative. A few relevant images and some additional information pertaining to general aspects of Elizabeth's life as a convict and settler would have helped contextualise her experience. I wish you well in any further work you do in answering the many remaining questions concerning her life.




HAA007 INTRO - Elizabeth Selwyn


This is the story of Elizabeth Selwyn, who is my Great Great Great Grandmother.

Elizabeth was just another of the many convict women who shaped the new colony of Australia, in it’s early days.

Elizabeth’s story looks like it may have been a “Rags to Riches” one!

Although it has been a challenge to find many records that actually tell her story, I have been able to piece together from persons around her, the path her life may have followed.

It is uncertain what she may have faced in her private life, as though she had five children, she never married their father, who was a Lieutenant on the vessel she came to Australia on, in 1792.

So what did she face bringing up her children? Did she love her partner and he her? What was life like after her partner’s death, bringing up 5 children as a single parent?


To read more of Elizabeth's Story please click here -
HAA007 MAIN - Elizabeth Selwyn "Rags to Riches".



HAA007 MAIN - Elizabeth Selwyn "Rags to Riches".


Elizabeth was tried at the Gloucester Assizes, Gloucestershire on 23 March 1791 for stealing clothing worth 34 shillings from her employer. She was convicted for 7 years transportation.[1]

Bath Newspaper- Report of Elizabeth Selwyn's Trial (1) 

In today’s currency this would be approximately AUD$310, and although a fairly major crime it does question whether this was a harsh sentence. But compared to other convict’s crimes and sentences this may have been just another way of solving Britain’s overcrowding Penal problem.

Elizabeth is listed on the Pitt’s indent in another two places.[2] There is not much information on these records, other than her name, where tried, date, sentence and ship.

Where she was sent to between being convicted in March 1791 and boarding the Pitt in July 1791 is still a mystery to be solved.

On arrival in Port Jackson, Elizabeth is listed as being assigned to Lieutenant Thomas Rowley as Housekeeper.[3]

Elizabeth received an Absolute Pardon in 1794.[4] This pardon came after 2 years in the new colony. Did she receive preferential treatment as the mother of Thomas’s children? There doesn't appear to be any evidence of her having re-offended after arriving in Australia.

What sort of life she had is pure speculation. There are no records of her having married Captain Rowley.

Leiutenant Rowley became a Captain in the NSW Corps in June 1796. He was assigned in November 1799 to Norfolk Island where he stayed until July 1800. He resigned in November 1801, due to ill health.

Thomas turned his hand to farming which he pursued through the acquisition of much land through Land Grants, during his lifetime.

The first was 2 acres in 1793 on the 4th May. It was a leasehold for 14 years in Sydney, requiring him to pay an annual rental of 2 shillings and 6 pence.[5]

The rest of the parcels of land that he received over the pursuing 11 years were all grants.

His second was on the 28th May 1793 of 100 acres at Petersham Hill.[6]

His third, was on the 3rd October 1794 of 70 acres again at Petersham Hill.[7]

The fourth, was on the 14th August 1798 of 85 acres, also at Petersham Hill.[8]

On the 3rd August 1799 he acquired his fifth grant of 260 acres at Liberty Plains.[9]

In 1799 he acquired his sixth parcel of land with a Grant of 160 acres in York on 8th October.[10]

On 31 March 1802 after he had retired from the NSW Corps, he was granted his seventh parcel of land of 190 acres at Liberty Plains.[11]

Two further grants followed on 9 August 1803, at Petersham and Liberty Plains/Concord, of 240 and 750 acres.[12]

The last grant being found was on 16 July 1804 at Bankstown of 700 acres.[13]

This may have made Elizabeth’s life in the colony bearable. At least it appears so, as she bore Captain Rowley five children between 1792 and 1804. Where she lived during this time is another mystery as there aren’t any records from Musters or Census’ until after his death in 1806.

The first of their children was Isabella, born 19 November 1792. Followed by Thomas on 12 August 1794. Then came John on 28 November 1797.

These 3 children were found on NSW State Records index under the name Selwin, with no mention of Captain Rowley.[14]

Screenshot from NSW-BDM, showing the first 3 children born to Thomas and Elizabeth.(2) 

Then Mary was born on the 18 March 1800, also found on NSW State Records index but under the surname of Rowley. [15] 

Screenshot from NSW BDM of Index for Mary Rowley, also showing another Mary born to Thomas and Jane Mickle.(3) 

I have also unearthed her Baptismal record, acknowledging both parents, but once again, the mother is listed as Elizabeth Selwin not Rowley.[16] This is inconclusive as to Elizabeth’s married status, as most Baptismal records today still ask for and record the mother’s maiden name.

Mary Rowley's Baptism Record(4) 

The next to be born is Eliza in 1803/1804. As yet I haven't been able to find her birth records in any name, but she is mentioned in Thomas’s Will, so she did exist! [17]

It must be mentioned now that there is a record of another Mary being born to Thomas Rowley and Jane Mickle in 1804. [18] There was another Thomas Rowley who was a convict, as was Jane Mickle, so I am inclined to think that this “Mary” is a red herring to confuse the matter, until confirmed one way or the other. This child was not acknowledge in Thomas’s Will.

If the other Mary(as mentioned above) was another of Thomas’s children, conceived and born to another women, how did Elizabeth feel about this other child? What had happened in her relationship with Thomas? Why did Thomas not provide for this child in his will?

Whatever the answer, Elizabeth was still with Thomas when he died in 1806.[19] Did this prove that she had deeper feelings for him? I feel that it would have been very hard to be a single woman bringing up 5 children on her own in that day and age(let alone an ex-convict)! Thomas left a will when he died naming Elizabeth as one of his beneficiaries.[20]

Elizabeth appears in 1814 on the Population Book 1811-1825 at Windsor listed as a Widow.[21]

I have found evidence of Elizabeth in the 1828 Census, living with Henry and Eliza Briggs(her daughter) in Petersham, aged 60 and listed as Betsey Rowley.[22]

Elizabeth died 22 June 1843 and from records found she remained in the same general area until her death.[23]

As she started calling herself Rowley and listing herself as a widow on documents after Thomas's death, it may be an indication that she felt her time spent with him entitled her to the security and respectability of calling herself Mrs, even if he hadn't done her the compliment of making it “legal”!

She probably was "well off" for the rest off her life, being provided for in the Will. Also in the 1806 Census there were listings of ten prisoners, one free by servitude prisoner and a free settler being assigned or employed by Captain Rowley and Elizabeth Selwyn(housekeeper), between the years 1801-1806.[24] So it looks like Elizabeth had help with household duties in her new life. She was able to see her children grow up free and become land owners themselves and marry other free settlers.

So her "Rags to Riches" story, may be true but I wouldn't say it was an easy life!



To view other articles, please click on a link below.


HAA007 INTRO - Elizabeth Selwyn
HAA007 - BREAKOUT 1 - The Pitt and The Voyage
HAA007 - BREAKOUT 2 - Thomas Rowley's Will 

HAAOO7 - REFFERENCES AND IMAGE CREDITS




HAA007 - BREAKOUT 1 - The Pitt and The Voyage


Elizabeth sailed on the Pitt, from Yarmouth Roads, Portsmouth on 17 July 1791. The ship’s Master was Captain Edward Manning.

Life on board the Pitt was fraught with danger. It sailed with 410 convicts, 352 being male and 58 female. Also on board was the Ship’s Surgeon Dr Jameson, and Assistant Surgeon Dr Edward Lang, a contingent from the NSW Corps, Seamen, Officer’s wives, Soldier’s wives, Free Passengers and children and Convict children.

There is no surviving ship’s log for the Pitt and so reports of the voyage depends on offical letters from officers and soldiers on the voyage.[25]

The vessel sailed with evidence of small pox on board and as well as being overcrowded. At the ports of call along the way, it was customary for the soldiers, officers and free passengers to go ashore, either for medical reasons, shopping for supplies etc.

It was usually on these excursion on shore that more medical problems were bought back on board. As convicts didn't get the chance to leave the boat they tended to escape the illnesses that were picked up in these ports.

The journey took 6 1/2 months from when they set sail from Portsmouth.

Their first stop was St Jago, at the port Praia, arriving on 16th August where they stay for a week. The island had been in drought for 3 years. The crew went onshore to collect fresh water, with the soldiers going onshore to sample the local rum and the soldiers wives also taking advantage of going onshore to do the washing!

The Pitt set sail again on 23rd August, heading towards Rio de Janeiro. The ship was soon becalmed in the waters off the tropics, where those onboard suffered with many illnesses of tropical ulcers and fevers. The convicts on board were the least affected by illness as they had not gone onshore back in Praia. There were quite a few deaths at this time, with 13 soldiers, 5 soldiers wives, 2 children and 7 crewmen.

It was after this that some of the convicts were release from their irons to help man the ship. With water in short supply and many suffering from scurvy due to their inadequate diet and lack of vitamin C, it was a relief when on 8th October Captain Manning decided to pull into Rio de Janeiro for supplies and to give the sick time to recover. After 3 weeks the ship set sail once again on the 31st October.

From here they sailed onto Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, arriving 25th November and set sail again 23rd December. It was after this that the convicts weren’t quite as lucky health wise with 40 convicts reported as sick with scurvy. It was during this part of the journey that they encountered very bad weather with a gale lasting 3 days. Again it was a relief when land was spotted and they landed at Van Diemen’s Land on the 6th February. From here they continued to sail up the eastern coast of Australia to Port Jackson, where they arrived on 14th February 1792.

HAA007 INTRO - Elizabeth Selwyn
HAA007 MAIN - Elizabeth Selwyn "Rags to Riches".
HAA007 - BREAKOUT 2 - Thomas Rowley's Will
HAAOO7 - REFFERENCES AND IMAGE CREDITS 

HAA007 - BREAKOUT 2 - Thomas Rowley's Will


The Will of Thomas Rowley can be viewed in full on Ancestry.[26] Although it is handwritten and the print is fairly faint, it is abled to be seen that Thomas provided for his descendants with good intentions.

He mentions his five "natural children" all by name, Isabella Rowley, Thomas Rowley, John Rowley, Mary Rowley and Eliza Rowley. He also mentions Elizabeth Selwyn as mother of these children.

He leaves his estate to be shared equally between the above six. He does stipulate that it is on the condition that Elizabeth does not marry or cohabitate with anyone else.

He appointed Major George Johnstone and John Harris Esq, a Surgeon, both from the NSW Corps as Executors. It stipulates in the Will that the Executors have the say on the spending of money from his estate on the education of his children and for Elizabeth's maintenance and support.

Probate was granted in 1828 in London. There was then only one surviving Executor of the Will, John Harris. How hard Elizabeth had to fight for money for herself and her children in the years from his death until Probate was granted, is open for conjecture.

But hopefully the Executors were just men and looked after the family. Below is an image of one of the pages of Thomas’ will.

Part of Thomas Rowley's Will listing his 5 "natural" children begotten on the Body of Elizabeth Selwyn.(6) 

HAA007 INTRO - Elizabeth Selwyn
HAA007 MAIN - Elizabeth Selwyn "Rags to Riches".
HAA007 - BREAKOUT 1 - The Pitt and The Voyage HAAOO7 - REFFERENCES AND IMAGE CREDITS


HAAOO7 - REFFERENCES AND IMAGE CREDITS

REFERENCES


[1] STARR, MARION, Unhappy Exiles Convicts of the Pitt and Kitty 1792, Australia 1016, p141.

[2] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors.
Original data:

• New South Wales Government. Indents First Fleet, Second Fleet and Ships. NRS 1150, microfiche 620–624. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. List of Convicts: Minerva, Speedy, Royal Admiral, Minorca, Canada, Nile. NRW 1151, microfiche 625. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Bound manuscript indents, 1788–1842. NRS 12188, microfiche 614–619,626–657, 660–695. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Annotated printed indents (i.e., office copies). NRS 12189, microfiche 696–730, 732–744. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved May 20 2016. 

[3] Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806- 1849 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 5, 19-20, 32-51); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Retrieved May 20 2016

[4] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, 1788-1870 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Original data:

• New South Wales Government. Copies of returns of Absolute and Conditional Pardons granted. Series 1165. State Records Reel 774, copy of 4/4492. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Registers of Conditional Pardons. Series 1170. State Records Reel 774. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Register of convicts recommended for Conditional Pardons. Series 1173. State Records Reel 797-798, copy of 4/4478-80. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Alphabetical registers of pardons. Series 1174. State Records Reel 798, copy of 6/884. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Registers of Absolute Pardons. Series 1177. State Records Reel 800, copy of 4/4486-88. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Registers of recommendations for Absolute Pardons. Series 1179. State Records Reel 800, copy of 4/4489-90. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 
• New South Wales Government. Copies of Conditional Pardons Registered. Series 1172. Reels 775-796, 3037. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved May 26 2016 

[5] [6] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.Original data: Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016.

[7] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2010. Original data: Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016

[8] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2010. Original data:Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016

[9] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2010. Original data: Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016

[10] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2010. Original data:Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016

[11] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2010. Original data:Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016

[12] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2010. Original data:Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016

[13] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1792-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2010. Original data:Registers of Land Grants and Leases. Microfilm Publication 2560– 2561, 2846, 2548–2550, 2700–2702, 2704–2705, 11 rolls. Record Group NRS 13836. New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 1 2016

[14] Ancestry.com. Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Compiled from publicly available sources. Retrieved April 15 2015.

[15] Ancestry.com. Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.Original data: Compiled from publicly available sources. Retrieved April 15 2015.

[16] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, St. John's Parramatta, Baptisms, 1790- 1916 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.Original data: Parish Baptism Registers. Textual records. St. John’s Anglican Church Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. St John's Anglican Church Parramatta. Retrieved June 21 2016

[17] Ancestry.com. London, England, Wills and Probate, 1507-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data: London, England, Wills and Probate. London, England: London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Library Manuscripts. Images produced by permission of the City of London Corporation Libraries, Archives. Retrieved June 10 2016.

[18] Ancestry.com. Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Compiled from publicly available sources. Retrieved May 18 2016.

[19] New South Wales BD&M, Reg#1/1806V18061349/4, Thomas Rowley. Retrieved April 15 2015.

[20] Ancestry.com. London, England, Wills and Probate, 1507-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: London, England, Wills and Probate. London, England: London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Library Manuscripts. Images produced by permission of the City of London Corporation Libraries, Archives. Retrieved June 10 2016.

[21] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Census and Population Books, 1811-1825 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data:New South Wales Government. Secretary to the Governor. Population musters, New South Wales mainland [1811–1819]. NRS 1260 [4/1224–25, 4/1227]. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 10 2016.

[22] Ancestry.com. 1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (Australian Copy) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: New South Wales Government. 1828 Census: Householders’ returns [Population and Statistics, Musters and Census Records, Census, Colonial Secretary] . Series 1273, Reels 2551-2552, 2506-2507. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved June 10 2016.

[23] Ancestry.com. Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Compiled from publicly available sources. Retrieved June 1 2016.

[24] Biographical Database of Australia, Biographical Report for Elizabeth Selwyn, Person ID: B#10011442901, General Muster of New South Wales 1806. Retrieved June 19 2016.

[25] STARR, MARION, Unhappy Exiles Convicts of the Pitt and Kitty 1792, Australia 1016

[26] Ancestry.com. London, England, Wills and Probate, 1507-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data: London, England, Wills and Probate. London, England: London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Library Manuscripts. Images produced by permission of the City of London Corporation Libraries, Archives. Retrieved June 10 2016.



IMAGE CREDITS

(1) The British Library Board, Bath Chronicle March 30 1791 (2) NSW BDM Birth Index Screenshot for 3 Rowley Children (3) NSW BDM Birth Index Screenshot for Mary Rowley
(4) Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, St. John's Parramatta, Baptisms, 1790- 1916 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.Original data: Parish Baptism Registers. Textual records. St. John’s Anglican Church Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. St John's Anglican Church Parramatta
(5) Ancestry.com. London, England, Wills and Probate, 1507-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data: London, England, Wills and Probate. London, England: London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Library Manuscripts. Images produced by permission of the City of London Corporation Libraries, Archives.

Convicts and their Legacy Assignment

This essay was written for the "Convicts and their Legacy" Unit. I had to write about how my convicts life fitted into the broader Convict genre, based on a survey of convicts being researched by students in this course.  I had to argue  whether they were typical or atypical to convicts from the survey. This was my least favourite of all the Units but somehow I managed a good mark of 72/100 with the following Feedback:
Well done Marcia, this is great work. You've combined information from your convict research, the survey and wider research to build a story about Elizabeth.
Your structure is a little confused, there is fantastic information in there, but it jumps around a little. You also repeat some information, such as about the will. Structuring essays can be tricky, but if you set out your argument in your introduction it can help a great deal - I will discuss A, B and C, and it will lead me to this conclusion. This then also gives you a structure to follow.
Remember that your footnote references need to go at the end of sentences, after the punctuation.
Overall, great work!

 CONVICTS AND THEIR LEGACY - ELIZABETH SELWYN

My convict Elizabeth Selwyn looks typical of the majority of the female convicts, in the Convict Survey. I would like to ague that on paper she falls in the most common percentile of the results, but her life was far from typical. The records held from her early arrival in Sydney in 1792 were not as detailed as later records, especially those of Van Diemen’s Land, where records could list, ship of arrival, convicts Police Number and details of appearance. The information I have found on her from other articles leads me to think that she was atypical.

Elizabeth was 18-19 when she arrived in Sydney in February 1792. The Prison Calendar shows at the time of sentencing in March 1791 she was 18 and charged on suspicion of stealing clothing. After completing the Convict Survey I received a NSW Burial Transcription Record, showing that Elizabeth died in 1843 and was 78, putting her age at approximately 27 years old on arrival. As these two records are at variance with each other it could be argued that Elizabeth falsified her age at her trial in the hope of attaining a lighter sentence. But unfortunately this didn’t happen as she was sentenced, “to be transported beyond the seas for seven years”.

These records although giving conflicting information to the Family Historian, highlight the fact that Elizabeth was neither typical or atypical in regards age on arrival in Australia. She was in the 20% range for 18-19 and in the 15% range for 27. These ages were a long way from the most typical range of 20-24 which was in the 40% range of those surveyed. This discrepancy in the recorded age of Elizabeth may also be an indication of her illiteracy.

I filled in the survey with Elizabeth’s literacy level as unknown, which puts her into the largest percentile on the Survey graph. It is difficult not to make the assumption that her differing age records indicate that she actually fell into the third largest percentile of the Survey of being “Neither read nor write”. She may not have known her age at the time of her conviction or indeed in later life.

Many Historians have written about the illiteracy of convicts being transported to Australia, with the general consensus being around 75% literacy levels. This is maybe where Elizabeth differed from the majority on the Survey. On the graph approximately 14% showed as illiterate, with the rest having some literacy and the largest being unknown. It is possible that after living in the Colony for approximately 51 years, she acquired some education enabling her to state her age at a later date with some degree of certainty. In the 1828 NSW Census, she is listed as Betsey Rowley living with her son-in-law and daughter, Henry and Eliza Briggs with age as 60, which falls into the age range of plus or minus 3 years as shown on the Death Transcription. One could argue that she was in the habit of writing her age near the end of her life. Interestingly these literacy records tie back to the previous argument about Elizabeth’s age.

Elizabeth never married. She lived with Captain Thomas Rowley whom she was assigned to at the time of her arrival in the Colony in February 1792 as a Housekeeper. Approximately nine months later she gave birth to her and Thomas’s first child Isabella.

This was atypical compared to the other convicts in the Survey as most were married at least once. The fact that she also went on to have another four children to him before his death in 1806, could be argued to be atypical as she was considered to be in a Common Law Marriage. 

A lot of the female convicts that arrived in the early days of the Colony were forced into prostitution to survive, they were not transported for prostitution, which was not a crime . It was a crime to live with or have relationships with men at this time. Children were taken from their mothers once weaned. Research shows Elizabeth, was not convicted of any of theses crimes after transportation and her children were still with her at the time of Captain Rowley’s death in 1806. 

It is interesting to note that she was mention as joint beneficiary along with her five “Natural” children in Captain Rowley’s Will. This could be argued that there was mutual respect in her life with Captain Rowley, as he would not have been under any obligation to provide for her, even if he felt the need to provide for his children. At the time of his death, Elizabeth was an emancipist. She was free to marry, if she so desired. But the terms of Captain Rowley’s Will may have influenced her to remain single to provide for her future and to remain with her children. 

Elizabeth served approximately 3 years of her 7 year sentence. She was granted an Absolute Pardon in May 1794. This was typical of the survey results, as it was the second most common answer. But it could be argued that once again this was atypical to the survey results. Elizabeth was in a Common Law marriage, raising one child and pregnant with her second to Captain Rowley. Was her pardon granted on recommendation from him? She went on to have another three children, with Captain Rowley after her pardon, with the last being born in 1803/4. 

We know that Elizabeth had five “Natural” children to Captain Rowley, and raised them on her own after his death. She was named in his Will along with the children, Isabella, Thomas, John, Mary and Eliza. A condition of the Will being that she did not co-habitate with anyone else. She remained unmarried until her death in 1843. Her children in most instances, went on to being landholders and were all acknowledged as being ‘born free’ in the Colony.

In conclusion Elizabeth’s life as a convict has many similarities with others in the Survey. She was assigned to the father of her children and never legally married him, causing one to question the differences that her life must have been from others on the Survey. The fact that she raised five children on her own, after his death and was named in his Will indicates that he trusted her, with the care of his children. 

It also indicates that the underlying similarity of Elizabeth with other Convict women was that she was another strong woman in a long line of strong women in the founding of our country.

BIBLIOGRAHPY

Anderson, Clare and Maxwell-Stewart, Hamish, ‘Convict Labour and Western Empires, 1415-1954’, in Robert Aldrich and Kirsten McKenzie (eds), Routledge History of Western Empires, Routledge Taylor & Francis Ltd, Untied States, 2014, pp. 102-117

Binney Keith Robert, Horsemen of the First Frontier (1788-1900) and the Serpent’s Legacy, Volcanic Productions, 1933. Accessed 3 September 2016, books.google.com.au

Birth Record for Isabella Selwin, Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, Accessed 15 May 2016, http://www.ancestry.com.au

Bradley, James, Kippen, Rebecca, Maxwell-Stewart, Hamish, McCalman, Janet and Silcot, Sandra. ‘Research Note: The Founders and Survivors Project’, History of the Family, Volume 15, 2010, 467-477.

Convict Survey, HAA105 Convicts & Their Legacy, University of Tasmania.

Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England; Gloucestershire Prison Collections; Reference: Q/SG2/1789-1814, Accessed 13 September 2016, http://www.ancestry.com.au

Hendriksen Gay; Cowley Trudy; Liston Carol; Parramatta Heritage Centre;University of Western Sydney, Women transported : life in Australia's convict female factories,. Accessed 1 October 2016, http://tradecoastcentralheritagepark.com.au/_dbase_upl/women_transported.pdf

London Metropolitan Archives and Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section, Clerkenwell, London, England; Reference Number: DL/C/455; Will Number: 176. Accessed 15 May 2016, http://www.ancestry.com.au

Maxell-Stewart, Hamish, 'The State, Convicts, and Longitudinal Analysis', Australian Historical Studies, Volume 47, Issue 3, 2016, pp. 414-429.

Maxwell-Stewart, Hamish, ‘Convict Transportation from Britain and Ireland 1615-1870’, History Compass, Volume 8, Issue 11, 2010. pp.1221-1242

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, 1788-1870. Accessed 6 June 2016, www.ancestry.com.au

New South Wales Burial Transcription (Early Church Records)

New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849. Accessed 20 May 2016, http://www.ancestry.com.au

Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages NSW, Reg No 1/1806V18061349/4. bdm.nsw.gov.au Accessed 30 September 2016

Starr, Marion, “Unhappy Exiles, Convicts of the Pitt sand Kitty 1792”. Australia 2016

White, Charles, ‘Early Australia History’, Convict Life in New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land. Bathurst:C. & G.S. White. “Free Press” Office, George St. 1889. http://gutenberg.net.au

1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (Australian Copy), Accessed 10 June 2016, http://www.ancestry.com.au

LOUISA - Chapter Twenty Seven

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN 

FAREWELL LOUISA 

Lying on the verandah with the afternoon sun streaming through the shutters, Louisa reflected on the years after Sugar Loaf Inn. She had moved on after John’s death. There were just too many painful memories there.

The 1890s had seen her as the Publican of the Bank Hotel. Gunnedah had changed over the years. Where once there were dusty roads and a sprinkling of buildings, there now were buildings lining the streets on both sides.

At the turn of the century needing to slow down she decided to purchase the Imperial Hotel and run a lodging house from it. She had employed a Publican this time, as her days of serving behind the bar were getting too much for her. She would continue with the lodgers though, with the help of staff, all she really had to do was take the money.

She remembered with pride writing the advertisement she had placed in many newspapers over the years, word for word:

GUNNEDAH IMPERIAL HOTEL (late Mrs Breen’s) Barber St, Gunnedah. Mrs Louisa Engstrom Proprietress. Commodious commercial rooms. First-class accommodation for visitors. Private rooms for families. Good stabling, loose boxes and convenient accommodation paddock. A free bus to the hotel meets every train. [22]

1915 was a year of unease, there was a war overseas and more and more young men and not so young men, were joining the ranks of fighting soldiers.

Louisa prayed daily that none of her family would be involved.

She feared that it wouldn’t be long before Peter signed up. His restless spirit and eagerness to see the world was calling him to greater things. He lived in Western Australia now, no doubt getting ready to enlist.[23] At 41 years of age, she thought he would be content to stay at home, but without a wife he had never settled, as the others had.

She was proud of her working history. She had made a good life for herself and her children.They were spread around the country and district. She no longer saw them as much as she wished. But memories stood her in good stead.

Drifting in and out of sleep, she remembered the warmth of her Alfred’s smile when he came home from the goldfields. Then the sparking blue eyes of her August, when he poked fun at her. All of her babies sweet laughter. Her gentle John’s concern for everyone around him and his devotion to Ethel. She remembered her gift from August, her last child, Frances.

She remembered the heartache of loss and hard times and hard work. Most of all she remembered the joys of family.

She was so tired today. Maybe a little nap might be in order.

Louisa was found later that day, 4th December, 1915, unconscious with a smile on her face. She was taken to Gunnedah Hospital, where she later died of a Cerebral Embolism.[24] Those of her children still in the area were at her bedside.

She looked at peace with the sweet smile still on her face.

Her death certificate, stated her age as 66.[25] Not old by any means, except maybe for her hard life. 



22 Advertising (1900, May 26). The Worker (Wagga, NSW : 1892 - 1913), p. 6. Retrieved May 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145904515
23 Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010), http://www.ancestry.com.au.
24 NSW Death Registration Transcription, Ref No 1915/15291, Louisa Engstrom,Ref No 879450 Printed 27 September 2016, http://nswtranscriptions.com.au
25 NSW Death Registration Transcription, Ref No 1915/15291, Louisa Engstrom,Ref No 879450 Printed 27 September 2016, http://nswtranscriptions.com.au

Writing the Family Saga Assignments

I am posting a two of my recent essays for the Writing your Family Saga Unit of my Diploma in Family History.  I have posted them as submitted, I will revise them and start a continuing story of Elizabeth shortly.  I have added my mark and feedback at the end, as I am rather chuffed with these results.

Writing the Family Saga Assignment
Bile and Bushes  ©

Holding her hair away from the bush, another wave of dry retching overtook her. Surely I can’t have anything else to bring up! How long will this last? How will I tell him?

“Elizabeth, where the hell are you? Where is my breakfast?” bellowed the Lieutenant, entering the kitchen. Wiping her mouth on her sleeve, she scurried back inside.

“It won’t be long Sir, just getting the eggs,” she replied, swallowing bile rising in her throat again. Just breathe, I can’t tell him yet, I don’t want to leave ’ere.

Spooning porridge onto his plate, her thoughts drifted to how she had found herself in this situation. Seven years! Why seven years? Lizzy is the same age as me, why had she got just one month and I got seven years transportation?

It was only a few articles of clothing after all, it wouldn’t have been noticed, if it wasn’t for that surly footman. I suppose I should have let him kiss me.

Elizabeth Selwyn, aged 18, Elizabeth Evans aged 16, committed on suspicion of stealing cotton gowns, a piece of striped serge, the Court Clerk had read. I guess Lizzy was better at her numbers than me. After all, it got her an easier sentence. I shouldn’t have lied about me age.

Boarding the Pitt for the voyage three months later, Elizabeth clutched the little bundle of her possessions tied in her only shawl. Her Mumma’s red shawl, given to her when she got the job of downstairs maid. I wish I hadn’t got caught, I did’t have any choice in nicking those things, Mumma needed money for food, they were all starving. My wages weren’t due until Christmas.

Now they had nothing!

With each step up the gangplank her heart beat faster. Nothing had prepared her for this day. She felt her chest constricting. I’m scared! Where would we all go, how will we all fit below deck? Red Coats, sailors, servants and gentry for Lor’s sakes! Why would anyone willingly go on this stinking ship? Just breathe Betsey, just breathe!

Elizabeth remembered the horror of the journey, the sick and the dying. She remembered the February day, arriving to the brilliant sunshine and overwhelming heat.

The Red Coat was watching me as I came up on deck, he gave me the shivers! Six and a half months below decks had taken a toll on more than just me body and threadbare clothes. I was about to start a new harsh life, never to see me family again and he was watching me!

Names were read out by a scrawny soldier standing near the gangplank. Fate had been kind to me that day, I was never expecting to leave the ship as housekeeper to Lieutenant Thomas Rowley!

“How many eggs would you like today Sir?” she asked, trying to focus on what was happening around her and noticing that he was looking at her with expectation.

“Elizabeth, what is wrong?” asked the Lieutenant. “You are miles away, it’s not like you to be wool gathering.”

I should have been more careful, he didn’t want a babe! Could I get rid of it? How could a convict bring up a baby without a father? He will send me to the barracks.

“I’m with child!” she blurted, running outside to her favourite bush!

Rising with a look of confusion the Lieutenant followed. It wasn’t long before he found her, on her knees, behind an innocuous spindly bush not far from the outhouse. The guttural retching sounds giving her away!

Approaching slowly, his nostrils flared with the acrid scent of vomit. Stopping away from her, breathing through his mouth, he called, “Are you all right?”

I’m just dandy! Do I look all right? Here I have just ‘shot the cat’ and you are asking me if I am all right, you great oaf?

“Yes, I am fine, I will be back directly and pour your tea.”

“Take your time Elizabeth. When you come in, I think we need to talk” he replied, retreating to the hut.

Blinking on entering the room after the brilliant sunshine of the March day outside, Elizabeth noticed the teapot, two dainty cups - where had they come from? - and a bottle of rum on the table. Sipping from his pannikin of rum, the Lieutenant looked up motioning to her to sit across from him.

“Well Betsey, I gather we have a situation to attend to? Do you want tea or rum?” he asked gently with a smile.

Reflective Statement

These two are my first ancestors on Australian soil in my maternal line. I haven’t been able to prove my research for them prior to this, so they are at the moment, the beginning of my Family Saga.

I hope with further exploration and imagination, to link one of these characters with another generation.

I found this essay fun, although challenging at times.

I am leaning towards the Creative Non-Fiction as genre of choice. The use of dialogue is a preference for me, I find that it is a natural fit, once I start writing. The Internal monologue was a bit more of a challenge. I kept wanting to write in third person instead of first person.

After numerous editing exercises, I eliminated many unnecessary words. Six drafts later it was within the word limits and polished!

I hope that maybe I am finding “my voice” in this essay.

______________________

For this Narrative I received 83% and the following feedback.

This is a very good, vivid piece of writing which brings your ancestors to life while giving your reader a strong sense of their circumstances. You have created an engaging and convincing story for Betsey and for the most part the inner monologues work well in telling her story. I would like to have known her name earlier on and where she's come from and where she is living in this narrative as well as a date or two so we can locate her in time. You've managed to incorporate lots of interesting details such as her crime and ensuing sentence but we don't know where she's come from or anything about what she's left behind. I assume that the 'Lizzy' who received only a one-month sentence is the 16 year-old, though this is not absolutely clear as you've written it. Perhaps take another look at that part. Nor is it clear whether the Lieutenant is the father of Betsey's baby or the Red Coat watching her on the boat. To make the most of these two plot points they need to be crystal clear at least by the end of your story if not sooner. Overall, a very good piece of work. Well done. JK.

NB It's enough to simply say 'swallowing bile' without adding 'rising in her throat again'.

________________________________________________

For the next assignment I could write about someone in the earlier assignment if I wanted, but not both.  I also had to address all feedback that I was given in this assignment.

Writing the Family Saga Assignment
From Convict to Mam ©

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it hurts, it hur…”

As another wave of pain approached, Elizabeth moaned into her throat, trying to quell the scream rising from her belly! Sweat dripped down her forehead, the sticky heat engulfed her as she writhed in pain. When would it end? 

“Push Betsey, push, this babe can’t do all the work,” urged Mrs Haggety from next door. 

“For Lors’ sakes Missus, I can’t push any harder,” Elizabeth yelled.

“You don’t have to dear, she’s ‘ere, another beautiful girl. Well done lassie!”

I thought it is supposed to get easier, but it hasn’t! Sobbing with relief, Elizabeth held out her arms for her daughter, the pain now forgotten.

Oh, what a beautiful, bonny babe. Who would have thought when I arrived on that stinking convict ship so long ago, I would now be mother to five young-ins? 

Assigned as his housekeeper was a better life than others, who arrived with me. Housekeeper, hah! More than just a housekeeper. The babies come every couple of years whether I want ‘em or not. I have either been carrying ‘em or feeding ‘em for years now. 

Mother, but not a wife, still not a wife! Will marriage never cross his mind? Feeling worn out and emotional, Elizabeth sighed with resignation. I guess in 1804, the protection of a man is the next best thing. Not just any man either, he’s a Captain. I could be worse off. It wasn’t like I had a choice though. But I wouldn’t change anything, nah who am I foolin’, Mrs Captain Thomas Rowley, sure would sound good! 

“I will call her Eliza-Jane, Mrs Haggety, isn’t she beautiful?” beamed Elizabeth. 

“Yer a born mother, Betsey.”

Smiling through her tears, Elizabeth nodded. I love being a Mam! 

Sitting in the brilliant Sydney sunshine gazing at the baby at her breast, a few days later, her thoughts meandered in the past. The past of dreary fogs and the drizzling rain of England. Of hard work in service. Of prison, chains and convict ships. 

It is so dam hot today, that sun is fit to burn the shell off a snail. I don’t seem to be able to move quicker than a snail either! Oh how I would welcome a fog creeping up over the rise. 

I wonder when he will be back again. I can’t do anything to upset him now, though. I may not be a convict no more, but I guess I have him to thank for getting me an Absolute Pardon. I hope he doesn’t tire of me and send me packing. 

I just need to keep this little bit of power motherhood has given me. He couldn’t manage the children on his own and he would never give ‘em up. At least he treats us good and I have a roof over me head and me babies. We will never go hungry and I don’t have to worry about money no more.

Rising and placing the sleeping baby in the basket, she sighed, now where are your brothers and sisters, Eliza-Jane?  

“Isabella, Tommy, John, Mary, time for supper.”

Picking up the basket with the sleeping Eliza-Jane, she made her way inside, smiling as she stepped through the door. My mansion, two rooms, dirt floor and all! But better than the tents some were still living in. I wish he spent more time at home. The Corps takes up so much of his time. Especially the rum trade and now all the land he is buying! 

Eliza-Jane started to stir, tossing her head from side to side looking for her mother’s breast. Placing food on the table for the older children Elizabeth sat down to feed her fussing baby.

“Oh! Eliza, Li’l Liza Jane,
Oh! Eliza, Li’l Liza Jane.
Where will life take you?
Where will you go?” she sang in her tuneless voice, laughing when the children joined her with their exaggerated,

“Oh! Eliza, Li’l Liza Jane!”

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

Over two hundred years later I listen with fondness, as my third son, sings similar words to my new granddaughter Eliza-Jane, as he rocks her to sleep…

“Hey li’l Liza, li’l Liza - Jane
Go li’l Liza, li’l Liza - Jane.” [1]

“Did you know there are a few Eliza-Janes in our Family Tree?” I ask as I watch him with pride.

“No, really? We just like the name. How about that!” rising he places the sleeping Eliza- Jane of the twenty first century in her pram.

“You might like to tell her about her rich heritage of strong women, one day. There have been quite a few down the ages,” smiling at my 6’4” son as he tenderly settles his daughter, I continued, “especially the mother of our first Eliza-Jane on Australian soil. Elizabeth Selwyn has quite the story to tell.”

“Hmm, yeh Mum. Isn’t she beautiful?”

[1] The song “Oh Eliza-Jane” is indeed sung by my son to his Eliza-Jane, so I thought it was a good link between generations. Artistic license is used with Elizabeth singing it though, as it wasn’t written at that time. 


Reflective Statement 

In writing about my 3 x great grandmother Elizabeth, I focused on the strength she showed as a single woman in the fledgling colony of Sydney, New South Wales.

As I had written about her partner and father of her children in Assessment 2, I did’t want to mention him too much or give him notable scenes. I found this a hard task to achieve as my words naturally wanted to flow to his involvement in her life.

I hope to expand this narrative at a later date to show the other Eliza-Janes that have followed in this line of my Family Tree.

My writing once again led me towards dialogue and internal monologue, as I seem to be more comfortable with this style. I struggle with description passages, so showing with voice seems easier for me.

One of my biggest challenges in writing is past and present tense and I find myself second guessing myself and changing words with nearly every reading, which were many!

I found myself falling into the trap of assuming my reader knew as much about my characters as I did. I had to challenge myself to read it as a first time reader, with little knowledge of my characters.

I revised my narrative after excellent feedback on Assessment 2 and placed my characters in time and space. The trick for me was doing this without having a list of “begats” as Jodi is fond of saying 

______________________

I received 82% for the Narrative and the following Feedback.

This is a well-written narrative focusing on Elizabeth and linking her life to the present. Your use of dialogue is clever, alongside the inner monologue, which you use to give context. I like how you transition to the present, keeping the story personal through your interaction with your son and his baby daughter.

I enjoyed reading about how you approached the writing process, reflecting on the style you are most comfortable with and the challenges of writing in this way.

One thing to be aware of as you continue to develop your writing, is punctuation. There are some instances where you have commas where they aren't necessary and disrupt the flow of the sentence, and others where a comma would improve clarity and fluency. This is something that will improve with practice.

You demonstrate an ability to apply the techniques discussed in this unit to create an interesting narrative based on historical records. I hope you keep up this important work of bringing history to life for future generations.

________________________________________________

LOUISA - Chapters Twenty Five and Twenty Six ©

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE  ©

MUDDY WORK 

The dawn of a New Year saw many sleepy bodies drag themselves from their beds.

Louisa met all her children over the breakfast table and suggested that they start the year with a picnic by the river.

All in agreement they were soon loaded with all the necessities for a lovely day in the wagon, and the short trip to the banks of the river.

It was here that John broached the subject of his plans for the new year.

“Mumma, I am now fourteen and I have enjoyed the mail run and I appreciate you getting it for me, I really do. But I want to work in town. There is a job going at the new building site of Royal Hotel. Can I apply for it, please Mumma, George could do the mail run, it would be good for him.”

Louisa smiled to herself, she could hear Alfred’s bargaining skills, in his voice. Trust him to appeal to her commonsense and promote his brother’s development at the same time.

“All right son, if this is what your heart is so set on, I can’t refuse you any longer. Yes you may apply for the job.”

“Thank you Mumma, it is only a rouse-about job, but I am sure it will lead to other things,” he replied as he enveloped her in one of his bear hugs.

The following week John was accepted to work for the builder of the Royal Hotel. He was in his element and enjoyed the menial tasks that were set for him. Always looking forward to the day when he would be able to move up the ladder and maybe have something to do with actual building. Louisa had never seen her fourth son so happy.

“John, you best hurry up, you will be late for work. The road is going to be muddy. So give yourself plenty of time,” calling upstairs from the kitchen, where she was preparing breakfast, Louisa added another tart to his pack for the ride into work.

The long drought had finally broken. It had been raining for over a week. There had been four and a half inches recorded in town.[18]

He would be covered in mud when he arrived. She thought of his childhood, she couldn’t remember a day when he hadn’t worked. She wondered if he would have liked to go to school, to play football with mates.

“Bye Mumma,” John planted a quick kiss on her cheek as he dashed out the door.

The day passed as most of her days did now. She was content with her life, she was a successful Publican and liked the company that her regulars provided. Thinking about her life she realised that she would always keep herself to herself, she would never be hurt with the loss of a spouse again. She could’t face it.

John still wasn’t home. She thought he had probably decided to stay in town again because of the muddy roads. She didn’t like him working on the Sabbath, but his boss had asked him to cleanup the building site as it had been awash with mud and building had been held up the last week with all the rain.

Oh well, she thought, he wouldn’t have such a muddy trip for work tomorrow.

18 Gunnedah. (1890, March 1). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 15. Retrieved May 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71108542

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX  ©

WHEN WOULD IT END

Bang, bang, bang! It’s still dark! Who could be at the door? Rubbing her eyes Louisa grabbed her housecoat, rushing to open the front door. A policeman stood on the verandah.

Dear God no! It can’t be John, can it? Grabbing hold of the door frame her legs began to shake uncontrollably.

“Mrs Engstrom, there has been an accident, John is in hospital, you need to come quickly.”

“I won’t be more than two minutes, Officer,” turning on her heel, she rushed down the hall to throw on her dress and coat. True to her word Louisa appeared outside and climbed into the Officer’s buggy a few minutes later.

Listening to the policeman on the journey into town, Louisa’s gave up trying to keep her tears in check. John had been clearing the building site. While carrying wood he had slipped in the mud, crashing down the incline, with the roughly hewn wood going everywhere. By the time his employer had reached him, he was screaming in pain with a large piece of wood sticking out the side of his face. He thankfully, lost consciousness, before being taken to the hospital.⁠[19]


Not mincing his words the officer explained the piece of wood had torn his jaw and cheek, causing him to lose a lot of blood.


Four days later, in great agony, John gave up his battle.[20] His dreams for life ended on 19 February 1890, as just dreams.[21] Louisa never left her son’s side. I should never have let him take that job. I should protect my children! He was only fourteen years old.


Tears streaming down her face, she clung to his hand. Oh my dear Johnny. Now I have to bury you too, beside your father and step-father!

When would it end?

19 Gunnedah. (1890, March 1). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 15. Retrieved May 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71108542

20 Gunnedah. (1890, March 1). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 15. Retrieved May 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71108542 

21 Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 for John Brandt (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010), http://www.ancestry.com.au.