Mystery Monday - George Musson

A few years ago I received an email from Shona telling me she thought her great great grandfather, George Musson, and my great great grandfather, William Musson, were brothers.

Shona and her sister in law, Dianne had been working back from Shona's father, Brian to her grandfather James, great grandfather, George and then hitting a brick wall with her great great grandfather George.  

As we have not found a death for this George Musson I am recording a timeline for him with hopes of perhaps flushing out some information.

The death certificate of my ggg grandfather, William Musson, gave his parents names Elijah Musson and Mary (former name unknown). I found Elijah and Mary at Stonesby, Leicestershire in all the census.  There was only one other Elijah Musson in the area and he was a nephew born 1836.

Following all the census Elijah and Mary Musson had six children.  

In the 1841 census there were William b 1832 and Emma 1839.  

The 1851 census then included Richard b 1842,  Elizabeth 1845 and George 1847. 

In the 1871 census Elijah and Mary were aged 56 and 60 with a 9 year old daughter named Ann living with them.  Ann was the only child there on that night.  Perhaps a granddaughter?

I know that my great great grandfather William had already left for New Zealand in 1862.  

It seems George may have soon followed.

1867

On the 16th of April, 1867 a George Musson married Annie Gough in Christchurch New Zealand. They were living at Rangiora, near where William had settled.  

1869

George  may have fallen out with his brother William after signing his name on a promisory note without his knowledge.

In mid 1869 he spent a couple of years in "penal servitude" for perjury. 

George and Annie went on to have five children all born in that area. They were Richard  born 1868, George born 1869, James born 1871, John born 1873 and  Annie born 1876.  From here it gets confusing as all the later generations included a George Musson.

1875

It seems George had money woes and was also facing bankruptcy.

1883

Maybe that was why Annie was putting the land into her own name.

1891

The following notice appeared in 1891, the same year that Elijah Musson, father of William and George, died at Stonesby.  This is our main reason for thinking George is William's brother.

from The Press, 21 July 1891

The family at some stage moved to Cobden on the Grey River.  

George Musson senior's paper trail  either disappeared or became entwined/confused with George junior.

1897
A George Musson became renowned for his boxing skills. Because these stories appeared through until 1937 we can't be sure if they were only about George junior or both or are there other Georges, such as a son of Richard or John Musson.

1912

Perhaps Annie moved the family to Cobden because her sister lived there.  
Her poor sister met a very sad end.

Still searching for the death of George Musson born 1847 Leicestershire.

Mystery Monday - searching for the death of Margaret Leslie Mason nee Carstairs

My great great great grandmother, Margaret Leslie Carstairs, was born on the 2nd of September, 1823 at Cupar, Fife, Scotland.  She was baptised on the 10th of September at Cupar.

 Her parents were Andrew Carstairs and Elizabeth (Betty) Stewart. 

Margaret married Peter Webster Mason in 1842  Largo, Fife, Scotland 

"Were contracted Peter Mason in this parish and Margaret Carstairs in the parish of Cupar who after proclamation without objection were married the 15th of same."

They had twelve children, Margaret, Andrew, Elizabeth and Susan Webster Mason, were born in Scotland.  

It's not known when or where Margaret died.

Andrew died 1869 Victoria.  

Elizabeth died 1910 Landsborough, Victoria

Susan Webster died 1928 Landsborough, Victoria.

Peter and Margaret Mason sailed from Plymouth aboard  the "Cheapside"  on the 21st of May, 1848 and reached Port Phillip on the 18th of August, 1848 as assisted immigrants with children Andrew aged 2 and Susan aged 3 months.  This was the fastest voyage to that time.  

Fare was 14 pounds 8 shillings.  196 passengers.  Peter was passenger 121.

Peter and Margaret could read and write and went ashore without leaving their address.

The Port Phillip Patriot and Morning Advertiser of 19 August reported:-

" The Cheapside arrived here yesterday, with emigrants from London and Plymouth, having completed the voyage in rather less that 88 days, being the quickest ever yet made from England to Port Phillip.

She brings London papers up to the date she sailed from Plymouth, 21st May as she left during the night of that day.  The class of emigrants on board appears to be as good as those brought by the "Cornwall" being almost all from England.  The passage of this vessel throughout has been generally favourable.  She ran to Madeira in 7 days, and was off the Cape of Good Hope on the 20th July, from that to Cape Northumberland she experienced a succession of strong gales from the North, on the 25th July especially, a severe storm arose accompanied with lightening and rain, she was struck by the electric fluid, but it was carried over the tide by the conductors, having done no injury save carrying away the main topmast crosstress, in lat 39 20 South, long 36 38 East.  The weather being squally and gloomy, a whirlwind or waterspout was observed on the starboard quarter, about a mile distant, and nearing the ship fast.  Captain Lewis was obliged to haul up to avoid it, and had some difficulty in doing so as it passed within 500 yards of them; it is described as having been a very grand sight, but had rather too much of the terrible in it to be enjoyed by those on board.  Nothing further of note occurred until she was within a few days sail of Port Phillip Heads, when a melancholy accident befell a tine young seaman of the name of George Farquhar; he was up on the main yard and his foot slipping from the rope he lost his hold and falling violently on the deck, died instantly, his head upon which he fell, being dashed to pieces.  The "Cheapside" spoke the "Hartley" off Madeira, 1 week out bound for Adelaide with emigrants.  There were 5 deaths all infants, and 4 births, on board.  

The next eight children were born in Victoria, Australia and all recorded on the birth certificate of the last born child, Sarah Jane.

Peter was born in Melbourne in 1849 died 1851 Richmond.

Agnes, my great great grandmother, was born at Heidelberg in 1851 died 1940 Wangaratta

Janet "Jessie" was born at Heidelberg in 1854 died 1928 Stawell

Mary was born at Oakleigh in 1855 and died that same year.

David was born in 1856 died unknown

Euphemia Margaret was born 1859 at Myer's Creek (now Myer's Flat) Nerring near Eaglehawk died 1942 Stawell.

John Robert was born 1862 at Peg Leg, near Eaglehawk died 1914 Wagga Wagga

Sarah Jane was born 1865 at Myer's Creek died 1891 East Melbourne

Myers Creek, now Myers Flat near Eaglehawk, Victoria.

According to a book written by their great grandson, George Rathbone, the Mason's were for a time at the Ballarat gold fields and their made friends with the Rathbone family.  None of the friends had any great gold finds, only sufficient to satisfy their needs.  He states that the Mason's were in Talbot in 1868 where their daughter Agnes married Peter Hart in 1870.

Agnes Mason (1851-1940)  and Peter Hart (ca 1827 - 1900)

Nothing further appears to be known of their whereabouts.  A search for Peter Webster Mason's death led fellow family researcher, Linda Robertson, to him dying at Bendigo Benevolent Asylum on the 1st of March 1892 of  Cystitis, Exhaustion and Senile debility.

Today I finally found at least a funeral notice for him in Trove so now I know where he is buried.

To date no one has found a death for his wife Margaret.  

A lot of people have listed her death as 1905 at Hamilton in Victoria but I have that death certificate and it belongs to a Margaret Mason who was born in Co. Clare Ireland, had three marriages, one to a William Mason and had one son Thomas, not ours.

I have seen 14 family trees in ancestry.com with that death mistakenly attached to our Margaret 

(And frustratingly there are a couple of other trees that even have Margaret attached to a completely wrong family. Unfortunately this happens repeatedly in that site)

Mystery Monday - What happened to David Adams? (Updated)

I'm updating and reposting this earlier blog post as a part of  Geneabloggers prompt  Mystery Monday.

My great grandfather, John Adams, was one of nine children born to George Adams and Catherine nee Barry listed below.  John married Mary Agnes Morgan on the 7th of November 1887 at Essendon, Victoria.  John's brother, David Adams, was a witness at their marriage.

1. Susan born 1854 Fremantle WA married John Tunney.  Died 1880 Victoria
2. George born 1856 Hotham (North Melbourne).  Died 1876 Major Plains, Victoria
3. John born 1858 North Melbourne. Married Mary Agnes Morgan.  Died 1937 Victoria
4. Mary born 1860 North Melbourne.  Died 1878 Richmond, Victoria.
5. Edward born 1862 Hotham (North Melbourne.  Married Selina Clifton.  Died 1933 New Zealand
6. Catherine (Katie) born 1864 Melbourne.  Married John McFadyen.  Died 1946 Victoria.
7. David born 1866 Hotham (North Melbourne) was still alive at his father's death in 1921.
8. Margaret born 1868 Albany, Western Australia. Married James Mansfield.  Died 1926 Victoria
9. Annie born 1870 Albany, WA.  Married Henry Sloan.  Died 1960 Ascot Vale, Victoria.

David is the only one we don't know anything more about.  We have searched multiple combinations and variations of possible marriages and deaths to no avail.  The only clues we have found on him so far are mentions in family Wills that at least tell us he was still alive but not where he was living. 

He was a beneficiary in the Will of his father, George Adams in 1921 and also in the Will of his sister, Margaret Mansfield in 1926.

After that ZILCH but I recently had a phone conversation with, Mrs Fisher, a newly found niece of David Adams - read that story here.  

She mentioned a vague memory of her younger years (she is currently 91) of meeting an Uncle of hers who she visited at his tiny jewellers shop in Bourke Street, Melbourne.  She thought this was in her teenage years, so around 1940, and was fairly certain this Uncle's name was Joe Adams.  She said from memory he was a very nice gentleman but unfortunately can't remember much more.  Her mother was another who never spoke much at all about her family.  

After researching as much as possible, all the other Uncles in her family, we just can't find anyone named Joe who was a jeweller or similar.  Could this Joe be David?

 Christine, my sleuthing partner and fellow Adams descendant, found a possible David Adams in some interesting old newspaper articles.

In 1886 David would have been a young man of 20.  A young David Adams, along with some mates, got into a bit of bother with Police when they became mixed up with a rather dubious couple.

Could this be him?  As the article states, David was from a "respectable working class" family.

ALLEGED OUTRAGE AT ROYAL PARK.

A SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST FIVE YOUNG MEN.

The Hotham police on Friday and Saturday arrested five young men well known in the town, one of them being Joseph Tankard, a prominent member of the Hotham Football Club, on a charge of having criminally assaulted a woman named Mary Ann Shields At about 1 o'clock on Friday morning Constable Kenny, who was on duty at the Royal park had his attention attracted to a number of men who were close together at some distance from the road. On proceeding close to the spot, the constable noticed that there was a woman with them, and he went for assistance, returning shortly afterwards with Constable Glynn. The constables soon overtook two of the party with a woman. The latter, on seeing the police, cried out, and stated that she had been outraged by five men. The two men with her, David Adams and Thomas Crystal, were then arrested and placed in the lockup. Late the same night Joseph Tankard, Arthur Forrest, and William Anderson were arrested. On Saturday morning they were presented at the local police court on the serious charge, and remanded till Thursday next. They are all young men, their ages ranging from 19 to 24 years, and they belong to the respectable working class. The woman, who gave her name as Mary Ann Shields, is about 40 years of age, and miserably clad. Her reputed husband is described by the police as a "professional sundowner," and he has been convicted a number of times at Malmsbury, Castlemaine, and Hotham. The pair have no home, and they generally sleep out in such places as parks or unoccupied houses. The Government medical officer, Dr Shields, who examined the woman, does not speak positively as to the offence having been committed .

The boys were discharged.  

I can't with any certainty find David after the 1886 Royal Park adventure but on further hopeful searching for any information on the other young men it appears that Thomas Chrystal moved to Queensland.  

Interestingly, many years later in 1929, Thomas again came before the courts and was again discharged.  This time it was rather a sad tale though.

Mystery Monday - Forsyth - Burnett family

Today I found the answer to another question but raised more.  

Isn't that the way genealogy always works!

My great great grandfather's sister was Helen Gordon Forsyth born on January 5th 1859.  Helen died of Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis or a similar progressive wasting disease.) on the 11th of November 1897 at Mill Terrace of Sandhaven, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Helen had had a relationship with a James Wood.  

Together they had a daughter, Helen Thomson Forsyth who was born on the 17th of January 1882 at Tyrie, Aberdeenshire.  

In the 1891 and 1901 census young Helen Thomson Forsyth was living with her maternal grandmother, yet another Helen Forsyth, at Shore Street, Pitsligo.

We're not sure what happened to James Wood but in 1885 Helen Gordon Forsyth married a mason named Thomas Burnett.  They went on to have four children together.  Thomas pre-deceased Helen in 1892.

Their children were:-

Margaret Dickie Burnett born 1886 Sandhaven - died 1890 Aberdour

Annie Burnett born 1887 Aberdour - died 1921 Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Isabella Sangster Burnett born 1889 Aberdour - died 1914 Aberdeen

Alexander Merson Burnett born 1891 Aberdour - possibly died 1976 Alberta, Canada.

Helen Gordon Forsyth's nephew Patrick and his wife Dorothy have been an amazing and invaluable source in our family research.   Dorothy had sent me this postcard/photo

On the back was a letter dated Jun 1906 to Helen Forsyth at Eddle House, Sandhaven, by Fraserburgh,  from her sister Bella.

The letter says:  "Dear Sister,  just a few lines to let you know I am well.  I have been a long time in writing to you.  This is a photo of my chums and myself by Mr. Pender.

Write soon please.

Kind regards from your sister Bella xxxxx

So one of the girls in the photo is Isabella Burnett.  I wondered where she would have been living in 1906 as her parents had both died.  I thought Mr Pender may give me a clue.  Sure enough I found Isabella Burnett aged eleven years in 1901 census at a boarding house at 37 Belmont Street, Aberdeen South with an Alexander Pender the headmaster and his wife Matron.  

A Google search revealed that Mr Pender, (who wore long johns under his kilt!  see photo and story here ) was the headmaster for the Aberdeen Institution for the Education of the deaf and dumb. 

So Bella must have been deaf.  She died in 1914 at the young age of 24.  I have added her death certificate to my "to do" list.

Her sister and brother, Annie and Alexander Burnett both migrated to Canada.

Below is a photo of Alexander in uniform.  Another thing on the "to do" list is to find his military details.  

From this photo and the one of the three girls, which girl do you think his sister Bella would be?

Mystery Monday - Are these the same man?

Are these three photos of the same man? - what do you think?

the above three photos are from the photos below.  Mr. Thomas Kelly (my 2nd great grand uncle) was born in Tipperary Ireland in 1843.  He died in New Zealand in 1912.  His wife, Juliana was born 1851 and died in New Zealand in 1925.  They adopted a child but it is not known when the adoption took place.  The child they adopted was born in 1885.

said to be Mr and Mrs Thomas Kelly

said to be Mr Thomas Kelly

said to be Mr Thomas Kelly

said to be the same Mrs Kelly