| Let's Chat - A page for community help and informationIf you have information that can help the people below, please contact the editor with your answer, which will be passed on to the enquirer. Please note that the editor supplies information to all enquirers that may be able to help them, but not all is printed here as not all is of public interest. Click: info@mudgeehistory.com.au to send your answer. Please quote the heading plus the enquirer's first name.
Editors Note: Seekers of Aboriginal Family History have been taken out of this page and given an page of their own. There has been so much response from families seeking their heritage, I have decided to create a special page that might give more links and be simpler and easier to navigate. Please feel free to contribute if you can at info@mudgeehistory.com.au
Please identify old farm machinery I am putting together a history of our farm at Boinka Victoria I left the farm more than 70 years ago when I was 12 recently I took photos of the remains of the machinery. Now I am seeking help to identify some of them and would like you to help me please . Was the above (left) a chaff cutter? Is the bottom (below left) photo a binder? Thanking you sincerely, Norah. Not sure on this one (above left).
We are pretty sure the photo bottom left is a binder that used to bind sheafs of wheat. They used this on tall hay, to make sheaves. They used the hay for chaff as well. So the hay had to be long. It was pulled by a pair of draught horses, in single file or tandem. - Editor
Chinese digger I am writing a novel about my great gandmother Margaret Lawrence, a publican's daughter, from Pipeclay creek who married Yap John Hong ( Chinese digger whowas originally an indentured labourer) at St John's Anglican church in 1850 or 1851 (I have lost the certificate and awaiting the replacement ) . Although a novel, I want it to be historically accurate and was wondering if you might send me any information about that era which could be of help in my research. Many Thanks, Kate
Samuel Moore Dear Diane
Mudgee Brewery Hello Diane, Could you please tell me if there was a Brewery or Winery operating in Mudgee in the late Victorian or Edwardian period with the surname of Young. Thanking you. William Lynne Robinson from Mudgee Historical Society replies. Thank you Lynne: Victoria Brewery on corner of Lawson & Mortimer Sts – it had been closed for 10 years. They cleaned up the site and installed Mr Fletcher as brewer. They renamed it the Federal Brewery and produced ale, porter and also hop beer which was sold by local soft drink maker. In 1901 Young Ferreri & Co sold the brewery to G H O’Connor. In 1904 Young Ferrier & Co again appeared in Mudgee when they repurchased the Brewery back from Mr O’Connor and continued until July 1916 when they sold to a partnership of H Smith, AC Wade & J Birtles with Mr Dewar as brewer which continued until 1946. (ref.Mudgee –A History of the town by C J Connelly ISBN 0646152386 – publ 1993) Advert - Western Post newspaper on Thursday 21st September 1911 FEDERAL BREWERY, MUDGEE - a competent brewer is employed by new owner Mr. Geo Young. Local beers now available. Jenkins grave at Brighton Hello
Duggan grave at Brighton Hi Diane
St Luke's Wollar I am trying to find information on Frederick Babbage who may have helped build St Lukes church at Wollar back in the late 1800's any information you could pass on would be much appreciated thank you Carol
Hedger family and more information on the Governor massacre. My ancestors were at Apple Tree Flat 1865/66 George and Jane Hedger and their family. I would love to know if anyone has information on them. I do have a book called 'Breelong and her neighbours - along the Castlereach' You may be able to buy it second hand but I don't think it is available new. Written by John and Cheryl Mudford. George died in 1898 at Dubbo and Jane lived at Apple Tree Flat until her death in 1929 when she was 92 years old. She was good friends with Sarah Mawbey. and: Jane married George Hedger in 1856 her maiden name was Court - parents were Jane Conway and John Court (convict) he was a tinsmith. They had 12 children and one of these, Herbert Hedger was my great grandfather. What we know is that when they first got married they went to work on a property west of Come By Chance, Jane became friends with the aboriginal women as she was alone for months at a time, and was midwife to some of their chidren, as she had 4 children out there they may have returned the favour. George carted wood down to Mudgee and provisions back to Mr White's property. In 1866a they went to live at Apple Tree flat between Gilgandra and Mendooran, of course Breelong also lies between these two towns. Jane would have been at the Mawbey's house with Sarah that day but some of her children and grandchildren were ill so she stayed home. It has been said in our family stories that she helped to lay out the bodies of Sarah and her children. She died at Apple Tree Flat in 1929. My great grandmother was Ada Jones, she was Herbert's cousin.
Pamela and Thank you so much Diana for your help.
All Nations Hotel Have just read Mudgee History site - absolutely great, and so well put together. Am very interested in a photo featured on Page 2 of "Gold Rush and Cobb & Co" taken outside of All Nations Hotel 1872. (Courtesy of David Rutherford) My G.G.G Grandfather was a police constable for many years in the Mudgee, Gulgong district, and was known to be a guard on the Mudgee mail run. Would love to have copy of this photograph. There is a very slim chance that the policeman mentioned, waiting for the Cobb & Co coach, may well be him! Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou Jan And... Thankyou very much for forwarding photo of All Nation's Hotel. It's greatly appreciated. It's for personal use only. On checking my records my GGG resigned in 1871 not 1872 - nonetheless, I still treasure the photo. My GGG John Glien lived from 1863 in the Mudgee/Gulgong/Canadian Lead areas & passed away at Reedy Creek in 1923 at the age of 88. He was a policeman for at least 11 years in the Western district, who moved on to mining and then farming. One of the newspaper clippings (from that wonderful NLA website) dated 1865, cites him at the time, as a constable who performed the duties of mail guard on the Mudgee Road. Diane, I'm one of those poor unfortunates who has researched close families off & on for 10 years, but am only now going through the horror of truly collating the material, to form a cohesive storyline......I hope you'll keep that offer open of placing something on your website. When you have time, could you let me know the preferred format, or layout. It seems he wasn't a man of any great social or political importance, but a quintessential German immigrant with a dream of a better life. He must have known the value of a dollar though, as he retired from the police in 1871, when I believe they dropped the wages by sixpence! Best wishes, Jan, Gold Coast. Louis and Doreen Noon My parents, Louis and Doreen Noon, and brother immigrated from England in January 1950. They worked on a property at either Glen Davis or Glen Alice in the Capertee Valley. and My sister was born on the property (Mum didn't make the hospital) and I saw her birth certificate last night and it states 'place of birth Glen Alice'. I am thinking that the property must have been in Glen Alice not Davis but I guess we should check out both places. Mum and Jan were then taken to hospital but I can't remember if Mum said Mudgee or Rylstone (if there was one) hospital. I was wondering if there would be any records there. and Dad worked on the farm as a farm hand type person fixing fences and helping with farm work etc and as far as I know Mum was the house keeper (for the main house) and fed the shearers. Hope this helps. Judy
Thomas Tarrant I have started researching my genealogy, and some of my family moved to the Mudgee area. My great great Grandfather - THOMAS TARRANT (born in August 1834 (and some of his siblings moved there after their mother Mary died in 1854) he worked on Burrundulla when he married my Great Great Grandmother ELIZA EAMES (born in December 1832) in October 1856. I had heard that he, or one of his siblings had worked with Cobb and Co, and I was wondering if there is anywhere I can obtain a list of those employed and any other relevant information. I have managed to find some of the graves through the Mudgee cemetery site, but am still looking. Hi Diane, And Hi Diane Windeyer Anglican ChurchI am trying to gather more information on my Great grandparents who lived at Windeyer. I was very lucky in knowing my great grandmother, Emily Jane Thomas, Cornally being her married name, before she died in Mudgee at 104 years of age. She took us on a tour of Windeyer , and Long Creek several times, to show us where she lived as a girl and a young married woman. Now about the church, we were always told that her father William Thomas, a carpenter had built, or, as it would seem after reading your article about it, renovated the Church with her husband to be, Charles Augustine Cornally, who was mainly responsible for making the pews, as he also was a carpenter, as they wanted to get married and there was no church for them to be married. We were also told that they were the first couple to be married in the church. However, they were married in 1869, (confirmed by BDM's of NSW},which does not correspond with your dates of the church being finished in 1873. It could well be that her younger sister was the one who was first to be married there. She was married at Windeyer in1872. This story was only passed down to us from some of the grandchildren. Also I do believe that her parents were living at Windeyer at the time, and not in Mudgee, as is stated in your article (See section on Bush Churches) My great grandather, Charles Augustine Cornally. was a French sailor, who at 18 years of age jumped ship and headed for Windeyer to the gold fields. He changed his French name to what sounded like the way the Chinese people pronounced the French. He did this to avoid being captured for deserting. We have been trying to find out what the original name was. It would seem he worked with William Thomas and that is how he met Emily Jane. Many thanks, Adrienne I am responding to Adrienne’s article on Windeyer Anglican Church. I’ m afraid I can not shed any light on Adrienne’s question however I would like to let Adrienne know that I am a relative of Emily Jane Cornally. She is my great grandmother however she passed away just before I was born. My fathers’ mother Annie May Walker nee Cornally was one of Emily’s daughter. I only have limited info on the Cornally family and a couple of photos of Emily taken in the early 1950s, plus a family photo taken outside their home in Lawson St Mudgee, but I don’t know all the people in the picture. It would be good to contact Adrienne so I could learn a bit more about the Cornally family. My Dad had a picture of the Windeyer Church, taken in the 1950s and thanks to Adrienne I now know why Dad took the picture. Hope to hear from Adrienne. Regards, Glenn Editor's Note: Glenn's response has been forwarded onto Adrienne for her to get in touch with him.
Walton family history wanted I am tracing my family tree and have found some info that one of the braches lived at Mudgee. The name of the person I have found is an Angelina Walton, Walton being her married name on her Marriage cert it has her maiden name as snow but no birth record can be found under that name but on looking into other trees I have found many that have her listed as a child of a Elizabeth Anderson and Father is Richard Camden. Elizabeth Camden is buried in the Mudgee cemetery and her headstone was erected by her son Luke Jones ,who's father John Jones was married to Elizabeth also the name price has been linked to Elizabeth. The years I am looking at are 1830-1870's.Any help in regards to family members would be appreciated. Kim
Wanted: Information about the Police Force in 1850s I just came across your wonderful site and found it both interesting and helpful. I have a couple of family connections with the area so I guess this email is to provide information for anyone who may be interested and to ask for some help.
Great Great Grandmother Pierce Pearsons Lookout I was very interested to come across your Mudgee District Local History website recently. Late last year I began a website at www.unhurriedtraveller.com which focuses on places and their history; in recent times this has had a special focus on the Blue Mountains and related themes. I am also personally interested in the Mudgee area as some of my forebears lived at Apple Tree Flat and there is a connection on my wife’s side with Henry Lawson. I am writing at this time because a comment on the Unhurried Traveller website (one of the first, in fact, as the website is only becoming known gradually) enquired about the origin of the name Pearson’s Lookout. I wondered whether it might be a name from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and whether perhaps it is connected with the cyclist Joseph Pearson (1849-1939) who went on cycling expeditions in the area. I went through a number of Pearsons in the Australian Dictionary of Biography and he seemed to be a possible candidate, and I found some newspaper articles about two of his cycling trips. I find he produced a cycling map for NSW which might be informative but I have not found it accessible online. This might be a quite incorrect line of enquiry but I have not been able to find definite information on the topic. I came across an old map of the ‘Coco’ Parish (if that’s the right name) from the 1880s but I’m not sure if that is the relevant parish...I am writing to enquire whether the historical connections of the name Pearson’s Lookout are well known or whether you would have advice as to how the topic could be best followed up. With best wishes for your website, regards, Stuart Does anyone have some information about Pearsons Lookout? If so, please contact the editor on info@mudgeehistory.com.au and I will pass it on to Stuart.
Marjorie Partridge of Kandos I am a distant relative of Marjorie and am trying to find some info to complete the Toowoomba and Darling Downs Family History Society register which closes next month. Marjorie was the daughter of my Grandfather and his first wife, who died when she was young. I only have some photos of Marjorie and her family in Kandos that she sent to her family in Brisbane, my mother and her mother. Marjorie was killed in a car accident on 13/4/1949, she was pronounced dead at the Rylstone District Hospital, this one can see in the Syd/Morn/Herald on Nat. Lib. Au. I cannot find out where she was buried or any info on her only daughter Daphne born 16/1/1931 (again SMH on 17/1). ve a photo of Daphne dress to go to Sunday school, outside their brick home and another with her mother when she was about 12 under their peach tree. Marjorie married Edward Ernest Partridge in 1930 in Toowoomba and he died on 15/7/1975 at Lithgow district hospital. I asked my aunt before she died some questions of the family and have that Daphne married a Japanese Doctor who worked at the same hospital as Daphne. His name was Meadows but nothing comes up for both Daphne or Kim Meadows. They had two daughters Roslyn and Elise. Have photos of the young children at the beach, with only their name. I have looked in the Rylstone cemetery but Partridge does not come up. Do you have any info on Marjorie, if & where she was buried or the correct sites I should be looking at as there is so much out there one is not sure if it is the correct site. Yours sincerely Susan
Sarah Beames/Gardiner
Hi, I'm researching my ancestor Sarah Beames or Gardiner (nee Train or Trainer) who possibly lived in the Hargraves/Windeyer area from 1866-1873 when she died from snake bite (coroner William Mulholland JP of Windeyer). She lived before that in Rylstone. I can't find a death certificate for her but wonder if you have any local history records relating to the period such as newspapers, cemetery records, etc? Can you also tell me your opening times and days as I would like to visit Mudgee (I live in Sydney) during January. Many thanks for your time, regards, Michelle
Editor's Note: The book 'Windeyer, Tent Town to Village', mentions Gardiners at Campbells Creek in 1867. It also mentions Frank Gardiner, John Gardiner and Patience Gardiner. Patience Gardiner married Thomas Taylor in 1864 and they had 11 children, most of them settling in the area. The book is available from Windeyer School (phone 02 6373 8240) and costs about $30 I think. I will forward your email on to Mudgee Historical Society who have a family researcher who might also be able to help you. Not sure how old the above query is, or whether the researcher has since found what she Thank you Judith. It is wonderful when readers share their information with each other. That is the whole point of this site. Editor.
James Watsford, first mail coachman I am tracing my family tree at the moment and wondered if you had any more information on a great great grandfather of mine please? His name is James Watsford, Royal mail pioneer, he owned the first stagecoach in Australia. I know a lot about his son John Watsford although I would like to know about his wife and other children if you have any record at all? Would you have any photographs of James Watsford at all please?Any information would be greatly appreciated, Rayna Editor's Note: Rayna and her family have been provided with information and photos from this website.
Thomas Graham Wilson of Burrundulla and Waler Horses After reading your site I thought you may be interested to know that a ancestor of mine did raise these horses for the British Army. He was Thomas Graham Wilson from Burrundulla ( who eventually died from a horse fall).
James and Mary HudsonJames Hudson and his wife Mary arrived in Australia 1855. James is a turnkey at the Parramatta Lunatic Asylum. It is believed he died there in 1864 but I am in need of corroborating evidence. p.s. More from Jennifer: I have located an account of the death by suicide of James Hudson on 25th May, 1864 at Parramatta. Town CriersI am currently researching the town criers, or bellmen, of early Australia, and I was wondering if you would be able to assist.I have come across a reference to Matthew the Bellman in 1871. It is in a book of photos from the Holtermann collection. The photo is of a pharmacy in Home Rule owned by Charlie Bird, and a notice in the window of the store reads Postal Delivery Wednesday and Sunday, Matthew the Bellman. In the notes accompanying the photo the author writes that there were 3 bellmen in Gulgong. I have one reference to a crier in Mudgee, in 1909. I would very much like to find out more about Matthew in Home Rule, the 3 bellmen of Gulgong, and any town criers in Mudgee.I am interested in anything at all about the town criers, including names and genealogical data, their activities, and their social standing in the community. The research is being carried out in conjunction with an associate research position at the National Museum of Australia.If you are able to help with a search, could you let me know what your charges would be? Because these town criers were usually very colourful characters, snippets of information have often survived in various places, and I am sure you would know the best places to look. Leads can often be found in local histories, and local newspapers. With indexes and search facilities the words crier, cryer, bellman or even bellringer sometimes yield useful results. If you are able to assist I would be most grateful. With many thanks and best wishes, Anne Chadwick information wantedJust found your website as I was trying to look up some info about the migrant Hostel in Kandos in the 1950’s (I believe my Aunty was the first person in Kandos to look after the hostel – Joyce Ambler nee Brown. The main reason I am emailing you is that I noticed on your list of things for Kandos you have the name of Thomas Chadwick WW1 – this gentleman I believe is my Great Uncle – my Grandmother (Jane Brown nee Chadwick) was his sister. I would be grateful for how I go about getting this info. I might add that I look at family history as a little hobby. I do believe that my Great Grandparents were early settlers in the Capertee Valley. I am also researching the Brown family from Kandos – there are no longer any relatives remaining in Kandos – they are mostly gone now. Your topics on Kandos look very interesting – how do I access this info? Cheers, Jane William Boles, architectWe are reseaching our family history. Great G Uncle was an architect William Boles. SMH Sat 10th February 1877 page 5 has an item about a meeting of the parishioners of St John's Mudgee Archdeacon Gunther in the chair, ten plans were submitted for the new church. The one designed by William Boles was adopted and awarded first prize of 200 pounds. Was this your Church or is there another St John Church in Mudgee.Thank you Betty and Ken Hough/Huxley information wanted.I have just recently started research on my family tree on my grandmother’s side. I am unsure what books to buy from your site to try and find out a little more. All I know is that my great great grandfather was William Wallace Hough and his wife was Eliza Huxley (? Ellem) and I know they were both from Mudgee. Can you advise me on what I need to purchase from your site that can possibly help me out. Also, I am happy to contribute financially for this information. I am a little lost and need to know where to go from here. Kerry. Bowral connectionI have been raised knowing I am indigenous and have been an active member of the community up here in Darkinjung country. My family originated from Bowral with the surnames – Thorpe, Bush (wiradjuri) and Thorne(koori - other). My great grandfather was known as Billy Bush and had a daughter to a woman called Vera Heinz.My grandmother was born around 1925 and grew up on a farm in Bowral. Vera Heinz also had two sons to a white man with the last name Heinz. Do these family names ring any bells for the elders in the Bowral or other areas? Info would be much appreciated! J Kind regards, Cherie World's End queryI would be very grateful if you could help me or point me in the right direction,please. My great grandmother came to the Mudgee region "World's End" to live with her uncle William Everingham. Merridale station I believe. She was 12 years old and came from England by herself in 1873.Her name was Frances Christina Everingham Taylor and married Edward Hughes. I would very much like to find out some information about the people and places. Kind regards Maureen Reply: I read the post by Maureen on your web site about William Everingham and have an original document by thie gentleman containing information that may be of interest to her. Lindsay's email has been forwarded to Maureen. Thank you Linsay for your input. - Editor
Kellerman/Lyons information wantedI am trying to trace my family tree. My name is Naida Helen Kellerman (nee Lyons). My Great Grandfather was William Lyons and my Great Grandmother was Charlotte Matilda Lyons(nee Winter). As nearly all my known relatives are deceased I am having a bit of a hard time tracing the members of our family. I know definitely about 4 children and possibly another 3. Do you have any information about them. If so is there some way I could look at it and also if there is anyone of the family left in Gulgong or Mudgee area. I would be most grateful if there was a possibility of you helping me in my quest. regards, Naida Elizabeth Wilson queryI am on the trail of Eliza ( Elizabeth Wilson ) at the moment who married Thomas Butler thus producing at least 8 kids of which Janet Watt ( Butler ) was one of them who lost her sons in WW1 and was my Great Grandfathers older sister.I am having some success with this and now feel she was born in the colony to free parents Thomas Wilson and Elizabeth Joseph( married 1823) as a second child in 1826. In 1843 as teenagers they eloped without parental permission leaving their mail behind in Sydney, "borrowed" their uncles horses in the Blue Mountains, married in Kelso and took off for your diggings. Real adventurous tearaways - love a photo of them perhaps in their later lives. I am sure this family has attracted research before by someone, my Dad always claimed an uncle and aunt knew Henry Lawson at school and his Grandparents were well acquainted with his father. John Tierney was in the area on my mums side and was her Grandfather. He was a well educated scholar and could be the John Tierney that helped educate Henry Lawson - small world. Cheers, Noel.
Bruce Taylor FamilyI have been researching my family history for many years but have come across a stumbling block. According to records I have my GG Grandmother ELIZABETH BRUCE was born in Mudgee c1857. I believe her parents were JAMES BRUCE and SOPHIA (maybe Lemon).(As indicated on her death certificate and marriage certificate. I cannot trace any record of Elizabeth Bruce's birth and therefore I cannot confirm her parents. I know it's quite possible that her parents weren't married. Elizabeth Bruce had a child out of wedlock in 1876 at Mitchell's Creek, again her Place of Birth is Mudgee, however this time her parents names are not listed. Eventually ELIZABETH BRUCE married JAMES JOHN TAYLOR in Wellington in 1878. Her occupation is House Keeper, usual residence Neurea. His occupation Store Keeper, usual residence Black Rock. Yours sincerely, Alayne Watt FamilyI noticed in an article to ninesm that a visitor to Gallipoli saw a picture of the 3 Watt brothers that died in WW1 on the museum wall there. These are my 3 Great Uncles and I have never seen a picture of them, do you have access to such a photo as I would love to see it? Thomas Butler and Eliza Wilson eloped at aged 19 and borrowed her uncle's horses on his farm in the Blue Mountains in 1843 to get married in Kelso before setting of for the gold fields around Mudgee having 8 kids along the way to most of the major gold strikes and eventually settling down in Gulgong on a farm. Janet Butler was one of their kids and married Espey Watt in 1866. She had 14 kids including 10 boys of which at least 3 fell in WW1, 2 mortally wounded at Gallipoli and another at Villers-Brittenaux. She lived to 90 and is buried in Gulgong cemetery 1937, Any more information would be appreciated. Cheers, Noel RelingahI was wondering if you know of a place or station run called Relingah? It is listed as residence of John Miller – Relingah, Mudgee. It would have been in late 1800s and early 1900s. John's father was a boundary rider. What would this have involved? John's parents were John Miller and Catherine, who was Aboriginal. John Married in 1904. Thanks for your help, Regards, Margaret Lahy and Brophy FamiliesI found your web site and have had a scan through it. I could not see any information on the Lahy or Brophy families from the Goolma area. Do you have any information about them? Rick. Mudgee Town Band and the Brewing IndustryI am looking for photos of the Mudgee Town Band from 1860's onwards. Specifically for Thomas Diggs Campbell and his sons who were all members up to the 1930's (so I am lead to believe) Would you have any photos of this group which may show my ancestors? Also I am interested in the brewing industry in the area. I have a 3xGrandfather who is listed on documents as a brewer in Mudgee. His name was David Peters - wife Susannah. I look forward to your reply. Thankyou. Janice
Nash's FlatI am interested in visiting a place called ‘Nash’s Flat’ as I had family connections here in the 1850’s – hope to do some research in the local museum/churches. I can’t seem to locate it on any maps. Are you able to assist in telling where it is/was? Thanking you, Jeff. Westward, IlfordIn 1905 Minnie Egan’s address on the hospital records at my father’s birth was Westward Ilford. Can you tell me about this place? Minnie had 3 sons whom she surrendered to care in 1909. I would love to know who was living at Westward Ilford in 1905 . Any help or guidance in this matter would be so very greatly appreciated. Patricia |
 | Email: info@mudgeehistory.com.au Author/Administrator: Diane Simmonds Mudgee, NSW Phone: 0488 065 456 |  |
