RE FERGUSON & OSBORNE FAMILIES (LIMAVADY, DRUMACHOSE, LONDONDERRY)
WILLIAM -WILLIAM KING FERGUSON & ELLEN-ELLEN JANE-HELEN-ELLENOR OSBORNE. (VARIATIONS)
MY GREAT GRANDFATHER EDWARD AUGUSTUS FERGUSON (BORN Drumachose 4.9.1838)
Greetings from Australia George.
Thank you for your enquiry. I am very interested.
The Irish research has been very difficult. It would be wonderful if we could find a link to the Ferguson, Osborne families. I will tell you what I have and hope you or someone in Ireland can do some work on this and help both of us out. My Brother & I have been on this for 35 years. It is very, very difficult in Australia and we have sought help many years ago but it led nowhere.
I have a recorded birth for Edward Augustus Ferguson (4.9.1838) stating his Father was William King Ferguson and his Mother was Ellen Jane (nee Osborne.) The birth was in Drumachose, Londonderry, Nth. Ireland. (Taken from the Established Church, which is Church of England, sometimes known as Church of Ireland of the Drumachose Parish Records.)
The Marriage Certificate for Edward Augustus Ferguson ( 2.10.1867, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia) states his Father was William Ferguson and his Mother Ellen Osborne. It states his birthplace was Newton, Limavady, Derry, Ireland. William's Profession was a Hatter.
The Death Certificate for Edward Augustus Ferguson (20.5.1918 Dunwich Benevolent Asylum, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) states his Father is William Ferguson and his Mother is Ellen Osborne. It states he was born in Londonderry.
OTHER INFORMATION which may help. I think there could be a link to William King Ferguson living at 63 Catherine Street, Newton, Limavady. This appeared in one the Census.
This is not certain because we don't have proof but it could be that Ellen Jane Osborne may have been the second wife of William King Ferguson. Did she marry someone who had a previous marriage?
We do not have a marriage certificate for Ellen Osborne & William Ferguson. We do not know when she died. We do not have death certificates. We do not have birth records for Ellen Osborne or William King. However, in the graveyard at Drumachose, Limavady there is a William King buried 28.9.1839 aged 76 years. If you have a record of Ellen or (whatever her proper Christian name is), when was she born?
The past family says that Edward Augustus Ferguson came to Australia some time in the 1850's with his Grandma and we think if that is correct it would have to be the Mother of Ellen Osborne. They were supposed to go to the State of Victoria, Australia to work in the family business. Do you know if that ties in with your family history? Are you aware of any Osborne's in your family who moved to Australia? The earliest record I can find of Edward in Australia is about 1861/1862 in Queensland. I cannot find his Immigration record. Help, help, help. I know lots about him in Queensland.
It would be absolutely fantastic Gerry if after all these decades we can get a breakthrough.
If anyone out there can help, please, it would be very much appreciated.
Princess
Glenys
