Vict Death- Archibald Kerr between 1907 and 1915

[85jbk]

Can someone give assistance to my enquiry please, feeling a little bemused right now

Looking for the death of Archibald Kerr between the time frame of 1907-1915

Archibald Kerr born 1854 in Scotland to John Kerr and Jane Kerr, sometimes known as Jean.
The family arrived into Geelong 11th August 1854 aboard the ship "Bride of the sea". Travelling with them was an Elizabeth Kerr, so have presumed she may have been an older sister of John Kerr.
John Kerr was 22 years old
Jane Kerr was 23 years old
Archibald Kerr was 0 years old
Elizabeth Kerr was 26 years old
The Disposal List from the Ships List shows that John Kerr went to John Petty at Buninyong, for wages of £12.0.0 for 3 months.
Their family would grow with the birth of 8 more children, all born in the Ballarat area.
John and Jane Kerr are both buried within the Ballarat Cemetery.

Archibald would marry Ruth Jane Henderson on 11th April 1882, in The House of Mrs. Henderson, Duke Street, Stawell, Victoria.
Archibald is Listed as A 28 year old Coachpainter, living at Houston Street, Stawell. Parents John Kerr, A Carpenter and Jane Paterson. Ruth Jane Henderson is listed as a 24 year old Living at Duke Street, Stawell with Parents, Andrew Henderson, a miner and Mary Ann McCord.

Arch and Ruth have six children, with Thomas William being the youngest and having enlisted in WW1. On the Enlistment form is a consent form by Thomas Mother Ruth Jane Kerr giving her consent for Thomas to Enlist because he was only 19. From this form it clearly states his Father is deceased. The form is signed 1915.

The death of Arch father, John Kerr was in 1907 and Arch is listed as being alive aged 53, along with 7 of the other siblings with two being declared dec.

From Arch wifes, Ruth Jane Kerr death notice it reads:
On August 31 1940, Ruth Jane Kerr, late of Maryborough and Hawkesbury, the dearly loved wife of the late Archibald Kerr and loving Mother of Andrew(Maryborough), Edith(Mrs.Steele, Footscray), Elizabeth, Margaret, Esther(Mrs. R. Thompson, Sunshine) and Thomas.

I have found what seems to be Arch and Ruth on the 1903 census-Laancoorie-Maryborough-Vict
which list them as Archibald Kerr of Barkly Street, coachpainter
and Ruth Jane Kerr, at the same address, Home duties.
Also at the address is a John Thomas Kerr, Miner and Sarah, Home Duties. Not sure who they are.
Arch doesn't have a brother John Thomas Kerr or sister Sarah Kerr.

Next time I find Ruth is in 1909 census-Laancoorie-Maryborough with her son Andrew at Holyrood Street. Andrew is listed as a driver.

And again in 1914 with several of the other children listed.

No mention of Archibald. Had he died between 1903 and 1909?

A check of Vict BDM throws up more questions.

Can you help at all please
Regards
Jill

[maddys52]

I'm assuming the John who died in 1907 is John Thomson KERR and his wife's name was Jane PAT(T)ERSON?

Tricky ... will keep looking for Archibald.

[85jbk]

You have assumed correct and yes this is tricky but why when the family are clear about the fathers death having taken place. Must be missing something!

[aghadowey]

You might want to expand the search for death date- if Archibald abandoned or was estranged from the family then his son might have said he was deceased in 1915.

[valerie kehoe]

The VIC BMD has death for Archibald Kerr d 1911 (Reg 9623) parents Archibald & Jane (Mitchell).

The Learmonth (Ballarat) Cemetery site shows photo of grave:

Archibald Kerr d 26/7/1911 age 54yrs  (shares grave with Annie Kerr 52yrs d 4/2/1913)

Valerie
WAus

[cando]

The VIC BMD has death for Archibald Kerr d 1911 (Reg 9623) parents Archibald & Jane (Mitchell).

The Learmonth (Ballarat) Cemetery site shows photo of grave:

Archibald Kerr d 26/7/1911 age 54yrs  (shares grave with Annie Kerr 52yrs d 4/2/1913)

Valerie
WAus

Inquest Index
KERR Archibald
1911   Ref#763
Cause Injury received
Inqest Date 27 Jul 1911

According to the various news items on TROVE, including an obituary, Archibald was a farmer who was run over by a train.

His birth so not your person of interest.

KERR Archibald
Father Archibald  Mother Jane MITCHELL
At Ballarat  1858  Reg#2219

Headstones at Learmonth Cemetery
http://www.australiancemeteries.com.au/vic/ballarat/learmonthdata.htm

Cando

[cando]

I have found what seems to be Arch and Ruth on the 1903 census-Laancoorie-Maryborough-Vict
which list them as Archibald Kerr of Barkly Street, coachpainter
and Ruth Jane Kerr, at the same address, Home duties.
Also at the address is a John Thomas Kerr, Miner and Sarah, Home Duties. Not sure who they are.
Arch doesn't have a brother John Thomas Kerr or sister Sarah Kerr.

You are viewing electoral rolls not census returns.  These people are not necessarily living at the same residence in Barkly Street, Maryborough but in simply in the same street.  Electoral rolls do not give relationships.

Archibald may have left the family home or died before 1903.  An electoral roll listing is no guarantee that the person enrolled was actually at the address on election day in 1903.  Federal elections were held 16 Dec 1903.

An incident at Avoca which isn't far from Maryborough in 1909.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217285333

If it was your Archibald then he may have died and be one the hundreds of death registrations with name UNKNOWN.

Cheers
Cando

[cando]

So it would appear that if the rolls are reasonably accurate that Archibald left Ruth or died between c1903 and 1906.  However you state he was  mentioned as living issue on his father's death cert in 1907 but wonder if that was an assumption by the informant.  Not all info on death certs is accurate.  Wouldn't be the first time I've seen the mother of an enlistee as NOK and father stated as deceased when in fact he was living.  It was the usual practice for the father of single men to be NOK but if Archibald's whereabouts weren't known then often it was easier to say he was deceased.

Australian Electoral Roll
1906
KERR Andrew John Nolan Street, Maryborough  Driver
KERR Ruth Jane   Nolan Street, Maryborough  HD

1909
KERR Andrew John Holyrood Street, Maryborough  Driver
KERR Ruth Jane  Holyrood Street, Maryborough  HD

1912
KERR Lizzie Maud  Napier Street, Maryborough  Tailoress
KERR Ruth Jane  Napier Street, Maryborough  HD

1913, 1914, 1915, 1917
KERR Andrew John  Napier Street, Maryborough  Driver
KERR Lizzie Maud  Napier Street, Maryborough Tailoress
KERR Ruth Jane  Napier Street, Maryborough  HD

Have you thought of contacting the Maryborough Cemetery Trust for a search through their burial register for a possibly burial for Alexander?  Alexander and Ruth's last child was born at Maryborough in 1896 and he and Ruth are on the electoral roll with their address Maryborough.  There was always the chance that rural bdm's registrations did not reach the Melbourne Registry. 

Ruth Jane KERR was buried at Footscray in the Presbyterian section aged 82 years but notdate has been recorded for her service of burial or date of death.
http://www.gmct.com.au/deceased-search.aspx

Cheers
Cando

[85jbk]

Thanks for all comments and suggestions.

The family of Archibald Kerr and Jane Mitchell have no connection to the Kerr Family I seek. To Date I have found nothing that connects them. A surname that does appears in the obituary for the very tragic death of Archibald Kerr, is a one C. Henderson.

My Archibald Kerr married Ruth Jane Henderson, so maybe Ruth and C. Henderson are related!? Have not looked into this.

Cando: You are correct in stating not my Archibald, son of Archibald and Jane Kerr nee Mitchel. Yes you are correct they are Electrol Rolls not census returns, I stand corrected!! also take your point that the persons listed may be of the same street and not the same house.

Archibald was listed as the Oldest Living Member of the siblings and the informant was his brother William.  What you do suggest is a possibility but find that he has listed all other living members of his brothers and sisters, so Mmmm not sure.

Good point to follow through on with the Maryborough Cemetery Trust. Can only try and see what they can help me with.
Thanks again
Regards
Jill