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