Hi Wivenhoe,
Thanks for your interesting post.
My query regarding THCs Naval service was based from local Aussie family folklore, that he was probably a young boy when he joined. My estimation re "Any info regarding THC serving in the British Navy between around 1851 and 1864 would also be appreciated" was pretty close, as Cidermaker thankfully found out THC got his Merchant Navy certificate in Oct 1850 and had a voyage in 1853 too.
Although must admit I am ignorant of the minimum age required to sign up to the Merchant Navy back in 1850, my hunch is our THC may have fibbed a few years about his age, quoted as DOB 12 Aug 1835 at Manchester - most other records point to his birth year as 1837. I know he must have spent some time around Cathcart and Bombala in the early 1860s before he had a son THC junior with Margaret Murphy from Kiandra in May 1864. Back in those days, there was no local church or minister to conduct marriages, so it was quite common for a couple to start a family there, before a minister or priest was passing through, and able to perform any marriages.
By the way, these Cunninghams had a daughter Catherine in Jul 1869 at Jones Corner, just west of Bombala NSW. As a matter of fact, whilst in the extreme climate of this region of southern NSW, THC had a serious bronchial complaint and his doctor recommended to move closer the the coast. So in 1870, Thomas and Margaret packed all their belongings onto 2 pack horses, and with their 2 children followed the bullocky trails south over the Snowy mountains, and ended up selecting 2 properties on the Tambo River in Victoria. It must have been quite an ordeal of a trip, as 1870 was recorded as a flood year for the Snowy River.
By the time a hut was built on the first property, it was decided the selected land was too small, so they ended up building the "Sunny Hills" homestead atop Schmalens Bluff, just north of Swan Reach. Cate as she was known, ended up in charge of the creamery at Sunny Hills - I actually have a copy of the cheese starter recipe she used, beautifully done in her own handwriting.
Yes you are correct - their third out of 10 children was Andrew Arthur who was actually born at Tambo Upper, however Lucknow is a small town near Bairnsdale, where all regional births were registered at that time. My grandpa Jack Richardson was born at Swan Reach in 1887, but he is registered as born at Lucknow too. Andy was 8 years old when he started at the Tambo Upper school - THC lobbyied the State Education minister to approve this school, and also arranged transport of the original school building to be carted from Bairnsdale. Andy worked for the local forestry department, and I also have a copy of his cash book he ran on his farm, where he bred prize pigs and grew corn and maize.
As a matter of interest, I am on a disabily support pension, and purchasing BD&M certificates for all of my 7,700 relatives in my Ancestry.com site is sadly not viable. However, I have attached the marriage record of THC and Margaret Murphy, I was kindly personally given by the Bombala historical group many years ago.
If I may add, I am not sure what you mean exactly by
"Are you using work done by an earlier researcher?"
I would be delighted to get in touch with any "earlier researcher" who has additional info on my Grt Grt Grandparents family !
Many Thanks
Mixo
