Electoral Roll apparent conundrum

[Westy11]

I have been tracking a family headed by Arthur Edward PARSONS b 1878 and his wife Minnie Margaret POULSEN.

In the 1903 & 1905 ER's Arthur, a Butcher & Minnie are living in Gipps St Nanango

In 1912 - 1913 ER's Arthur, a Carpenter & Minnie  are living at Arthur St Nundah.

in 1916 ER Arthur is now a Farmer and he and Minnie are living at Barker's Creek, Nanango.

In 1919 ER Arthur is a Carpenter & he Minnie  are living at Railway Parade, Nundah.

From thence onwards Arthur & Minnie are only recorded in Brisbane suburbs.

Do you think it a case of Arthur looking for the best prospects for his family and being recorded in two different electorates?

There is no other Arthur Edward PARSONS in my tree [not that that doesnt mean there may well be another person of the same name] however it seems to me to be the same person given the consistent recording of Minnie Margaret.

Any ideas?

Westy

[sparrett]

I am possibly missing your point here Westy, but is it the changing occupations of the man you are puzzled over?

The change of address does not seem in any way unusual.
Sue

[judb]

Hmm - seems that there were two persons of the same name.

Qld BMD death index shows deaths for two Arthur Edward PARSONS

1944   C268   Arthur Edward PARSONS
Parents: Albert Edward,    Ethel Ellen May Gordon   

1949   B20290 Arthur Edward PARSONS
Parents:   Henry,    Eliza Dale

The B in the index number for the second death indicates he died in Brisbane (C= country)

I'm assuming that this is the marriage of your couple
1900   C258   Minnie Margaret   POULSEN   Arthur Edward PARSONS

But this doesn't explain the fact the the ERs show Arthur Edward PARSONS consistently with Minnie Margaret.     As there are many PARSONS listed in the same area I suspect some of them are related.  Perhaps Arthur and Minnie were living with other family members at various times?

Judith

[sparrett]

I think it is the same man

Insolvent for 30 years and a butcher of Nanango when declared bankrupt.
 Living  at Clayfield in 1934
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179931221
.

Perhaps when he lost his money he moved to the city and then went back to Nanango

[Westy11]

I am possibly missing your point here Westy, but is it the changing occupations of the man you are puzzled over?

The change of address does not seem in any way unusual.
Sue

Hello Sue,

My point was that at that time to consistently go from the country to the city and when in the city change your occupation from that in the country seemed strange to me.

It said to me that there could be 2 people of the same name and as identified by Judith; this was the case. 

'My' Arthur Edward PARSONS was the one deceased in Brisbane in 1949 son of Henry PARSONS & Eliza DALE.

Westy

[Westy11]

An idea: what if when Arthur was declared bankrupt he appeared to stay in one place but in reality moved to another place to earn and income unencumbered by the bankruptcy???

I cannot locate Minnie in the 1903 or 1905 ER's.  In all others she goes by the name of Minnie Margaret PARSONS???

Westy

[Aussie1947]

Hi,

1910 Qld STATE Electoral Roll
Electoral District of Burnett
Division of Nanango

Parsons, Minnie Margaret, Gipps Street, Nanango, domestic duties.
Parsons, Arthur, Gipps Street, Nanango, blacksmith assistant.

Gerry

[Aussie1947]

Many of the Queensland State Electoral Rolls were annotated when persons didn't vote etc and it might be an advantage to check the 1911 Qld State Electoral Roll to see if there were any comments against Arthur and Minnie's names on the roll indicating a move to Nundah.

I could check this out the next time I am at the Qld State Archives.

Gerry

[Westy11]

Hello Gerry,

Thank you so much for the offer I gratefully accept.

Many thanks,

Westy