COMPLETED - Eva Mary Creek

[auntie mandy]

Hello everyone,

I have a huge problem, I cannot  find any trace of my grandmother after she emigrated to Australia in the 1960's.   

Here's her story -

My Grandmother was born, Eva Mary Edwards, on the 24th September 1885, in Budleigh Salterton, St Thomas, Devon, England. Her parents were William Henry and Mary Elizabeth(formerly Bastow) Edwards.

Eva married William Henry Creek on the 12th April 1909 in Torrington, Devon, England.
After their marriage they moved the Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales.

My Grandad died in January 1960, and is buried in Cardiff.

Eva emigrated to Australia in the 1960's (I have a copy of her passport photograph with the date 1965 stamped on), because of her age she travelled by aeroplane.

She lived with her foster daughter and her family, Audrey (formerly Lailey) and Charlie Stokes, who had already emigrated on 11th May 1962 on board the Strathmore under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme.  Audrey's grandson was a child actor and starred in an Australian television series “Against the Wind”.

I have copies of old letters which indicate that the family lived in Victoria, but moved house frequently.  The last known address we have is in 1981, is 10 Dunn Street, Broadmeadow, Victoria Australia 3047, but my sister thinks this burnt down in a big fire in the area, and she thinks she then moved to Woorealla Street (not sure of spelling). 

We were told she died in 1984, just before her 99th birthday, but the family would not send a copy of the death certificate, and both families lost touch.

I contacted the National Archives of Australia, asking for help finding Eva, and to my surprise they wrote back to me.  They checked their collection catalogue and naturalisation index but could not find any records relating to her.

If it wasn't for the fact that I have old letters from her and photographs of her in Australia, I would think she never actually went !!!

My Dad has just celebrated his 85th birthday and I would love to be able to tell him when and where she died and where she is buried.

I have had a lot of sleepless nights trying to find her, any help or suggestions would be very welcome.

Thank you for taking the time to read Eva's story.

Mandy Creek

[tropicalj]

Hello  there Mandy

thanks  for  sharing Eva's story

I  have check  the death  index  which  goes  to 1985  for Victoria and  no sign  of her.

Also  checked  the Ryerson  Index and  once again  nothing
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nswsdps/dpsindex.htm

Checked  a couple of cemeteries  nothing as yet

Now  just  to  ask a few  things 

When  was the  last  letter  you  have  that was sent  by Eva? 

Audrey's two children  that emmigrated  with  her and her husband were born 57 and  58.  The  television series Against the Wind was filmed in 1978  so  they  had  to  have married  young  and  a  had a child  that appeared in Against  the Wind .  As  to the child  starring in  the show  it would be interesting  to  know  his  name  to  track  him  down.  Perhaps  there was another Stokes child who emmigrated earlier.

kind  thoughts Jenn

[cando]

Have you thought of contacting the Department of Justice in Victoria with your request and a letter of explanation. 

http://online.justice.vic.gov.au/CA256C7100199CBE/page/Listing-Menu+All-Contact+Details?OpenDocument&1=0-Births+Deaths+and+Marriages+Online+Shop~&2=0-Births+Deaths+and+Marriages+Online+Shop~&3=30-Contact+Details~

Phone, including a phone no for overseas contact applications, fax and email contacts.

Cheers and good luck
Cando

[auntie mandy]

Hi Jen and Cando

Thank you for your help.

The last letter I have from Eva is dated 1981, she was then living in Dunn Street, Broadmeadow, Victoria.

Audrey's grandson was definitely in "Against the Wind" they sent us publicity shots of him on set.  I have "googled" the cast and he is listed, although his first name is spelt wrong.

I am starting to wonder if Eva died before 1984, or if the death was registered uder the surname of 'Stokes', when my parents asked for a copy of the death certificate, Audrey refused to send one.

Thank you both again.

Mandy

[tropicalj]

I  have  checked the  index and no  death  under Stokes either.
Jenn.

[auntie mandy]

Hi Jen,

Thank you so much for taking the time to help.

The only thing  I can think of is that the family moved out of state.

Regards

Mandy

[auntie mandy]

Hi Everyone

After many months of searching, I have had no luck in finding a death certificate, or any trace of Eva.

I have very recently made contact with Audrey's son, Steven.  He has been able to tell me that Eva was living at the Albury Nursing Home under the care of Dr. Peter Francis and passed away one week before her 100th birthday. Her funeral was held at North Albury Cemetary where she remains.

I have googled "Albury" and its in New South Wales.  It looks like the family did move out state!!
 
I think she must have died between 1984 and 1986.

Does anyone have any ideas where I should start to look for a death certificate?

[tropicalj]

Hello  there


Very happy  to  find  that you  have found  what happened to your grandmother, she did live to a nice old age.

The below is a link  to  the NSW department for BDM's

http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/deaths/applicationForm.htm

You  will need to have a good look at  the form and see if  you meet  the requirements to obtain  the death certificate as the death is not outside the 30 year mark.

Incidently Albury is bang on the border of NSW and Victoria.

kind thoughts Jenn

[auntie mandy]

Thanks Jenn

the Deaths only go upto 1978, so it looks like i'm out of luck again !!! 

Mandy