Where'd ya go, Mr Henry George WILLIS?

[izapunter]

The death certificate has arrived for Elizabeth Oxley Johnson, aka Willis. 
It says 1st marriage to George Willis at age 23 (produced 3 children, Elizabeth, Ethel and Vincent). 

Second marriage to Carl Johnson at age 30 in Fremantle, Western Australia.   (H'mm, in 1894 the Navy were looking for Henry, err, it would seem Ethel was too - whoops, I mean Elizabeth)

Says she lived in Victoria for 30 years, then in Western Australia for 32 years. 
Died in 1925 at age of 62. 

Strange, on death certificate it says father's name was  "George Oxley", looks like "Seatmoter", or "seamster", and yet marriage certificate says Elizabeth's father's name was William Henry Ashmole.  It also says married to George Willis in Strathbogie! The marriage certificate I have says married in County of Bourke.  Oh, perhaps that's all right.  But there's no sign of the word Henry anywhere on this certificate.  Oh dear, maybe he ditched the Henry bit at some point.

Haven't found a darn thing about what became of Henry George Willis, he may have had to walk the plank or something, did they do that in those days, not sure.  Anyway, just wondering if this info leads to anything?    Oooh, I simply must insert one of these cute as can be smilies.  Cheers 

[cando]

Hi Izapunter

There are numerous births to William [no Henry] ASHMOLE and Maria Susanna MOTT at Darlington, Victoria from 1863 onwards, however they were married in Launceston, Tas in 1854 and there is one birth registration of one unnamed female in 1854 in Westbury.  This is the family mentioned on the marriage certificate of Elizabeth Oxley ASHMOLE to Henry WILLIS in 1886 at the age of 23 years ie born c1863.  There are obviously a number of births to this couple that were not registered as there is a death for Robert ASHMOLE b. Tasmania  in 1874 aged 18 years ie born c 1858 and a marriage in 1877 in Vic for Susanna b. Tasmania.

There are two convicts with the name William ASHMOLE - one died in Tasmania in 1860. 
http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=11

Wm ASHMOLE's death in Victoria in 1880 aged 51 years, father William and mother Rhoda HUNT,  born Derbyshire Reg#913

Wm ASHMOLE was charged with larcency in 1841 and 1843 and the latter charge had a penalty of seven years.
His baptism - extracted parish record
ASHMOLE William
Baptism 10 Feb 1828 Normanton By Derby, Derbyshire:
Father William ASHMOLE  MOther Rhoda

I would suggest that Elizabeth was born Woodford, Tas. It is not unusual to find 2nd given names not noted on certificates. The marriage certificate would have her place of marriage in the column "When and where married"...there should be a date, place of marriage, and may have County of Bourke as well...county not always noted.

County of Bourke is one of 37 counties in Victoria -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_of_Bourke,_Victoria

I suggest that the usual caution about information on death certificates only being as good as the knowledge of the informant would apply here.  Who was the informant named on the death certificate?

Of course none of the above helps find your Henry George WILLIS but thought the ASHMOLE history was interesting.  Perhaps Henry found employment on a ship leaving Melbourne.

Cheers
Cando

[izapunter]

Thank you, Cando; completely wonderful information    And yes, he may well have left on a ship.  I must research.  I have some days off now so I can head to State Library and other places, hopefully I'll find something there.  Cheers 

[izapunter]

Whoops, forgot to add info re the name of the informant, Cando.  It says "undertakers assistant, Fremantle", can't quite read the name though, looks like  Blewdruu or something.   

[rogersjr]

I am pleased that the file that I created titled "Certificates of Service in the Victorian Navy" has been of use to others. I took 1,100 photographs from a microfilm reader that day. We have a very basic profile on Henry Willis at www.cerberus.com.au/muster_dadabik/index.php?table_name=crew&function=details&where_field=ID&where_value=1470

Are you convinced that Henry Willis who served in the Victorian Navy is the same person as Henry George Willis. If so then I would like to incorporate his details in the above profile. Also, is ther a photograph of this person?

John Rogers
Fleet Engineer (Victorian Navy)
website, research & Friends of the Cerberus President.

[izapunter]

Hi John, Just read your post.  Totally indebted.  The file you created of the Certificates of Service in the Victorian Navy is completely wonderful and it sounds like a lot of work went into it too. Most excellent venture.  I'm sure it's in constant use by researchers or anyone really just having a look around and loaded with valuable information.  Yeah, I reckon it's the same Henry as his marriage certificate in 1886 says his residence is HMV Ship Nelson.  Don't have a photo of him either, drats, would love to see what ol Henry looked like.  Cheers

[rogersjr]

Thanks for that information. I have added it to Henry's profile. Does the marriage certificate give Henry's occupation?

John Rogers
Fleet Engineer (Victorian Navy)
website, research & Friends of the Cerberus President.

[izapunter]

Hi John, thanks so much for adding that information.  Oooh, it says his occupation on HMVS Nelson is signalman.   

[suelesterry]

Hi Cando
With regard all the information about William ASHMORE b 1828 Normanton by Derby, it greatly interested me. I am wondering if there is a connection with my family tree. You state his parents were William ASHMOLE and Rhoda. Have you any information on William ASHMORE senior?
My ASHMORE family were living in the 19th century in Findern, Derbyshire. I am wondering if he could be one of them. I have a William in my tree that could be a match.
Kind regards
Sue