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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Australia Lookups completed => Topic started by: Valsgirl on Thursday 30 October 14 20:44 GMT (UK)
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Elizabeth Eleanor Hood b 1891, Mundulla, SA. Parents Rice Hood & Elizabeth, nee Jones. Married John Frank Beesley 1935 in Port Adelaide. Info. sourced fron SA records, online.
In 1921 a daughter, now deceased, was born to an Elizabeth Eleanor Hood in SA, "fostered out" as a very young baby, then in 1937 was formally adopted by the same foster parents. This info is from NSW adoption papers. No father's name recorded so I'm thinking mother Elizabeth is unmarried.
I can't find another Elizabeth Eleanor Hood in South Australian records. Can anyone help confirm that I am on the right track? Why was the child not adopted (in NSW) until she was 16 yr old? Is this fairly common? I cannot find a family connection between the Hood family & the child's adopted parents, to suggest a family member might have taken the baby in, then later adopted her.
With thanks,
Valsgirl
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Hi there,
Formal adoptions do not commence in NSW until 1923, so all the 'adoptions' before then are basically children being 'fostered out'. Although even back in the 1870s and 80s, the families would use the word 'adopted' .
The 1937 formal adoption when the lass was 16 may have been prompted by signatures required on indentures/apprenticeship papers or similar. At least one of my older NSW cousins happily confirms he was born just after WWI, and his formal adoption is 1936, and was proudly undertaken by his parents as it was requested for his Master/Servant Indenture papers.
I think you are on the right track, afterall, in NSW at that time (1921) the process of registering a birth meant basically that if the person registering the birth was not able to confirm that the child's mum was a married woman, then that section for the child's father was not completed.
Cheers, JM
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Thank you for taking an interest in my query and for the adoption information, JM. Your idea about a 16 yr old needing parents' signatures for employment, is highly likely.
Cheers,
Valsgirl
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Elizabeth's father died in 1902
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e3j/
HOOD.—On the 1st November, at his residence, Mundalla, of heart disease and dropsy, Rice Hood, in his 59th year, leaving a wife, five sons, and five daughters to mourn their loss.
From my resource
Birth
HOOD Norma Masie
4 Nov 1921
Father Unrecorded Mother Elizabeth Eleanor HOOD
At Adelaide Ade 84A/581
Marriage
BEESLEY John Frank 49 years Status Single Father John Frank BEESLEY
HOOD Elizabeth Eleanor 44 years Father Rice HOOD
18 Dec 1935
At the Residence of Clem Tremain, Enfield. PtA 362/4499
Elizabeth's husband appointed a JP in 1936
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e3i/
Elizabeth died in 1974 and she and her husband are buried at North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth. Photo of headstone available on this website.
http://headstones2.weebly.com/north-road-a-g.html
Cando
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Many thanks, Cando. Norma Masie (name changed after she was "adopted") is the correct girl. She was legally adopted, in 1937, two years after her birth Mother's marriage. She never knew her birth Mother's name, only that she'd been "adopted" shortly after her birth.
I'm hoping someone will have Hood family infomation, or could suggest a reason why 30 yr old Elizabeth, might have given up her baby.
I'm studying Trove articles to try & learn if the family was very poor & couldn't help Elizabeth raise this child, or maybe they were very well known & a child born out of wedlock was an embarrassment? Did Elizabeth have a mental, or physical impairment?
So many questions, that probably only people with family knowledge could help me answer.
"Norma Masie (Maisie?)" died many years ago, and I'm doing this research for her only child.
I appreciate you taking time to read my query & to pass on that valuable information.
Cheers, Valsgirl
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The thing that stands out to me here, is that matters concerned with adoption are a state bureaucracy matter, and it seems odd that a south australian child was given to a family from NSW.
Or, that's what it looks like.
Or maybe these fostering/adopting parents were originally in south australia, and moved later. If you know who these people were, it may be worth while seeing if they were in south australia earlier.
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There wasn't necessarily any state involvement originally - a lot of these cases would have still been informal arrangements, through family or friends, or even advertisements like these:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/124818694?searchTerm=adopt baby (SA example)
trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/155658131?searchTerm=adopt baby (NSW example)
As to why - perhaps Elizabeth Eleanor simply felt giving her baby up would give her a better chance in life (considering the financial issues, the stigma of illegitimacy at the time, etc).
Death of mother Elizabeth mentions a daughter, Mrs A. Schultz, in NSW (Wagga Wagga), the rest seem to be SA based.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/92482785?searchTerm=%22Elizabeth%20Hood%22
Must be Annie Sophie Hood, who married William Adolf Schultz in 1906:
trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5121045?searchTerm="Rice Hood"
This has some neat information about this family:
http://www.collectionsaustralia.net/nqr/result.php?ID=82&restype=t
By 1911 they were apparently in Albury, but also with connections to Wagga Wagga, by 1930 in Wagga Wagga permanently. Were the foster parents in the same part of NSW or had connections there? Perhaps Annie located a 'good family' on her sister's behalf.
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A. Schulz from Wagga, why does that sound so familiar ?
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So, they moved from South Australia to southern NSW before 1911, and then she went back to South Australia where she had the baby in 1921 ?
Perhaps this was one of those cases where she was sent away while pregnant to "conceal the shame" ? Although if she was 30, I don't know why you would bother.
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Thank you all.
A lot of my thoughts have been confirmed and I'll look further into the leads you've suggested.
I don't want to disclose the surname of the adopted parents, as there most probably are living "couisins".
The adopted father was born in S.A. and met his Irish nurse bride, during WW1. They were married in NSW, on their return to Australia in 1916. I've learnt they spent a few years in S.A. where they "adopted" baby, their only child. After years in New Guinea, they returned to NSW, where the legal adoption took place. I've been unable to connect the family surname to the Hoods, so will have to accept that they were family friends.
I appreciate the help everyone has given me concerning adoption laws. I have never researched SA records before so I've discovered new sites. A timely opportunity to thank the transcibers, who make online research, available.
With appreciation,
Valsgirl
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In these days of single mother pensions and couples living together I think the stigma and the financial difficulties faced by single mothers even up to the 1970s is often underestimated.
I was a teenager in the late 1950s/early 60s and I well remember acquaintances going "to live with an aunt in the country" or otherwise 'disappearing' for a few months. Rarely did they return with a baby - you only have to read the many heart-rending stories of women who were forced to relinquish babies for adoption. The grandmother would sometimes register and care for their daughter's baby and pass it off as her own.
If Elizabeth was in a small country town she may also have not wanted the father to know about the baby, or perhaps he was married and staying in town may lead to even more scandals. :o
Judith
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Although if she was 30, I don't know why you would bother.
thetowers
The comment is offensive and unnecessary.
http://www.collectionsaustralia.net/nqr/result.php?ID=82&restype=t
This has some neat information about this family:
http://www.collectionsaustralia.net/nqr/result.php?ID=82&restype=t
By 1911 they were apparently in Albury, but also with connections to Wagga Wagga, by 1930 in Wagga Wagga permanently.
The information in the link is not accurate and allegedly is given by William's son!! Wm was born 1875 and died in 1957 and the date of the family's emigration to Australia is wrong.
The German side of the family came out about the 1930s, when many other Lutherans came to South Australia. They were furriers, tanners and dyers in Germany. "My dad said he was apprenticed to his uncle in Bordertown. He ran away and crossed the 90 mile desert with some lemons and 3 dogs." He was William Adolf Schultz, born about 1880, died about 1960. Mother, Anne Sophia Hood, was born in Bordertown her father struck gold at Ballarat, 'not lucky but consistent'. The family went to Albury but by about 1911 were also farming and investing in Wagga, but all that collapsed in 1929. Harry's father started the tannery in Albury but then shifted to Wagga for good about 1930.
Rice's dau Annie Sophia married at Bordertown in 1906 and she and William AdolphSCHULTZ children's births were registered at Adelaide, Mt Gambier and Millicent, South Australia, the last birth registered in 1914.
Living at Wagga Wagga by 1919.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e3k/
They were enrolled on the 1930 NSW electoral roll living at 425 Smollett Street, Wagga Wagga. William's occupation furrier. Annie died in 1968 and William 1957.
BISA
HOOD Rice born 1799 SCT and died 14 Aug Bordertown SA
Arrived 1852 on the MEDINA
Occupation Farmer Lived Allendale, Bordertown
Married in Scotland, Janet nee BERTRAM parents George and Janet nee FERGUSON born 17 Mar 1802 Penicuik SCT and died 1 Nov 1883 Bordertown SA
Children Janet c1832-, George c1834-, Margaret 1835-, Aaron c1837-, James c1838-1885, Rice c1840-1902, Edward Grant c1842-, Mary c1843-, Wm Bertram c1846-1923
http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/medina1852.shtml
HOOD Rice parents: Rice and Janet nee BERTRAM
Born c1840 SCT and died 1 Nov 1902 Mundulla SA
Arrived 1852 on the MEDINA
0ccupation Carrier, Contractor, Livery Stable Owner and others
Lived Allendale, Naracoorte, Mundulla
Married Naracoorte SA Elizabeth nee JONES parents David and Mary nee ELLARD born 1852 SA and died 1937
Children George James 1874-1875, Jeane Bertram 1876-1950, Mary Ellard 1877-1975, James Edward 1879-1951, Annie Sophie 1881-1968, David Jones 1883-1963, Rice 1886-1960 Wm Aaron 1889-1960 Elizabeth Bessie 1892-1974, Alexander 1893-1960, Florence Isabel 1896-1976.
Rice, son of Rice, HOOD married Elizabeth in 1873 at Naracoorte.
Their first five children's births registered at Naracoorte.
They had eleven children between 1874 and 1896 all in South Australia. The sixth and subsequent five births were registered at Tatiara and Mundalla in the same registration district - Wellington.
No way of identifying if father or son. Lillimur is across the Victorian border east of Bordertown.
HOOD Rice
Victorian Government Gazette 15 Nov 1878 Page#2905
Lillimur, Victoria
Licenses Revoked, Cancelled or Declared Void
Rice is mentioned as a nominee for the Tatiara Council in 1901. Rice HOOD died in 1902.
Elizabeth HOOD moved from Mundalla to the East Murray District - Karoonda in 1921 and to Prospect by 1934
South Australian Directory 1934
HOOD Mrs E Irish Harp Road, Prospect.
TREMAINE C Enfield [Son in law Clement at whose home Elizabeth married John Frank BEESLEY.
Cheers :)
Cando
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May I support Judith's and Cando's posts and mention I was raised in a small rural district in NSW, a post WWII baby, and I well remember, years after marrying, that there would be gossip among the church folk, the neighbours, the old school friends, when we were back for family visits re "Miss xyz has gone to her aunt's in the city for a ..... (dots to represent a pregnant pause) rest, probably she will be losing some weight while there"
Sometimes Miss xyz would be in her teenage years, but sometimes in her mid 30s.... so the adverse comments about 'why would you bother' are, to my way of thinking, UNBECOMING at RChat.
Well done Cando on all that research, validating, eliminating, cross checking, sorting, and of course, finding the right words to put it all back together.
Cheers, JM
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I was very surprised to read your post about Elizabeth Eleanor Hood. I am the granddaughter of Anne Sophie Schultz(sister) and this story was unknown in the family in Wagga. But there was no acceptance of single motherhood in the country...even in 1960's . Aunty Bessie as my mother remembers her was cuddly and good fun. She was happily married to Frank Beesley. She and Florence spent a lot of time together. I could probably find a picture if you are interested.
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Thank you very much for your response to my query.
My friend, Elizabeth Eleanor Hood's granddaughter, knew her Mother had been adopted, but didn't apply for the adoption papers until 2014, when I first posted the query. Knowing I was very interested (read obsessed!) with family history, she asked for my help to learn more about her birth grandmother. I did find a Hood family photo, online, but I'm sure a photo of your Aunt Bessie would be appreciated.
Elizabeth's daughter was an only child and lived a very happy, comfortable life with her adopted parents.
Cheers Valsgirl
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The information that I have is that Elizabeth Eleanor Hood was the ninth child of Rice Hood JR, and Elizabeth Jones.
She was born 9/11/1891 at Mundulla, South Australia.
She married John Beesley in 1935 at Port Adelaide
She died 1974 and is buried at North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia
John and Elizabeth had a daughter, born 4/11/1921 who would be 96 if alive today; since she could still be alive, I won't mention the name here.
Annie Sophia Hood is Elizabeth's sister.
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Thank you Aussie Hood for your reply.
My interest in the Hood family stems from research I did for a friend, last year.
John Beesley and Elizabeth Hood married many years after Elizabeth gave birth to her daughter, in 1921. Do you have proof that John is the father of this baby?
Cheers,
Valsgirl
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The information that I have is that Elizabeth Eleanor Hood was the ninth child of Rice Hood JR, and Elizabeth Jones.
She was born 9/11/1891 at Mundulla, South Australia.
She married John Beesley in 1935 at Port Adelaide
She died 1974 and is buried at North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia
John and Elizabeth had a daughter, born 4/11/1921 who would be 96 if alive today; since she could still be alive, I won't mention the name here.
Annie Sophia Hood is Elizabeth's sister.
"Norma Masie (Maisie?)" died many years ago, and I'm doing this research for her only child.
Aussie girl
There is no mention of a father on the birth registration and has already been posted previously on the thread.
From my resource
Birth
HOOD Norma Masie
4 Nov 1921
Father Unrecorded Mother Elizabeth Eleanor HOOD
At Adelaide Ade 84A/581
Cando
I also wonder if you have other evidence/proof of the father's identity.
Cando
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Thank you Aussie Hood for your reply.
My interest in the Hood family stems from research I did for a friend, last year.
John Beesley and Elizabeth Hood married many years after Elizabeth gave birth to her daughter, in 1921. Do you have proof that John is the father of this baby?
Cheers,
Valsgirl
Sorry, should have looked at the marriage vs birth dates; no proof that John is the father; your version sounds the most likely. Norma Maisie is the name showing in my information.
I was mainly trying to clear up the cross generation confusion with references to Elizabeth Ross, the wide of Rice Hood, which is the generation above Elizabeth Eleanor.
As I mentioned, Annie Sofia and Elizabeth Eleanor were sisters and Elizabeth Eleanor could have travelled to stay with Annie, but Rice and Elizabeth Ross ranged in the area from Mundulla to Naracoorte to Kaniva as the children grew up, and most of their descendants live in the Bordertown area today, so that's the most likely area for any family knowledge or photos. If you want more information on Elizabeth Eleanor's brothers and sisters, let me know, and I'll send you what I have.
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Valsgirl, I've made some enquiries within the family, and with some luck I'll be getting contact details from an elderly lady who has an enormous knowledge of that branch of the family, and should know the story. If you PM me, I'll arrange to pass that on.