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Hi from Brisbane, Australia

I have a little mystery that I just can't seem to solve.  This is the background.

My late husbands g great grandfather was William Henry Douglas Cooke, who died by his own hand in 1913, aged 80 in Sydney.

It would seem from his death certificate that he came to Australia about 1871, aged about 37, and formed a relationship with Catherine Matilda McMinn in Tasmania, and they moved to Sydney, NSW.  They had at least 6 children but did not register them.  The children are shown on Catherine's death certificate,but not on his.

I have a 1858  marriage certificate (St George the Maytyr Southwark) for William Henry Douglas Cooke, Gentleman, father Thomas Southall Cooke, Gentleman, and Maria Mary Percival, father James Percival, Gentleman.  By the 1861 Census Maria is living with her father and family, and has a 1 yr old daughter, Edith E. (Maria is shown as Mary Cook on the census)
I have tracked her through the other census to her death, and William Henry does not appear again.  Maria gives her marriage condition as either Married, or Jud Separated.

Now the real mystery is the birth of a child in 1865 registereed St Margaret Westminister, called Thomas William Henry Douglas Cooke.  Bit had to ignore the name!  Mother Eliza Isabel Cooke formerly Bell, father William Henry Douglas Cooke, confectioner.

I am satisfied that the Cooke/Percival marriage relates to our William Henry as his youngest son was called John Edward Southall Cooke.

I cannot find a second marriage for William, and I cannot find any census record for them in 1871. 

I also cannot find Thomas Southall Cooke, except for what looks like it could be a 2nd marriage, and his death.  The Times Marriage notice said only son of Thomas Southall Cooke of Luston, Herefordshire, but I have been unable to locate him on any census.

Are there 2 William Henry Douglas Cookes, or just one ladykiller?

Annette

Thomas Henry Cook married Mary Ann Heeds in NSW in 1844.  I have found the record for one child born in NSW, William, probably William Henry.

I have no evidence that they were in Victoria but they married near Wagga Wagga (Tarcutta),and it is possible they went south into Victoria.  I would appreciate if someone could look up any other possible births for this couple who are proving to be most elusive.

Annette

I have just received a marriage certificate for Thomas Cook and Mary Ann Heeds.  They were married by License with consent of friends, place was given as American Yard. 

The Parish was Yass, County Murray, year 1844, C of E Marriage, conducted by William Lisle.

Witnesses were also both from American Yard.

What was the American Yard?  I have not been able to find any reference to it.

Don't you just love it when a certificate poses more questions than answers!

Annette

I am trying to trace Martin William Russell and his father and mother.  I have his death certificate which states he was born in Cook Town Queenstown.  I know he lived in Western Australia, and married Ethel Busch there.  His DOB is, I believe 8/7/1877.

He died in NSW in 1954 during a visit to Sydney.  His mother on the DC is Ellen Mary - , and his father William Russell.

I have no idea of where his parents came from, whether they were married in Queensland, or emigrated (or transported for that matter).

Any help would be appreciated.

Annette

I have been unable to find the marriage for Samuel Cartwright b. abt 1860 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, and Martha Horabin (or Horobin) b. 1862, Bilston Staffordshire.

I think have them in the 1901 census but after that they eventually followed their sons John and Herbert to Australia, but there were some other children, but I think that the girls were older and had probably left home, and there another child born in 1901.

I would like to find Martha's parents.

Any help appreciated.

Annette