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Have just found an arrival in Sydney 30 April 1911 of :

                Reginald McGoun born England 1886
                Marian Rosina Alice McGoun (nee Hobbs) born England 1889
                Eric F B McGoun born England 1910

Marion would be my second cousin.

Have done a quick search of early death records but have found nothing as yet.

Would welcome any information that may be available on the McGoun family.

Regards

Ray

Hi Wendy

Thanks for the very quick response (love this rootschat!!).  Not sure that this is my Mary, I have a marriage and a first child in 1778 (with a possibility for 3 other children!!) so 74 years in 1819 is a bit of a push, but perhaps not impossible?

I will have to get the Bloxham registers to pursue this further - thanks for you interest and your time

Best wishes

Ray

Hi Arronroots

Our recent communication piqued my interest again and I borrowed a number of the Blackwood Yesterday books.  In book 5 (published 2004) there is a copy of a letter written in 1920 by a Stanley Lanagan which starts:

"I was born June 14th 1878 in a cottage near the old foundary in the part of Blackwood, then known as 'Charlestown'. 

The letter goes on to describe the area, life and work.

It describes the Blackwood of his early days as:

"Blackwood was a beautiful little village in those days, as it is a prosperous little business town today.  In those days there was fine trout in the Sirhowy river and many brooks of clear water in the vicinity of the village. Birds of every description in the woods, even the nightingale visited the locality"

Regards

Ray

My second home during the season - only 1 mile away- only to glad to see you.

I have a Blackwood yesterday book (1991 publication) with some old maps of Blackwood and area which I can scan and send on if you want - away for the weekend so can do it next week. 

The 1880 map shows very few houses in the Charlestown area - and probably none left now - but if you want it just post your email.

I think the family you were following was Bird -  my best friend when I was growing up in Cefn Fforest was Ron Bird who lived just 3 doors from me in Pencoed Ave.

Ray

Lisa

Yes that post was by Donna - newly found cousin (just this last month) and also Nerys who I made contact with a few months ago.

Have done quite a lot of googling already but the Mormon conection will add more to the search.  As you say in 1860 they may have been on the move.

Regards

Ray