Hi,
I've been quiet for the last few weeks having been on leave and then waiting for feedback to enquiries in Colac and PROV.
Anyway, I thought I'd update things for anyone who may be interested; Cando particularly, thank you for your help so far!!
PROV was able to provide the following information from The State Wards Register for each of Patrick, Michael & John Smedley who were committed as state wards on 15/01/1890. It shows:
Emma Smedley's address at that date as HM Gaol Geelong (ref: G90/4788). The register also states the childrens' father as being William Smedley, laborer (unknown - presume this refers to whereabouts).
Emma's incarceration was brief and the register records a series of addresses:
20/07/1890 - Marshalltown, near Geelong (G90/8133)
28/12/1890 - Camperdown (G91/3408)
8/02/1894 - C/o Mr/Mrs? Robinson, Ferguson Street, Campderdown (G94/1556)
6/04/1894 - same address
22/05/1894 - same address (verbal)
24/11/1894 - C/o Mrs(?) O'Meara(?), PO Warrion, near Colac
18/09/1895 - C/o Mr Reid, PO Warrion, near Colac
17/03/1896 - same address [last entry]
The children's histories for same period are posted in the next email (I’ve overshot the character count – apologies)
Comments following refer in part to subsequent message:
NLA Trove reveals James Joseph Millane sold Mount Paradise Farm, Upper Pakenham around 10/10/1918 and passed away at Mount Evins Private Hospital 28/10/1920.
I've managed to find out a bit about the Industrial Reform Schools mentioned and need to look into John a bit further. Again though, I can't find a death record for John (or a Michael) that fits the birth date.
With respect to Patrick however, I've searched the Kew Lunatic Asylum records for the date given, but cannot find a record of admission. I don't know if there is a reason.
I think it reasonable to assume that he and the Patrick Smedley, in and out Ryde and other Sydney Asylums during the 20s and 30s, and convicted and gaoled for arson at Bathurst NSW 4/07/1928 are the same man. I still need to verify the Kew and Ryde records.
With regard to Emma and William, who are my main goal, the trail goes cold as I cannot find any official record of the birth, death or official marriage of either Emma Smedley (Rigby) or William Smedley. The marriage date provided in Michael's (John's) birth record (5/10/1880) can't be subtantiated by Colac church records.
While I concede that two different Emma Rigby's in the Colac/Camperdown general area at the time would be a longshot, the marriage of Emma to Michael O'Bryan doesn't seem to fit. While perhaps technically possible, the DOBs of her various issue suggest she would have been perpetually pregnant to 2 men over 5 years! I.e. William O'Bryan was listed as 4 in March 1885, meaning he was born the same year as Patrick (30/11/1891), while Mary was three, being born in 1882, which means Emma would have to have fallen pregnant almost immediately after Patrick, and then again with Michael Alfred, born 31 July 1883.
Could Williams O'Bryan & Smedley be the same man? William Smedley was listed on Michael (John's) birth record as 40 in 1890, while O'Bryan was 33 in 1885 on Michael O'Bryans birth - 2 years gap? In Emma's case Michael's birth record shows 37yrs in 1889 (Dob 1852) versus 35 for Michael O'Bryan (DOB 1850) again 2 years. For good measure William Smedley was born say 1849 in London, while William O'Bryan hailed from Limerick, Ireland. Oh boy, there are some tantalising similarities, but perhaps the names William and Michael were common as mud in those days?
It is all the more frustrating not to know Emma's circumstances after the last record of 17/03/1896 and why she abandoned/never regained her children. If she is the same Emma O'Bryan, what happened to Michael and Mary? Its not a happy family history.
Anyway, does anyone know if the references listed above, are likely to be backed by written notes? I'm waiting on apreply from PROV. Also, if gaoled, would the court/gaoler records be available somewhere online, or would they too only be at the Public Records office?
I think I am now faced with spending a day or two in Melbourne at the PROV or as I think Cando suggested, a facilitator based in Melbourne (can anyone recommend someone?).
Thanks for reading and I'll be grateful for any advice.
Rgds
Smeddles