Chegwidden

[Freya Ellingsen]

I'm researching the Curran line, but this question came up by family members about a Margaret Henry who looked after the children when John Curran's wife died. The question was did she change her married name from Chegwidden to Walsh and why? As she had a large family of her own. The Walsh name comes up on both sides of the Curran's. If Margaret Chegwidden is also Margaret Walsh then she adopted possibly two children of Margaret T Curran's 1. Claude 2.Berty.The father was possibly John Walsh.
Vic death of the Woman in question:
1933 #13411 Margt CHEDGEWIDDEN; Father's name: HENRY, Edwd Jno; Mother's name: Ellen (Carrigan); Place of death: Wbool; Age; 74

Thanks

[cando]

Fran please read all the replies and answer the questions.  You are repeating information back to us that has been given to you.

If Margaret Chegwidden is also Margaret Walsh then she adopted possibly two children of Margaret T Curran's 1. Claude 2.Berty.The father was possibly John Walsh.

I am not convinced of this.  You need to compare the style of signatures on the permission to enlist for Claude signed by his parents, John and Margaret WALSH of Grasmere with the signatures on that 1884 marriage certificate.

John and Margaret CHEGWIDDEN's children were born 1886, 1887, 1889, 1891, 1894 and 1896.  Why on earth would she with all those children take on caring for Margaret CURRAN's children born 1894 and 1896.  Also at the time of the children's births the CHIGWIDDEN's were still using that name. There was no formal/legal adoption in that era.  Not legislated in Vic until the 1920's.   

Something has happened between 1896 and 1905 when the CHIGWIDDEN's use the name WALSH.  Did John die or do a runner?  Did Margaret form another relationship with a John WALSH?  I doubt you will ever know. That 1884 marriage cert needs to be sighted.

Australian Electoral Roll
1905
WALSH John  Grassmere  Labourer
WALSH Margaret Grassmere  HD

1912, 1913
WALSH John Grassmere Labourer
WALSH John  Yangery  Labourer
WALSH Margaret Grassmere  HD
WALSH Richard Henry  Grassmere Labourer

1914
WALSH John Grassmere Labourer
WALSH John  Yangery  Labourer
WALSH Joseph Grassmere Labourer
WALSH Margaret Grassmere  HD
WALSH Richard Henry  Yangery Labourer

I wouldn't make assumptions as to who was/were the father/fathers of Margaret CURRAN's children as you appear to only have surnames.  Could be anyone with those names.

I'll have another look at this later.  Chores

Cando

[Freya Ellingsen]

Yes u r right could be any of the Walsh's named as the father of Margaret's children, Yes we will compare the army records with marriage cert! This time it would seem that the old family story of a change of name may be true
Thanks very much for your help.

Fran

[cando]

Looks likely however I am still not convinced it is the same couple who signed Claude's permission to enlist papers until I see some signatures or style of signatures   All living in the same locality makes it difficult to sort them out.  Bert is shown on later rolls at Grassmere but disappears post 1934.    but I don't have time to do anymore at the moment.

Margaret HENRY may have formed a new relationship with a John WALSH.  All speculation

Waiting for those signatures

Cheers
Cando

[Freya Ellingsen]

Here they are! I await your verdict 

[Freya Ellingsen]

Here is the letter also

[cando]

Definitely not the same persons.

So who are the John and Mary WALSH on the electoral roll at Grassmere?

Cando

[cando]

And together

[cando]

Fran can you attach the 1884 Marriage Cert....it's often the small details that can break down those brick walls.  John's parents' details would be helpful as I cannot see a birth for him at Caramut or anywhere in Victoria.  It appears to me that the bride and groom  had difficulty signing their names.

I convert any jpeg formats to pdf using
http://jpg2pdf.com/

You won't be breaching copyright if you attach the cert as a pdf as only the link shows.... as you have done with the snips.

Cando