I'm helping my distant aunty Elaine - we know we are related because my Aunty married her cousin, but her family came to Australia about 100 years before I did. I thought you might be able to help us solve a family mystery.
We know her grandmother became a ward of the State in Victoria some where in the late 1880s or the early 1890's. 2 of her brothers are also Wards at the same time. Her name was Elizabeth Annie BANKS or ANDERSON (from the index of the register) there are also 2 of her brothers Robert and Thomas on the same index.
I want to find the reason why, so I have tracked her great grandmother and most of the siblings, and made this chart - I hope it makes sense as the mother's name changes.
BANKS CHILDREN - THOMAS IS THE FATHER ON ALL RECORDS
ANN b1883 d1887 Mothers name at birth Euphemia Anderson mothers name on death Kate Ramsay Ann died aged 4.
THOMAS b1885 mothers name Katie Ramsay haven't found death yet.
ANNIE ELIZABETH b 1887 d1962 Mothers name at birth Kate Anderson mothers name at death Annie Ramsay
ROBERT b1889 d 1918 Mothers name on birth Kate Anderson Mothers name on death Ramsay
STEPHEN 1892 1951 Mothers name on birth Cath Euphemia Anderson name on death is Euphimia Anderson
1892 police gazette article - Thomas is charged with deserting as he leaves Euphemia with 4 children in Albury.
I am presuming the children that he deserted are Thomas, Elizabeth Annie, Robert and Stephen. Elizabeth, Robert and Thomas ended up in care but I am unsure of the date.
She went on and had at least 2 children where Thomas is named as the father.
John in 1898 mothers name is listed as Euphemia Anderson (haven't found death yet)
William in 1901 mothers name is listed as Kate Ramsay - William died under a year old and his mother at death is also Kate Ramsay.
I have found a birth certificate for Euphemia Anderson with a mother whos name is Euphemia Ramsey (or Ransey)
Ask all the questions you like - this one is worse than the cryptic crossword.
Thanks for reading,
cheers, Ted
