William Edmund ANSELL - Derbyshire, England to Queensland, Australia

[swa]

I know it's a long-shot, but here goes...

My great grandfather, William Edmund ANSELL was born abt. 1856 in Derby, Derbyshire, England but married my great grandmother, Annie Frances DONALDSON on 8 October 1885 in Cunnamulla, Queensland, Australia.

How and when did he travel to Australia?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Sarah WALKER (m.s. HALL)
Australia

[PrueM]

Hi Sarah,

You could try the State Archives:

http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/research/indexes.asp

As 1885 is a decade after Queensland "split" from NSW, and before Federation in 1901, you should find what you need there.

Have you looked for William in the UK census for 1861, 71 and 81?  1881 is free online at www.familysearch.org.  That will help you narrow his emigration dates down a bit.

Prue

[swa]

Prue,

Thanks for your speedy reply.

I have looked through the 1881 Census on the LDS site, but how can I check the earlier Census records (1861 or 1871) online?

Is there someone who would be willing to do a free lookup?

Regards,
Sarah WALKER (m.s. HALL)
Australia

[PrueM]

I'm glad you asked 
I have just been looking, and found William in both the 1861 and 1871 census.  He doesn't seem to appear in 1881, so at least you can suppose that he left England prior to that.
I will transcribe the details of 61 and 71 for you.
Cheers
Prue

[swa]

Thank you so much Prue...

I am very excited and waiting to see what you've found for me!

Sarah

[PrueM]

Here you go, Sarah.
I couldn't find William's parents in 1871, but I have to admit I haven't tried very hard yet - it's late, you know! 
If you want, I will have a further hunt for them tomorrow.
Here is what I have found so far:

1861
RG9/2503  Folio 3 Page 10
37 South Parade, Friar's Gate, Derby
ANSELL
Samuel  Head  Mar  39  Lay Agent to Pastoral Aid Society  Herts, Ware
Agnes  Wife  Mar  37 Lancashire, White Chapel
John F  Son  14  Scholar  Derby
Alice H  Dau  5  Scholar  Derby
William E  Son  4  Derby
Susan A  Dau  3  Derby
Arthur S  Son  2  Derby
Sarah ALLUM  Servant  Un  20  Herts, Standon

1871
RG10/5283  Folio 38  Page 4
The Parsonage, Casterton
Francis James ARMITAGE  Head  Mar  48  Perpetual Curate of Casterton  Sussex, Felgate Hall
Helena ARMITAGE  Wife  Mar  49  Lancashire
James A ARMITAGE  Son  13  Scholar  Margate
Edward ARMITAGE  Son  11  Scholar  Weston Super Mare
William Edmund ANSELL  Nephew  14  Scholar  Derby
Jane ANSELL  Niece  9  Derby
Alice HIND  Visitor  Unm  25  Governess  Lincolnshire, Harenston
Mary JONES  Serv  Un  25  Domestic  Gloucestershire, Apperley
Emma GWYNN  Serv  Un  23  Domestic  Worcestershire, Marbloy [?]
Fanny WOREMINGTON  Serv  Un  14  Domestic  Worcestershire, Broadwas [?]

Enjoy!
Prue (a fellow Queenslander)

[swa]

Prue,

You're the best!!!

Thank you so much for your help.

Do you have any Census information earlier than 1861 for the previous generation?

Regards,
Sarah

[swa]

Prue,

I would appreciate very much if you could try to track down William's parents in the 1871 Census:
Samuel ANSELL (b. 1821 Ware, Hertfordshire, England) and Agnes Armitage WILKINSON (b. abt. 1824 Goosnargh, Lancashire, England)

Goodnight,
Sarah
Victoria, Australia
(It's cold down here...  )

[PrueM]

Hi Sarah,
Not as cold as Canberra - that's where I'm relegated to these days!!!! 
I will chase up his parents for you.  I don't have the 1841 and 51 census so I'd suggest putting a request on the Lookups board, perhaps just the general lookups (rather than a particular county) seeing as we're not sure where they might be.
Prue