HELP!! me find great-grandfather John Robert Davis-emigrated to Australia 1800s

[Annbee]

John Davis - I have seen no mention of the middle name “Robert” in relation to this man.

Oops yes, that's my fault. I added the Robert.

To add to the other Davises in the area:

A John C Davis was on a jury in 1868 in Beechworth

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197437522

A John Davis applies for and is recommended a selection of 60 acres of land in 1866 and it's stated he is a single man who doesn't own any land and intends to occupy it (this is stated because there is a kerfuffle about people rorting the system and land grabbing)

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112909613

And to add more weirdness Neale, did you notice the father's name on the death index of the John Davis who died in Carlton in 1909?

[Neale1961]

And to add more weirdness Neale, did you notice the father's name on the death index of the John Davis who died in Carlton in 1909?

See I did see the information on the VIC BMD index. It is not unusual or "weird" to find errors in death registrations. The accuracy of the information depended upon the knowledge /memory of the informant. In this case we know that Denis was a family name, and the details about the mother are correct.

[katorama]

John Davis - I have seen no mention of the middle name “Robert” in relation to this man.

Oops yes, that's my fault. I added the Robert.

To add to the other Davises in the area:

A John C Davis was on a jury in 1868 in Beechworth

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197437522

A John Davis applies for and is recommended a selection of 60 acres of land in 1866 and it's stated he is a single man who doesn't own any land and intends to occupy it (this is stated because there is a kerfuffle about people rorting the system and land grabbing)

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112909613

And to add more weirdness Neale, did you notice the father's name on the death index of the John Davis who died in Carlton in 1909?

I'm positive that his name is John Robert Davis (or Davies).  The two spellings were used almost interchangably because (supposedly) the two names are pronounced the same way.  So I always look for both spellings/

I'm peeking at the newspaper clip regarding the land now. Where does he say he is single? If this is the same John Davis who hopped on a boat with Johanna and the kids - I think they came over later than 1866 but I'll go have to check that again.

Yeah the think about the father is pretty wonky.  Hopefully (fingers crossed) it was just a clerical error :-o

[katorama]

As has been mentioned by Neale, you should purchase the death certificate of the John DAVIS who died in 1871.

I would think that as you are searching a direct blood line, it is necessary to make investments towards accuracy.

Scroll down here for how to buy and it will be immediately downloaded to you .
As it was an institutional death, it may or may not be a full , accurate and factual record!

https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history

Sue

I'm doing that tonight!

Update - here it is

[Ruskie]

.

[sparrett]

I have been looking at the DAVIS family, particularly James and John who were the sons of John who died in the Asylum.

by 1887 yield from the Fiddley  Didd (whatever reef ) Harrietville was huge.   
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198227507

There was a large income provided to the brothers through it.
James Davis of the FDD reef 1879
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/200194884

The news items about them list the mine's  frequent donations to the Beechworth Asylum.
Their father was only there for a matter of months before his death and seems to have arrived in a very bad state.  One wonders where he had been living till then.  There is a feeling that he was "not owned"

James died suddenly in 1885
 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/200578772

Intestate. And Notice of Claims outstanding in the estate to be sent to John
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/200577905

James Death notice.  Aged 32
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6073900

A letter to the paper from John DAVIS states the mine sold to a man currently in England for an enormous price  by 1887
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197452774

The probate file for James DAVIS and the will and Probate for brother John DAVIS who died in Melbourne can be viewed here
https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates

There is never a mention of Ernest DAVIS.

Though one speculates that Ernest was apparently well-educated (the finances of this family would make such a thing possible I suppose ), BUT school subjects did not include Chinese  language or Japanese language at that time.

Possibly Latin and French would be on a school curriculum.
Sue

[Neale1961]

Of course we have no idea if this Davis family is anyway related, but Ernest’s father could quite easily have been either son - John or James.

More speculation:- Since Ernest knew Chinese and Japanese well enough to be an interpreter, it is possible he grew up speaking these languages. Even though he may not have known his mother and his father died when he was young, perhaps he was taken in & raised by relatives in the Asian community in the Beechworth area. There is obviously a link to the Chinese shop owner in Innisfail.

DNA might be an avenue to pursue.

[Annbee]

There is obviously a link to the Chinese shop owner in Innisfail.

Perhaps. But I read Tom See Poy's autobiography, from your link, and it seems he and his family never really left Queensland after having a tough and poverty stricken lot of years in Northern Queensland before setting up his store.

His obituary lists his sons and daughters, since katorama wondered if Ernest's wife was somehow related (probably not?): https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40533466

I have found mention in Trove of the Gladstone Rife Club in 1890s and 1900s, but no mention of an Ernest Davis. Still, just because he didn't get in the papers doesn't mean he wasn't there.

[Annbee]

There is never a mention of Ernest DAVIS.

Though one speculates that Ernest was apparently well-educated (the finances of this family would make such a thing possible I suppose ), BUT school subjects did not include Chinese  language or Japanese language at that time.

Sparret, I also was thinking that to be fluent in so many languages means Ernest must have had a good brain and be well-educated. Re your PROV link to the will, am I right in thinking this attached will of John Davis (probate 1909) you are referring to?

If - and this is very much speculation - Ernest Davis is related to this John Davis (either as a brother or illegitimate half brother or as an illegitimate son) I am not surprised that an Ernest isn't mentioned. I am a  fan of reading wills and find often the deceased is focused on their immediate family, especially looking after the women. Additionally, if Ernest isn't regarded as a 'lawful' relative, that might cause him to be left out too. (My own family has experience of this situation - several times over)