Lookup Request for Thomas Wontner Papers at State Library of Queensland

[ewontner]

Hi Rootschat members in Brisbane

I have a big ask! Does anyone in this group live near the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane? I live on the other side of the world so unfortunately can't get access to the library. I would be really grateful if someone could spare the time to access the Thomas Wontner Correspondence and Photos that are held at the library to see what information is available.

I am trying to establish whether Thomas Wontner (who was the son of Richard and Jane Martha Wontner) are related to my direct family line

It would be totally amazing to see copies of the photos and letters.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/235427258?keyword=Wontner

Hoping that the archive will shed some light on Thomas Wontner and his family.
Thank you in advance

Ed

[Ruskie]

Ed, if you traced Thomas back to his origins in England wouldn’t that be a way you could work out if he is related to your Wontner line? Wouldn’t the usual means - census, BMDs etc - be the way forward with this?

It might be worth contacting the library as they may have a copying service (though I’m sure there will be a fairly hefty fee involved).

I agree though that this file would be fascinating to see.

I only had a quick look but couldn’t easily see a “contact us” or similar:
http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/primo-explore/search?query=any,contains,“Thomas%20wontner”&tab=all&search_scope=SLQ_PCI_EBSCO&vid=SLQ&offset=0

[waynenort]

Died August 11, 1894
Thomas Wontner, employed for the last 30 years as proof reader on the Brisbane Courier, died yesterday after a brief illness.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9321969/840434


Extract: A CENTURY OF BRISBANE JOURNALISM
Another notable compositor of the early days was Thomas Wontner. I glean from the reminiscences of Mr. Melton that Wontner came to the old "Courier" office in the early sixties, and after working as a compositor for a year or two, was appointed head reader. In the seventies of last century the bells of St. John's first Cathedral were, by order of the Bells Committee, hung in a high wooden tower only a few yards distant from the old "Courier" office at the corner of George and Charlotte Streets. The bellmen practised ringing the chimes one or two nights a week, and because of the din made by the clanging of the bells on those occasions, Wontner was unable to hear some of the words read to him by his copyholder. The confused sounds, recalled Mr. Melton, were particularly annoying on a hot night, with the thermometer well up in the panting nineties and his clammy collar clinging to his perspiring neck. Wontner was a mild mannered, patient, and considerate man, yet when the bells were particularly vociferous he was heard to declare that it would afford him much pleasure to hear that the members of the committee were, like the bells—hung

https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/data/UQ_212768/s18378366_1951_4_4_471.pdf?Expires=1661042764&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJKNBJ4MJBJNC6NLQ&Signature=VYsOVOlPlTsWLLF99Nw8PtYjEGDn-5~HCwBTif0MJEBA1~cVCzf0GV~wOQQr7vhgukg~~7llhJIMSHWclP3w8-4asP0wCgKDmQh1TRC~Sav~upNbrjJ7TgedFeQPFYM5YBONdBegl4h-57EAcbN0D5Y9SEKGUEr-QCIWYb-38UWDP5ZxCg-A7GYoZFA-aM-N2q~2CnR14Zt-TemH5J3UG5AeUqZggCKdIu9CJHQCyn8n8hvJeinfYxT2l8YeKagtu-ipw5YvSyYDnj4qt3CK1Zgfas6pkDUbgRtMZuaJlpaPIzDYybhktpcnPkOXEaddWoFMAoYpEtTvt7yv8UDacw__

[sparrett]

Is the Thomas WONTNER referred to above by wayneort the correct person whose information you are seeking?

If so, his parents were not Richard and jane Martha

Thomas WONTNER
11/08/1894
1894/B/27175
Mother Ellen Nicholls
Father  Thomas Wontner


Sue

[sparrett]

I do wonder if there has been an error in the registration of the death of THOMAS WONTNER 1894. Perhaps the informant has made a mistake about Thomas’ parents and instead listed the man’s wife as his mother.

Ellen WONTNER
17/02/1884
1884/B/16470
Mother  -
Father -NICHOLLS


Funeral notice
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3427137

I do see Thomas WONTNER aged about 14 years on the census 1841with father (presumed) Richard. He is already involved in the printing industry.

Sue

[sparrett]

Here is a death notice for a daughter of Thomas and Ellen, Ada WONTNER

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20475402

Her QLD birth-

Ada Emma Jane WONTNER
1863   Queensland   
Father Thomas WONTNER
Mother Ellen NICHOLLS

Sue

[sparrett]

A marriage Ellen AMSDEN/Thomas WONTNER
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12998173

Theodore Campbell AMSDEN was executor in the will of Thomas WONTNER
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3586214

Sue

[waynenort]

Passenger ship “Francis Ridley” which arrived in Victoria in July 1853

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/3403A91B-F96C-11E9-AE98-1F36C9268AB1?image=262

[sparrett]

Ah well, ewontner was online just an hour or two ago but has offered no comment on the information offered.

Hope it was useful

Sue