Pages: [1]

Author Topic: NSW Orphan or Adoption Records  (Read 157 times)

Offline MasonT78

  • RootsChat Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 162
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
NSW Orphan or Adoption Records
« on: Saturday 19 August 23 03:10 BST (UK) »
Hi everyone,

Wondering if anyone can offer any suggestions or advice on the following.

My 3x Great Grandparents were Robert Mason and Anne Morrison. Robert arrived as a convict in NSW in 1834. He left behind a wife and child in England. He then married Anne Morrison, who arrived Free from Scotland with her brother James. They were first located around the area which is now Canberra and Goulburn.

Im pretty sure they had a son in Goulburn they named James Alexander Mason in 1841. Robert then committed another crime the following year and was sent to Norfolk Island and then subsequently to Tasmania where he arrived in 1846.

Anne joined him in Tasmania a few months later, without John. Robert and Anne had another child, a daughter Sarah the following year (This is my grandmother).

Whilst Robert was at Norfolk Island, Anne moved to Musswellbrook, where it is possible her brother James Morrison was living at the time. It is also the same place John was married in 1868 and had his daughter Anne in 1871. John died in 1908, in Denman, New South Wales.

Coincidently his sister Caroline (Second daughter of Robert & Anne) lived in Denman in the early 1900's.

I can't find any record of John coming to Tasmania with his mother. My thoughts are that he stayed in NSW and was either put into an orphanage or adopted. His BDM do not mention his mother's maiden name, but i am convinced he belongs to my Robert & Anne.

Annes death certificate in 1910 mentions her having 2 daughters both Living (Sarah & Caroline) and having 4 deceased sons. One is Randall who died as a baby, the other would be John who died 2 years earlier, but i am unable to find the other two. The informant on her death certificate was her grandson, indicating the family knew of John in NSW (also possibly that his sister Caroline live int he same town).

Does anybody know of any records etc that could contain any info about what happened to John as a child after his father went to Norfolk Island and his mother to Tasmania (He would have been around 5-6 years old). I have all of Roberts convict documents, including petitions for clemency.

Many thanks
MASON
WYLIE
HAYES
DANDO
BINNS
SEARLE

Offline sparrett

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 18,293
    • View Profile
Re: NSW Orphan or Adoption Records
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 19 August 23 03:33 BST (UK) »
Hi.
What was the name of the child?

Am I confused, or does he start out as James Alexander and end up as John?

Sue
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline MasonT78

  • RootsChat Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 162
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: NSW Orphan or Adoption Records
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 19 August 23 03:40 BST (UK) »
Their child is John Alexander Mason.
MASON
WYLIE
HAYES
DANDO
BINNS
SEARLE

Offline maddys52

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,252
  • Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.
    • View Profile
Re: NSW Orphan or Adoption Records
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 19 August 23 04:35 BST (UK) »
Quote from: MasonT78 on Saturday 19 August 23 03:10 BST (UK)


Im pretty sure they had a son in Goulburn they named James Alexander Mason in 1841.


Yes, I think this should be John A MASON (1581/1841 V18411581 25A) C of E Goulburn. Parents Robert and Ann.

I can't think of any specific records that may exist - adoption was not formalised until much later. Is it possible John stayed with his Uncle, James MORRISON? I'm not sure how you would prove this. Do you have his marriage certificate? Does that give any indication, eg where he was, witnesses etc?
Pages: [1]