RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => Australia => Australia Lookups completed => Topic started by: Rap on Monday 14 September 09 07:05 BST (UK)
-
Hi.
I've managed to piece together the descendants of my gggrandparents William James Bassett who was born in 1827 at St Georges Hannover Square London, and his wife Jane Cray who was born 1832 at Edinburgh, Scotland. I have been lucky to have found both the Bassett and Cray families back in their homeland, but I have had no luck finding their entry point into Australia. William states on his death certificate at Dunolly Vic, that had been in the colony for 34 years...which makes him a 22 year old man arriving in the colony in 1850. Jane is listed on her death certificate as having lived in the colony for 38 years...meaning that she was 19/20 years old when she arrived in 1852. I can find no hints of either of them being convicts, but there is a family folk-lore story that they met and came across from New Zealand before their marriage on Nov 11 1852.....but I can find no trace of them there either!!
Can anyone out there with access to different information find any mention of William and Jane? This is the last frustrating piece of the puzzle....and I've hit a brick wall!!
Many thanks and best wishes
Rap
-
There is this passenger record listing BASSETT - no other identifying details
Mr BASSETT arriving 8 Feb 1850 on the Shamrock from Sydney. Departed Sydney 1 Feb 1850.
Cando
-
before their marriage on Nov 11 1852.....
Was this marriage in Victoria?
I am having trouble locating this marriage in Victoria
Jenn
-
Thanks Jenn and Cando for taking the time to reply!!
Firstly, yes Jenn, they were married in Melbourne on Nov 14 1852. This information is written in the front of an old family bible....so I guess that it is fairly correct. I haven't been able to find any official recording of the marriage either, as it just may miss out on the official date of record, which I think was some time in 1852 when marriages had to be recorded. The bible just says Melbourne, so it could have taken place anywhere!
Thanks Cando...I have never seen this listing for a Bassett in 1850, but this looks promising....many thanks for finding it...I'll see what else I can find from there. We know that at least 3 of the Bassett brothers came to Australia at some time.....William James, Joseph and James....Joseph and James are buried together at the Tarnagulla Cem Vic...and William at Dunolly. There may be another brother who came to Aust, Samuel, however I cannot find him here of his family....but family records speak of 'Sam'...and there are no others that I know of!
Many thanks to you both, and best wishes.
Rap
-
Hi Rap
Civil registrations commenced in Victoria on 1 July 1853 so it would appear that your ancestor's marriage may be one of the many parish records that didn't make it to the Registry for transcription. You are fortunate to have the marriage record in the family bible. :)
You are looking at immigration at the time of the gold rush and many arrived in Victoria via South Australia. Unfortunately many immigrants were just noted as X number of men, women in steerage.
I have a copy of a letter written from England in 1852 which states that the author was unable to procure a passage to Australia because of the numbers emigrating hoping to find gold. He just wanted to join his parents in South Australia. I sense from other comments in the letter that passages were available for a price.
There are these two births on the Victorian indexes with Samuel BASSETT as father - you may have already found these :) Might be worth following up.
BASSETT Prudence Ann
Father Samuel Mother Ann HOKEDAY
At Sandhurst 1855 Reg#8846
BASSETT Daniel
Father Samuel Mother Ann HOCKEDAY
At Sandhurst 1857 Reg#3639
One of the certs should give his place of birth.
And then this death
BASSETT Samuel
Parents unknown
42 Born England 1862 Reg#3308
Cheers
Cando
-
Thanks Cando....this is great!! The dates match Samuel's birth of 1819 (particularly the death listing)...and of course the ref. to England. I have never seen the listing for the births of Prudence and Daniel before (many thanks!!)..the dates are pretty good, and of course the Sandhurst is just perfect, as I know that the family lived and stayed around that area. I'll see what else I can find on these two children!
Yes, I feared as much re entry into Australia around the 1850's may well have been just a 'numbers counting exercise'...sure does make matters frustrating when I can find so much else on the family. I have been able to find descendants of most of the brothers who came to Australia....which has been 2 years in the process....but well worth the effort. Samuel, although he is listed as being buried at Tarnagulla as well, has been the only elusive one, as I have found nothing on him....I even felt that perhaps he was just an unrelated Bassett from the same area, as there was another Bassett familyl living there in the 1850's.
I have tracked down and found Jane Cray's grave...it's unmarked, so I would love to win tattslotto just to place headstones on all of the unmarked graves we have in the family!
Many thanks for your help Cando....it's much appreciated!
Best wishes
Rap
-
Death
BASSETT Prudence Ann
Father Samuel Mother Ann UNKNOWN
1 years 1855 Reg#2075
I can't see anything for Daniel in the indexes other than his birth. Can't see a death for Ann either.
When funds permit, it would be worthwhile purchasing Samuel's death certificate as there may have been earlier children of the marriage.
I think it is sad to find unmarked graves of one's ancestors. Fortunately most of my ancestors' graves are marked but I have a small wish list :)
Cheers
Cando
-
Hi Cando,
I did have a look around last night too, and found the death of little Prudence...so sad that so few children made it past those first few years.
I could find nothing at all about Daniel, not even in the early Electoral Rolls, which may suggest that he perhaps didn't live long either...but bdm has no death for him. I haven't been able to find any records to identify the Hokeday name here in Australia either....will look into that one a little more I think!
Yes, I will take your advice and download the death certif. of Samuel and see if it offers any more information about his family...with a bit of luck, it may identify him as the Samuel buried at Tarnagulla, and then I will know for sure that at least 3 of the brothers are reunited in death. There is a family story that one of them was killed when their hut burnt to the ground. Samuel was only 42 years of age at the time of death...and I am now thinking that it may have been Samuel who was involved in the fire.
I certainly have more to find with the Bassett story, and I thankyou so much for your help and contribution Cando!
Best wishes
Rap
-
there is a birth possibility registered in NSW:
V18541089 40/1854
BASSETT Prudence A
Father Samuel
Mother Ann
no Registration/Church district noted.
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/familyHistory.htm
Leanne
-
Thanks Leanne.....we have just been discussing baby Prudence...poor bub died aged 1...bdm states NSW for her birth on the death registration, but the bdm on her birth states Sand (I assume Sandhurst).
I'll see what else pops up....many thanks for your time and help!
Cheers
Rap
-
Hi
According to the Prov's wills & probate dbase the Samuel BASSETT who died in 1862, died intestate. He was also known as John DUDLEY. His estate went to a William BOND, so I'm thinking he's not connected to your family.
Rap, do you live in the Dunolly area?
When you say you have a bible with the recorded date of Marriage, which Church does it belong to?
The Diocese of the Church maybe able to help find the original record and some of them are very detailed.
Regards
Genni
-
Hi Genni,
Many thanks for this information....I'd say that this is not our Samuel either...as we know that ours had family. No Genni, I live in Melbourne, but we know that my grandmother's Bassett family lived around Eaglehawk and Dunolly. Samuel's brother, William James, died at Dunolly, and is buried with his brothers at Tarnagulla. The bible is owned by a cousin of mine, who is descended from one of the son's of William James. I've emailed her, and she says that it is very old of course, and has only the back leather cover. She can find no evidence of any specific religion associated to it...it seems 'generic'. I have found the baptism for Joseph at Pimlico Palace St Buckingham Independent, Westminster London...but not being familiar with religious orders, I'm not certain which religion this may be. I can't see any hint of religious preference on the death certif. of William or his wife Jane. I'll have to have a look into this...thanks for the suggestion Genni..I didn't think to look there!
Ah, back to the chase!!
Many thanks for your kind help Genni, and best wishes.
Rap
-
Thanks Leanne.....we have just been discussing baby Prudence...poor bub died aged 1...bdm states NSW for her birth on the death registration, but the bdm on her birth states Sand (I assume Sandhurst).
I'll see what else pops up....many thanks for your time and help!
Cheers
Rap
Hi Rap
2 babies named Prudence. First child born NSW and died Victoria.
2nd Prudence born Victoria died in Picton NSW 1884 Ref: 7395/1884 Parents Listed as Samuel & Ann.
Regards
Genni
-
Many thanks Genni...I see the confusion. I'll have a good look into this and see what pops up! Best wishes. Rap
-
I show that the brother Samuel Bassett seems to have stayed behind in England.
155B1. Samuel Bassett, son of Samuel Bassett
Samuel Bassett, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Carter) Bassett, was born about 1821 in Chelsea, Middlesex, England. He married Eliza.
1851 British Census of 78 Westhome, St. George Hanover Square, Middlesex
Samuel Bassett 31 M Head Chelsea, Middlesex Engineer
Eliza 26 F Wife Dorsetshire
Wm. 6 M Son Pimlico, Middlesex
Harriett 1 F Daughter Pimlico, Middlesex
1881 British Census of 8 Patmore St., Battersea, Surrey
Samuel Bassett 62 M Head Pimlico, Middlesex Engine Fitter
Eliza 55 F Wife Boundford, Doreset
George 21 M Son Pimlico, Middlesex Engine Fitter
+ 155B11. William S. Bassett – born about 1846 in Pimlico, Middlesex,
England, married Mary.
155B12. Harriett Bassett – born about 1850 in Pimlico, Middlesex,
England.
155B13. George Bassett – born about 1860 in Pimlico, Middlesex,
England.
-
Hi!...many thanks for that information! I have never seen the listing for George 1860! I seem to have an extra Samuel in my findings. From my grandmother's notes, she says that 3 Bassett brothers came from England originally...her grandfather William James b1827, James b1823 and Sam. I have found that William, James and Joseph are all buried at the Tarnagulla Cem...with no mention of Sam...and I have seen this entry for Sam before, assuming that he arrived some time later in life with his family...however, I haven't been able to find any trace of him in any shipping and records. I found it odd that my grandmother would mention Sam, if he hadn't been in Australia as well! I have since found family members here in Australia who are descendants of Joseph....none for James as yet (my family have records of him having been killed when his hut caught fire...but can't confirm that story)...and of course, my gggrandfather William James. I have just yesterday found the grave of William's wife, Jane Cray at the Melbourne General Cemetery...quite exciting!
The hunt continues!
Best wishes, and many thanks
Rap
-
Hello,
There was an inquest for a James Bassett in Victoria 1904 #844 acause of death accident burns. Can probably be ordered from the PRO
Also recorded in the death index #10718 fofr 1904 atTarnagulla aged 8i parens Samuel Bassett and Elizabeth Carter .
regards
Robyn
-
Thanks Robyn for finding this information...this confirms the 'folklore' stories I have from my grandmother! I will order the death inquest fro PRO I think, and see what else it tells me!..great find! This is certainly our James, as the parents match..I will have a look around for possible children for this James and Mary.
Thankyou so much for your time Robyn.
Best wishes
Rap
-
Hi
There is a link in the Ballarat & District Genealogical Society
http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/index.html
to Mining Accidents Index
http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/miners/b.htm
BASSETT, Charles W, killed 1905 Gippsland, Jumbunna Coal Mine
BASSETT, William 21 Jan 1869 killed Sandhurst, Catherine Reef
...................................................................................................
This link has a lot of Bassett names including
Joseph Bassett came 1859 with Margaret Frances Walker
http://www.geocities.com/mepnab3/b/bas.html?20093
.....................................................................................................
Are any of your Bassett family on these ships to Australia?
7 William Bassett
http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vl(freeText0)= Bassett %2c+William&vl(60921004UI0)=sub&vl(74576467UI1)=all_items&vl(1UI0)=exact&fn=search&tab=default_tab&mode=Basic&vid=FamHis&scp.scps=scope%3a(IC)
BatUser
-
Hi BatUser.....these links are just wonderful...never seen them before, and they are just what I'm looking for! The Joseph 1859 is certainly ours, as I can confirm his wife as Margaret Walker on bdm. I shall enjoy an afternoon looking at all of these leads (there goes the housework!)....so many thanks! Rap.
-
Rap,
I tried to reply with some info yesterday but it seems the reply was rejected because of volume on the rootschat server.
I had a short explore in bdm's and as well as Joseph and Margaret nee Walker in Tarnagulla there was also Richard and Robina nee Cameron.
I also had the probably not original thought that is there a possibility that Willam and Jane's grandson Samuel Henry d 1901 aged 3 or son Samuel Henry aged 39 1904 is the SAM in the family grave?
And there was the death in 1854 of 4 month old Samuel Bassett son of Thomas and Mary nee Fidler place of birth given as Victoria.
I note that Jane Bassett nee Cray' mother's maiden name was ADAMS.
There was a SAMUEL BASSETT and MARARET ELIZABETH ADAMS M 1879 in Raywood north of Tarnagulla in the 1879-1901's. Co-incidence perhaps. But for both of them and of the 11 children born between 1880 and 1901 I have a death for only 1 child in the Victorian records. Found the others after 1921 mothers maiden name given as INGLEBY but unsual forenames all match.
(Samuel I think is a son of Thomas and Mary (possibly Fidler) born in BARABBOOL Vict places of birth for their other children Ercildoune which is again in the general area of Ballarat, Dunolly, Bendigo etc)
regards
Robyn
-
Hi Robyn....many thanks for all of this information. I see that you too have found way too many Bassetts to 'fit' one family! It's frustrating! The Tarnagulla Hist Soc has sent to me a list of all of the Bassetts buried there. Included are the 3 original brother's from London, James (and his wife Mary, who appear to have no children), Joseph and his wife Margaret Frances nee Walker, and their daughter Isabella Jane; and of course my gggrandfather William James. Buried there are 2 other Bassetts, whose parents I can verify on bdm, but have no record of in my known family. 1 Frances Elizabeth who died 1859 aged 17 months, and the daughter of William and Elizabeth (uk); and 2. Jane Bassett died 1872 aged 9 months, the daughter of Richard and Robina. At this stage, I have no idea who Richard and this William are. There is no Richard in the original family from London, as I have found all of the children....and the only possibility of the William b1845 (but impossible for him to be the father of Frances Elizabeth in1859) is that he is the son William of one of the original brothers, Samuel, who appeared to have stayed in England. I can only assume that this William and Richard belong to a different Bassett family, with the possibility that they are the descendants of the brother of the original Samuel b1790. I know that there are other Bassetts in the Dunolly, Llanelly area that don't seem to be related to us.
With the great help of BatUser's link, I have found the listing for the migration of the original Samuel b1790 (father), aged 70 years, along with two of the sons (James and Joseph) and their wives...which is really exciting. I am suspecting that this Samuel must be the one buried at the Tarnagulla Cem with his sons...although I cannot find a date on this Samuel, and neither could the Hist Soc. Assuming that son Samuel didn't arrive in Aust, the only other Samuel's in the family that we know of are Samuel Henry b1864 Newbridge and son of William and Jane(Cray) Bassett..and this is the Samuel Henry who died in 1904 of Miner's dust and married Susan Catherine Prouse in 1886 Tarnagulla...it is this couple who had a son Samuel Henry who was born 1886 and died 1901 at Tarnagulla. (but the descendants of this Samuel and his son Samuel say that they are buried together at Eaglehawk/Bendigo Cem)....perhaps these two are buried at Tarnagulla in addition to the father/grandfather Samuel 1790??? I think that I need to contact the Hist Soc there again and ask them to check the records.
I have found the Scottish Adam's family of Jane...and seen her mother's marriage record ( how beautiful!)...so thanks for the thought that other Adam's family may have arrived in Australia and married the Raywood Samuel..with so many children, I surely should find someone who knows of their story!..moreso, I think that I need to find who this Thomas Bassett was, and work from there!
Many thanks for all of your help....this certainly is a work in progress!
Best wishes
Rap
-
Rap,
Here is a link to Bendigo cemeteries trust with a searchable database covering Bendigo/Eaglehawk/Kangaroo Flate/Whitehills and Axedale cemeteries:
http://www.bencemtrust.com.au/search.asp
Click on the names and you will see which cemetery they are buried in.
No Samuel Bassett's that I could find but there are lots of Bassetts and they could well be in unmarked graves.
regards
Robyn
-
Thanks Robyn...there's a few of the known Bassetts in this list...at least we can track their final resting places, even if we can't find Samuel's! Thankyou for all of your wonderful help....I'll keep working on all of this and see what comes up.
Best wishes
Rap.
-
Hi Rap,
Just found a 1905 death for a Thomas Bassett aged 85 in Kangaroo Flat father given name George no mother given I wonder if this could be the Thomas Bassett who wife was Mary (Fidler) b c 1820.
So most probably no relation to your BAssett family.
regards
Robyn
-
Hi
I am happy the other links were a help
This is a long shot but you never know.
"Book on convict lives". On message 30 August 2009
lists the names of convicts in the book.
One is Samuel Basset
It may be worth asking if there is any connection and Basset should be Bassett?
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,402693.0.html
-
Hi Robyn and BatUser...thanks for this info. I haven't discounted the possibility of my William having been a convict, and will have a further look into this with your 'Book on convict lives' BatUser. Finding the entry of the father Samuel with his two sons in '59 means that at least they were here under their own steam...but William and Jane Cray may have come in one of the 'numbers' at any time, however William's death cert. places him at 1850 and Jane 1852...from the marriage record in the old bible.(mind you, this may be conveniently recorded to avoid any questions too!) I intend to see if I can find record of their marriage (when I get a little bit of spare time!)
Many thanks to you both, and best wishes.
Rap
-
On the ANL's digitised newspaper site are two small articles re the death of James Bassett in 1904
http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/home Search using bassett + tarnagulla
Cheers, Judith
-
Hi Judith....thanks! I see that the poor fellow must have fallen into the fire. From the family stories, I had always thought that his demise was at a young age. What a way to go! This is a great site Judith...I'm having a little look around for other rellos on it too!
Many thanks, and best wishes.
Rap
-
Re Joseph and James Bassett in Tarnagulla
Tarnagulla rate book 1864-1875 plus single sheet 1881 rate
1864 - Joseph, Miner, Tent, Commercial Road. James, Miner, House, West of Main Lead
1865 - Joseph, Engineer, House, Commercial Road, James, Miner, Brick House, West of Main Lead
Not listed 1866
1867 - Joseph, Miner, Weatherboard House, East of Commercial Road. James, Miner, House, West of Commercial Road
Not listed 1868
1869 - Joseph, Engine Driver, Weatherboard House, East of Commercial Road, James, Miner, Brick House, West of Commercial Road
1870 - Joseph, Miner, Weatherboard House, East of Commercial Road, No James
Not listed 1871
1872 - Joseph, Miner, Weatherboard House, East of Commercial Road
1881 - both are listed as J Bassett. Unfortunately there is very little information on this only surviving rate list.
I suspect that for the years they are not listed they may have been following another lead.
Hope this helps
Shirley
-
Another thought for Samuel Bassett. Died 2 Feb 1862 aged 42 years at the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum. Found in the digger inquest also brief article in the Argus newspaper 5 Feb 1862 on page 5.
see www.australiancemeteries.com/vic/melbourne/yarrabend.thm for explanation about location of burials.
Shirley