RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: JaniceLy on Monday 24 May 10 02:33 BST (UK)
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Can I have some help or advice Please, my G G Grandfather Robert John CLARK
died at the State Hospital and Home, Lidcombe, Granville, N S W on 17 January 1932 age 85.(There is no info in their records that exist now)
I have his N S W death certificate, it states he was in N S W for 31 years.
I cant find his death notice in the Sydney morning Herald, Was it compulsary to put a death in a newspaper at that time in N S W.??
His body was buried by the Medical school? on 2nd July 1932,no notice in the paper then either.
I cant find a probate/will in New Zealand (his wife and family were still living there).
where do I go next please.
Thank you
Jan (Otago N Z)
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Newspaper ads are one's own choice as to whether you put one in or not. The Daily Telegraph in Sydney also has paid death notices - unfortunately not on line.
Judith
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Thank you, for you quick reply, I was hoping that I could find out more about his time in Australia.
On his death notice his occupation was listed as a gardener.
Jan
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Hi Jan :)
As Judith says, it has never been compulsory to put a notice in the paper re. BDMs, and if he did not have family locally (it sounds like he didn't) then it's even less likely than usual that you'll find one.
It may be that he died intestate and with no next of kin apart from family overseas, it sounds to me as if his body was released to the medical school for research purposes. A bit of a sad ending, but if it's the case, then he hopefully advanced the cause of medical science which is more than many of us will get to do :-)
What was it that you were wanting to find out about him?
Cheers
Prue
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Hi,
Does the death certificate state the name of the funeral director? If not does it state the witness/informant. Also does the death certificate state where he was buried. I have come across funeral directors' records which appear to have the contract to bury people from hospitals and medical schools. Their records may contain a little more. Medical schools may help as I have heard they hold memorial services. I hope this helps, Gazania
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the death certificate is a bit hard to read it states that this body was taken to the Anatomy dept Sydney -----?, by Yates employed by W Metcalf and co ltd.
and he was buried 6 months later in the Rookwood Anglican Cemetery, public section.
As he left a wife and 10 kids behind in N Z, I wonder if he had any other family there in Australia or it would have been a lonely 31 years there.
on the certificate they had his parents names correct but said he had no issue, Sad really for those left behind.
Thanks again,
Jan, Otago N Z
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I can't find him at Rookwood :-\
Annie
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i have a letter from the Rookwood Anglican cemetery dated 2005 from Administration saying that he is section NN. I dont think there is a headstone.
Thanks,
Jan
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He is definitely there, just without a middle name. Section NN (no Plot or Row details given) and grave number 0004154. Buried 2 Jul 1932.
There probably isn't a headstone, being a public grave, but you could contact the cemetery office to find out more information:
http://rookwoodcemetery.com.au/
Cheers
Prue
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Thanks Prue
I must have had 1 eye shut ;)
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Hi,
re his death cert. Probably his personal information like parents, birthdate & place would have been given to Lidcombe at admission, either by him (if he was compos) or someone who knew him and was helping at admission. If it was him, he has obviously chosen not to reveal marriage or family - sad. I worked out he must have been about 54 when he shot through. As a matter of curiosity, do you know where/when he was born? I ask because I know of a similar case and the brick wall was solved by finding what happened to his siblings and their descendants who knew a bit about the family breakup.
By the way, I don't live in Sydney so I can't help you find the Funeral Director's records. Regards, Gazania
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Hi,
Robert John CLARK was born in Terrrington St John ,Norfolk, United Kingdom, and came to Auckland N Z with his mother Caroline (Nee UTTING) and his sister Caroline and brother Giles Frederick in 1865 on the boat Balaklava. His father Giles Ashby CLARK had died in Camberwell London in 1863.
Also on R J CLARK's death certificate his wifes name Louisa nee CRAGO was given. Louisa died in Auckland on 3 January 1942 and in her obituary after she died it said she moved back to Auckland after her husband died and had lived there for 30 odd years, so she must have moved back after he disappeared to Australia around 1903 (when he was last known of listed in a Stones Directory in Dunedin.Otago N Z
I dont know if we will ever know what happened to him and of his time in Australia and if her ever married again.
Thanks for all your kind help and thoughts,
Jan (Otago N Z)
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Although not about him or his life, the following is a link to the NSW State Archives entry regarding Lidcombe hospital. http://investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/Entity.aspx?Path=\Agency\1999.
Also, just a guess but perhaps the, ". . .Anatomy dept Sydney -----?" means Sydney University.
Shirl
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Hi Shirl,
I have seen the info about lidcombe hospital, Thanks, and I think you are right about the word being University.
I think I will have to be satisified with what I have found out and maybe one day more might come to light,
Thanks,
Jan (Otago N Z )
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Hi Jan
I didn't notice mention of NSW electoral rolls in the posting (sorry if I missed it) The rolls might be used to trace his movements and possible persons living at the same addresses.
I don't have immediate access to these records but others may be able to help.
Les
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Thanks for that,
no I dont have access to those so havent been able to check, I think I have almost exhausted all other avenues apart from those.
Thanks again, everyones help much appreciated.
Jan
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Hi Jan,
I can have a look at some directories and rolls for you. Does the death cert. state his usual address or residence? There are lots of Robert Clarks to choose from... :-\
Prue
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Hi Prue,
He died age 85 at Lidcome state home and hospital, NSW and that was his last address, it also said he was senile so dont know if it would be worth trying, his occupation was gardener.
Thanks
Jan (Otago N Z)