RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: shelby4178 on Monday 13 September 10 12:24 BST (UK)
-
Hi,
I'm looking to find any information on the death of my Father's 1st wife. She was apparently murdered by a jealous lover. I don't know when this happened and only have rough time periods.
My Father's name was Robert Stanley Thomas WILLIAMS 1938-2002. His 1st Wife's name was "Jean" "Jeanie" "Gean", I'm do not know her maiden name and am not sure what year they were married. He married my Mother in 1977, so it was before then.
It happened in NSW Australia, perhaps in the Maitland, Newcastle area. They do not have any children and I am unable to also find their marriage certificate.
Apparently, her lover shot her when he found out that she wanted to reconcille with my Father. He also then shot himself.
I am currently doing my family tree and would like to add this information to it if I can find out more. ANy information would be appreciated ;D Michelle (on ancestry.com as SHARROCK/WILLIAMS)
-
On-line BMDs in NSW only have marriages up to 1959. Someone else may have access to later information.
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/searchHistoricalRecords.htm
There is this marriage but your father would have only been 20 -
1958 Robert Thomas WILLIAMS m Jean Elizabeth MIDDLETON registered SYDNEY #7359
Judith
-
http://archives.smh.com.au/
"Jean Williams" <and> murder turns up a hit from 1962, for example.
You would have to pay for a subscription (not sure if some libraries might have access to this?) to see the full text.
I would imagine a murder/suicide would be widely reported.
-
Hi shelby,
May I ask what makes you certain the couple were married
Do you have evidence of such a marriage or is it possible it was a "common law" relationship.
The reason I query this is if she continued to use her maiden name, it will alter the criteria of your search.
Sue
-
Do you have your father's death certificate ?
Depending on what the informant knew, her name and date of death might be listed on it.
Regards
Alison
-
Thankyou everyone,
I had a look on BDM and after a long discussion with my mother, the dates do add up as she mentioned that my father was young when he married his 1st wife.
I am now in the process of trying to find old newspaper archives which may tell me what actually happened. I guess curiosity now has the best of me.
Thanks again :)
-
I don't know when this happened and only have rough time periods.
So, do you believe this to be her death?
REG. 7142In 1960 WILLIAMS JEAN ELIZABETH father JOHN mother KATHLEEN at ROCKDALE
Sue
-
Hi Sue,
Yes I believe this to be her. I have been looking at BDM records and it does all make sense.
Michelle :)
-
Hi there,
Are you looking for a likely death registration for the "other party"....
The NSW BDM online index can give some clues IF you are confident about the one Sue mentions. For example, if Rockdale and 1960 and looking at the reference number of 7142, then perhaps look for a similar but slightly higher number. That type of searching can be time consuming without a surname .... but once you have a transcript of the one for Jean Elizabeth Williams, and read the information on it (should list her husband by name) .... then search online using " * " as a wildcard for a surname and 1960 and Rockdale .... If too many that way, then use " a* " and then " b* " etc and work your way through the alphabet ... You can sort each search result by the various columns online, so by sorting using the reference number column you can then see reference numbers around 7142....
I presume the "other party" would have parents, siblings and family, perhaps some who are still living, so please do consider their privacy through this journey of curiosity.
Transcripts of the official certificates are cheaper and can be received by email. Official Certificates from 1960's are typed up anyway.
Registry of BMD New South Wales
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/searchHistoricalRecords.htm
Details on ALL Certificates for New South Wales
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/familyHistoryCertificates.htm
http://www.jaunay.com/bdm.html
Transcription Agents
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,300394.0.html
Cheers, JM
-
Hi Michelle,
If you get the death certificate you will have a date of death, and could then search in local, state and national newspapers for any reports. The National Library has papers online, but only up to the 1950s, so you would need to go to a library to view originals and/or microfilms.
Cheers
Prue
-
H
And I would like to add yet another recommendation ;D
If , on the death certificate transcript, the husband turns out not to be ROBERT THOMAS WILLIAMS, (or she is unmarried etc.) you should proceed to purchasing the trnascript of the marriage certificate for JEAN ELIZABETH and ROBERT THOMAS WILLIAMS.
It will give you information about the couple which may give pointers to further searching, eg parents names for JEAN, POB etc.
Sue
-
http://archives.smh.com.au/
"Jean Williams" <and> murder turns up a hit from 1962, for example.
You would have to pay for a subscription (not sure if some libraries might have access to this?) to see the full text.
I would imagine a murder/suicide would be widely reported.
Hi, I've just looked at the SMH hit from 1962 and it is a legal notice of Probate ‘in the Will of Henry Harold Stevenson late of Tamworth’
granted to Jean Williams executrix, will dated 19 July 1960
EVERINGHAM SOLOMONS & CO, Proctors for Executrix, 9 Fitzroy Street, Tamworth, by their Agents, MARSHALL MARKS DEZARNAULDS & JONES, Solicitors, C alla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
If she died in 1962 1960 then this is not her.
Dawn M.
PS Do you know the lover's name?
-
Given it was a murder-suicide there would have been a Coroners' Inquest.
Look here for inquest search info...
http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/archives-in-brief/archives-in-brief-4/?searchterm=coronial%20inquests
-
Hi!
I've have been asking questions and getting no where with the family members that apparently know what happened back then, so i'm continuing the search with you all.
Sadly, I don't know the name of her lover and wish I was more of a nosey parker and asked my Father more. I'll post if I find something and will let you know how I go.
Michelle :)
-
Hi,
SMH Death Notices 12 March 1960
WILLIAMS, Jean Elizabeth - March 10, 1960, late of 25 Baxter Avenue, Kogarah, dearly beloved wife of Leslie, loved mother of Robert and Susanna, loved daughter of Mrs C. Wheeler, and sister of Shirley (Mrs L. Smith). aged 42 years.
Debbie
-
hi shelby
i found these 3 its on NSW BD&M
Marriage 7359/1958 WILLIAMS ROBERT THOMAS MIDDLETON JEAN ELIZABETH SYDNEY
death 80517/1970 WILLIAMS ELIZABETH JEAN GODFREY JAMES IVY ISABELLA NEWCASTLE.
i'm just going on the newcastle maitland part of your story
the only other on in the newcastle area is this on
death 80512/1973 WILLIAMS JEAN GEORGE HASTINGS ALICE MARY NEWCASTLE.
just to give you more options ???
-
Hello!
Yes this search has been rather frustrating. The marriage link is correct:
Marriage 7359/1958 WILLIAMS ROBERT THOMAS MIDDLETON JEAN ELIZABETH SYDNEY
But I do believe that she was killed in 1960 in Sydney, if my memory serves me correct. I'm unable to log into Ancestry.com at the moment, but I'm 90% sure that is right.
If only family tree tracing was easy! :)