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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: harkel25 on Wednesday 25 May 11 07:28 BST (UK)
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Hi,
This is my first post to RootsChat, so I hope that I'm doing everything correctly.
I'm seeking information about John O'Donnell (O'Donnel?) who was born in England but moved to Australia in the late nineteenth century. He was a circus performer (possibly for Wurths, or similar) and played the clarinet in Dame Nellie Melba's band.
John O'Donnell married Elvina Alice Bollom, although I'm not sure of the year. In 1902 they welcomed a daughter, Pauline O'Donnell.
John O'Donnell is my great, great grandfather and relatively little is known about his life. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Warm regards,
harkel25.
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Hi harkel25,
Welcome to Rootschat.
In 1902 John O'Donnell married Elvina Alice Dawson in Victoria, Reg#2225 as you advised Pauline was born (Parents John O'Donnell and Elvina Alice Bollom) in the same year in Brunswick, (Victoria), Reg#24211.
In case you are not aware you are able to download and purchase for A$17.50 uncertified images of Victorian certificates online:
Link: https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/bdm/index-search?action=purchaseImage
Hope this helps to start with.
Cheers,
Janet.
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Children of Elvira/Elvina Alice Bollom and Henry John Dawson:
Mabel Dawson born 1892, Northcote, Reg#16191.
Josephine O'Donnell Dawson born 1896, Richmond, Reg#30738.
Harkel, a suggestion, you might like to request that the moderator move your post to the Australia board (just click on report to moderator) - you will then have access to people with a variety of resources.
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Henry John Dawson (born Fitzroy) married in 1889, Edina Alice Bollom (born Ballarat). Reg#4264.
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Hi Janet,
Thank you so much for the information. You have certainly provided me with a solid start and your assistance is much appreciated.
As per your suggestion, I have requested the post be moved.
Warm regards,
harkel25.
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1914, Electoral Roll
John O'Donnell, musician at Edgar St Footscray
Elvina Alice, home duties at, Edgar St, Kingsville, Footscray
Cheers, JM
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From a poor online index
1956 Elvina's d.c. reference 19514 (ref number comes in handy if you are downloading certs, saves you around $Au)
Elvina Atlce Odonnell
at Warb, Victoria
at 87 years (abt 1869(
Father : George Sollom
Mother : Julia Catterson
Cheers, JM
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1909 Electoral Roll
Elvine O'Donnell 41 Bedford St North Melbourne home duties
John O'Donnell 41 Bedford St North Melbourne musician
Cheers, JM
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1949 Electoral Roll Additional Entries list, so hand written by Returning Officer (possibly indicating a recent change of address)
Elvina Alice O'Donnell, 100 Hazelthorne St Won (most likely Wonthagggi, Victoria) home duties
Cheers, JM
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Some children from her first marriage The 1896 is interstingly named!!
DAWSON Alice Julia
Father Henry John
Mother Elvina Alice BOLLON
Place BALLAARAT EAST
Year 1890
Reg. 9478
DAWSON Mabel
Father Heny Jno
Mother Elvina Alice BOLLOM
Place NCOTE
Year 1892
Reg. 16191
DAWSON Josine Odonnell
Father Hy Jno
mother Elvira Alice BOLLOM
Place RMOND
Year 1896
Reg. 30738
Sue
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1949 Electoral Roll PRINTED version
Elvina Alice, 66 Cecil St Williamstown
NO SIGN OF JOHN ... :(
Cheers, JM
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Elvina Alice Dawson divorced Henry John Dawson Yr. 1899/114
Sue
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Probably a co-incidence, but look at his full name, connected with Melba Recordings http://www.melbarecordings.com.au/content/view/28/46/ (and other pages giving benefactors names)
Cheers, JM
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I may have missed this, but do you have John O'donnell's parents names please? (It is likely these would be noted on d.c.)
Cheers, JM
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Hi,
Thank you all so much. I am extremely grateful that you took the time to provide me with such valuable information.
Sue, it is indeed interesting to note the additon of the name 'O'Donnell' to Josephine, who was born in 1892. It is perhaps one of the reasons that very little was discussed - or consequently known - about the family.
JM, it may just be a coincidence, but I'm excited, noneteless. I will endeavour to make contact with Mr O'Donnell, in the hope that he can let me know, one way or another.
Unfortunately, I am unsure as to the names the of John O'Donnell's parents. He was born in England (or so I believe) and travelled and performed with a circus. I am not entirely sure as to what state or territory he died in, but I believe there may have been a connection to S.A.
Once again, thank you all so much.
Warm regards,
harkel25.
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Hi harkle25,
Elvina Alice Bollem was born at Lethbridge in 1869, Reg#9538.
Parents listed as George Bollem and Julia Mary Callerson.
Harkle, if you could please post John's death details (if known), as that will help with responding to your initial post.
Cheers,
Janet.
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harkel25,
Your request is simply what RChatters do best .... and your thanks are most welcome, but .... we are not finished YET ... we haven't found John's details for you.
Cheers, JM
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Alice Julia Bollom died 1936, Richmond, age 46, Reg#6019.
Parents listed as Henry Dawson and Elvina Alice Berry.
Mabel Lee died 1972, Caulfield age 80, Reg#13266.
Parents listed as Henry Dawson and Elvina Alice Bollom.
Possibility of another child:
Ada Ware died 1981, Caulfield, age 82, Reg#09966.
Parents listed as John O’Donnell and Elvina Alice.
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Elvina’s Mother:
Julia Mary Bollom died 1888, Ballarat, age 64, Reg#8311.
Parent listed as Cakerson.
Buried at the Ballarat New Cemetery, on 10 July 1888, Wesylan “C” Section 4, Grave 7. Last residence was Seymour Street, Ballarat.
Elvina’s brother and sister:
George William Bollom born 1859, Geelong, Reg#8016.
Parents listed as George Bollom and Julia Mary Berry.
George William Bollom 1st married 1882, Reg#5895, Margaret Davies
George William Bollom 2nd married 1913, Reg#2093, Alice Julia Dawson.
George William Bollom died 1935, Menniyan, age 76, Reg#18485.
Parents listed as George Bollom and Julia Mary Catterson.
Maria Louisa Bollom born 1861, Geelong, Reg#14214.
Parents listed as George Bollom and Julia Mary Catterson.
Maria Louisa Bollom married 1882, Reg#5472, George Kibby.
Marie Louise Kibby died 1933, Hawthorn, age 72, Reg#4284.
Parents listed as George Bollon and Julia Mary Catterson.
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Umm.... perhaps another surname for Elvina
1894 birth Ada May Odonnell
Father Jerald Odonnell
Mother Alice Watkins
at Brighton, Victoria in 1894
Rego No. 1202
Cheers, JM
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;D ;D ;D
It should be possible to tell from this Victorian marriage if Ada's father was still alive when she married
In 1918 Ada Odonnell and Robert Wm Ware Registration Number: 5120 .... Keep that ref number handy as it saves you around $1 if you decide to download an image of that m.c. online
Cheers, JM
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Around ten year samples only, not a thorough search
1931 Ada and William Robert Ware both at 220 Somerville Rd Footscray North, she h.d. he labourer.
1942 Same couple at 57 Kingsville St Footscray North, same occupations
1954 Same couple, at 334 Beaconsfield Parade Albert Park, she guest house proprietoress, he labourer
Cheers, JM
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Greetings,
The Bollom's certainly lived interesting lives. Elvina seems to have wed on multiple occassions and was quite happy to incorporate John O'Donnell's surname into the name of a daughter that she allegedly had with Henry Dawson. Furthermore, George William Bollom's second marriage was to his niece, Alica Julia Dawson. (I actually have a photograph of the two taken on their wedding day.). I wonder how scandalous such undertakings were considered to have been back then.
I will see if I can find out when John O'Donnell died, approximately. The hardest bit will be finding out where, I imagine.
Warm wishes,
Harkel25.
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Some Forbidden marriages as per this online index
http://www.genetic-genealogy.co.uk/Toc115570145.html
You would need to really consider carefully if this chap her lawful uncle (ie a brother as per b.c. registrations of either of her lawful parents as noted on her b.c.) and also at the time of their marriage was he actually her lawful uncle (as opposed to her biological uncle)....
Also was he perhaps at the time of that marriage, only the widower or divorced former husband of her aunt, (ie uncle in law so to write) presuming the aunt was a sibling to one of her parents...
Oh so very complicated....
Cheers, JM
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Hi,
It appears that several members of the Bollom family were married more than once. I note that Julia Mary Catterson is also listed as Julia Mary Berry on occassion, so I expect that she was married more than once, as well.
I have been told by an elderly family member that she believes John O'Donnell passed away in Kalgoorlie prior to 1925; and that he is possibly buried there. She has heard over the years that John -or 'Joe' as she knew him as- died of pneumonia. There is some speculation that he died a drunk; but that is all the information that I could muster. The names of his parents are unknown by my relative, but she once heard a rumour that he was raised in an orphanage that burned down.
Warm regards,
harkel25
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I think this would be your John O'Donnell (editing to add, your elderly family member's recollections working well, so perhaps the orphanage line is worth following up too)...
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/1842186 2 September 1922 The Argus
O'DONNELL -On the 29th August 1922 at St Johns Hospital Kalgoorlie WA, of pneumonia J O Donnell musician
Deeply regretted. (Inserted bv the Musicians Union of Australia Victoria district)
RChat's Western Australia Resources Board
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,369921.0.html
Cheers, JM
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There are Probate/Will files for that death in WA registered at PROV:
http://210.8.122.120/indexes/index_search.asp?searchid=54