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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: joshuadwilliams on Saturday 17 October 15 15:17 BST (UK)

Title: Reverend William Rees
Post by: joshuadwilliams on Saturday 17 October 15 15:17 BST (UK)

Hi,

This is a bit of a long shot, but I am searching for any information relating to William Rees. The only information I have for William is as follows:

He was born around 1838 in Llanedy, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK to David Rees and Mary (nee Hughes). He had 6 siblings John, Mary, Sarah, David, Ann and Margaret. I have William living with his parents in the Wales 1851 census as a labourer's son. However after this date, I have no reference of him until the 28th December 1917 in a newspaper article about the golden anniversary of his sister Margaret's marriage. It states "One of her brothers is Rev. William Rees, the Australian preacher and lecturer."

I am very curious to find out any information about William, especially due to the large gap between 1851 and 1917. I am presuming William is alive at the time of writing for the article as other siblings who have passed away were not mentioned.

I'm hoping someone with more experience of Australian records can shed some light on this elusive relative of mine.

Thanks,
Josh.

Title: Re: Reverend William Rees
Post by: Captain2 on Saturday 17 October 15 20:45 BST (UK)

Maybe of interest ...
William Rees - aged 18
English
Departed from Liverpool in July 1857 to Melbourne, Victoria,  Australia
Ship - Royal Charter

Title: Re: Reverend William Rees
Post by: rosball on Saturday 17 October 15 20:49 BST (UK)

Hi Josh,
   There are a few ads for a Rev William Rees of Sydney giving a speech or service in Welsh in 1860's.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155048121
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155045443
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155042882
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5780065
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5766140

  But then the trail runs cold.  No obvious death on NSW BDM http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Pages/family-history/family-history.aspx

  I did notice this report of a death of a Rev William Rees in 1924 in Camarthen http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106748007.  Could he have returned in 1870's or 1880's and been known as an "australian" preacher.  (yes very long shot)

regards
  Ros

Title: Re: Reverend William Rees
Post by: Spike H on Saturday 17 October 15 22:34 BST (UK)

This might just be a coincidence, but

http://anglicanhistory.org/aus/cci/

refers to a Sarah P REES as the youngest  dau of William REES of Landebie. She is listed in the entry for David John DAVIES, as being his mother. There is also another son, Morgan, listed.

Title: Re: Reverend William Rees
Post by: rosball on Sunday 18 October 15 01:36 BST (UK)

There is also an immigration record for a Wm REES aged 30, born about 1834 on the General Caulfield, arriving in Brisbane on 24 May 1864.  His origin is Carmarthenshire, Wales, departure Southampton, England.

There may be more details on the Qld Immigration site http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Indexes/Immigration/Pages/default.aspx
but it is not behaving for me at the moment  :(

regards
   Ros

Title: Re: Reverend William Rees
Post by: majm on Sunday 18 October 15 01:59 BST (UK)

From the Cable Clergy Index linked by Spike H:   (So, JM is hoping this will help confirm or eliminate the Rev Davies)

"21 Nov 1911-1934
general licence Sydney,   
appointed examining chaplain Archbishop of Sydney   
29 Dec 1911 took oaths, locum tenens conventional district S Alban Golden Grove diocese   Sydney
1911-death principal Moore theological college"   

Archdeacon Davies, principal of Moore Theological College, who recently underwent a serious operation, is well on the way to recovery. He has been granted six months' leave
of absence. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17069988 SMH 3 Mar 1934

To England for health reasons http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17055699 10 Apr 1934

https://www.moore.edu.au/history

sample of several Obits for Rev Davies
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/169354180 30 June 1935
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/166082047 1 July 1935

Funeral
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17193325 SMH 2 July 1935

Cheers,  JM

Title: Re: Reverend William Rees
Post by: joshuadwilliams on Sunday 18 October 15 11:50 BST (UK)

Thanks everyone for your replies. Some interesting snippets there.

I did get excited about the death in Carmarthen in 1924, but on closer inspection this William was 63 when he passed away. However those newspaper ads do look very good for my William.

I will also look for more information about Sarah P Rees and David John Davies, even if just to eliminate this family.

Rosball - That immigration record does look promising, so I'll try and look for more information (as soon as I work out how to navigate that site!).

Thanks everyone - I'll follow these avenues to see what may pop up!