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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: Megan Hodges on Tuesday 27 June 17 02:58 BST (UK)
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Good morning everyone, This will be longwinded and your assistance will be much appreciated. I am trying to prove that my 2 x gt grandfather William Bennett, b c1814 in Essex England m 1856 d 1904 was indeed a convict. I was told that he was by a cousin of mine, however after reading the obituary that appeared in the Catholic Weekly I am having my doubts. There is no evidence of his parents names on either his marriage certificate to Harriett Manser nor on his death certificate.
The story, in a nutshell, goes that he was from a well to do family and that when he was up before the magistrate the family disowned him. They either wrote a letter or sent someone out after him to let him know that he had come into money but he wanted nothing to do with it. Maybe it is true. On his DC it states that he had been in the colony for approx. 68 years which makes it 1836 there is a William Bennett arriving per Bengal Merchant (2) in 1835 who was born in Essex tried in Kent in 1834.
His Obit follows: Mr. William Bennett. (I know I have the correct obit as I am desc. Through Robert Owens and my dad met both the Farrells and Connolly’s mentioned below.)
One of the best known figures in Balmain, .Mr. William Bennett, passed away at his residence, 'Beulah,' Donnelly-street, Bal-main, on Tuesday, 16 ult., at the age of 89. He was one of the pioneers of the Bal-main district. He was a devout parishioner of St. Augustine's, and was highly esteemed on account of his charity, honesty of character and genial disposition. Notwithstanding his great age, he retained the possession of his faculties until a short time before his death, and received the last Sacraments before he died. The remains were consigned to their last resting place in the Field of Mars Cemetery the day following, when, in the presence of a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends, Rev. Father Menard, S.M., recited the last prayers. Mr. Ben-nett leaves two sons (Messrs. William and George Bennett) and three daughters (Mesdames Robert Owens, Patrick Farrell and Harry Connolly) to mourn their loss. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. W. N. Bull. - R.I. P.
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Hi,
The 1856 marriage for William to Harriet ... Is it referenced at the NSW BDM online index as #936? If so, then the clergy should have recorded additional details in the local parish register, and hopefully the register is extant.
Here's a thread I did up about the elusive blanks on many NSW BDM official marriage records after civil registration commenced.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=546609.0
Re the Obit. While there's no mention of any convict 'taint' the details in the obit are either submitted from a family member, or written up by someone who asked questions of the family at the time of William's death, in 1904. Considering transporting convicts to NSW effectively ceased in 1840, it is quite possible that no one knew or wanted to make known any convict connections IF he had been transported to NSW.
Re the 1856 marriage ... did William sign, and if so, have you considered searching for earlier records for signature comparsion?
Have you checked for birth registrations for the couple's children and if so, what info is recorded about William (age, place of birth, occupation etc)... Does it conflict with or support info gleaned from convict records?
JM
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NSW Electoral Roll 1902-3 DALLEY polling at Balmain
Harriett BENNETT, 33 Donnelly Street, old age pensioner
William BENNETT, 33 Donnelly Steeet, old age pensioner
Joseph Richard YOUNGER, 29 Stephen Street, master mariner
Sands Sydney Suburban Directory 1900
BALMAIN
33 Donnelly St, Joseph YOUNGER.
JM
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Thanks JM for all you information I will check out the marriage cert again and thanks for the Sands I've been trying to get to that for a couple of days.
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Have you tried to follow the movements of William Bennett the convict? There can be some good clues in convict records. ;)
I agree with JM that his family may not have known of his past, and if they did there was no need to mention it in any documentation (or his obit).
If the convict is yours, arriving around 1835, a marriage in 1856 is quite a long time after arrival. Is there an age given at marriage?
Convict William had a few tattoos I see. ;)
William Bennett is probably a common name. Have you looked for "regular" immigration records for men of the right age and county of birth? It may be that your cousin got it wrong thinking that convict William is yours. I think the best bet would be to chase up the marriage as JM advised and hope that parent's names are noted.
Just looking briefly at convict records, there is another William Bennett transported to Hobart in 1821. I don't know his age, but he could have eventually moved to NSW.
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Age given at marriage by son in law was 41 or 42 which ties in nicely so maybe what the rumours are correct. I live in hope. I am just looking at convict documents now.
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Age given at marriage by son in law was 41 or 42 which ties in nicely so maybe what the rumours are correct. I live in hope. I am just looking at convict documents now.
How old did William say he was when he married? (Son in law may or may not have known his correct age). ;)
Do you have any records telling you where your William was from? Is the convict record the only place that indicates Essex - tried Kent?
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Hi Ruskie,
William stated that he was 35 at time of marriage to Harriett who was only 21, maybe didn't want to be seen as 20 years older than her. They both made their mark, he also stated that his father was a labourer and that he was from England. No parent names were given by him. transcription states that birthplace/age & parent details were from the church register so can't go looking there for any more info.
Essex is mentioned on both the convict records and death certificate.
Megan
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Firstly, it's actually very uncommon for there to be mention of convict origins in later documentations and records. It is only in the last few years that it has been 'fashionable' to have a convict ancestor.
There is an on-line public tree for William BENNETT which seems well researched and has plenty of documentation. I think you have contributed to this tree.
Oops - I see it is your tree! :)
I've listed a few salient points which are backed up by documentation, and apologies for posting items you already have.
William BENNETT was convicted of larceny at Rochester (Kent) Easter sessions, 1834 and sentenced to 7 years transportation.
William BENNETT, 20, stealing 4 canvas sails, convicted Rochester, received on prison hulk Fortitude, moored Chatham, 15 April 1834, sent to NSW Sept 1834
NSW Convict Indents 1835:
William BENNETT, 20, cannot read or write, Protestant, single, native place: Essex, gravel-digger, crime: stealing sails, no former conviction, 5ft 6 1/4, ruddy complexion, brown eyes, brown hair. He has some tattoos which would identify him, including a tombstone and CW WB, Arrived per Bengal Merchant 30 Jan 1835
Certificates of Freedom
William BENNETT, certificate dated 31 August 1842, particulars match those already cited. His tattoos are mentioned again as Tombstone, WB, IO, a star and two anchors. Does this suggest he was a seaman??
1847 Gaol Entrance and description book, to Newcastle Gaol
William BENNETT, 35, arr 1835 per Beng'l Merchant
Date of Admission/Photo: 1848
Gaol: Newcastle New South Wales, Australia
Record Type: Description Book
This chap's description mentions tattos of a mermaid, WB, HR and two anchors
Returns of Convicts Returns of prisoners tried and convicted in Courts of Quarter Sessions, 1846-1848 - unfortunately the actual record is not dated.
William BENNETT, tried Maitland Court, fined 40s, default 2 months in Maitland Gaol for obscene language.
There is also a strange record filed under
Convicts Records, New South Wales
Title: Colonial Certification of Freedom, 1847-1849
Volume Number: 4/6571
which states that William BENNETT, boatman, ship Bengal Merchant arrived 1835, was tried at Maitland Quarter Sessions, 12 April 1847 for robbery and sentenced to 3 years in irons' Received from Darlinghurst Gaol, 12 February 1848.
There is a transcript from NSW BMDs for his marriage to Harriett MANSER on this tree with no parent names given for him and his age is given as 35. I think it worth pursuing JM's suggestion.
William B. Bennett, 1861
Member of Balmain Lodge, Balmain-New South Wales
Lodge Number 1170
Folio Number 198
Funeral notices from his wife, children and STAR OF HOPE Division No 14 Sons and Daughters
of Temperance.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14655944
William BENNETT who was convicted at Rochester and transported per Bengal Merchant seems to have had recognisable tattoos which are also described for the man who was convicted in Maitland in 1848. If this convict is your 2g grandfather he must have changed considerably by the time he married Harriett in Cooks River and by the time of his death "was highly esteemed on account of his charity, honesty of character and genial disposition". Could be the same man - or not! ???
Judith
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Account of the trial at Maitland of William BENNETT, April 1847. This is the trial where he was sentenced for 3 years in irons. He had already been in prison in Maitland previously. The crime of assault was actually committed in October 1844. (This is the man described above as having tattoos and had been transported per Bengal Merchant)
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/689214
Judith
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Thanks Judith for that indepth reply, I have some of that information I will follow up with the marriage although on the transcription it states that birthplace/age/parent details were obtained from church register No. 54.
I think your last entry sums it up William if he was a convict went through a transformation that's why I don't think he was a convict.
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Can you please list all the details on the death certificate, 1904, NSW, for William BENNETT.
It would be useful to account for his children.
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William Bennett 16/8/1904 Place: "Buelah" Donnelly St Balmain North, Balmain Municipality, Occupation: Greengrocer, Old Age Pensioner, Male, 89 Place of birth: County Essex England, Time in Aust Colonies: 68 yrs in NSW. Father Unkn Occup Unkn Mother Unkn
Place of Marriage: Cooks River (Sydney) NSW Age at Marriage: 41 or 42 Name of Spouse: Harriet Mansir; Children of Marriage: ("William 50" has been crossed out) Lavinia 46, Maria 39, Mary E 37 George T 35, living. 1 male, 1 female deceased. Informant G T Bennett son Park Ave Drummoyne
Cause of death 1 old age 2 diarrhoea 7 days last seen 15/8/1904 Date of burial 17/8/1904; Catholic Cemetery Field of Mars, Minister & religion LG Menard, Catholic; Undertaker WN Bull Witnesses H R Connolly, GT Bennett Registered 16/8/1904 Balmain North.
William 50 is the son of Harriett Manser, Lavinia was my gt grandmother wife of Robert Owens, Maria was the wife of HR Connolly, Mary known as Emma was wife of Patrick Farrell George Thomas married Elizabeth Coombe and Elizabeth J b1859-d1861 and Frederick b 1872 d 1873
Megan
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I also wondered about the tattooed convict morphing into a pillar of the community. Maybe it did happen - he might have given up the drink, or found the love of a good woman. ;) ;D
As an aside, I note that William was buried in a Catholic cemetery. Judith found him as a member of the Balmain Lodge in 1861 - is this a Freemason's Lodge? I thought that Catholics were not allowed to be freemasons. :-\
Added: Have you looked to see if there were any other William Bennetts of similar age in NSW in case two Williams were mixed up?
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I am assuming that you have Lavinia's birth certificate (or any of the other children) which should have William's birthplace but, even if you do have it, I suppose it only has "England" or "Essex" on it.
I find the Roman Catholic religion at the end of his life interesting as I see his marriage and the baptisms of some of his children were Anglican, and his 1861 Lodge membership. Perhaps he converted later. The third of the funeral notices was inserted by STAR OF HOPE Division No 14 Sons and Daughters of Temperance so perhaps he had had a drink problem in the past - sorry this is purely speculation. I see Harriet was also buried in the Catholic section, Field of Mars.
Sorry - no help at all! Judith
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I also wondered about the tattooed convict morphing into a pillar of the community. Maybe it did happen - he might have given up the drink, or found the love of a good woman. ;) ;D **always possible
As an aside, I note that William was buried in a Catholic cemetery. Judith found him as a member of the Balmain Lodge in 1861 - is this a Freemason's Lodge? I thought that Catholics were not allowed to be freemasons. :-\ **I find also find that odd.
Added: Have you looked to see if there were any other William Bennetts of similar age in NSW in case two Williams were mixed up?
**There is a William Bennett arriving in 1834 per William Lockyer from a report in shipping news on trove. Whether he was the same age or not I do not know, and unless I go to the State Archive in Kingswood to have a look at the shipping records I wont find anything out. I used to live at Penrith now down on Jervis Bay.
Judith re the star of hope and temperance if Tattoo William is upstanding William then he was done for drunkeness and served more time.
I just don't know where to go from here, I am going to get the birth transcripts for gt grandma Lavinia's siblings, I'll check out those.
Thanks for the help so far.
Megan
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Maybe Harriet thought it was the right thing to do burying him as a Catholic. I envisage a death bed conversion. ;)
A frustrating search for you Megan. It is a good idea to look to Lavinia's siblings for clues, even if you have to buy all certificates for all siblings. :)
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At least there is a discount on transcriptions this Saturday.
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From reply#12
Informant G T Bennett son Park Ave Drummoyne (for death certificate William BENNETT, d.1904 NSW)
NSW Police Gazette 15 Aug 1906
Balmain Bench...38 years, a painter, George Thomas BENNETT ...desertion...complainant Alice BENNETT Park Street Drummoyne....
"..William 50 is the son of Harriett Manser..." (but William BENNETT is not his father?)
What do you know about Harriet before her marriage to William BENNETT?
From reply #12
.....Lavinia wife of Robert OWENS
.....Maria wife of HR CONNOLLY
.....Mary known as Emma wife of Patrick FARRELL
.....George Thomas married Elizabeth COOMBE (did he marry Alice?)
Daily Telegraph 5 Jun 1893 p8
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/236034009?
death notice for James BENNETT...
..W and H BENNETT...their son...
..W A and E BENNETT....brother...
..George and Alice BENNETT....brother... (Alice BENNETT again?)
..H and E CONNOLLY...brother...
Field of Mars burials with date of death, Roman Catholic, Section A, adjoining plots -
BENNETT William 16/08/1904 #276
FARRELL Francis Henry 25/09/1912 #275
BENNETT Harriet 17/07/1913 #276
FARRELL Bertram George 02/03/1926 #275
BENNETT George Thomas 10/12/1927 #273
BENNETT Alice 29/08/1941 #272
BENNETT George William 28/04/1948 #273
CONNOLLY Mary Emma 02/07/1949 #274
BENNETT Grace Maria 15/09/1954 #273
FARRELL Maria Jane 09/01/1957 #275
NSW BDM marr
2238/1881 BENNETT William A marr. COOMBE Eliza @ Newtown
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There's something else odd James Bennett no birth entry and on Wm's DC no mention I am assuming the mention of 1 male deceased relates to Frederick who died 1873. I wonder if he was also born prior to Wm & Harriet's marriage in 1856 and George (informant on DC) was being all high and mighty about children of marriage.
I got the information wrong as regards George which came from cousin it states he married Ellen Lyle Burns, not Alice so I'll look into that more.
All I know on Harriet is that she was born in Essex 1835 parents Stephen Manser d 1851 mother Dorothy Ransom remarried.
Megan
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Some children of George and Alice:
5537/1892 Pearl E BALMAIN
1390/1896 Irene E BALMAIN SOUTH
5506/1893 Emma D BALMAIN
12725/1905 Florence F DRUMMOYNE
Children deaths:
2877/1893 Pearl E BENNETT BALMAIN WEST
7045/1948 George William BENNETT SYDNEY - Death and funeral notices - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18069751
*Possibly wife of George: BENNETT Elsie Vera Death notice 5-10-1984 Death 83 late of Peakhurst Sydney Morning Herald 8-10-1984
17129/1954 Grace Maria BURNICLE BALMAIN - Death and funeral notices for Grace and husband- http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18454330
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18454330
Also buried in A 273 (with Bennetts): Burnicle Arthur John 11-9-1989 And Burnicle Dorothea 27-9-1992
11945/1960 Myrtle Georgina DOHERTY BALMAIN
DOHERTY Myrtle Georgine Death notice 6-5-1960 Death 62 late of Drummoyne Sydney Morning Herald 7-5-1960
DOHERTY Joseph Michael Death notice 2-7-1964 Death 65 late of Drummoyne Sydney Morning Herald 4-7-1964
Macquarie Park Cemetery: Doherty Myrtle Georgina 6-5-1960 VAUGHAN CATHOLIC LAWN, ROW 7, Grave 0050
Doherty Joseph Michael 2-7-1964 VAUGHAN CATHOLIC LAWN, ROW 7, Grave 0050
36870/1965 Florence Ethel BECKINSALE BURWOOD
BECKINSALE Florence Ethel Death notice 28-11-1965 Death 60 at Earlwood Sydney Morning Herald 30-11-1965
BECKINSALE Eric William Death notice 27-10-1971 Death 69 late of Earlwood Sydney Morning Herald 28-10-1971
17016/1981 Gertrude Mary TAPLIN
TAPLIN Gertrude Mary Death notice 26-7-1981 Death 77 late of Drummoyne Sydney Morning Herald 28-7-1981
TAPLIN Sidney Arthur Death notice 22-6-1991 Death 87 late of Drummoyne Sydney Morning Herald 24-6-1991
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens - plaque photos: http://www.heavenaddress.com/restingplace/northernsuburbsmemorialgardens/gertrude-mary-taplin/749807
http://www.heavenaddress.com/restingplace/northernsuburbsmemorialgardens/sidney-a-taplin/767908
Emma remarried: Emma Clemens died in 1974 aged 80 and is buried with husband George at Aramoho Cemetery, Wanganui. RC B ROW 2 PLOT 219. (Taken from online source)
http://www.whanganui.govt.nz/our-services/cemeteries-and-crematorium/Pages/Cemetery-Search.aspx?surname=Clemens
Thomas Simpson death notice in NZ: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19410729.2.3?query=Balks
Funeral notice: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19410729.2.5?query=Balks
In Memoriam: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19430728.2.7?query=Balks
Children marriages:
5626/1912 Grace M BENNETT to Arthur J BURNICLE DRUMMOYNE
9838/1914 Irene A BENNETT to Albert E FISHER DRUMMOYNE
* An online source suggests that Irene left Albert, went to NZ with two daughters and she died there.
4889/1915 Emma D BENNETT to Thomas S BALES (should be BALKS, I believe) NEW LAMBTON
* Emma remarried to George Clemens in NZ, sometime before 1957.
14209/1922 Myrtle C BENNETT to Joseph E DOHERTY DRUMMOYNE
9949/1924 Florence BENNETT to Eric W BECKINSALE DRUMMOYNE
1229/1927 George W BENNETT to Elsie V M RAYMENT CANTERBURY
15973/1928 Gertrude M BENNETT to Sydney A TAPLIN DRUMMOYNE
13952/1941 Alice BENNETT parents William and Alice SYDNEY
In Memoriam for Alice mentions daughters: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17812495
Alice's death and funeral notices: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17764751
Alice's death notice in NZ paper: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19410830.2.5?query=Balks
Jamjar
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Perhaps this is William's baptism:
MANSEN, WILLIAM A
4397/1853
V18534397 40
Mother: HARRIET
Volume 40 is C of E.
The family arrived in 1839:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DBYQ-BCL?cc=1542665
As always the handwriting on the original is atrocious, but Stephen's baptism confirms the correct birthplace:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFGX-2XK
The religion for both Stephen and Dorothy is stated as 'Chapel', not R.C.
Sorry, I haven't answered your question either. ;D
Debra :)
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Stephen's brother Thomas and family arrived in 1841.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DBYQ-GLM?cc=1542665
Debra :)
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Hi Ruskie,
William stated that he was 35 at time of marriage to Harriett who was only 21, maybe didn't want to be seen as 20 years older than her. They both made their mark, he also stated that his father was a labourer and that he was from England. No parent names were given by him. transcription states that birthplace/age & parent details were from the church register so can't go looking there for any more info.
Essex is mentioned on both the convict records and death certificate.
Megan
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Thanks Judith for that indepth reply, I have some of that information I will follow up with the marriage although on the transcription it states that birthplace/age/parent details were obtained from church register No. 54.
I think your last entry sums it up William if he was a convict went through a transformation that's why I don't think he was a convict.
Yes you can check further on the parish registers. :D :D
It can take up to five registers for all the details to be discovered, so depending on which register was made available to the NSW BDM back 100 or so years ago, it is entirely possible that there is further information given by the prospective bride and groom to the clergyman when they were organising their marriage.
Some questions :D
What info is actually on the marriage registration that you currently hold? Is it a full official transcription or a partial transcription? If it is a partial transcription, what info was ordered to be transcribed? What denomination, who were the witnesses, and is there a blank for the details of both sets of parents or just for William's parents ...
JM
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SMH 30 Aug 1941 p22
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17764751?
...death notice for Alice BENNETT Sacred Heart Hospice Darlinghurst...mother of Grace, Emma, Irene, Myrtle, George, Gertrude, Florence....
NSW BDM finds birth record for Pearl (dec), Emma, Irene............Florence.
What is birthplace of Myrtle, George and Gertrude? Births not recorded (NSW) or are they born out of NSW?
NSW BDM births
6603 / 1882 BENNETT Laurence A parents William / Eliza @ Newtown
5620 / 1892 BENNETT Maud A parents William / Eliza @ Balmain
NSW BDM deaths
30976/1960 BENNETT Frederick William R parents William Alfred R / Eliza @ Balmain
14765 / 1919 BENNETT Maud A parents William / Eliz @ Balmain North
SMH 19 Jul 1919 p9
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15861048?
death notices for Maud Ashley BENNETT...
names mentioned...Mrs Alice BENNETT...Mr and Mrs Henry CONNOLLY....residence of sister Mrs David KELLER 25 The Avenue East Balmain....
NSW BDM marriage
832/1907 BENNETT Ethel M m. KELLER David E Balmain North
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This death notice, from my reply #18, is worth reading as the word "nephew" is also used....by everyone.
Daily Telegraph 5 Jun 1893 p8
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/236034009?
death notice for James BENNETT...
..W and H BENNETT...their son...
..W A and E BENNETT....brother...
..George and Alice BENNETT....brother... (Alice BENNETT again?)
..H and E CONNOLLY...brother...
Rookwood Catholic Cemetery
BENNETT James 33 05/06/1893 SEC*M1*LBL1**167
BENNETT Herbert 10 05/06/1893 SEC*M1*LBL1**167
BENNETT James 15 23/07/1908 SEC*M1*LBL1**168
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James J BENNETT and son Herbert BENNETT died together in a boating accident. Six men and one boy died.
The Australian Star 5 Jun 1893 p5
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/227184690?
John Daly, a retired dealer, living at M'Donaldtown......identified....James Bennett, his son-in-law ; and Robert Bennett, son of James Bennett. James Bennett was 39, and lived with his wife and family at St. Peters. He has left two children alive. He had left no property behind . him. He was a brickmaker.
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I have been able to check the marriage of William & Harriet and there is definitely no mention of his parents names.
Yes, George Bennett did in fact marry Alice Durkin I now have a copy, bad though it is of their marriage cert. Also a copy of her death certificate.
James Bennett's wifes name was Mary Daly,
Thank you for all your assistance, I am still following up bits and pieces between looking after my grandson.
Cheers
Megan
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I have been able to check the marriage of William & Harriet and there is definitely no mention of his parents names....
Earlier in the thread you mention that the document includes reconciliation with one of the church registers. Have you searched for the original and confirmed that there was only one register in use at that time? If it was a Church of England marriage, then it was usual practice for two parish registers to record the marriage, and for these to be kept separate from each other. The NSW BDM's reconciliation project has not ever been completed.
May I again ask for you to type up the information that is on the document, as I am happy to help offline with seeking to obtain the information the groom provided to the clergyman when being interviewed prior to the marriage.
JM
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Hi JM, sorry for delay in replying, the details as appear on marriage certificate are as follows:
Date & place: May 26th 1856, St Peters Cooks River Road. Names and Surnames: William Bennett
Harriett Manser; Bachelor and Spinster: Birthplace ______ England in both instances; Usual occupation: Labourer & Servant; Age 35 & 21 Usual residence: Georges River for both; Fathers Name and Mothers Name (left blank for Wm and Stephen Manser and Dorothy Ransom for Harriett. Father's occupation Labourer for both.
The marriage solemised between us William Bennett his x mark and Harriett Manser her x mark. In the presence of us Thomas Sanders and Hanah Flint.
According to the rites of the Church of England By me Thomas Steele LLD
Birthplace/Age/Parent details were obtained from Church register 54.
I Also had a look on Ancestry and found another copy of the marriage again with William's parents names missing.
I did get in touch with St Peters who let me know of the Ancestry copy.
Nothing else forthcoming.
Megan
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Hi there,
I am attaching a snip from the 1856 parish register. You will notice that the clergy did record the information that the groom provided about both his own parents, and that part of the details are still there on the remaining part of the actual page which has sustained damage. The image is extremely difficult to read, so too are other images on pages before and after that one due to that damage.
If this were my family I would continue the conversation with St Peters and gently ask them if they can confirm that the Rev'd did follow church rules re keeping two registers concurrently, and if so, can they check for the location of the 'other' one. Both registers meant to be kept separately from each other, and both meant to be kept secure, and away from fire etc. It seems to me that it is highly unlikely that the 'other' register would have sustained the same damage to the same records, and so depending on how determined you are to obtain the names of both parents, and how patient you are, I think you are quite close to solving it. Sydney Diocese may well be the custodians of St Peters registers.
PS, for example, a clergyman may keep one register within the church building's secure room and the other in the fireproof safe in the manse - so they are in two separate locations.
JM
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Here's the headings from the top of the right hand page of that parish register.
Confirms that the writing in those columns is for details about their parents, including mother's maiden name ... vital family history info :) of course.
JM
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Camperdown Cemetery, Common Interment
24 Nov 1851 burial
William MANSER of Balmain, died 22 November 1851 aged 2 years.
Cause of death : Natural causes.
:'(
JM
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Thanks JM
I have just fired off another email to St Peter's church hopefully they will be able to shed more light on the subject.
I wonder if the infant William was Stephen's or his brother Thomas's.
Megan