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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 03:46 BST (UK)

Title: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 03:46 BST (UK)
In 1862 Mary SULLIVAN born 1842 in Tipperary Ireland married David William FINDLAY born 1826 Scotland. Married in Ballarat.
They had a tribe of children mainly around Ballarat, Mary, Margaret, David, Thomas, Euphemia, Francis.
Frederick, David and Charles were born in Echuca.

David FINDLAY remarried in 1891 to Catherine Mary HICKEY.

Where did Mary go? A half dozen trees in ancestry have her death as 1891 in Ballarat, there is no evidence that I can see for this apart from the fact that David remarries in 1891.
Ballarat Cemetery records don't show her, BDM records don't show her, no probate.
The only thing I can think of is a divorce and remarry but I can't find any evidence of that either. Nothing in Trove as far as I can see.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: majm on Saturday 27 June 20 04:35 BST (UK)
Do you have that 1891 m.c. ... what status ... widower or divorcee ...

JM
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: wivenhoe on Saturday 27 June 20 04:49 BST (UK)

Looking at Ancestry family trees -

the youngest child born to David William FINDLAY and second wife Mary SULLIVAN is
Alexander Mason FINDLAY born 1884 Ballarat Victoria.

Older sister Margaret Annie FINDLAY married Arthur Alfred COOK 1888 Victoria.

This marriage record would name parents. If mother Mary is deceased it would likely include this information, and narrow the range of time to account for Mary FINDLAY nee SULLIVAN.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 05:42 BST (UK)
Thanks majm and wivenhoe.

Beware of those ancestry trees. 

As far as I can tell Mary Sullivan is his first wife, who disappears then he marries Catherine Hickey.
It looks like I will need to get one or both those Marriage cert, I was hoping to avoid that as it's not my family but Oh well. I will do that a bit later when I have time.

Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: cupoflife on Saturday 27 June 20 05:51 BST (UK)
Vic death 1891
248/1891 FINLAY Mary; age 50; unknown; unknown; Ballt

Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: cupoflife on Saturday 27 June 20 06:04 BST (UK)
Is this right family?
https://web.ballaratcemeteries.com.au/Deceasedsearch/DeceasedDetails.aspx?PersonId=33375&LocationId=42080
Ballarat Cemetery New
Location: Roman Catholic A, Section 03, Grave 56
Interments at location:
CATHERINE FINDLAY; 0; Buried 18/01/1896
DAVID FINDLAY; 81; Buried  28/04/1908
FRANCIS FINDLAY; 0   Buried  20/02/1898
MARY FINLAY; 54; Buried 23/02/1891
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 06:21 BST (UK)
cupoflife your google fu is top notch.
Mary Finlay, miss spelt but it is her. Wow, That looks like the second wife had a couple of children too.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 27 June 20 06:29 BST (UK)
Just an aditional note to the burial records.
Mary FINLAY's last address was Latrobe Street Ballarat. 

The two children were aged 4 months.
Full names were Catherine Ruby and Francis Roy.

ADDING

David FINDLAY's last address was 604 Latrobe St Ballarat.

The children, Catherine and Francis- Last address Walker Street Sebastol

Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 27 June 20 07:05 BST (UK)
Deaths registered in Victoria as

Cath Raby FINDLAY 
At Spotswood, Victoria
Father  FINDLAY  Thos
Mother Cath MACKAY
Year:1896
Reg 3804

And

Francis Roy FINDLAY
At Spotswood, Victoria
Parents FINDLAY Thos and Cath MACKAY
Year 1898
Reg 4717

Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 08:21 BST (UK)
Thanks Sue.
I am going to need a close look at the Spotswood one, I have a feeling it's the same extended family.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 27 June 20 08:36 BST (UK)
 
I think they will be grandchildren of David  and Mary.

Have a search on https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history

Where did the second marriage for David take place please?

I see one or David FINDLAY to Cath DOWNEY. Vic 1891/Reg 6494

Is that the one you meant?


 

David FINDLAY remarried in 1891 to Catherine Mary HICKEY.

 

Sue
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 08:48 BST (UK)
Yes that's the one Sue.
I just had time to sit down and have a close look and "Woah" Cath was 55 when she married David FINDLAY so no way are they their kids.
There is a son of David and Mary called Thomas but I have not even started on him yet.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 09:07 BST (UK)
Those two children (Catherine and Francis) didn't die in Spotswood It's Spol short for Sebastopol, makes more sense. Lines up with the Walker St address too.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 27 June 20 09:21 BST (UK)
Yes. It does.
Ancestry. com typo >:(

David left a will which he made in 1894.
He bequeathed all to his wife Catherine. Forty five pounds value.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates

Sue
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 09:37 BST (UK)
Just to confuse things the Thomas I have belongs to the wrong family, Another David Findlay at Buninyong but completely wrong mother, so back to the drawing board to find the correct Thomas.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 27 June 20 09:40 BST (UK)
One Catherine FINLAY is buried at Ballarat New Cemetery with a man who may be her first husband.

Location COFEB -8 ..43. Together.

DOWNEY James Morris. 31/12/1883. Aged 57. A miner
FINLAY, Catherine  28/12/1917. Aged 80. Widow.

Her death registration at Ballarat  shows parent not listed. Reg. 11048

Sue
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 27 June 20 09:52 BST (UK)
Thomas FINDLAY married Catherine MacKAY in Victoria in 1893. Reg 4847

Their child died in 1896. Father Thomas, mother Catherine MacKAY. Reg 3804

Thomas FINDLAY died at Ballarat in 1849. Father David, Mother Mary SULLIVAN. Reg 19981

Sue

ADDING
Thomas FINDLAY is buried at Ballarat New Cemetery aged 76 years.
He is located with Katherine (sic) who died 27/12/1939 aged 67
Location RCE..10.2.8
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: rusted on Saturday 27 June 20 23:44 BST (UK)
Thanks for your help again Sue .
I think that about wraps this up.
I will document this and pass it on, the person can decide what BDM certificates they get to verify what we have found, really quite a simple brick wall to get through once the spelling mistake was discovered by cupoflife.
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: sparrett on Sunday 28 June 20 00:49 BST (UK)
You are welcome ;D

Sue
Title: Re: Mary Sullivan, where did she go?
Post by: Marg59 on Monday 04 July 22 06:05 BST (UK)
Hi, I have just found this thread. David Findlay and Mary Sullivan were my 2x g grandparents.
David's first wife died in childbirth. He then married Mary they had 10 children. Mary was buried in Ballarat on the 23rd Feb 1891. Then he married Catherine.