RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: Abygail on Monday 16 November 20 05:02 GMT (UK)
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My question is this, after trawling through Trove I have found several 'Police and Court' reports in the newspapers that could be about a elusive ancestor. She is listed as Frances Robinson. on the charge of Vagrancy. The last clipping says her solicitor was lodging an appear for 2 months time. Been through the online Victorian Archives, nothing, searched the Asylum inmate records, again nothing, no death registration. She seems to have vanished.
I understand that IF this is the lady I'm looking for her offspring would be socially embarrassed, but surely there has to be some record of her Appeal case. Suggestions please.
The lady in question was Frances de Bruton Murdoch, nee Robertson. Eldest daughter of Gilbert Robertson, late of Geelong and widow of James B. Murdoch late of Anakie, Vic . Affectionately known as Fanny.
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News article from Trove here
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202520126
From the Victoria Police Gazette:
Discharged from Melbourne gaol during week ending 3rd November 1873
Tried Melbourne 29 August 1873, larceny 2 months
Francis Robertson, native of Edinburgh, born 1820, servant and teacher, no previous convictions
M
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Anyone who had the means to employ the service of a solicitor......against a charge of vagrancy in 1873........
Possibly the matter was settled with no further court appearance......
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I’m not sure why you think it’s her. Given that it is a different surname and not even her married surname.
Was she already deceased? An Elizabeth Robinson Murdoch, spinster is one of the probate recipients, not Frances. So, she is missing by 1871.
Jamjar
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From a MyHeritage tree:
Frances De Bruton Murdoch (born Robertson), 1820 - 1880
Related thread: https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=586394.0
Jamjar
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Firstly thank you one and all for your input. As I said in my post IF this is the lady I am looking for, her daughters, and son-in-laws would have had the money. As well as her sons IF they were still in Victoria.
Thanks jamjam, most likely my tree anyway.
I have been hunting for information relating to her death for years without success. These court events could well explain a few things for me. Time line, husband died suddenly 1871, everything was sold up to repay the loan his sister had made to him. and I mean EVERYTHING. The daughters were married by 1873, her parents dead, sisters' married and scattered. Her son's relocated to north Queensland.
When the tree was done for the 176 year family reunion (200 in 2022) it was stated that Fanny had died 1880 and was buried at Anakie. (assume Victoria as that was where the property was. Problem there is no death records to be found, no cemetery at Anakie Vic. and at Anakie Qld the cemetery records have been lost. Only graves with headstones appear in the 'new' record of burials.
Yes, she was born 1820, just out of Edinburgh, Scotland. Baptised at Gladsmuir. Her favourite sister was Elizabeth, even though Fanny was 53 she may well have had a breakdown. So I can understand her slip on names.
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Did you get the NSW certificate:
1416/1880 MURDOCK Fanny age 62 SYDNEY
At Rookwood Cemetery - PLOT: P_ZONE B/#/1615
MURDOCK Fanny 26 AUG 1880
Jamjar
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James B MURDOCK actually left his wife well provided for in his will.
One of his children has the middle name Robinson, so it seems a bit confusing.
Sue
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From newspaper article...reply #1 for link to Trove.......
Who is Mrs HUBBARD......who must know Fanny ROBINSON by sight.... and able to describe her to the pawnbroker and the landlady at the hotel....and have reason to think Fanny might enter her house during absence in Tasmania?
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I’m not sure why you think it’s her. Given that it is a different surname and not even her married surname.
Was she already deceased? An Elizabeth Robinson Murdoch, spinster is one of the probate recipients, not Frances. So, she is missing by 1871.
James B Murdoch wrote his will on his deathbed, so yes, Fanny was still alive. The Elizabeth you refer to was one of their daughters.
Jamjar
His will had provide very well for his family but he hadn't taken into account the probate and the debt he had both locally and with his sister.. Can only guess he hadn't expected his sister to react the way she did.
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Have you contacted the Global Moderator to organise for the threads to be merged?
JM
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"..The last clipping says her solicitor was lodging an appear for 2 months time."
Can you identify this newspaper item please.....title and date.
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my apologies, misquoted, sentenced to 2 months and Mr Fisher gave notice of appeal.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202520126
The Age (Melbourne, Vic, : 1854 - 1954 Saturday 30 August 1873, page 5
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Does solicitor, Mr FISHER, appeal against the conviction, or against the sentence....two months in jail?
Using PROV ....VPRS 516 (women in custody)....I do not see record, 1873, for.......
Fanny / Frances / ROBERTSON / ROBINSON / MURDOCH
Thinking aloud for possibilities -
* If solicitor made a successful appeal against the conviction, there would be something to see in the newspaper.
* So....conviction stood......sentence reduced... or....Fanny does not go to jail. But you might think that an old, homeless woman with alcohol problem was released into care of......someone / family / friend....
Try contacting PROV to see where court records would be. I do not think you will find anything accessible online. You would need to go to archives, but it would be worth seeing what were the grounds for appeal....and the outcome of the appeal.
I think the records would name someone who will assume responsibility for Fanny.