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Further research found: -

I have found details on Louisa Pope (Eliza & John Richard's sister).
Eliza Pope married Robert Neil on 12 Dec 1850 in the parish of St James, Sydney, Australia. The witnesses were George Davis of Crown Street & Louisa Johns of Bathurst Street.

Louisa Johns was Eliza's sister. Along with her husband Frederick and daughters Frances & Laura, she traveled to Australia with Eliza on the "Petrel". Immigration records (21 Nov 1849) show Louisa's parents as William and Maria Pope (mother living in Bristol), with a brother living in Melbourne.

The Johns family are found in the 1841 England Census:-
Frederick Johns, 23
Louisa Johns, 20
Louisa Maria Johns, 7 weeks

All born Gloucestershire, England
Residing at Meadow St, St Paul Bristol
Ref: HO107/374/38/17

Karen
 

Andrea,

I think we might be related! I am currently researching my 2nd Great Grandmother and Grandfather.
Their names were Robert Neil and Eliza Neil (nee POPE).

Stories were passed down, but somehow have slightly changed over the years from what I have recently  discovered.

Eliza arrived in Sydney, Australia (unmarried) in 1849 on the government assisted ship "Petrel", which departed from London. Eliza's place of birth is listed on the passengers log as Bristol, Gloucestershire, age 32, occupation house servant. This would make her birth year approx 1816. The same as your Eliza Pope, daughter of William & Maria. 

It wasn't long after her arrival that she married Robert in Sydney in 1850. He was a sailor who was born in Liverpool, England. 

Eliza's death register image that I obtained from Victorian Births Deaths Marriages, unfortunately isn't the best of quality, but appears that her parents names are William Pope and Maria (Wanklyn??). I believe the Wanklyn to really be Jenkins, I am currently waiting on a marriage certificate from NSW to see if the "Jenkins" name can be cleared up.

Bearing this in mind however, as your Eliza had a brother who was also a sailor, I am guessing she met Robert while living in England and travelled to Australia to start a new life with her sailor Robert.

The family stories that were passed to me from my Grandmother about her family and grandparents, was that there was a sailer in the family who died quite young (about 34 years) at sea. Could this be William Pope, Eliza's father? He isn't listed in the 1841 Census with Maria and the children as previously mentioned in this thread.

Another story was also retold about a couple eloping to Australia, which might also explain Eliza's journey to Sydney, as she seemed to travel alone (no other Pope's are listed). If my Eliza and your John were siblings, Eliza was probably following John to Australia.

Eliza and Robert moved to Victoria within a couple of years of marriage and were living in Collingwood at the time of their first child Frederick (my Great Grandfather).

Where was John Pope living in the early 1850's? I am assuming they weren't living far from each other. 

Hoping to hear from you Andrea.

Regards Karen
SE Victoria, Australia