Ok, this part of the family history is ridiculously convoluted, and its kinda difficult to explain, but I'll give you the best summary that I can for now:
Frederick Austerberry was born in Oldham, Manchester in 1862 to Daniel Samuel Austerberry and Sarah Harrop. He married Emily Ann Lewis there in 1884, then arrived in WA 21.6.1887 on YEOMAN, departed 10.9.1887 on LUSITANIA. Went to Sydney, then back to Melbourne where presumably he met Annie Peelman (step-daughter of Benoit Peelman) born Elizabeth Ann Norris, no father (Ballarat). The family were living in Footscray at this point I believe, although I need to go through my papers. Benoit was a Sawyer and Fred a Carter/Stablehand/Labourer, so perhaps he met the family through work? A lodger? We'll never know.
Fred went back to WA without Annie, who followed alone 25 June 1900 in the INIMICA to SA, then on to WA on SS FLINDERS. (An elopement?) I have a handwritten note (considerably old, author unknown) that states Annie and Fred "married 1890 Melbourne Vic, 18 Jan". The union seems to have been disapproved of. I have unfortunately inherited many old notes from previous researchers and this one is not signed, although the handwriting suggests someone born earlier in the last century, so possibly someone with first hand knowledge of the family?
They moved around a lot, with Dorothy/Annie (known as Dolly) born Karridale, WA in 1892, Millie at Launching Place, Gippsland VIC 1893, and Nellie 1895 in Echuca. Many of the Norris women ended up in Echuca at least once, usually when they were in a bad way as they had a wealthy female relative in the area (Mrs Mary Fasham nee Norris), so one could possibly speculate that Fred had already left Annie at this point and she needed family support (although that will only ever be wild speculation of course).
Fred disappears from this point - I don't believe that he is the one who marries Frances Hodges back in WA, as that Fred is the son of Joseph Austerberry, who is one of our Fred's cousins (Joseph came out to Australia with two brothers about the same time as our Fred). While we have no real clue what happened to him, His poor first (and possibly only legal) wife Emily Ann remarried in 1903 back in Oldham as a 'widow', so perhaps as his legal spouse she received the notice of his death? Wherever it was...
Previous researchers in 1984 received "no result" notifications from Victorian archives for two searches: the marriage of Frederick Austerberry to Elizabeth Ann Peelman between 1/1/1888-31/12/1892, and death of Frederick Austerberry 1/1/1896-31/12/1900, but that doesn't really help (she's a Norris on her birth certificate, he could have died anywhere...)
Which brings us to John Anderson (phew!). In terms of family details I'll have to get in touch with older relatives, but the information I have is that he married twice, once to a Kathleen (no surname given), and once to Eliza Ann. This is from a full transcript of his death certificate, which it looks like you guys have already. I have yet another unconfirmable note from an elderly contributor which states that they were married 1900 in Melbourne, but again I have no certification of it and haven't been able to find any. I do know that the Anderson's ran Anderson' Garage for decades on the old town square at Junee (until at least 1995), I think its gone now though.
So, to summarise: Fred Austerberry probably never married Annie. Annie may also have never married John Anderson - maybe she did believe (or led others to believe for her own reputation's sake) that she was still legally married to Fred, and was not free to marry John? I do remember her being described as 'formidable' by one of my aunts, and got the distinct impression that she wasn't a woman to be gainsayed...
I'll get in touch with rellies and see if they remember anything about the Andersons, in the meantime you could always be really cheeky - there's still a couple of Andersons in Junee, maybe give them a call?
This is only a small part of the ridiculous tale of the women genealogists on our side of the family generally refer to as the 'bl**dy Norrises'! Dolly Austerberry for example married her own aunt Norris' grandson (!!), but that's another story for another day!
I have to head out for dinner now, but will update you if any more Anderson-related info can be found.
Allison.
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