Hi,
I love getting in contact with distant famiy.
I descend from another of Thomas and Mary's daughters, Agnes (1861 – 1953). Agnes married a Joseph McKenzie Argent (what are the chances his middle name was going to be Mc'Kenzie) their son Theodore b. 1851 married Muriel Rose Long together they had several children one being my grandfather.
Do you have any idea were the name 'HOLT' came from?? (Thomas and Mary son William Holt SMITH 1846 – 1926)
(I am typing my reply/ questions in purple.)
Hi, I think I may be related to Thomas McKenzie Smith and Mary Harriet Birdsill Smith, too.
Their daughter Sarah married Ashford Thomas Willis; they had 3 children.
I am a descendant of Emma, my father's mother's mother.
Willis was massacred in New Guinea in about 1878. Sarah wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald about it, after she was married in 1881 or 1882 to William Lyons. Thanks for the news paper reference. My grandfather had told me that Ashford was killed by native in PNG but it's nice to get the full version of events.
Sarah's youngest brother was named Kenneth McKenzie. Sarah named her 4th child Joseph McKenzie. I only read about all this yesterday. See Trove for SMH, tagged Thomas Smith, Willis, Lyons.
Thomas Smith drowned (see Trove) in the sea at Trial Bay NSW during floods in January one year. Family myth is he died the day before he was to return to travel to Sydney to return to Ireland and claim his family inheritance. Only family rumor, can't actually prove it. Later, Mrs. Thomas Smith is listed as having lost her house in floods in August, same year. By that time she had 8 children. Didn't know that, Thanks.
I have seen a few people mention the McKenzie connection, so far. See Whaite Family Tree. Can't find it. Can you please send me the web address.
I have no documents at all but if you feel like contacting me I'd love it. Cheers.
If you would like to know more, (I'd like to swap info) please send me a personal message. I prefer communicating in private email.
Hear from you soon,
K8
