SWANs in Sydney 1852 - when did they arrive?

[PrueM]

Hi all,
As usual, trying to tie up loose ends and was wondering when/where my SWAN ancestors arrived in NSW.

Henry Fairfax SWAN married Isabella Euphemia BRISBANE in January 1852 in Burntisland, Fife.
Their son Henry Brisbane SWAN was born in November 1852 in Pyrmont, Sydney, NSW.

Try as I might, I can't see this family arriving in 1852 into either Sydney or Port Philip.  There is a possible sighting into Sydney on the Yarra Yarra, but Mr and Mrs H Swan are said to have two children, which my couple didn't.

Can anyone help me to find them?

Thanks in advance for your help

Cheers
Prue 

[NSWlandrecords]

Hi Prue,

A Death Certificate for either Henry or Isabella will tell you how many years in the Colony which will narrow down your search.

Try www.bdm.nsw.gov.au
or a transcription agent is a cheaper alternative
www.transcriptions.com.au

I also suggest you contact the Society of Australian Genealogists at www.sag.org.au where they hold a publication
250 years of Swan family history / by Shirley Rae Coote. Includes an index. Privately published 1985. Your answer will most likely be  in there.

I might be in there soon, so let me know if I can help.
 
Good luck
Helen

[PrueM]

Hi Helen,
You know, I hadn't even thought to look in the SAG library  - I'm a member, but as I live down near Canberra I have never been up to do any research there.  I think I'll contact them about trying to access that book...will probably have to go up to Sydney and view it though. 

Now, I know Henry and Isabella must have arrived in Australia between Jan 1852 and November 1852 (or March/April and Nov takign into account travel time), so I doubt a death cert will be any more specific than that, but having said that, I haven't got any certs for this family, so I should start accumulating them really.  Most SWAN research was carried out by another distant relative of mine, and a first cousin of mine and I have tried to contact them about a website they used to have up, about the SWANs and the BRISBANEs...they had alot of incorrect information on the site, but also some great photos etc. so we wanted to share our info with them and hopefully get piccies etc. off them, but they never replied to us and now seem to have gone AWOL along with their website 

The SWAN brothers (Henry, Robert and James - sons of Henry Fairfax) had a timber yard at Balmain and also ran the "Fairyland" pleasure grounds on the Lane Cove River during the early part of the 20th century.  Their father at one time owned "Ewenton House" on the waterfront at Balmain.  Do you think there would be any information about these concerns in the NSW Lands office records?

Thank you so much for your help 

Cheers
Prue

[NSWlandrecords]

Hi Prue,

I'm sure your visit to SAG - at their new location Level 2, 379 Kent St - would be most beneficial to you

As would land records which are a gold mine of information

I ALWAYS verify what others give me as it's so easy for mistakes to happen and at least then I know what I have is correct and the errors are not perpetuated.

Helen   

[PrueM]

THanks Helen for all your help and advice 

Can anyone suggest where I should look to see if I can find the SWAN family arriving in Australia?  Presumably Sydney?
The arrival window is very small (Jan-Nov 1852), which annoys me even more that I can't find them! 

[Magi]

Hi Prue,
I have a great great grandfather James Swan who came from Fife, Scotland, and settled in Durban, South Africa, in 1862.  Apparently he had a brother who went to Australia and your Henry has sons named James and Robert? My James's father was Robert Swan so wonder if there is a family connection?
Magi

[PrueM]

Hi Magi 

That sounds promising 

My Henry's father was Campbell SWAN, but he was sometimes known as Robert.  Unfortunately Henry doesn't seem to have had a brother named James, at least not that I've found, but the name and dates and birthplace for your James are spot on for my SWAN family.  Can you give me any more details about your James's parents, birthdate etc?

Henry's parents were {Robert} Campbell SWAN and Isabella BRISBANE.  Henry was born 1819 in Burntisland, Fife.

Cheers
Prue

[CuriousDiana]

Hi Prue

Passengers arriving 1852 will be on AO Reel 1279 which you can see at the SAG or the State Library, if you are coming to Sydney. I am sure the National Library would also have this (series called Unassisted Passengers arriving in NSW 1826-1900, Reels 1263 onwards).  You will have to search each ship's passenger list on the reel separately.  If your people came 1st, 2nd or 3rd class, you should find them. Steerage passengers are not always listed by name unfortunately.
Good luck
Diana

[PrueM]

Thanks Diana    That's really helpful!

Now all I need is a day off    to get to the NLA and have a look 

Much appreciated
Cheers
Prue