Queensland - De CHASTEL, completed

[farrer11]

Hi Pauline -

My records show that Ann was married to my Great Grandfather - Baron Emile Charmier de Chastel - Ann was his first wife in Australia.  Emile Charmier, somehow the de Chastel got added on to his name in Australia, was from Vincent, Jura in France - born 19/1/1845.   After Ann died he married Agnes Nelson Needham and had 2 more sons (Angelo - my grandfather and Vincent).

We also have a copy of Oliver's inquest which is sad reading.  We have some more information if interested on the family.

Hope that helps
Liz

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootschat Liz. It's great to have your help. 

They sound like a really interesting family - I thought the name sounded exotic. 

Do you know anything more about Ann? What were the family doing in Mt Morgan? Did Emile and Annie meet and marry in Australia? Do you have Emile's immigration details? Was he naturalised?

(Sorry Pauline, curiosity got the better of me and I got a bit carried away  )

[farrer11]

Thanks Ruskie - I am a novice at this, so excuse any errors.  I will also speak to my Dad who may know some more about Ann & Emile.  As far as we know Emile arrived in Australia in 1878.  My parents have visited Vincent where Emile was born and there are many Charmiers still living in the small village, near the Swiss border.  They also met a relative who they could locate on the family tree.
There have been suggestions of an earlier marriage in France but we haven't confirmed this.  We can't find his entry details into Australia and have tried looking under several names.  I am not sure if he was naturalised - Dad may know.  Mt Morgan is a small gold mining town near Rockhampton - Dad may also know Emile's occupation (I think he has a photo of Emile).

We have assumed that Ann and Emile met in Australia.

I will post more once I have had a discussion with Dad.

[ian-nz]

Hi Liz,      Lovely to make contact with you. Ann and Emile would have been my Great Aunt and Uncle. This family has really got me fascinated. I have just sent for a marriage and death certificate for Ann to find out more information and you have just answered one question, Emile's birth date.


This information Cando found for me and sounds like him. The age fits also.
CHASTEL EUGINE 28 years. Departed NOUMIA (sic) NEW CALEDONIA arriving Sydney N.S.W. 16Dec 1872 on the FRANCE and origin Location France.

Ruskie kindly looked up Oliver's inquest for me and as you say very sad.

My Dad was born in Mt Morgan in 1916 and most of my relatives lived there at one time.

Would love any information you can give me on this family also a photo would be wonderful.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Pauline

[ian-nz]

Hi Ruskie,   Thanks for your help. We will resolve this one yet.
Pauline

[farrer11]

My father's advice is that Ann Elizabeth died from burns injuries - her skirt got caught under the fire of a copper.  This may explain why there was no inquest?

There was also the widely held belief that Emile may have had a previous wife in France before coming to Australia. This hasn't been verified.

Liz

[Ruskie]

Someone with more knowledge may know for sure, but it certainly sounds possible that this may be the reason there was no inquest for Annie.

The death certificate will confirm. (However it may take some time before you receive this Pauline as the wheels usually turn pretty slowly in that department  ) - so we might have a wait on our hands. 

Poor Ann - what a horrible accident.

[gazania]

Yes, what a horrible accident.  Unfortunately, not an uncommon accident for women (and children) going about their daily chores.

I am old enough to remember my Mother with my Dad's help doing the family wash with the copper.  The copper sat in an iron frame with the wood fire underneath.  Frequent strong westerly winds would cause the flames to leap out.  We kids were kept right away from the flaming beast.  My Mum, at least, did not wear  long skirts.  She did scald her arm badly once lifting the sheets out of the hot water with the copper stick.

Bye Gazania

[alipal]

It is really interesting to hear about this family.. Agnes Needham was my great aunt (although I never knew her or my grandmother).  You may be interested to look at
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/ItemsListing.aspx?page=0
which gives an insight into poor little Leo who at 22 went off to fight - and was killed in action on 09/08/1916.  It includes letters from Agnes (as foster mother and/or stepmother) asking for an allowance.  All quite sad reading.

Alipal