Hi
I've only just discovered this site. I am the great granddaughter of Mary Ellen Briggs. She was the sister of Rose and also had 5 brothers some of whom died in infancy. I was interested to see the photo of Ellen McManus. My research shows that George Briggs 'Came to Australia, aged, 16, in the French ship ‘Poiteres’ and after a journey of 18 months settled in Adelaide. Arrived 13/11/1848. In about 1855 he went to the gold rush in Maryborough, Victoria. In company with two other men (including Brown who later lived in Adelong) discovered a new lead of gold called the Adelaide Lead. they were supposed to have been paid a reward of two thousand pounds. George and Ellen travelled to Young from Adelaide by bullock waggon, driving a herd of cattle, when gold was discovered in 1859. Were in Lambing Flats (Young) at the time of the riots between the miners and the Chinese. Acquired land in Moppity Road, Young and were the original owners of a property called ‘Verona’ (which they later sold to the first Doctor who came to Young, Dr. Temple).' I don't know who else in the family besides his brother Hugh was on the ship. I haven't gotten that far. I know that George and Ellen were married in Mintaro, SA, in 1857.