Father's 1st Wife Murdered, Info Search

[shelby4178]

Hi,

I'm looking to find any information on the death of my Father's 1st wife. She was apparently murdered by a jealous lover. I don't know when this happened and only have rough time periods.

My Father's name was Robert Stanley Thomas WILLIAMS 1938-2002. His 1st Wife's name was "Jean" "Jeanie" "Gean", I'm do not know her maiden name and am not sure what year they were married. He married my Mother in 1977, so it was before then.

It happened in NSW Australia, perhaps in the Maitland, Newcastle area. They do not have any children and I am unable to also find their marriage certificate.
Apparently, her lover shot her when he found out that she wanted to reconcille with my Father. He also then shot himself.

I am currently doing my family tree and would like to add this information to it if I can find out more. ANy information would be appreciated    Michelle (on ancestry.com as SHARROCK/WILLIAMS)

[judb]

On-line BMDs in NSW only have marriages up to 1959.  Someone else may have access to later information.

http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/searchHistoricalRecords.htm

There is this marriage but your father would have only been 20 -
1958  Robert Thomas WILLIAMS m Jean Elizabeth MIDDLETON  registered SYDNEY  #7359

Judith

[jorose]

http://archives.smh.com.au/
"Jean Williams" <and> murder turns up a hit from 1962, for example.
You would have to pay for a subscription (not sure if some libraries might have access to this?) to see the full text.
I would imagine a murder/suicide would be widely reported.

[sparrett]

Hi shelby,
May I ask what makes you certain the couple were married

Do you have evidence of such a marriage or is it possible it was a "common law" relationship.

The reason I query this is if she continued to use her maiden name, it will alter the criteria of your search.

Sue

[alison2763]

Do you have your father's death certificate ?
Depending on what the informant knew, her name and date of death might be listed on it.
Regards
Alison

[shelby4178]

Thankyou everyone,

I had a look on BDM and after a long discussion with my mother, the dates do add up as she mentioned that my father was young when he married his 1st wife.

I am now in the process of trying to find old newspaper archives which may tell me what actually happened. I guess curiosity now has the best of me.

Thanks again 

[sparrett]

I don't know when this happened and only have rough time periods.

So, do you believe this to be her death?

REG. 7142In 1960  WILLIAMS  JEAN ELIZABETH father JOHN mother  KATHLEEN at  ROCKDALE

Sue   

[shelby4178]

Hi Sue,

Yes I believe this to be her. I have been looking at BDM records and it does all make sense.

Michelle 

[majm]

Hi there,

Are you looking for a likely death registration for the "other party".... 

The NSW BDM online index can give some clues IF you are confident about the one Sue mentions.  For example, if Rockdale and 1960 and looking at the reference number of 7142, then perhaps look for a similar but slightly higher number.  That type of searching can be time consuming without a surname .... but once you have a transcript of the one for Jean Elizabeth Williams, and read the information on it (should list her husband by name) .... then search online using " * " as a wildcard for a surname and 1960 and Rockdale ....  If too many that way, then use " a* " and then " b* " etc and work your way through the alphabet ...  You can sort each search result by the various columns online, so by sorting using the reference number column you can then see reference numbers around 7142....   

I presume the "other party" would have parents, siblings and family, perhaps some who are still living, so please do consider their privacy through this journey of curiosity.

Transcripts of the official certificates are cheaper and can be received by email.  Official Certificates from 1960's are typed up anyway.   

Registry of BMD New South Wales
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/searchHistoricalRecords.htm

Details on ALL Certificates for New South Wales
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/familyHistoryCertificates.htm  
http://www.jaunay.com/bdm.html

Transcription Agents
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,300394.0.html


Cheers,  JM