Old Bible Challenge - CLARKE family

[deeiluka]

Thanks Ruskie and Cando.   

I've now spoken to one of Ashley Clarke's great great nieces about the Bible. She has since contacted her father, and they are both quite excited about the Bible, and we'll be in touch again in the New Year, and possibly plan to meet up when it can be arranged. We do live an awfully long way apart. 

When I was posting all the information on this thread, I felt a bit silly in some ways, but I'm very glad I did it, as it has ended in a great result.


Dee   

[kiwihalfpint]

I have been following this thread ....... what a wonderful result of detective work ...

Well done ...... someone above was with you the day you entered the shop and drew you to the bible.

Cheers
KHP

[deeiluka]

I went back to the shop today to tell the owner what had resulted, because she wanted to know, but she wasn't working today. I'll try to go back again one day after Christmas.

Not sure with exactly whom yet, but one way of another, the Bible will be going back to one of Ashley's relatives.......   


Dee

[deeiluka]

I've had contact with Ashley Clarke's gg-niece, who met up with her elderly father over Christmas.

As a result we now know what happened when Ashley's wife died in 1900 leaving the four year old Edna  and the week old baby Caroline Myrtle. Quoting from the email....
"He says both girls were looked after and brought up by Mrs Box, their maternal grandmother. "   

And there's more.....Caroline Myrtle (and I quote again) "stayed as companion and carer to her grandmother until Mrs Box died at age 96 I think from your research. She then took a job with the Royal family (he thinks somewhere south east of Adelaide but not sure where exactly.) It was possibly as a house keeper because she married Mr Royal. She did not have any children. "

    

So little Caroline Myrtle didn't die in infancy or get adopted or anything else.  Now I'll see what I can track down as a result of this. 
 

Dee

[deeiluka]

Well.....after all the searching for information, it seems there is a possibility that the old Bible may have been in the hands of Caroline Myrtle until her death. But if so, that makes it very strange that her name was rubbed out.

I found the death of her husband, Horace Frederick ROYAL,  aged 87 , of Victor Harbor, on 25th June 1969 at Victor Harbor. Widow was Caroline Myrtle ROYAL.
Ref = EnB H  70A/4324

SAGHS Cemetery index database has Caroline Myrtle ROYAL as being buried in 1977.

And on a cemetery site I've found them both buried in Victor Harbor.

Perhaps it was Royal in laws that put the old Bible in that garage sale! 



Dee   

[craizi daizi]

WOW  this is just an amazing story,   love following it...

Daizi

[krisesjoint]

Hi again Dee,

Good Work 

In Loving Memory
of
HORACE [UNC] ROYAL
Beloved Husband of Myrtle
Born 3-10-1882 Died 25-6-1969
also
CAROLINE MYRTLE
Wife of Above
Born 8-3-1900 Died 13-9-1977

Cheers Kris 

[deeiluka]

Thanks, Daizi, and brilliant, Kris! 

I'll keep working on tracking down descendants of the older daughter now. 

But I'm also sure my friend and I will be taking a trip to the cemetery in Victor Harbor to see if we can locate the grave. It would be nice to put a photograph with the old Bible and the information we've found.


Dee   

[alison2763]

I have been watching from a distance.
Just wanted to congratulate all you genie sleuths! What a great job, you should be proud of yourselves
Well done!
Regards
Alison