Hunt of Uitenhage, South Africa

[phipps1]

My cousin apparently found some document somewhere from a time when Mary worked for a period as a legal  secretary and had to provide earlier family names. Schlemned is the name she used. With my family history I have to  wonder if that was what she recalled but my father definately mentioned a similar sounding name but said Mary didnt wish to talk  about it much. He also talked of the name change due to the fact of people not likeing Jewish names.  I think it was 1972 When Mary Died, dad always talked of a step brother & he gave me the picture of a young boy on a seat  (curly hair I think from memory).Pleasae keep me in touch. In which country do you live now ??

Micheal,I have seen that photo you are talking about.I may even still have it somewhere.My father was young, curly haired, and sitting.Must be the one.It was a studio portrait. done in Perth.
You can imagine my father felt totally abandoned by Mary Jane so her name is still not spoken of openly,even within  my generation.My father was about 8 when she walked out on him.In the threads,you will have read that Mary Jane wanted to reconnect with my father afterThomas Milward died,so I am talking 1948/1949.My father refused to reply to her letter.
The complete disconnect was in 1925.
Kind regards,
phipps

[Michael Burke]

Thats ashame , the photos may have been interesting.

[phipps1]

In which country do you live now ??

I live and work in Mainland China Michael

[phipps1]

Thats ashame , the photos may have been interesting.

Photos like that are not with me in China but at sometime later this year,I will be able to confirm whether I have them or not.
I will send you a picture of my grandfather when I email you but it will have to be tomorrow.
The photo is of him in Perth in c 1908 and I don't know when or where he met your grandmother but certainly they married in 1916 so the photo I send may be interesting to you.I will try to send it tonight but can't promise
Kind regards,
phipps

[Michael Burke]

Yes ! I want to find it now , thats the pic on a chair with his knee up or something like that. It was in a studio somewhere most likely Perth. Yes sorry to say Mary was one tough cookie. We would have to sit at attention at the table not to say a word. I remember her saying " children art to be seen and not heard. She spoke very well ,a plum in her mouth we say. I wouls like to see more pictures of your dad. What happenned to him, I always wanted to find but couldnt find any imformation. We didnt know up until now Mary attempted contact with your dad.

[phipps1]

Yes ! I want to find it now , thats the pic on a chair with his knee up or something like that. It was in a studio somewhere most likely Perth. Yes sorry to say Mary was one tough cookie. We would have to sit at attention at the table not to say a word. I remember her saying " children art to be seen and not heard. She spoke very well ,a plum in her mouth we say. I wouls like to see more pictures of your dad. What happenned to him, I always wanted to find but couldnt find any imformation. We didnt know up until now Mary attempted contact with your dad.

I think you are right-   elbow on knee or similar.I am going from memory,seeing it a very long time ago.I might be wrong except for the curly hair,sitting down,young age ( must be before 1925, and Perth.I absolutely remember those details.
Did your gran live in Melbourne at some stage ?.
My Dad was hardened by his experience at age 8 and absolutely wrote your gran off.He used to say he would see your gran wheeling a baby in a pushchair after the divorce-That must have been your dad.It affected his relationship with women,he said.
My Dad served in the RAN in WW 2 and died in 1995 aged 79.
My father literally hated your Grandmother I am sad to tell.
I have no pictures of him on my date base.
I have sent you a couple of emails with pictures,Michael.
Kind regards,
phipps

[Michael Burke]

Apparently (Katherine my cousin believes ) Mary  Jane Hunt came over on the  boat with her sister.Its believed her mother died on the boat or quite shortly after. After marrying your Grandfather  Mary had an affair maybe even became pregnant married Richard Burke but shortly ran off to the country to get away from him and his drinking. As I said  Richard was seen by my father ( Barrymore Richard Burke, known as "Peter" )  a few times but then just seemed to dissapear.Apparently after finding God & sobbering up he attempted contact with my Aunty Pamela dads sister but she wasnt interested due to his past abuse.   Maybe we have found his grave, still checking. Kathy says Mary Listed Schlemned as her mothers surname before she changed it and that Mary  said  her Grandmother was jewish and converted to Wesley for the man she loved.
Did Mary meet your Grandfather while working as a law clerk? This is what  we believe.

[Michael Burke]

I wonder about the name of my Gramothers sister & what happenned to there father Peter Hunt? Did he stay in South Africa ? My father spoke of perhaps his Grandmother being buried in thge Roebourne cemetery W.A. and that she spent time in Robuck bay. I also wonder about the name Schlemned? Could that be how she remembered it ? I find very few listing of that name but many similar Schllemm for instance. 

[Michael Burke]

Does anyone know of any families with the name Schelmned or  schlemm or similar migrating to South Africa and on to Australia?

Mary jane Hunt My paternal Grandmother,Mary Jane Hunt was born in Uitenhage 22nd 1892,daughter of Peter and Mary Jane Hunt.
November 1892,daughter of Peter and Mary Jane Hunt.
The above records came from the Weslyan Church in Uitenhage.
At some point she emigrated to Perth,Western Australia, with  her sister. Her mother may have died on the voyage or shortly after??? We dont know what happenned to Peter Hunt .