Death of Elizabeth SELLER (nee BENNETT) in about 1923

[stannarp]

Hi all,

I'm pretty sure I've not posted about this before...

Looking for the death of Elizabeth SELLER (nee BENNETT) in about 1923.  She married Thomas Theophilus SELLER in South Africa in 1882 (he was already married to Rosana CARLIN, 1875, Newtown, NSW at the time).  They had several children between the date of their marriage and 1902, some born in Australia, others born in South Africa.

The information I have from a previous researcher in my family is that Elizabeth died on 30 Sep 1923 in Australia.  I've checked NSW BMD's but not found anyone that could be her, based on this information (Thomas Theophilus died in NSW in 1943).

I would also be interested in any divorce or annulment for Rosana CARLIN (his first wife); have looked, but not sure I'm looking in the right places...it stands to reason that she would have initiated divorce or annulment proceedings upon discovering that he had committed bigamy   Also interested in a re-marriage or date of death for her (again, have looked, but not sure I'm looking in the right places)!

Regards,

Patricia

[sparrett]

Did ROSANNA perhaps remarry


Reg 8375 In 1905
EVANS  EDWARD
To SELLER  ROSEANNA
At SYDNEY

If so, the dissolulution must have been before 1905

Sue

[majm]

Hi there,

Do you have her parents given names?  That information can help as it should be on the d.c.

Have you tried the digitised newspapers?  http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper (edit to add, try this one, it is live)  http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/home

Have you tried the NSW State Records Office for possible NSW divorce? (There's mention for a Thomas Seller as a respondent, in 1903 however the petitioner not any name you have mentioned in this thread http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/

Although it does stand to reason that your lass may have initiated divorce or annulment upon discovering a likely bigamous relationship, please don't overlook the situation that she would have faced .... likely newspaper headlines, lack of housekeeping funds, expenses to solicitors, action in the Supreme Court of NSW, loss of family home, and need to find alternative means of income....  So not all bigamous relationships were reported.  Bigamy was (and still is) a crime, thus it is prosecuted by the Police, but only after they have been actively informed of the crime.  Many bigamous relationships were not reported to the police, and not all those reported led to criminal charges being laid.

Under the Resources board here at RChat are sub-boards for each state/territory.  BDM and Divorce and applications for Maintenance came under state responsibilities, so records are state based, and not in one central location.

RED POST,  so a transcript of that 1905 marriage would confirm if Roseanna Seller declared she was a divorcee, and it so, it should note the details (date, place of divorce etc ...) 

Cheers,  JM

[sparrett]

I hope you will not mind my asking, but what certified evidence do you have for the information you have given.

I ask because there were at least 2 men named THOMAS THEOPHILUS SELLER in NSW.

This is the death notice of one
 in 1890.  There are in Memoria inserted by his children too.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/61231501?searchTerm="theophilus seller"&searchLimits=

Is it possible this man was the husband of Roseanna and the one who died in 1943, another entirely?

Sue

[majm]

Sands 1900 Directory

Thomas SELLERS, Dibb St Alexandria
Thomas SELLERS, 214 Walker St Redfern.

These are two inner west suburbs of Sydney.

There's also Sellar, Sellor, Seller, and other similar surnames.

From the NSW electoral roll for South Sydney, 1903 (first time females are on the roll) and at the Redfern polling place, there is an Elizabeth Miriam SELLER at her domestic duties at 39 Bourke St.

Cheers,  JM

[Essie]

Hi all

One Thomas T SELLER was married to Harriet SMALL and lived at Grafton. He died  in 1890.  Harriet remarried and TROVE has her obit.

Essie

DEATH OF A PIONEER. First White Child Born on the Clarence. GRAFTON, Monday. The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) Tuesday 1 November 1932 p 10

[majm]

And NSW Electoral Roll 1878, NEWTOWN (another inner west suburb of Sydney)

Thomas T Seller, a householder on Missenden Road, Newtown
and
Thomas Seller, a freeholder on Missenden Road, Newtown  (he was also there on 1870 roll)
and
Frederick Seller, a freeholder on Missenden Road, Newtown  (he was also there on 1870 roll)

and from 1878 roll, GRAFTON *
Thomas T Sellers, freeholder, at South Grafton

and from 1870 roll THE CLARENCE *
Thomas Sellars, a freeholder, South Arm, Woodford Island (Grafton)

* I think these would most likely refer to the chap Essie has found

Cheers, JM

[Essie]

Thomas T SELLER of Grafton was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth.

It appears Frederick SELLER was another son of Thomas and Elizabeth, and the bigamist Thomas T was a son of Frederick (and Susannah nee CRANE).

Essie

[majm]

Noticed this NSW BDM index for birth in 1877, registered in the Newtown district (inner west suburb of Sydney)

Thomas F, son of Thomas T and Rosannah  (ref 4352/1877)

And this NSW BDM index for birth in 1886 registered in the St Peters district (again, inner west suburb of Sydney)
William I, son of Thomas T and Eliza (ref 7329/1886)

Patricia, I think you will agree that there's every likelihood that there were several different families with the surname SELLER, perhaps there's a common forebear, however, I doubt there's any indication of a bigamous relationship for your Mrs Elizabeth Seller (nee Bennett).   May I suggest you contact the person giving you the d o d as 30 Sep1923, Australia and ask for further information (District and State, and any further information from the d.c.)

 
Cheers,  JM