Australian Series #4 of WDYTYA

[Stoodly]

Cocksie: Florence did remarry in Canada where she went to join another sister. I couldn't trace any records of any further children born but to be honest I didn't spend too much time looking further for her after establishing that she had arrived and remarried in Canada as our focus was on Lilian, Doris and Reg.

Ruskie: Nick Barratt has been affilliated with Aus WDYTYA? since it's conception. He appeared in Ben Mendelsohn's episode and his company Sticks Research Agency http://www.sra-uk.com/home.html
have provided us with research services across all the series. In Melissa's case, I was in the UK for three months (part work/part holiday) and did most of the research for Melissa in London and in Somerset.

Melissa's family and those of Reg and Doris had done some family history research but no one had ever got to the bottom of EXACTLY what had happened to Fred and Helen - nor did the cousins know what the story that their mother had passed down about a dead baby meant. So "we" picked up the trail and researched for them. It took months to order certificates and apply for documents and piece everything together  ..........................months that we don't have with our talent, in Melissa's case we only had her for a total of 16 days both here in Aus and in the UK (including travel).

The hotel that they stayed in in Somerset was :The Mount Somerset, Lower Henlade 1, Somerset.

[Ruskie]

Thank you for answering my questions Diana, and for clarifying the Nick Barratt connection with the show.

I will check out the nice hotel in Somerset on Trip Advisor - I wouldn't mind a stay there next time I'm in the UK. 

I didn't realise you were the researcher for this episode.(Sorry, minion sounded a bit derogatory - apologies for that.  ) I really liked the way the story about the dead baby was resolved. That must have been so traumatising for the child that it stayed with them and passed down the generations. I know of someone who was made to kiss their dead sibling and this had also stayed with them - and not in a good way.

I think that this side of the family story was resolved well, and didn't leave many unanswered questions. I hadn't thought about became of Florence until Cocksie asked. As you researched Florence to the point that you knew she joined another sister and remarried in Canada, and that was not mentioned in last night's programme, I've got to thinking about all the other wasted research - there must be tons of it. Maybe any important findings could be shown with the credits at the end of the programme? This may just resolve some of the events that there was not enough time to cover in the show. It wouldn't cost anything ... 

You must have the best job in the world Diana.

[cocksie]

Maybe any important findings could be shown with the credits at the end of the programme? This may just resolve some of the events that there was not enough time to cover in the show.

I think Ruskie's idea is excellent!

Thank you for answering my query about Florence and where she ended up.  That whole few years when pregnant mum died, father marrying sister, scalded dead step baby/cousin, dad dying and suddenly the orphaned children are on a boat to OZ must have been a traumatic whirlwind.  It was interesting to me that the only child who said anything to her children about all this was the youngest sister, Florrie Doris.  Elder sister (Lilian), it appeared, never said much to her children ..... or perhaps no-one asked.  Interesting.  What happened to Reg?

Another question on the other side - do you know what happened to Cecil (I think that was his name)? The younger brother who the mother (wife of minister) DID not send to OZ?  Did he stay in UK or end up in OZ later?

cocksie
PS regarding the prison warden on Rottnest .... I "think" that generally the British/Australians treated the indigenous population harshly (and cruelly) and probably, incredibly harshly in prison.  To think (hope) otherwise is fairly naive is it not?

[a chesters]

Wiggy, I think that it must have been very commom for a man to re-marry soon after loosing a wife. In my wifes side there are at least two that I can verify.

In both cases there were young children involved, so a man needed a woman to look after them, and if he knew there was an unwed sister, I think that would have been the thinking to remarry. Sounds a bit cold, but......... the children needed a "mother"

A Chesters

[Ruskie]

I'm glad you like my idea Cocksie. 

regarding the prison warden on Rottnest .... I "think" that generally the British/Australians treated the indigenous population harshly (and cruelly) and probably, incredibly harshly in prison.  To think (hope) otherwise is fairly naive is it not?

These were my thoughts too.

I'm not sure there would have been such a thing as a kindly prison guard in those days. He would have had to dish out some severe punishments on orders from above even if he did not believe they were justified.  He would have to have become hard, even if he didn't start out that way.

I thought it seemed that the programme almost cut short this story when Melissa seemed content after reading the obit, that her ancestor WAS a nice guy after all. Once again maybe Diana can tell us if this was skewed to make Melissa happy as she was so upset? Was there any further evidence about this ancestor that was omitted?

I'm sure we all have horrible ancestors in our family history. (I know I do. Or maybe it's just mine ...  ) I don't see why they all have to be pillars of the community and lovely people. It's not realistic.

Cocksie - Another good question about Cecil. 

[cocksie]

Agree with you Ruskie.
It intrigues me why Ms George was so upset about the possibility (likelihood?) that an ancestor may not have the same social/moral "code" or behaviour that one may well have in today's world.  There is no way that ALL our ancestors have been squeaky clean and righteous souls (in their era and when viewed from years away) - life just doesn't work that way. 

My lot seem to stray or very nearly "cross that line" fairly regularly - but I am not sure I can judge as I was not there at the time, neither was I living in their world.  Doesn't make me feel bad or upset - although I do feel for them and the "victims" (which I often trace as well, out of interest and end up going "sideways" for quite a while).

After all, if my ancestors had not made their choices then I probably would not be here!
cocksie

[Wiggy]

Talking about squeaky clean - I find with mine that those who 'travelled free and with a push' to this fair land remained squeakier clean than those who came with the silver spoon in their mouths and thereafter managed to fall into bankruptcy, fraud, embezzlement etc etc!!      One even went to prison for 16 months!!   

It is all part of the rich tapestry which is our ancestry!!   Long may it remain so!

Yes A Chesters - I have two verifiable remarriages with sisters too - seems the obvious choice really doesn't it!   Sorts out all sorts of things!

Wiggy 

[Ruskie]

Couldn't agree more Cocksie - different worlds. In fact I wonder if Melissa's ancestor may even have been commended at the time for his harsh approach.

Yes A Chesters - I have two verifiable remarriages with sisters too - seems the obvious choice really doesn't it!   Sorts out all sorts of things!

Wiggy 

I have a second marriage to a brother, and a second marriage to a step-son  .  I've not found any criminal activity, but do have family stories of not very nice people.   

[cocksie]

Just been checking how often my male ancestors were marrying the sisters of their dead wives.  Not uncommon in my family particularly in the 1800s in UK and OZ. 

Seems logical to me .... am imagining ... if I am younger sister, living at home with mum and dad, my older married sister dies leaving husband and children.  Mum says "right we have to help out.  You, cocksie, are to go over and help with the children - poor old hubby "John" has to work and there are nappies to be changed.  Off you go, cocksie".  I don't have a car (or horse) and it is easier to stay at my brother-in-law's house as he has an early start and someone has to be there to look after the children.  This goes on for a couple of months, all relatively comfortable, am helping brother-in-law grieve, keeping house & children in order, cooking, washing ........ couple of hugs turn into a couple of kisses, turn into ....... next logical step is a piece of paper!

cocksie