Hi there,
Most likely the following matters have been considered previously, but perhaps across several threads. I apologise if I am duplicating any info, as I recall posting about the NAA digitised records for this chap quite some time ago.
BUT in August 1940, Robert J Crook of 59 Hannam St, Arncliffe would have been at least 55 years of age. He was a WWI AIF returned serviceman. It could well be he was on a Veteran’s pension due to War Service injuries, and thus had not been employed for a number of years. I also note that his AIF records show he was 31 years 10 months on enlistment in Oct 1916, so born circa 1884. His occupation back in 1916 was upholsterer.
If I had to choose between a death registered in 1976 and a death registered in 1950 for that chap, I think I would have obtained the 1950 dc ahead of the 1976 dc. The NSW BDM online index notes the 1956 chap’s mother’s given names as Eliza Victoria May, and of course other RChatters have given the 1938 NSW dc reference for a 76 year old Eliza Victoria CROOK.
The 1937 NSW ER has Eliza Victoria CROOK at the same address as Edith May CROOK and Robert James CROOK (ie 59 Hannam St Arncliffe).
The 1933 NSW ER has Eliza Victoria CROOK 47 Park St, Erskineville. There is no one else by that surname at that address. However, I do note there is a Robert James CROOK, and no one else by that surname at 21 Park St, Erskineville. That chap is a linesman. As I recall, linesmen could be employed by at least NSW GR and the PMG, as well as other non government companies involved in signalling equipment. It is quite possible that the chap on the 1933 roll at Erskineville was a single man, perhaps NEWLY enrolled perhaps he recently turned 21 years of age. It is possible that it was this chap who was the linesman on the NSW ER IN 1963 that is mentioned earlier and perhaps it was his death in 1976…. It is possible the 1950 death and the 1976 death are for chaps that are NOT related to each other.
As a further point of interest, the 1930 NSW ER has an Eliza Victoria CROOK at 17 Walker St, Waterloo, and there are NO OTHERS with that surname at that address.
May I also mention that back on the Robert J Crook’s AIF papers, his nominated his n o k as Edith May Crook and gave his address as 55 Walker St Waterloo. But of course that was Oct 1916.
Various State Libraries do have Electoral Rolls from those historic decades, including many that subscription websites have not uploaded. NSW Electoral Rolls of course are at NSW State Library.
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/using/search/index.aspx http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research_guides/indigenous/instructions/elec_rolls_1903_1989.html http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/archives-in-brief/archives-in-brief-5 http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/fh/electoral_rolls I should also note that there were quite strict MANPOWER restrictions to females leaving Australia during WWII, and then post WWII, the War Brides were filling up the liners in the years immediately after the cessation of those hostilities. There would have been very little opportunity for your elusive Edith May CROOK, born 1885 and her niece, born 1907 to have been accommodated on those War Bride liners. I think you will find that most of the brides were born after the WWI AIF chaps returned to Australia (ie 1919 and into the 1920s. ) I also think the fares that needed to be found for private persons travelling overseas from any Australian port (including airports) means the passengers needed deep pockets.
Cheers, JM
