William Russell, WA

[gilmorg]

How can I track the above relative who arrived in Perth as a 20 year old immigrant from Scotland in 1925?  His brother David arrived in 1929 and is recorded as working on his brother's farm - unsure if that means a farm owned by his brother or where his brother worked.  Any suggestions appreciated.

[q98]

Hi gilmorg
Are you able to supply more info? For example middle names or initials, approx year of death, place of residence at death.  I MAY be of assistance if you can supply more data.

Q98

[gilmorg]

Thanks - his name was William Russell, born Dreghorn, Ayrshire on 13 January 1905.  No middle name.  Parents James Russell and Jessie Heron.  I've looked in the WA deaths as far as web records are available (1971 I think) but haven't found him so he may have died later than that.  It's not early enough for census records to be online.  I'd be very happy if I could find out the area he lived in.  Appreciate your offer of help.
Gillian

[cando]

This William RUSSELL born 1905

http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KO00160379

Cando

[q98]

Yeah Cando, that also was going to be my line of research.  However, there are simply so many.

I have located the following which may offer  gilmorg  an insight:

Throughout the first half of the 20th century W.A. was involved in a number of immigration schemes with Britain, which were intended to encourage immigration to the State.  The most significant scheme began in 1921 and was known as the Group Settlement Scheme under which settlers were to work in small groups to develop a number of dairy farms in the state's South West.  Britain and Australia agreed to share the costs of the migrant's passages, as well as the costs associated with developing the settlements.  Unfortunately very few records relating to Group Settlement have survived.

For most vessels sailing to Australia, Fremantle was their first port of call.  National Archives of Australia and Ancestry.com.au offer online access to Fremantle Passenger Arrival Lists.

There are two (2) David RUSSELLs recorded who may fit the bill:
http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=FC00007031 - born circa 1908
http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=MB00011873 - born circa 1907

From my perspective  gilmorg  , I would request a look-up on Fremantle Passenger Lists for both and hope brother David had an Australian address recorded.

q98
Fremantle
WA

[cando]

Yeah Cando, that also was going to be my line of research.  However, there are simply so many.

But not born 1905 

Further information from the Application Form may assist you
http://www.mcb.wa.gov.au/ResearchAndGenealogy/FuneralApplicationForm.aspx

or you have the option to purchase his death certificate from
http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/A/application_forms.aspx?uid=9700-1192-2181-1982

No ID documents needed for deaths more than 30 years ago.

Information on death certificates in WA should include names of parents including mother's maiden name; age; place of birth; occupation; cause of death; place of death and interment; informant; how long in Commonwealth and in each State if applicable; spouse; when and where married and issue of the marriage. Of this depends on the accuracy of the knowledge of the informant.

Cando

[cando]

According to the UK outgoing passenger records there are two David RUSSELLs leaving the UK in 1929 ticketed to Fremantle.  One is a farm worker who emigrated to Fremantle on the BALLARAT in 1929 has country of last permanent residence Northern Ireland.  Last address was Ballymacareney, Ballywood, Bambridge, Co Down.

This one looks like your man...David RUSSELL, 18 years, farm servant emigrated to Fremantle on the MORETON BAY arriving in Sep 1929.  Country of last permanent residence, Scotland.  Last address in UK  Whitefaulds Farm, Maybole.

Cando

[gilmorg]

Thank you Cando and q98 for the tips.  I've trawled the group settlement records (what a great source of info) and unfortunately the William Russells there are not my man.  I've also tried the electoral rolls but not knowing where he went, I might have to save that hunt for a rainy day as there are dozens of them.  I'm going to follow up the cemetery information as that will probably give me some family information that might confirm it's him.  More recent family research is a lot more difficult than hunting in the more distant past.  Many thanks, Gillian
PS His brother David moved on to New Zealand in 1938 - he was the 2nd one on your message Cando.

[q98]

It appears "Whitefaulds Farm" was still a farm in 2012, albeit probably not a working farm, see link:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/local-lifestyle/new-whisky-tourism-destination-opens-2411807