Looking for additional info on James McMillan d 1862 gold fields Vic.

[Siamblue]

Hi, I have a line of inquiry on my gtgt grandmothers husband, Who lived and worked in Draylesford Hepburn, Vic in the gold rush.
I have managed to find out he died in the Gold fields on the 25 Oct 1862 with a administrative probate on the 11 Dec 1862 death reg no. 8468-1862
His widow returned to Ireland with his 5 children all between the ages of 8 and newborn.
I know his death certificate is available I was wondering is there any other info out there as I don’t  have access to the Australian boards or have little knowledge, I can’t seem to find a grave for him either.

Regards Gary.

[bitzar]

Hi Gary

You are able apply for the death certificate from The State of Victoria here:

https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history

Usually the certificate is available to download within minutes.

It seems there is no monument at Daylesford for James.  Perhaps he was buried at a nearby cemetery instead of Daylesford, or there is just not a monument which is probably more likely.  The death cert will certainly detail this.

This email address from the 'Australian Cemetery's' website many be able to at lookup for you at Daylesford.

history@daylesford.net

All the best,

bitzar

[judb]

This is a reasonably common name but this may be your man -

Victoria, Australia, Coroner Inquest Deposition Files, 1840-1925 for James McMillan
Castlemaine District, Daylesford. 
Name:   James McMillan
Gender:   Male
Death Place:   Australia
Inquest Date:   27 Oct 1862
Inquest Place:   Table Hill, near Daylesford, Victoria
Cause of Death:   The deceased came by his death on Saturday last inst (25th) at Table Hill near Daylesford the consequence of a tree having accidentally fallen.

The attending doctor (James Peter Hill) states that he saw James McMillan 'much mutilated'.  Autopsy showed fractured spine, fractured ribs on the right side, fractured legs. "Any heavy substance falling on the body might have caused such injuries.  Death probably ensued very quickly as the injuries were so severe."

There is also a sad deposition from his 9 year-old son, George, who was helping to fell the tree.  George ran away when the tree began to fall but his father was caught by one of the branches which struck him on the back of the neck. "He never spoke afterwards"

Judith

[judb]

From what you have said you have looked at the estate Administration papers which have the names of his wife and children, and a statement from his wife that he has been around Daylesford for 9 years and has property there.  I did not see an inventory among these papers.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates

So sad - one child so young, not even named.

Judith

[shume]

The information on his death certificate is given at
https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au/efamily-history/5f3dc7b484b76d5a4c43c5a0/results?q=efamily

James McMillan  age 33 born Down, Mother Nancy (unknown) Father William, spouse unknown.
Reg 8468/1862
So purchasing the certificate wouldn't give you much more information, perhaps how long he was in the colony.
Strange that his parents names are known but not his wife, who would probably have given this information.
shume..... australia

[TreeSpirit]

It seems that James might have been buried in Daylesford General cemetery:

see burial #186: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJY-R92R-T?i=91

[shume]

Might be worth contacting this link for a volunteer at Daylesford to take a photo of his grave and quote Grave 8 Compartment 10.

https://www.findagrave.com/photo-request/search/cemetery/2269238?sortBy=newest&page=1#pr-10646326