Thomas (James) Steele

[Lil Boy Blu]

Last seen in school registrations for Coorpoora Qld in 1965 as enroller of 2 children.  Was partnered with Patricia Disher / Steele.  Has anyone come across him/them in their family histories. Pat received word around 1966/1967 that he was killed in a car accident. She passed away in 1976 in Cooma NSW and prior to that had limited contact with extended family.  Thank you in advance.

[sparrett]

Hi What is the name of the man?

Is it James? Is it Thomas.  Is his surname Steele?
The woman is Patricia Disher. Correct?
Sue

[Lil Boy Blu]

Sometimes known as Thomas Steele or Thomas James Steele.  Patricia's maiden name was Miller and she married James Disher.  In later years she was known as Steele and stated on some records as being married but marriage certificate was never found - only with Disher.  Same day and month but different years i.e. Disher - 25 June 1949, as stated on marriage certificate and Steele - 25 June 1960, as stated on youngest child's birth certificate in 1962. Could be the same person?

[CaroleW]

Received word from who re death in car crash?

When & how did James Disher die?    Could he have changed his name to Steele?  Did he have any criminal history?

[Lil Boy Blu]

Ok - a convoluted story.  Rumours heard by Pat's siblings (all deceased now) and told to us in 1988 that James was trying to obtain money from a 'car accident' which killed 2 of his children.  The children at this point had already been taken in by the Department so could this be a 'scam'? The eldest daughter (who remained with Pat until 14 and is now deceased) remembered plain clothed police officers coming to the home and telling Pat that her husband was killed in a car accident.  Not sure if this was around the same time period but at this point Pat was under the surname of Steele. Some confusion here as my late partner and his brother were boarded in a boys home in Victoria and on the paperwork it says 'deserted by husband'.  Neighbours and friends informed social services (who tried to find Pat in 1967/1968) that Pat had heard her husband had died 6 to 12 months back. 

James Islay Disher did spend time in prison in 1956.  Not sure what for. This was in the paperwork the NSW Department of Youth sent to another one of Pat's children in the 1980s.  I have done a search on both surnames and first names with GIPA - NSW Department of Justice and they couldn 't find anything.

Part of me just want to cut my loses in finding out the real story.  We have done DNA tests and they have all come back that 3 of the 6 children who had completed the tests are 100% connected to each other including my son's connection to them.  I will probably won't find that smoking gun - the moment that James decided to become Thomas (and why use his brother's first name).  Yes like I said a totally convoluted story. I guess I am trying to prove without a doubt as well as find his grave.

[shume]

DO you know in which state Thomas Steele died? Have you obtained Patricia's death certificate which could give you when and who she married?
There is a family tree on Ancestry which has Patricia Lois Ann Disher/ Steele/ Oliver. Cecil Oliver died 2004 at Cooma and there doesn't seem to be a marriage to between them on this tree.
shume  australia

[cando]

Did you respond to the last message on another thread?
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=861892.0

[Lil Boy Blu]

Yes just answered the previous thread regarding James Disher.  These 2 names seem to be linked together.

[Lil Boy Blu]

Trying to delete this post - any helpers?  Messaged to moderator goes unanswered.