Edward Alexander ALEX Rippingille abt 1855 • Brighton, Melbourne, Victoria

[sparrett]

As I recently spotted a person that I had never heard of, I resolved to rebuild all of my RIPPINGILLE family tree and with the the help of you good fellows at Rootschat, I have found that it is a far from a simple task and with a surprising number of bear-traps along the way.  It is soon apparent that it is impossible to just concentrate upon one person, without at the same time revisiting their context in the rest of the family! 
As we know to our expense, that family stories and myths are regularly found to contain much mis-information or even fibs that cover up some shame and that distort any attempts towards the realities and the inaccuracies of our family stories.
Perhaps, that even with our desire to record an intellectualy prove-able accuracy, it is the stories and the imaginations of the ancestors that remains even more fascinating.  His-tory is never just about a mathematical spreadsheet.

 

I, and I think I can say others helping you in this query, believe the accurate facts make a better family history than a collection of nice stories. Although enjoyable and often colourful, the nice stories are just enrichment, not replacement.

Assuming when you say "the person I had never heard of ..." you mean Christiana Brijah, I hope you no longer mistake her for an existing identity.

Best wishes for now.

Sue

[Neale1961]

Perhaps, that even with our desire to record an intellectualy prove-able accuracy, it is the stories and the imaginations of the ancestors that remains even more fascinating.

Fact is much more interesting and compelling than Fantasy.

“Truth is stranger than Fiction …” (Mark Twain)

[sparrett]

Found this in my previous notes so will post.

When closing his business in 1860 Alex noted his successors would be Messrs Sparey and Bryant, previously in his employ.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5685595?searchTerm=%22Alex%20rippingile%20%20%22

The man BRYANT was William BRYANT.

I would think it likely he was in some way related to Alexander's wife Elizabeth.
Sue

[Neale1961]

The man BRYANT was William BRYANT.

I would think it likely he was in some way related to Alexander's wife Elizabeth.
Sue

Yes Sue, I reached the same conclusion. I didn’t bother posting or going any further, because that would involve the terrifying and impossible prospect of acquiring a certificate.

[sparrett]