What Happened To My Convict?!?

[Ratty]

Whilst 'googling' Footscray I came across a site for the Footscray Historical Society, so I've asked if they have any information about Thomas and gang in their records.  Thought it was worth a try, might turn up something interesting.  I'll let you all know what happens.
Donna

[gennig]

Hi Everyone

Donna - notice that your attachments are Tif images, are the originals?

As to where the marriage took place i'd say Kew, which is of course a fair way from Footscray but if people in the area thought you were married you'd probably go somewhere else to marry.

The Kew Baptist church, the other images on the page will be the same church are they any clearer?

Genni

[sparrett]

Hi Donna,
I too have emailed the Footscray historical society.  When you first posted your Thomas enquiry, I found a reference to a Thomas Albon on Rootsweb.  There is a part of this site called Aust & NZ contributions (or such) and when you put in a name, any book or newspaper reference to the name comes up.  
You can go to Ryerson index from there too.
Anyhow a book reference to Thom. Albon came up.  You only get the reference,not the actual 'quote'
The book is 'Punts, Pubs and Pastures' and it is about women in early Saltwater River which is now called Footscray.  The reference to Thomas Albon is on pg 15

 I tried to get at the book through my library, but could not be done.  Tried to locate it at another libray and they currently can't find it though it is cataloged as being held there.  I have contacted the hist. soc. in hopes, but after 10 days or so , no response.  They perhaps meet infequently.  We must be patient.  Sue .

[ozchook]

Hi Donna, If you go to www.whitepages.com.au you will find in Melbourne, Victoria, a concentration of Albon families, after you do a Victoria metropolitan search. I live in Melbourne, so if I can expedite things by phoning them for you, just let me know. Regards, Irene

[JAP]

Apologies all!

I had only looked at the residence of the bride and groom and both were clearly Footscray - Thomas a storekeeper, and Phoebe assistant in store.

But yes, the place of the marriage is Kew, and specifically at the residence of Joel MANSFIELD at Kew; and the marriage - by license - was conducted at Joel's residence by a Baptist Minister of Kew.  I guess the Sands & McDougall directory for that year might pinpoint where Joel's place was.  Phoebe's parents look to be John MANSFIELD (Wheelwright?) and Abigail BUSH.  Thomas's harder to decipher - Thomas ALBON (Laborer?) and Sarah possibly WRIGHT (or BRIGHT or KNIGHT).

Thomas (strangely) admits to no children at all (not even John Thomas ALBON and Alfred William ALBON, both of whom died in infancy) - perhaps he was just being delicate so as not to point to the fact that he and Phoebe had had children before they were married.  Phoebe however seems to get her children right - 3 living (that would be Joseph, Sarah Ann and Emma) and 5 dead (which would be Henry, Eliza, David, John Thomas and Alfred William); I guess, as a widow, there were no constraints on her admitting to have had previous children unlike 'bachelor' Thomas.

Donna, if that's the quality of the original download I'd certainly be requesting a more legible paper copy - gratis!

Cheers,

JAP

[Ratty]

Hi Genni
The way one gets the certificates is as pdf images which one then has to print off.  You don't actually get a download as such to save.  They give you several days to print the image and you can take as many copies as you want within that time.

Morniing Jap or should I say good afternoon, so it's Kew is it. I wondered ,then thought I was seeing things!  You were right with your assumption about the name of Thomas's mother it was Sarah Wright and his father was a labourer, in English census terms an 'ag lab'.  Mind you the majority of the population  in the area they were from did the same thing because that was the main form of employment.

Oh well, Sue, looks like the Historical Society is going to think Thomas is a popular chap!  I too had seen the reference to the book but thinking that there was no way I could get to see a copy had, I must admit, forgotten about it.  Would be interesting to know what it says though wouldn't it?

Hello Irene, welcome to the party!  Had a look at your link and taken a note of the names etc.  Thanks for the very kind offer of ringing them but I think I might wait just a little.  Thomas and Phoebe seem to have 'created' their own family and I don't want to upset anyone who might not know all the history.  Think it might be better to try and get a few more facts.  Very helpful to know there are Albon families still in the area though.

Donna

[gennig]

Hi Genni
The way one gets the certificates is as pdf images which one then has to print off.  You don't actually get a download as such to save.  They give you several days to print the image and you can take as many copies as you want within that time.

Sue

I save them to my computer all the time, If you don't have that option, PM me the numbers and I'll save them for you.

Cheers
Genni

[trish251]

Hello Everyone

After one minor comment, this thread appears in my "new replies to your post" list. I'm so glad I said something, as it is a most enjoyable thread. Sorry i can't add more. If only they knew the lengths we would go to - they probably would never have recorded anything. 

Trish

[Ratty]

Glad your're enjoying it Trish and you're probably right they wouldn't have said anything if they had of known that in a hundred years or so a pack of genealogists would have been hot on their heels!  Wonder what people will be thinking about us lot in a few hundred years!?!
Donna