Lunar Eclipse 1923

Posted on by under Briant's

Fingers crossed that tonight’s sky stays clear, so we can see the spectacular Lunar Eclipse on tonight’s full moon.

The East Coast of Flinders around March/April a magic spot to watch the full moon as it rises across the water – on the beach, Babel in the foreground having a BBQ, fishing with family and friends. The silver light as it comes across the water resembles a bright pathway. It’s easy to see why our old families so loved their home.

Great Uncle Henry Briant’s Diary of 1923: reveals on the 26 August 1923 he saw a Lunar Eclipse – a partial eclipse.

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Launceston 1903

Posted on by under Robinson's and Briant's

Looking up Brisbane Street toward Cataract Hill in 1903

Archie Holt was born in Sept 1903

Great Grandmother Adeline was hospitalised with complications of pregnancy in Dec 1903

Horse and carriage the mode of transport in this photo

Enlarge and be transported back in time!!

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Those who love a cold ‘Boags’ a few snaps of how it was styled in 1903!

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J & T Gunn in the early days

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Recherché Bay 7109 to Flinders Island 7255

Posted on by under Collis - Henry and Hannah

My siblings and I have by coincidence a paternal and maternal family history giving us two connections stretching from the southern tip to the northern tip of Tasmania.

Dad’s great grandparents Henry and Hannah Collis lived at Recherché Bay. They worked for the Education Department as teachers from the late 1860’s until transferring to Bass Strait in 1871.

Mum was 6 months old when her father Trooper Ken Johnson moved to his first country posting at Hythe in 1940. Hythe had a name change to Southport in 1969. Recherché Bay was part of the Hythe district.

Grandfather Ken was involved in the search for Critchley Parker – the search party dropped at Port Davey (in May) where they walked through the Southwestern Wilderness arriving at Maydena near New Norfolk quite a time later. Nan wrote of all her experiences as a young wife and mother of those times – she thought they had perished given the time of year and the area to be covered. Nan was relieved when grandfather returned home. Grandfather was quite ill and took a long time to recover. Grandfather had multiple splinters to both hands causing blood poisoning. Nan had to write all his reports for him.

Grandfather Ken was transferred to Cygnet in 1942 and in April 1944 he arrived on Flinders Island taking he position as Senior Constable. Mum remembers going to school and the end of WWII.scan0004

Robinson or Holt

Posted on by under Holt - Jimmy aka James Robinson, Horace Robinson

December 1914: This Telegraph article is about GGM Adeline Briant collecting money for the Christmas fund and articulates the Robinson/Holt’s surname indecision was still occurring.

Uncle Tucks sons Eric 4 & Ronnie 2 are named in this article as Robinson’s, whilst his siblings were still Holt’s. I had wondered if Uncle Eric had ever been known as Holt. Dad didn’t think so. This article answers that question.

James Robinson would be Tuck and Mrs James Holt his mother Emily. I’m guessing Horace had a tough time and met with more than a little resistance in getting the locals to adopt Robinson.

Henry Briant’s 1925 diary, Henry was still calling his next door neighbour, Horace, by Holt.

A correction note

Posted on by under James & Emily Robinson

A correction has been noted for Mary and Samuel’s Wedding & William and Johns births. All three events were registered in Launceston. The Robinson’s were living in Georgetown across the time frame of these events.

The notes stating Launceston have been corrected to Georgetown.

Thank you to my recently found, wiser/experienced family member for their gentle guidance.

Thanks LH for facilitating our contact in the first instance.

 

 

Queens Orphan School 1859

Posted on by under James Robinson date of birth

Ok this is worth posting about the Queens Orphan School

January 1859

William and John Robinson were admitted to the Queens Orphan School – Mary’s address documented as 82 Collins St along with Mr Britann (is Henry Brittain Licensed Victualler of 82 Collins St). Trove article. The publican of the Commercial Inn, Collins St Hobart.

The document is in this link  (images 49 and 50) states William and John were baptised in Georgetown, a correction required as I had noted in earlier notes William and John were born in Launceston.

A John Smith registered John Robinson’s birth several months later in 7 July 1856. John Smith noted as a friend and address Georgetown.

James ? (friend) registered Williams birth 2 years before.

August 1859

Samuel and William Smith admitted to the Queens Orphan School, the sons of John Smith and Caroline Grant of Launceston.

John Smith – a Launceston resident & occupation – ‘cook and waiter’……. deserted by wife Caroline, ‘moved to Cressy to live with another man’.

John Smith and Mary Robinson found themselves deserted by their respective spouses.

It’s probable the Robinson and Smith children spent time together in the Orphanage.

The name John Smith caught my eye as it appeared nine rows down on the registration document of John Robinson – seems a random John Smith having children in the orphanage across the same time frame as the Robinson children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heart Of Oak – Launceston

Posted on by under Collis - Henry and Hannah, John and Maryanne Holt

OK………. another family connection to the Heart of Oak Lodge in Daniel Wright husband of Clara Dora Collis, stumbled upon while looking at Peter Arnold’s Great Grandmother Clara Dora – her death and funeral notice establishing connection to the Heart of Oak No 84 Lodge Launceston. I don’t think this will be the last Holt/Collis connection to come to light. I just happen to know the perfect Wright descendant who maybe able to help out with the questions I have on the UAOD Heart of Oak or at least point me in the right direction. A few photos found (a side effect of researching another unrelated piece of family history as is often the case) about the UAOD throughout Tasmania – purely to view the dress code.

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Elizabeth Mary Holt

Posted on by under John and Maryanne Holt

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This amazing photo has Elizabeth Holt seated second from the left, younger sister May seated on the floor. James Parkinson behind Elizabeth second from left.

Elizabeth Mary Holt: first child to John and Mary Ann Holt.

May Holt was John and Mary Ann’s eighth child and third daughter.

Elizabeth’s grandmother also Elizabeth/Meg had a busy 1878, with the birth of first grandson William in March.

Husband John died in July after a 12 month illness.

Elizabeth Mary was born in Launceston on Christmas Eve.

Elizabeth’s granddaughter generously shared this photo in the hope of discovering more – initially I thought may have been an engagement party.

Today I ran a quick check of ‘Holt’ across the current digitised articles of ‘The Daily Telegraph’…… lo and behold found this article to fill in the gaps of this photo – wow!!!

The Wakatipu Ball held 8 September 1902 at the Albert Hall – a quick glance to see if perhaps any mention of Highland uniforms and bingo!

A quick look at the Weekly Courier reveals two more photos

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Further exploration of the Weekly Courier on the off-chance!!, almost missed it as photo’s started to blend with all the others!!

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Elizabeth married James Parkinson in 1904

Wakatipu – a rock off Flinders is named Wakatipu, discovered a while back when looking into the Willett history.

Mr Holt named along with the crew in decorating the Albert Hall for the ball. Again the Telegraph(thanks GGF Ed) informs both John and James had connections to the SS Wakatipu – steamer trading between Sydney, Eden, Devonport and Launceston.

S_S__Wakatipu Elizabeth’s granddaughter has many stories she captured from her mother and grandmother about life in Launceston and their connection to Little Dog. A different lifestyle to those of us raised in the Straits – a wonderful insight to having visit Little Dog each year, based on economics of the times through the eyes of the Holt women.

 I’m looking forward to reading this history handed through Elizabeth, Dulcie as told by Jan.

Here is are photos of the Wakatipu after the colliding with the Eurimbla

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Vale Peter Arnold

Posted on by under Collis - Henry and Hannah

Peter passed away earlier this year.

I am a lucky recipient of Peters, Collis family research through a recently found relative. I had hoped to meet Peter and was devastated as were our mutual family members when we learnt he had passed. 

From what I have heard and read, Peter had a great sense of humour and a courageous and sharing spirit. Bless you Peter! your work is and will continue to be a valuable and respected resource to be shared now and into the future.

If family or friends have a story about Peter they would like to share, please do!!

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Peter was able to help in the research about the Collis family who must have known William Legrand when they lived at Recherche Bay.