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nudge

Good morning, hope all well in Australia. I am helping a neighbour with his tree and have unearthed some interesting stories. One is that an uncle Bernard Hicks born 1909/10 Twickenham, Middlesex, England emigrated to Australia and was Knighted.

I have searched on the London Gazette where awards are usually published but no luck.

The only ref I can find to him is on a passenger list as below going from Australia to California:-

Name: Bernard Hicks
Arrival Date: 3 Jul 1943
Age: 34
Birth Date: abt 1909
Birthplace: Twickenham, England
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: English
Ship Name: Matsonia
Port of Arrival: San Francisco, California
Port of Departure: Brisbane, Australia
Last Residence: Australia


can you find anything else out about him please, regards Jennifer

Hi Jennifer

How do you know he was knighted? Or is it a family story?

Nothing about him in the papers here either.

B Hicks b. 1909 went from London to Melbourne in 1937. Though he left from Brisbane in 1943 so seems odd, though possible.

Was he travelling with anyone i.e. another Hicks?

Hi, yes it is a 'family story' and you know how reliable they are! I'll quiz my neighbour again.

I would have thought that if it was true it would have been in The London Gazette.

The thing that is true is that Bernard's father who was also my neighbour's grandfather drowned in the SS Maori on 1909 off the coast of South Africa. (Bernard's brother Mervyn was my neighbour's father who died in WW2 when his plane was shot down)

I thought it a bit odd that Bernard was going to California aboard a ship at the height of the 2nd world war.

Thanks anyway, Jennifer

nudge

Hi Cherilyn
Please could I ask if you would look up another name for me. You have been such a help before!
This time it is for a Joan Nicholson. She was born in NZ in 1914 and her parents were Harold Scott Nicholson and Hilda Ellen Nicholson, neé Kelsey, and they lived in Levin NZ. Harold and Hilda died in '59 and '61 respectively but I can find no record at all of their daughter Joan after 1938, which was on an electoral roll living with her parents. I wondered if perhaps she had gone to Australia at all.

The odd thing is that she was not listed on her parents death certificates so may have died before them but a very kind person has been checking records and drawn a blank.

Trouble is I have no idea where in Australia she could have gone too if she did. Sorry, that's probably a big ask!
Daphne

Ah Daphne, the impossible I can do, but miracles are not my thing at all...

Jokes aside, this really is a tricky one, esp as if she married, there is no way of tracing her without that information.

Sorry :(

Ok Cherilyn. :) Did think it was going to be too big an ask but I'm trying every avenue I can think of!!
Daphne

No worries!
:)

nudge

nudge

Hi Cherilyn.
I hope you could help me,the state is Victoria,im looking for the details if any of a Mary Smith born circa 1866,died 1896,in a place named Stawell,fathers name Saunders Smith,mothers name Bridit Sullivan,would it be possiable to find out where the father Saunders was born,
many thanks.
Terry

Hi Terry

Actually it appears her father was George SAUNDERS and her mother Bridget SULLIVAN, with SMITH being her married name. The way these records are formatted may make it appear otherwise, but I assure you this is the case.

Surname: SMITH
Given Names: Mary
Event: D
Father: Saunders Geo
Mother: Bridt SULLIVAN
Age: 30
Death Place: Stawell
Year: 1896
Reg. Number: 11486

Possible marriage as May SAUNDERS, born Tasmania, to Jas Hugh SMITH b. Ararat, in 1889 (reg 7715). No children found.

Stawell is approximately 240km north-west of Melbourne, in the western goldfields.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Cherilyn.

nudge

I have a Esau Risby born 1809 Cornwall who was transported to NSW Australia on the Marquis of Huntly in March 1835 I have located Esau Risby Ticket of Leave in 1843 and his Pardon in 1847 Esau Risby was assigned to a Rev G K Rusden in Maitland NSW but I have been unable to find any marriage or death for him in NSW.. I feel that he may have moved to another state. Could you please check Queensland and Victorias records for an entry for Esau Risby.
Kind Regards
Allan and Kay

I am wondering if Esau changed his name to Joseph?

There is a marriage for Joseph RISBY to Mary ROBSON in 1838 in the Maitland area (where you mention he was assigned). It appears their 8 children were also born there (1841-59). Joseph was an innkeeper in West Maitland (Rose, Shamrock & Thistle). Wife Mary took it on after his death - it was then called Falls Hotel - not sure if the same one.

These are the only RISBY births in this period in NSW. Seems a big coincidence.

Joseph RISBY died in Maitland in 1863, son of Thos & Ann (reg 4251). Hmm, age does not quite fit.

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, Thursday 5 November 1863
On the 1st instant, at his residence, Oakhampton-road, West Maitland, Mr. Joseph Risby, aged 62 years, leaving an affectionate wife and family, and a large circle of friends to lament their loss.

From www.trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper

Ah there was an Isaac RISBY who died in 1855 aged 45; he is buried in West Maitland Cemetery. Certainly fits the year of birth better.

Esau could have been taken as Isaac...just a thought!

FYI:
Established in 1850 as the Rose , Shamrock & Thistle Hotel, renamed Falls Hotel in 1860. Closed February 1923 and the license transferred to the Australia Hotel, Cessnock.

From http://www.gdaypubs.com.au/NSW/maitland.html (with photo)

Hi Cherilyn,

A great big thank you for your reply to my query on Esau Risby. Esau Risby fathers name was Issac Risby so I feel that the Isaac Risby who died 1855 is my Esau Risby. The Joseph and Mary Risby is not connected. Joseph fathers name is not the same.

You mentioned that Esau Risby is buried in West Maitland Cemetery. May I ask the source relating to Maitland Cemetery.

Thank you once again for your extensive research on my Esau Risby.

Cheers
Kay and Allan P