Climbing our Family Tree

Edward Griffiths was born about 1807 at Manchester, Lancashire, England - son of Edward Griffiths, an engineer, and Elizabeth Jones (his parents according to his death certificate).

Julia Hunt was born Belfast, Northern Ireland about 1825, give or take a year; she appears to be the third daughter of five children to John Hunt and Catherine Ward (or Walls). Julia emigrated on the 2nd June 1839, arriving in Sydney, Australia, on the ship Garrow. The family, minus Isabella, then travelled on to Melbourne via the John Barry. [Julia is Rob's cousin, five times removed]

Julia and Edward married at St James Church of England, after Banns, on the 28th of June 1841, both being single and of the St James Parish. Julie's father gave permission for her to marry. The witnesses were Robert Crow (or Crone) and Ann Hunt, both of Melbourne. They all signed their names except for Julie, and because she was illiterate, she did not notice that the minister had recorded her name as Judith. edit: Since writing this bit, I have heard that Julie is considered by some as a diminutive form of Judith.

Twelve previous children were named on child Myra's birth certificate but few actual birth registrations have been found. Twelve children were named on both Edward and Julia's death certificates, little Myra who only lived seven days was omitted.

1842 - Thomas.

1843 - Francis (Frank) and George - twins - were both baptized. This shows up in the NSW online index, but not the Victorian cd. Frank and George are included on both Julia's death and Myra's birth certificates, ages indicating that they are twins.

1843 - George (twin), married Margaret Wake at Stawell in 1875. Margaret, at only 26, died due to complications early on in pregnancy on 25th February 1883; leaving three sons George, John and Francis. Margaret was born 24th January 1857 at Macclesfield, South Australia, the daughter of Anthony Wake and Mary Handyside. At the time of her death George was a farmer at Warra Warra, the Shire of Stawell. Margaret's grave has a headstone, and she is joined by two sons, a grandson, and a daughter-in-law. I have not found George's death as yet. Since he was only young, he may have remarried.

1846 - John Edward, known as Edward

1847 - Elizabeth, married William Curran and John Parker Wilson.

1849/1850 - Richard.

In 1850, Richard, Elizabeth and Edward were baptized at St Pauls Church of England, Melbourne. Their residence was noted as Allendale.

1852/1853 - James, died in 1869, aged 16.

1854/1855 - Blanche Rose Ann, married James Templar. In 1883 when Edward died, James was a farmer at Warra Warra. Blanche and James are buried in the Glenorchy cemetery in marked grave. James died, aged 60, on 4th April 1911. Blanche died 30th July 1926. They had at least seven children.

1856/1857 - Catherine, married Robert Crute - my great great grandparents.

1858 - William, died 1858, both birth and death registered at Glenorchy.

1859/1860 - William Charles, married Hannah Cooper.

1863 - Christina Isobel Julia, sometimes known as Julia, married Benjamin Cooper, Hannah's brother. They had about 11 or 12 children. Christina and Benjamin are buried at Glenorchy cemetery, both died in 1940. Their grave is marked. On our visit to the cemetery on Australia Day weekend 2007, by chance, we were fortunate to meet a grandchild of theirs.

27th September 1867 - Myra was born at Glenorchy. The accoucheur was named as Elizabeth Griffiths, there were no other witnesses, nor a nurse. I do not know who this Elizabeth is, but could be the eldest daughter who did not marry until the next year. Edward stated that he and Julia were married on the 28th of June 1841, but didn't say where. His occupation was a Carrier, and he was 58 years old, Julia being 40. The birth was registered on the 3rd of October, most likely the same day of little Myra's death, at 7 days if counting the day born.

Edward died 5th February 1883, aged 76, at Glenorchy. Edward's occupation was given as a carpenter. He died from dysentery after ten days of illness. He was last seen by Dr Bennett the previous day. Son-in-law, James Templar, registered the death on 6th January. On the 7th, Edward was buried in the Glenorchy cemetery, the undertaker being Thomas Lymer. The service was conducted by Thomas William Armstrong, a Lay Teacher with the Church of England. James told the registrar that Edward had been born in Manchester, Lancashire, England and had been in Victoria for 45 years. He said that Edward had married Julia Hunt when he was aged 35. Twelve children were listed on the death certificate.

On the 20th March 1912, Julia died at Glenorchy, aged 88 years. Julia had been bedridden, blind, helpless and suffering from 'Senile Decay' for the past four years. A bout of bronchitis lead to her death. During this time she most likely lived with her daughter Christina (Julia), as it was her husband Benjamin who registered her death. Julia was buried the next day at the Glenorchy cemetery, the burial conducted by the Church of England minister.

11th February 2007