Florence TOPLIS was born on the 20th October, 1894 at 24 Dickens Street, Pendleton, Salford, part of Greater Manchester City, Lancashire. She was the third child of eight of William TOPLIS (1869 Manchester - ?) and Louisa FRODSHAM (1871 Aston, Warwickshire - 1954 Bowen QLD). William's occupation is listed as Electrician (Journeyman).
This part of suburban Pendleton does not exist any more. During the 1960s, major slum redevelopments occurred, and this area was turned into Salford Shopping City and high density, high-rise housing estates.
The 1901 Census shows Florence, aged 6, and her family living at what looks like 1 Print St, Manchester. I have had a look at the other Census pages in this area, and they are all streets close to Manchester Piccadilly Station. However, Google Maps do not show anything remotely like Print St. Florence's father William's occupation is listed as Stationery Engine Driver, and her mother's occupation as Office Cleaner. There are two young ladies living with them whose occupations are listed as General Domestics. They may well be the Toplis servants.
Florence's parents either divorced, or William passed away prior to her mother and siblings emigrating to Australia on the SS Owestry Grange. The ship arrived in Townsville from London on the 17th March 1910.
On the 19th of March 1914, Florence married 29 year old Ernest Vincent O'NEILL in the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Prairie, Queensland - a tiny little town on the Flinders Highway about 50km from Hughenden. Her marriage certificate states that at the time, Florence resided in Prairie, whilst Ernest resided in Sellheim, some 221km distance from each other. The were married according to the rites of the Church of England. The witnesses to their marriage were Michael Christian Romer (unknown) and Rosina Toplis (Florence's sister).
In 1918, the infant daughter of Ernest and Florence, Mavis, passes away from infantile tetanus (have certificate but have temporarily misplaced it).
The electoral roll for 1919 shows Ernest and Florence residing at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate, Townsville, with Florence's occupation listed as "Home Duties". 1919 also sees the arrival of their son, Ronald, born on the 18th of April of that year.
The electoral roll for 1925 shows both Ernest and Florence living at Sellheim, near Charters Towers. I would presume that Florence and family have moved here for Ernest's work reasons.
Five years later, and the O'Neills are back at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate.
In 1942, their son Ronald enlists to join the fight for empire in World War II from Merinda in Bowen.
During WW2 in the early 1940's, Flo was known to turn up on the platform of the Bowen Railway Station and serve tea and homemade cakes and biscuits to the troops as they passed through Bowen.
The 1949 electoral roll again shows family movement; this time the O'Neills are living in Bowen, Far North Queensland. Ernest was working at the Merinda Meatworks as a carpenter. The Meatworks closed in 1998 and were completely demolished in 2004.
In 1954, Florence's mother Louisa passed away in Bowen. Florence provided the certification and details on her death certificate, and stated that the O'Neills then lived at Queen's Beach, Bowen.
Florence's husband passes away on the 8th of October, 1958 in Bowen.
Florence's only living child, Ronald Francis O'Neill dies in May 1976, leaving Florence a widow, and childless.
Florence's generosity is known to many in Bowen, as she hosts afternoon teas for the children of the neighbourhood.
At the age of 94, Florence died in July 1989 in Bowen North Qld.
*With thanks to Ray & Judy Clitheroe (a Toplis descendant) and Julie Dern for BDM & burial information look-ups
*Birth Cert on file.
*Marriage Cert 1914/1818 on file.
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Monday 13 October 2008
Ernest Vincent O'NEILL 1885-1958
Ernest Vincent (Pop) O'NEILL was born on the 20th August 1885 in Carroll Gap, NSW, the eldest child of Patrick Joseph O'NEILL, a labourer, and Christina Janet PATERSON. Ernest's birth was witnessed by Mrs Walker, who I presume may have been the widwife of the area.
Despite Ernest being born at Carroll Gap, Ernest's father's residence was Currabubula, some 73km distance by today's roads (via Tamworth). This same situation seems to have occurred for the birth of the O'Neill's second child. Perhaps Christina travelled to where Mrs Walker lived in order to give birth. This is unclear at this stage.
Ernest's father died of throat cancer in 1892 when Ernest was 7 years old. Ernest's mother never re-married, so presumably raised the children on her own.
Family legend says there was some sort of falling out between Ernest and his family as he moved north to Queensland, and never spoke of them.
The Queensland electoral rolls then assist me in tracing Ernest's movements as an adult.
At the age of 28, we find Ernest working as a carpenter in Townsville, North Queensland, and living at the Excelsior Hotel, according to the 1913 electoral roll.
This photo of the Excelsior was taken during WWII, in the 1940s. Many thanks to Peter Dunn's "Australia at War" website.
In 1914, Ernest married a 19 year old English girl, Florence TOPLIS, at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Prairie, Queensland - a tiny little town on the Flinders Highway about 50km from Hughenden. Her marriage certificate states that at the time, Florence resided in Prairie, whilst Ernest resided in Sellheim, some 221km distance from each other. The were married according to the rites of the Church of England. The witnesses to their marriage were Michael Christian Romer (unknown) and Rosina Toplis (Florence's sister).
Florence emigrated to Australia with her mother and siblings in 1910 on board the SS Oswestry Grange ex London. She was born in Pendleton, Salford, part of Greater Manchester City in Lancashire on October 20th, 1894. Her parents were William TOPLIS and Louisa FRODSHAM. They were either divorced or William has died in the years before Florence emigrated to Australia. (More research required).
In 1918, the infant daughter of Ernest and Florence, Mavis, passes away from infantile tetanus. I have mislaid Mavis' death certificate, but it was unclear how old Mavis was. I think she may only have been a few days old.
The electoral roll for 1919 shows Ernest and Florence residing at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate, Townsville, with Ernest's occupation again listed as carpenter. 1919 also sees the arrival of their son, Ronald, born on the 18th of April of that year.
The electoral roll for 1925 shows both Ernest and Florence living at Sellheim, near Charters Towers. I would presume that Ernest and family have moved here for work reasons.
Five years later, and the O'Neills are back at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate.
In 1942, their son Ronald enlists to join the fight for empire in World War II from Merinda in Bowen.
The 1949 electoral roll again shows family movement; this time the O'Neills are living in Bowen, Far North Queensland. Ernest was working at the Merinda Meatworks as a carpenter. He retired from the Meatworks in 1953. The Meatworks closed in 1998 and were completely demolished in 2004.
In 1954, Florence's mother Louisa passed away in Bowen. Florence provided the certification and details on her death certificate, and stated that the O'Neills then lived at Queen's Beach, Bowen.
Ernest passed away suddenly on the 8th of October, 1958 at the Bowen Base Hopital. His cause of death was Cerebral Thrombosis. He was buried on October 9th, at the Bowen Cemetery.
The following notices were published in the Bowen Independent of 17th October 1958;
OBITUARY
The death occurred on 8th October of Mr. E. O'Neill. The deceased was a former Townsville resident, who later went to the Merinda Meatworks, from which he retired five years ago to his home at Queen's Beach.
THANKS
We wish to thank sincerely the business people of Bowen and Queen's Beach, workmates, close friends and firends of the late Ernest (Pop) O'Neill for the wreaths, messages of sympathy and condolences and those who helped in every way in our sudden and sad loss.
FLO, RON & ROSE O'NEILL.
*Birth Cert 1885/032925 on file
*Death Cert 1958/4309 5991 on file
*Marriage Cert 1914/1818 on file
*With thanks to the State Queensland of Library "Ask a Librarian" service for the obituary notices.
Despite Ernest being born at Carroll Gap, Ernest's father's residence was Currabubula, some 73km distance by today's roads (via Tamworth). This same situation seems to have occurred for the birth of the O'Neill's second child. Perhaps Christina travelled to where Mrs Walker lived in order to give birth. This is unclear at this stage.
Ernest's father died of throat cancer in 1892 when Ernest was 7 years old. Ernest's mother never re-married, so presumably raised the children on her own.
Family legend says there was some sort of falling out between Ernest and his family as he moved north to Queensland, and never spoke of them.
The Queensland electoral rolls then assist me in tracing Ernest's movements as an adult.
At the age of 28, we find Ernest working as a carpenter in Townsville, North Queensland, and living at the Excelsior Hotel, according to the 1913 electoral roll.
This photo of the Excelsior was taken during WWII, in the 1940s. Many thanks to Peter Dunn's "Australia at War" website.
In 1914, Ernest married a 19 year old English girl, Florence TOPLIS, at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Prairie, Queensland - a tiny little town on the Flinders Highway about 50km from Hughenden. Her marriage certificate states that at the time, Florence resided in Prairie, whilst Ernest resided in Sellheim, some 221km distance from each other. The were married according to the rites of the Church of England. The witnesses to their marriage were Michael Christian Romer (unknown) and Rosina Toplis (Florence's sister).
Florence emigrated to Australia with her mother and siblings in 1910 on board the SS Oswestry Grange ex London. She was born in Pendleton, Salford, part of Greater Manchester City in Lancashire on October 20th, 1894. Her parents were William TOPLIS and Louisa FRODSHAM. They were either divorced or William has died in the years before Florence emigrated to Australia. (More research required).
In 1918, the infant daughter of Ernest and Florence, Mavis, passes away from infantile tetanus. I have mislaid Mavis' death certificate, but it was unclear how old Mavis was. I think she may only have been a few days old.
The electoral roll for 1919 shows Ernest and Florence residing at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate, Townsville, with Ernest's occupation again listed as carpenter. 1919 also sees the arrival of their son, Ronald, born on the 18th of April of that year.
The electoral roll for 1925 shows both Ernest and Florence living at Sellheim, near Charters Towers. I would presume that Ernest and family have moved here for work reasons.
Five years later, and the O'Neills are back at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate.
In 1942, their son Ronald enlists to join the fight for empire in World War II from Merinda in Bowen.
The 1949 electoral roll again shows family movement; this time the O'Neills are living in Bowen, Far North Queensland. Ernest was working at the Merinda Meatworks as a carpenter. He retired from the Meatworks in 1953. The Meatworks closed in 1998 and were completely demolished in 2004.
In 1954, Florence's mother Louisa passed away in Bowen. Florence provided the certification and details on her death certificate, and stated that the O'Neills then lived at Queen's Beach, Bowen.
Ernest passed away suddenly on the 8th of October, 1958 at the Bowen Base Hopital. His cause of death was Cerebral Thrombosis. He was buried on October 9th, at the Bowen Cemetery.
The following notices were published in the Bowen Independent of 17th October 1958;
OBITUARY
The death occurred on 8th October of Mr. E. O'Neill. The deceased was a former Townsville resident, who later went to the Merinda Meatworks, from which he retired five years ago to his home at Queen's Beach.
THANKS
We wish to thank sincerely the business people of Bowen and Queen's Beach, workmates, close friends and firends of the late Ernest (Pop) O'Neill for the wreaths, messages of sympathy and condolences and those who helped in every way in our sudden and sad loss.
FLO, RON & ROSE O'NEILL.
*Birth Cert 1885/032925 on file
*Death Cert 1958/4309 5991 on file
*Marriage Cert 1914/1818 on file
*With thanks to the State Queensland of Library "Ask a Librarian" service for the obituary notices.
Monday 6 October 2008
Christina Janet PATERSON (AKA PATTERSON) 1857-1919
Christina Janet PATERSON was born at Goonoo Goonoo/Wallabadah, NSW on the 10th February 1857.
Her parents names were Thomas PATERSON (8/3/1821 Scotland - 24/3/1857 Newcastle NSW) and Christina LOCH (19/10/1838 Goonoo Goonoo (or possibly Scone as suggested by some other family trees on Ancestry.com)- 25/3/1910 Tamworth NSW). Christina's parents were married in 1856 in accordance with Presbyterian Rites at Wallabadah. Christina's birth was witnessed by Mrs Douglas.
Christina's father Thomas Paterson, a station overseer, died a month and a half after she was born, and only 7 days after he registered Christina's birth at Tamworth. Christina was the only child of that marriage. Christina's mother, Christina Loch remarried Thomas BURKE when her daughter was approximately three years old.
Christina married Patrick Joseph O'NEILL at Keepit on the Peel River (probably at St Patrick's Church) on the 9th June 1884. They were married according to the rites of the Church of Rome by the Officiating Minister, the very Reverend Thomas ENGLISH, Vicar General of Maitland. The witnesses to the marriage were Daniel Joseph BURKE and Mary Teresa O'NEILL.
Daniel Joseph BURKE (1862-1926) was Christina Patterson's half-brother. His parents were Thomas BURKE & Christina PATTERSON (formerly Loch) who were married in 1859.
There are a couple of possibilities as to who Mary Theresa O'NEILL might be. It could be Patrick's sister Mary (who died a spinster, but I have no record of Teresa being her middle name). Or it might be Patrick's cousin Mary Theresa O'NEILL who was by then married to Samuel ROWLAND.
Patrick and Christina had four children before Patrick's untimely death in 1892 at the age of 40 from throat cancer (written as 39 on his death certificate and gravestone). Their children were Ernest Vincent b 1885 at Carroll Gap, May Gertrude b 1887 at Pine Hills Estate near Carroll, William Thomas b 1889 and Leslie James b 1891.
Christina passed away on the 25th June 1919 at the District Hospital, Manilla NSW. Her causes of death were Influenza (duration 7 days), Broncho pneumonia (duration 6 days) and heart failure (duration 3 days). She was last attended to by the Doctor Hugh Rayson, and the Matron of the hospital, C Gilchrist certified the death, with other details provided by her daughter May, residence Manilla.
Captain Hugh Rayson was the Medical Officer for the 57th Battalion during the Battle of Fromelles (19th /20th July 1916).He was awarded the Military Cross, and attended to Christina only 20 days after having discharged from the A.I.F. He was quick to enlist for World War II and became a prisoner of the War, but was lucky enough to survive. He died in Kempsey in 1961. To these men, we owe everything.
Christina's four children were all still living upon her death; Ernest, 34 years, May, 32 years, William, 29 years and Leslie, 27 years.
Christina was buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Manilla on June 26th 1919. The undertaker was Mary Elliott, and the minister who performed the service was Father John Gibbons, PP (Manilla Parish priest 1912-1928). Two witnesses to her burial were G. J. Boland and G. Coppins. She has a headstone and a memorial plaque at Manilla Cemetery. Her headstone has a spelling error in her Christian name, and her memorial plaque is in her maiden name, Patterson, however mentions her husband, Patrick O'NEILL.
With many thanks to the excellent Australian Cemeteries site, http://cemindex.arkangles.com
Death Cert 1919/016191 held on file.
Birth Cert 1857/011368 held on file.
Marriage Cert held on file.
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