Tuesday 5 December 2023

STRANGE BEQUESTS 5th December 2023








Making a will is something that most of us will do or will intend to do. However not all wills are straight forward, some not intentionally, others, well... they are different. 

I'm not quite sure which of these will make you sigh, or laugh, or simply shake your head. 

Strange is one word to describe some of these bequests.. others are simply unbelievable.

You can click on the images to enlarge or go directly to the originals via the links.


Kilmore Free Press (Kilmore, Vic. : 1870 - 1954), Thursday 20 March 1919, page 1  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59659671







Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1860 - 1927; 1929 - 1931; 1933 - 1938), Friday 4 January 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101400215




Kilmore Free Press (Kilmore, Vic. : 1870 - 1954), Thursday 20 March 1919, page 1 


Strange Bequests. A well known citizen of Brooklyn, alike renowned for his wealth -and eccentricity, died a short time ago, and his last will and testament was found by his sorrowing relatives, with whom he had been at odds during his life, to contain the following curious bequest' I own seventy one pairs of trousers. It is my desire that they be sold by auction after my death and that the proceeds of the sale shall be distributed to the deserving poor of my parish. They must, however, be disposed of several to different bidders, no single individual being permitted- to purchase more than one pair.' These directions were duly carried out by the heirs-at-law. The seventy one pairs of trousers were successively knocked down to as many purchasers, and their price was handed to the parochial authorities, A few days after the sale one of the buyers took it into his head to make a careful examination of his newly acquired property and he found a small canvas bag neatly-sewn in the waist band. Upon opening this bag an agreeable surprise met his gaze in the shape of ten one hundred dollar notes. The tidings of this pleasant discovery spread like wildfire through Brooklyn and New York and each fortunate purchaser of a pair of these pantaloons was rejoiced to find his investigation rewarded by the acquisition of a sum equivalent to $200. Vindictive will making is so despicable that it is humiliating to find it so common. Only a short. while since a wealthy magnate after leading his wife to believe herself his legatee left her one shilling, and bequeathed $72-000 to others, including $3500, to a servant she disliked. 

Another man left all his money to his wife, hut stipulated that she should forfeit $200 every time she appeared in public, unveiled, $200 every time she smiled at a man, and $1000 if she permitted a man to use an endearing term or to kiss her. The meanest of all, however, was the man who left his wife a farthing, with directions that it should be sent to her in an unstamped envelope. One disillusioned testator wrote in his will, “During my married life I have always declared that my wife was the dearest woman in the world, and I am convinced that should any other man be rash enough to marry her he will find it so. To deter, as far as possible; anyone making such a ruinous experiment I leave her nothing.” 

A lady who died lately says in her will ' As to my sisters and nieces, nephew and brother in law and cousin, nothing. Nothing shall come to them from me but a bag of sand to rub themselves with. ~ None deserve even a goodbye. I do not recognise a single one of them.’ 

Harriet Martineau, the famous authoress, willed herself away in parts. She announced her intention of leaving Mr Toynbee,  her ears. ' But, my dear madam,’ observed her doctor, ' you cannot do that; it would make your other legacies worthless.' 

She had, in fact, already willed away her head to the Phrenological Society, and had left the doctor LlO in her codicil for cutting it off. 



World's News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 1955), Saturday 28 November 1925, page 25 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131453281





Wongan-Ballidu Budget (WA : 1941 - 1954), Thursday 26 May 1949, page 4  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article253447194


This will be the final issue for this year as I take a break... the next will be in January. Thank you all for your encouragement.. and support.
If you want to be sure not to miss any, you can always subscribe. You won't get anything other than the weekly posts. It's easy to do so.. click on the notice in the side panel.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.


Tuesday 28 November 2023

ESCAPED CONVICTS Trove Tuesday 28th Nov 2023


To enlarge, please click on the clippings ...

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Thursday 11 February 1886, page 2   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173944012


Rottnest Island Prison







William Buckley, State Library Victoria   H30879
Further story re William Buckley


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Bendigo#/media/File:HM_Prison_Bendigo.jpg





A list of some other posts re escaped/absconded convicts can be found at the end of this post

Tuesday 21 November 2023

"FAMOUS" CONVICTS Trove Tuesday 21st Nov 2023

 






"Famous" may be not the quite word to describe all those in the following excerpts, but it does get attention.

This is more about the lives they led in these difficult times and how some prospered despite their early history. As one of many who had convicts in their family tree, I always want to learn more of what they had to overcome.

You can click on the "image" to enlarge or you can see the original by clicking on the link when available.


Berrima Jail


The World's News (Sydney, NSW/ 1901-1955)


Biz (Fairfield, NSW : 1928 - 1972), Wednesday 6 November 1963, page 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189519728




Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent (NSW : 1887 - 1932), Friday 2 August 1895, page 6    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228226453




Australia's last living convict bucked the trend of reoffending..


Swan River Colony received the last shipment of convicts to Australia. (Jane Eliza Currie, Panorama of the Swan River Settlement, 1831).(

Tuesday 14 November 2023

RETURNING TROOPS WW1, Trove Tuesday 14th Nov 2023




StateLibQld_2_179687_Military_parade_of_the_1st_Contingent,_marching_in_

Queen_Street,_Brisbane,_1914.jpg


These articles are but a few of the collection 
to be found in TROVE.
While the soldiers were in many ways happy to be home, it was also for some, mixed feelings about being able to settle into domestic life again.


These mainly young men had seen sights they would never be able to speak about, made great mates, though many of them would not be returning. Some were worried about how they could ever return to their former lives..or jobs.


Women had been employed in various jobs that would never have been accepted pre war.. and many didn't want to give them up. Hospitals were overcrowded and there weren't enough beds for all, even in the military hospitals. 


If you haven't already, you can look for your connections via record search Almost all WW1 records held are free to all. You will find some still restricted, though not many. Search TROVE for articles in your family areas re returning soldiers, stories of their hometown, how were they welcomed, etc.


Some of these articles may be a little hard to read, you can always go to the highlighted link to see the original.


West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 24 April 1919, page 6     http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27602452





Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (NSW : 1894 - 1954), Thursday 4 July 1901, page 1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72495557



Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Friday 22 August 1919, page 9 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5617483


AWM_P00220_South_Australian_Mounted_Rifles_1900.jpg


Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Tuesday 27 August 1901, page 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114027475

Trooper.  A04508_New_South_Wales_Mounted_Rifles_1900

Great Southern Herald (Katanning, WA : 1901 - 1954), Saturday 27 September 1919, page 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146142432

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Wednesday 5 November 1919, page 11 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5640595