I’ve always thought that one of the saddest headlines in the old newspapers is “Missing Friends”. Friends covers relatives as well as friends. Many had left their home country, never to be heard of again. Some moved interstate, some just disappeared… how do you deal with that?
One of my favourite memories is seeing my parents sit at the kitchen table every weekend and write to their families. They took it in turn to write to Dad’s two sisters and for many years, his mother, as well as my Mum’s two sisters, brother and her father. Phone calls were quite costly then for interstate, so they only rang the families every month or so, unless someone was ill, then it would be more frequent.
My paternal grandmother would call her 'boys' and one of her daughters who lived away, every Easter and Christmas and on their birthdays.
For quite some time, it was on a party line... that meant that a whole lot of her neighbours would be on the same line. Each home had their own ring, so they knew when the call was for them. However, that also meant that if you lifted the receiver after it was answered, you could listen to the conversation.
No one admitted it of course, but what the 'nosey parkers' as they were named, was that lifting the receiver made a slight sound, so the parties calling always knew they were there. My Nona would then switch to Greek...and laugh as she heard one click after the other, and often a few choice words, as they couldn't understand her.
How times have changed... and though some people still go missing, either intentionally or not, communication is so much easier.
Do you recognise any of these names? Have you an ancestor who was lost to the family? My husband's great grandfather wandered off.. just where and exactly when, I have still to confirm, but John Goopy senior..even you can't hide forever!
I have no intentions of giving up on you...
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 10 September 1857
National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28632901
New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930), Wednesday 17 Jan 1857 National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article252089651
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Tuesday 17 January 1893, page 2
MISSING FRIENDS.
HELPING TO FIND LOST RELATIVES.
(The following is a list, taken from Lloyd's London Weekly Newspaper, of persons who left the United Kingdom for Australasia, or were last heard of in these colonies, and who are inquired for by friends in Great Britain. Answers to inquiries should be sent to the editor of Lloyd's, who has the addresses of the inquiring friends, and it is requested that in these answers mention should be made of the newspaper through which discoveries are made.)
NOVEMBER 27, 1892.
INQUIRIES.
BASTIN or BATSTONE, Hiram Robert, sailed for Australia in 1882, and last wrote to sister Emma on 7th February, 1887, from Coomba station,
N.S.W.
BENNETT, nee Emma Sibley, last heard of in Auckland. Sister Martha anxious. Australian papers please copy.
BERRY, James, left Chorley, and sailed in ship Fernslynn on 13th August, 1879 ; last heard of in Sydney, N.S.W., in 1884. His parents are broken hearted.
BETHELL, Mrs. Henry, nee Clatworthy, was last heard from in November, 1867, when her address was care of Mr. Jones, Burnet-street, Redfern, Sydney. Her husband was a builder. A nephew inquires.
BRAYTON, William Grindel, went to Australia fifteen or sixteen years ago ; last heard of in Melbourne six years since, working for Messrs. James McEwan and Co. at Suva, Fiji. Brother Jonathan inquires.
BRODIE, George, has not been heard of by his sisters Matilda, Sarah, and Charlotte for twenty-four years. Was in Queensland or Sydney.
BROWN, David, is sought by his sister Elizabeth. He at one time lived, care of Mr. James Phillips, 327 Simpson's road, Collingwood, Melbourne, but in July, 1837, wrote to say he was going to Bris-\bane in August; letters to be addressed to the Valley Post Office there. No news since.
CHAMPNESS, Alfred, wishes to know the whereabouts of his brother Frederick, who for some time lived with a Mr. Yates in "Collin-street, Aus-tralia," but was last heard of eighteen years ago,
when bailiff on a farm in Victoria.
CLEARY, James, of St. John's-wood, sailed about November, 1875, on board the ship Indes bound for Queensland, Australia. Sister Jane has had no news since 1876.
CROSS, William Moody, arrived in Sydney in the John Elder, 28th February, 1884, and was last heard of about a year later taking round milk, but trying to get into the Sydney Police Force. His mother longs for news.
DUTTON, George Vickers, is inquired for by his sister. Last known address; P.O., Grenfell, New South Wales.
EVANS, George, left Cwmbuela, Swansea, for Queensland seventeen years ago ; last heard of in India as fireman or engine driver on a steamer. Brother Jonathan wants tidings.
FOWLER, G., is sought by sister Alice; last known address in 1881, care, of Mr. McCaullum, Binya station, via Narrandera, New South Wales.
HARWOOD, John, left East India Docks in May or June, 1874, to join his sister Sarah in Brisbane. His sister-in-law Anne inquires.
HAYES, William, left Liverpool to go to Melbourne in 1866. Brothers David and Thomas seek him.
LEWSEY, Samuel, last wrote from Wentworth, when going to Northcote, Victoria. Sister Kate asks.
LUDDY, Norah, nee Granger, and John Luddy, formerly of Fulham, last wrote to sister Catherine on 20th December, 1874, when letters were to be addressed Maryborough P.O., Queensland. Supposed to have been in Melbourne six years ago.
MARLOW, Samuel, left Evesham on 19th October, 1889, and was last heard from May, 1890. Ad-dress: Care of Mr. J. Savage, contractor, Hughenden, Queensland. His aunt seeks him.
MASON, Joseph, aged 29, went to Australia in 1877; last known address: Estcourt P.O., by Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, His sorrowing widowed mother asks.
MOORE, John, late of Ballyshannon, Donegal, Ireland, went to Australia or New Zealand. Sister Anne seeks him.
MILLIKIN, Mr., who kept a public-house in Poland-street, Oxford-street, about 1857, and went to New Zealand in 1860, is asked to write by Samuel Fowler, who inquires from Dublin.
McDONNA, Francis, left 43 Aden-grove, Stoke Newington, about seven years ago, with his wife, for Sydney, N.S.W. His sister Meg would be glad to get news of him, and grateful if Australian newspapers would notice this. She in-quires from Colorado.
PARKS, Daniel Noon, last wrote to his mother on 10th September, 1888 ; he was then leaving ship Dunkeld, South Australia, and going to Bass Park, Western Port, Melbourne, Victoria. Any
news would be welcome.
PLUMB, Herbert, sailed from Plymouth on board the ship Sydenham bound for Australia in September, 1883. His last letter was dated 16th October, 1889; he was then a sailor on board the s.s. Defiance in Bass Strait, but bound for Auckland, New Zealand. His father, mother, and brothers long for tidings of him.
POLLARD, Henry, sailor, was last heard from when in Sydney, N.S.W., forty years since, then going to command a new vessel. Sister Mary Ann would be glad of any information.
POWER, Edward, sailed to India in the Sarah Sands in 1857, and afterwards settled in Melbourne. A reverend gentleman in London inquires.
RILEY, Samuel, left England, 24th June, 1869, and was last heard of in 1884 at Goangra Hotel, near Walgett, New South Wales. Brother Joseph.
ROSS, John, Sailed in the ship Auckland for New Zealand, March, 1885, and was last known to be in Sydney in 1890. His aged father seeks tidings.
SELL, Charlie, is sought by two sisters and his brothers. He went to Melbourne in December 1890, and last wrote from there, February, 1891, when he thought of going "up country."
SIMFIELD, Margaret Jane, married name Dixon is anxiously sought by her mother. Her last address was Kuranda, Queensland, Australia.
SMITH, Mary Philip, left Edinburgh in 1856 for Melbourne, and was last heard of at Ballarat in 1862; letters have been returned. She is re-quested to write to her brother James.
SMITH, George Goodson, baker, left his home in London about the middle of 1871 and went to Melbourne, Australia; he has not been heard of since 1872. His mother makes most anxious inquiries for him.
SMITH, Robert, left London with his wife Charlotte for Sydney in 1876; last news in January, 1888. Sister Ann.
SOWDEN, William Henry, of Cardigan-lane, Burley, Leeds, sailed about 1856 in the ship James Baines bound for Melbourne. When last heard from was at the gold mines there. Brother Albert.
SULLIVAN, Maggie, who was brought up by her aunt Lawlers, seeks tidings of her father, John Sullivan, who went to Australia some years back with his son Timothy and one daughter. His wife is dead.
TAYLOR, Alfred, wrote to his brother Jim in February, 1862, from 29 Liddle street, North Shields, when about to sail in the barque Dorothy for the Black Sea ; thought of going under the name of John Wooldrige. He has only written to his mother once since, from Bowens, when he said he had been at a sheep station at Yass, Australia. Any news of him would be grate-fully received.
WOODS, Martin, born at Killaloe, Ireland ; was last seen at Coppamore, Limerick, Ireland, in 1872 ; supposed now to be settled in Australia. Sister Hannah longs for tidings.
WOOLLARD, Edward, left Warwick for Australia thirty-four years ago; last heard of at Ballarat. Sister Sarah wants to find him; his wife is dead.
WYLDE, Edwin, left his home at Mock Tree, Downton Castle, Herefordshire, In March, 1881, and sailed from Glasgow for Queensland. When last heard from four years since was employed at Herberton claims. His sister seeks him.
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Monday 6 March 1893, page 6
National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3556519
MISSING FRIENDS.
HELPING TO FIND LOST RELATIVES.
(The following is a list, taken from Lloyd's London Weekly Newspaper, of persons who left the United Kingdom for Australasia, or were last heard of in these colonies, and who are inquired for by friends in Great Britain. Answers to inquiries should be sent to the editor of Lloyd's, who has the addresses of the in- quiring friends, and it is requested that in these answers mention should be made of the newspaper through which discoveries are made.)
JANUARY 8, 1898
INQUIRIES.
BIGGS, Samuel, left Naseby, Northamptonshire, in 1864; seven years ago he lived at Clunes, Victoria. His aged mother seeks him.
CASEY, nee BOREHAM.-John and Lucy went to Adelaide in August, 1875, and were last heard
of in 1880. A brother seeks news from Woolwich.
CASEY, Tom, left his sisters in Stockport about fifteen years ago for Plymouth en route for Australia. On arriving at Plymouth he wrote to say the ship (Queen Adelaide?) did not sail for two or three days he has not since been heard of. His only surviving sister wishes for news.
FELL, Mrs., about November, 1890, was in South Melbourne, Victoria. Her brother, Mr. Swann, seeks her.
GILBERT, Alfred and William, last heard of in 1874 from Melbourne. William was then president of the Sailor's Union of Victoria. a nephew asks.
GOODWIN, William John, was last heard of by sister Constance, July 1801, living at 4 Harrington-street, Sydney, N.S.W.
GUNN, Robert, shipmaster, was drowned in or near Christchurch, New Zealand, about 1884. Particulars of his family are asked for.
HINCKS, John, of Leicester, went to Hobart, Tasmania, eight years ago. His son James has lost all trace of him for three years.
JONES, James, painter, was last heard of twenty-five years ago, when with Mr. Tuheys, Auckland, New Zealand. Brother Edward seeks him.
LANE, Ann, inquires for her brother, Samuel Jones, and sister, Martha Simpson. Samuel left England forty-four years ago, and was last known to be living in William-street, Melbourne, Aus-tralia. Martha went to New Zealand about thirty-five years since, and last wrote home from Cox-street, Auckland.
LAVIN, William and Thomas, are sought by sister Louisa (Bessy). William left Stockport about 1850, and last wrote in 1861-2 from America; address then Pilliston Perry Post Office, Pennsylvania; was then farming; sup-posed since to be keeping a hotel in France. Thomas went abroad in 1854-5; believed to be in America or Australia.
LEONARD, Patrick, flax-spinner, native of Tyrone, left Ireland about twenty-nine years since. His eldest son John wishes to trace his sister Rachel, who went to Australia about twenty-nine years ago.
LETTS, Thomas Brewis, went to Australia from St Albans, Herts, twenty-five years back; last address in 1883, Post Office, Georgetown, Queensland. He then thought of going to South Africa. A nephew inquires.
McBRIDE, Helen, now Mrs. Christie, left Edinburgh, Scotland, for Melbourne about 1850-1. Her only surviving brother George seeks tidings.
McCARTHY, Mary, left England for Australia thirty-one years since in ship Utopia to join her cousin, Thomas McCarthy, dairyman, of Emerald Hill, Melbourne. Brother Tim inquires.
McCLURE, Robert James, who left Belfast about 1859 in brig Glenaln, of North Shields, would like to hear of his brother, John McClure, who was then a farmer, and also of sister Annie, who went to Australia in the John Lucy, and was then living in Geelong.
MITCHENALL, William, of Hamilton-road, Lower Norwood, went to Sydney, N.S.W., in the City of Venice ten years since; eight years ago was in Melbourne. His aunt, R. Kempshall, inquires.
PARSONS, Harriet, formerly Cockayne, left Birmingham for Sydney twenty-one years ago; last heard from twelve years since at Vavan, Friendly Isles. Sister Mary Ann asks.
PARTINGTON, George, son of ex-Police sergeant Partington, of Oldham, Lancashire, sailed for Australia on 10th September, 1887; last wrote home from Bendock sheep station, Hay, in 1888. His parents and sister long for news.
RAY or GREENSTREET, George, left Dover in November, 1876, for Sydney; when last heard from two years later was at work on the quay at Melbourne as striker. His aged parents wish for news of him.
ROBERTS, George, engineer, formerly of Newark and Merthyr, sailed for Sydney about twenty years ago. Brother Colin asks.
SLATER, John, native of Lewick, Shetland Isles, left for Australia about thrity-five years ago; last wrote from Gulgong, New South Wales. Nephew J. Thomas writes.
SMITH, Robert Fuller, bricklayer, last heard of living at Cardigan-street, Melbourne; was then working at Jarowberd new asylum. Sister Elizabeth seeks news.
SPENCER, Mrs. Sarah, inquires for her son, James Spencer, and her daughter, Kate Clogg, who sailed in SS Glamis in 1884, and whose husband died in the Melbourne Hospital, leaving her with two children.
