Family History Mysteries

In 1911 in Victoria, the validity of Catherine Moore's will was questioned by her biological son, who she refused to acknowledge was her child when alive. Catherine had three sons, one of whom was a very interesting man - so interesting, that I created a Bonus Episode (Bonus Episode #38) on them!

Professor Addison died in NSW in May 1928. He bequeathed his estate to a Nurse Kerr and Ethel Celia Curtis but there was drama in the equity court surrounding his will in August 1929.

I did a presentation with the Echuca Moama Family Historygroup recently, and I had a request to look into the story of Abraham Flower and his family

*Warning – this episode contains themes that may be distressing for some* William Frederick Ogilvie was only 48 when he died due tosuicide in 1920. His estate was worth 50,000 pounds and was described as a wealth squatter.

In 1916, it was reported that two brothers, Jack and Hughie Mehegan had met after being estranged, while both were stationed in England in WW2. This is their story.

Vernon Esson, also known as Bernard Scarrett Esson, Verne Esson or Scarlett Vernon Esson, was charged and jailed for imposition from Western Australia across to New South Wales and in South Australia in the early 1900s.

Alister Jenner Clark was convicted and jailed for poisoning his wife in 1928. He was jailed for life but was released in 1952.

Alister Jenner Clark was convicted and jailed for poisoning his wife in 1928. He was jailed for life but was released in 1952.

William Hayes featured in a series of mugshots in the SA archives in the 1930s – this is his story.

The Waugh family were born in Scotland and emigrated, becoming prominent pastoralists in NSW in the late 1800s.

*Warning – this episode contains sensitive themes that maybe distressing for some* Hannah Olive Patience Commons, known as Ollie, was born in 1893 in Bute, South Australia. Hannah was arrested for murder in 1926, accused of killing her lover’s fiancé with strychnine.

George Harold Asquith had multiple marriages, multiple names a was not only charged for bigamy once, but twice!

George Harold Asquith had multiple marriages, multiple names a was not only charged for bigamy once, but twice!

William and Joseph McGaw were born in Ireland and emigrated to Australia, obtaining pastoral holdings in the Murrumbigee District. Joseph emigrated first in 1856, followed by William in 1865.

*Warning – this episode contains themes that may be distressing for some* The Mills family suffered two tragedies in 1864 – Alfred, the 15 year old son of Robert and Sarah Mills drowned in the Merri River, near Warrnambool in Victoria. Only a few days later Robert Mills committed suicide by taking strychnine. There was also a mysterious newspaper article published 7 years after Robert's death...

*Warning – this episode contains themes that may be distressing for some* The Mills family suffered two tragedies in 1864 – Alfred, the 15 year old son of Robert and Sarah Mills drowned in the Merri River, near Warrnambool in Victoria. Only a few days later Robert Mills committed suicide by taking strychnine. There was also a mysterious newspaper article published 7 years after Robert's death clai...

*Warning – this episode contains themes that may be distressing for some* The Mills family suffered two tragedies in 1864 – Alfred, the 15 year old son of Robert and Sarah Mills drowned in the Merri River, near Warrnambool in Victoria. Only a few days later Robert Mills committed suicide by taking strychnine. There was also a mysterious newspaper article published 7 years after Robert's death clai...

In researching for the Sullivan/Colleano family in Episode 194, I was intrigued to find out more about Minnie trevail's first husband Leonard Mendoza. He was tricky to find, mainly because he took on his mother's maiden name throughout his life. This is the story of his father, Charles James Jordan, Leonard and their family. Charles Jordan's first two surviving sons had stories of thei...

In 1903 in Sydney, William Henry Lutwyche was robbed of 400 sovereigns he had hidden around his home. He told one person of his hidden treasure, Harriet Glover, a married lady he was having a relationship with. Harriet took off with the treasure with her other lover John Ryan, but was quickly found!

Australian born Con Colleano, born Cornelius Sullivan, is today recognised as the world’s greatest tight wire artist. This is the story of Con and his talented circus family. Sources and links Marj Howland, Deb Hestcott and Mark St Leon for their assistance. https://collections.artscentremelbourne.com.au/#details=ecatalogue.121247 https://collections.artscentremelbourne.com.au/#details=ecatalogue....

An fellow avid historian, Marj Howland, suggested I do an episode on her interesting great grandfather George Loyau. There is mystery surrounding his parentage and after emigrating from England in 1853 he took on a range of occupations including a gold digger, shepherd, hut-keeper,shearer, overseer, stockman, cattle drover, cook, private tutor and press correspondent. He became an editor of newspa...

Frederick Moore Clements was a pharmacist who created Clements Tonic that was popular in Australia in the late 1800s. He did not marry, and when he died in 1920, his spinster sister, Edith, challenged his will.

Robert Cowley was born on the Isle of Man in 1839 and emigrated to Australia when he was only 16. He settled in Deniliquin NSW and became a publican. In 1877 his life took a turn for the worst and a series of devastating events impacted on him and his family.

Reginald Leslie 'Snowy' Baker is one of the greatest all-round athletes in Australian sporting history. He was considered of national calibre in no less than 29 sports. He represented Australia internationally in five sorts and competed at the 1908 Olympics in three events. To top it off he was an actor both in Australia and in the US!

Ethel Pratten was the beneficiary of a hoard of treasures hidden by her grandmother in her home at Newtown, near Beechworth in Victoria. It was discovered after her grandmother's death in 1906.