Family History of Peter Jordan and Kim Rendoth

 Who are we?

Our surname is Jordan.  That is only because the male surname is used when people are married.  We call ourselves the Jordans but, our DNA is made up from many people who have gone before us.  If we were to do a DNA test, it would probably be dominated by Irish and English localities.  There would also be percentages of Danish, Swiss, French, German and, possibly Spanish. This is an introduction to our Jordan Family (Peter, Kim, Lachlan, Kassandra and, Rhiannan) and me filling in some of the bits that aren’t included anywhere else.

The Jordan Family down through the centuries has some really cool history.  Our ancestors include the Emperor Charlemagne (Charles the Great, King of France) and Dukes of Normandy, France.  We also have Danish ancestry.  The Danes (Vikings) attacked and invaded parts of England and eventually ended up in France in the year 911 and were given lands there by King Charles 1 where they became known as Normans (Northmen).  Long story short, those Normans from France invaded England in the year 1066.  From there, they went into Ireland and established our branch of the family.  You can read about our long ago Jordan ancestors in the file ‘The Jordan Ancestry - CD Version’.  The Jordans who came out to Australia from Ireland came from Cashel in County Tipperary.  They came out on the ship ‘Eleanor’ as sponsored immigrants.  

My Mothers maiden name was Yore.  The Yore Family is also of Irish Descent.  The origin of this surname is a little sketchy.  I have heard stories that it is derived from another surname L’hore (Lhore); possibly a mixture of Spanish and Irish.  I recall my mother telling me that after the British routed the Spanish Armada in 1588, a lot of the Spanish ships were wrecked on the coast of Ireland.  The survivors stayed and married with the local Irish. 

My maternal Grandmother, Josephine Maria Yore (nee Morris), has Scottish and Swiss ancestry.  Her maiden name Morris, from her father  William Morris, from Markinch in Fife,  Scotland.  Her mother was Josephine Theresa Mosch (also spelled Mosh/Mosche or Moesch in some places just to be confusing!)  She was born in Georgetown, QLD but, her Father, Carl Gottlieb Mosch, came to Australia onboard the ship ‘Wilhelmsburg’ in 1855 and was from the town Frick, in Switzerland.

On Kims fathers side, the origin of the surname Rendoth name is not known.  Kims grandfather, Albert Rendoth, was born named Arthur Fromm (also spelled Fromme in some cases!).  No one knows the story of why he changed his name when he came to Australia from England.  His father Henry Samuel Ludwig Fromm had 2 families at the same time.  That certainly confused the issue when trying to ascertain who was whom when working out the family tree!  Albert Rendoth is Kims Grandfather.  Kims Great Great Great Grandfather Joseph (or Josef) Fromm is from the town of Posen, which in those days was in Prussia (Prussia became Germany a bit later on and, because of WW2, Posen is now situated in Poland!)

Kims Mother’s maiden name was Archer.  The Archers are English. The first Archer to arrive in Australia was William Archer.  He arrived in Australia in 1831.  He was a convict and had been found guilty of Shop Stealing and sentenced to 7 years in the Penal Colony of NSW.  He was labouring at a farm at Hexham as a convict and was further convicted of stealing a calf and was subsequently sentenced to life at Norfolk Island.  Whilst there he saved some people from drowning and was pardoned.  He later went on to become the Mayor of Grafton.

There are many more people over the centuries who have had a part in our being here. It’s a massive jigsaw determined by events large and small; remove one piece and we would not be here.

I have endeavoured to put this information together with the help of documents handed down by family members, information found in old newspapers and gazettes through the Trove Website (run by the Australian National Library), from information provided by people I have not met via the Ancestry Website providing electronic copies of Birth, Marriages & Death Registers hundreds of years old on those ancestors we share and, by searching through accessible Census and Electoral roll information from Australia, England, Scotland and, Ireland.

I have been fairly strict with the information I have used; if it didn’t have documentation to back it up and dates were far fetched then I didn’t accept it. In some cases, I found that people had not transcribed the older style cursive writing from documents and registers correctly, which then led to spelling and incorrect date mistakes.

Here it is; a history of us!

Jordan    

The first Jordans of our bloodline to arrive in Australia were James & Mary Jordan (nee Cummins). Information about James’ ancestry was that his father Avery Jordan was a Landlord in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland and owned a large number of estates. That was a difficult thing to do in those times (the mid 1800s) because the Catholics of Ireland were persecuted by the Protestant (Church of England) Government. Averys’ father was also named Avery (just to make it difficult for their descendants!) That is about as far back as anyone was able to trace our lineage until I jumped on ancestry.com in 2023. I traced our lineage to a Richard Jordan who was born in Chelsea, England in 1715. He spent all his life there. This was confusing because I (and other family members) knew that we were Irish and a series of emails that I had with an Irish Genealogist some years ago indicated that we were related to the Jordans’ of County Mayo in Ireland going back many, many years. So, I traced this Richard Jordan back in time. 

Yes, he was born in England and so was his father Gabriel Jordan who was born in 1670 in Middlesex County. However, Gabriel died in 1740 in County Tipperary, Ireland. It appears that he went to Ireland and in the year he died, his Grandson Avery (Senior) was born at Cashel. Gabriels Father was a Jaconiah Jordan born about 1625 in County Mayo, Ireland, and died abt 1700 in County Tipperary. Jaconiah is listed as having a wife, Sarah, but that is all the info that there is for her. Going back further, Jaconiahs' father is listed as a Patrick Jordan born in 1595 in Ireland. Patricks' wife is listed as Catherine but there is no further info listed for her.

Looking at the history of Ireland in the 1600s, some Irish immigrated to England because the period of 1641-1652 was known as The Irish Confederate Wars. There were reports of Irish Refugees going to England as to escape the conflict. So, it appears the Jordans fled the War to England and returned to Ireland a generation or two later.

The mention of County Mayo as the birthplace of Jaconiah Jordan is interesting. It is located in the Province of Connacht. The Jordan family held lands in the Barony of Gallen in what is now County Mayo, later known as Sir Mac Siurtain or Mac Siurtains County. The name Mac Siurtain, when translated from Gaeilge Connacht (the local dialect) into English is MacJordan (meaning Son of Jordan) which was later shortened to Jordan.

James and Mary Jordan arrived in Sydney, Australia onboard the Immigrant Ship ‘Eleanor’ on the 21 Aug 1841.  Refer to the Jordan Family Album. James is listed on his immigration papers as a ‘Joiner’.  A Joiner in those days did not mean a carpenter.  A Joiner was a person who was involved in making furniture, interior and external doors, windows, stairs, tables and, fittings for ships. I am in receipt of some information (author unknown) that states that James was an officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary before coming to Australia; I’ve not been able to confirm that (just yet!). 

The Barque 'Eleanor'

In a speech given by Dan Hollis at a ‘West of the Ranges Historical Society’ meeting, he states that James Jordan arrived in Australia and joined the Police Force and that he was then transferred to Grafton approx 1847.  I am not sure about the accuracy of this information.  At that time, there was no actual 'Police Force'; there were quite a few Police Groups; The Military Mounted Police, The Border Police and, the Mounted Native Police. In rural areas, Police were appointed by Justices of the Peace or Magistrates. They were known as Bench Police or 'Benchers'.  The Jordan Family Album indicates that in 1842 a bench of Police Magistrates with Police attached was set up in Grafton. James Jordan was appointed to the Police Force at this time.

The old Grafton Police Station built in 1847.  Highly likely that James Jordan worked here.

The rear of the old Grafton Police Station.  It's believed that this area here may have been
Prisoner Cells.

James Jordan is also widely referred to by relatives and newspaper articles as Senior Constable Jordan in Casino and Tabulam.

I have contacted the NSW Police Historic Unit and they cannot find any record of James Jordan as a Police Officer at Tabulam. Given that Police were appointed by a Bench of Magistrates at that time and that the NSW Police did not officially form until 1862, there is probably another Governmental Archive section for this period of time where further information can be gleaned. In 1850, the Parliament in Sydney, legislated to amalgamate all of the various Colonial Police forces into one force under the Superintendence of an Inspector General of Police.

In the same year on the 17th of January, the Colonial Secretary’s Office established new Police Districts, one of them being Tabulam and that just happens to be the year that James Jordan arrived in Tabulam. The Tabulam Police District was huge. In the squatting district of Clarence, and embracing the county of Rous, and part of the county of Richmond, bounded on the north by the range dividing the waters of the Logan, and other rivers from those of the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed Rivers, from Point Danger to the great dividing range, on the west by the great dividing range, and a line bearing south crossing the Rocky River at a point where the banks close in abruptly, about 5 miles east of "Frocester," Mr Bloxsome's station, to a line bearing east from the Bolivia Range, on the south by that line to the Clarence River, thence by a line bearing north-east to the range dividing the waters of the Clarence and Richmond Rivers, and by that range to the sea, and on the east by the sea to Point Danger aforesaid.

In 1851, the Parliament in London disallowed the 1850 colonial legislation to amalgamate colonial police forces, resulting in the various forces remaining as separate entities.

Chief Constable James Jordan retired from policing in August 1859. 

In the Jordan Family Album, our direct Jordan ancestry can be found on Page 35 (Chapter 3), The Family of Thomas (Tim) and Annie Jordan (nee Cormick) and also on Page 51 (Chapter 7) James and Mary Jordan (nee Nowlan).

Thomas and Annie Jordan were the parents of Julian Jordan.  James and Mary Jordan were the parents of Clara Gertrude Jordan.  Julian and Clara married; they were first cousins.  It was, apparently, a common thing for first cousins to marry in the mid 1800s.  Their youngest son was Kevin Jordan.

Dads’ father, Julian, died in an accident when Dad was only 5 months old.  Clara took the 8 children and moved in for a while with her father and mother (James and Mary) at the Tabulam Pub of which James was the owner. Clara eventually moved to Tenterfield to run a Boarding House.  The family lived in a large house which still stands today behind the Tenterfield Ambulance Station. Clara passed before I was born.

Copy of the speech given by Dan Hollis. 

  

One thing of note. As you read through the history of the Jordans, you will see that many of them were expert Horsemen and Cattlemen. They worked the big cattle stations in the Tabulam, Casino and Grafton areas; a couple of them being managers of said cattle stations.  They would also go droving with huge mobs of cattle into western Queensland.

The Chauvel Family mentioned in the speech above is a famous name in Australian Military History. Their son was General Sir Harry Chauvel who fought in Gallipoli and then became the Commander of the ANZAC Mounted Division.  At Beersheba in Southern Palestine (now Israel) in October 1917, his light horse captured the town and its vital water supply in one of history's last great cavalry charges of WW1. 

I am not aware of the author of this next piece of information but it is interesting that the author claims that James Jordan was in the Irish Royal Constabulary prior to coming to Australia. 

When Kevin Sylvester Jordan was born on 31 December 1916 in Casino, New South Wales, his father, Julian, (born 1861 Tabulam, New South Wales - died 17 May 1917 Casino, NSW) was 55 and his mother, Clara, (born 27 Jul 1875 Richmond River, New South Wales - Died 19 Nov 1956 at Tenterfield, NSW) was 41.

In those days, most Towns had a ‘Common’; an area of land owned by Local Council whereby town people could agist their Horses and Cattle. Travellers could also leave their horses overnight. Julian Jordan was the Ranger, responsible for the Common.  He registered the paperwork of those who had animals agisted on the Common and, managed them during their stay. 

Kevin was only 5 months old when his father Julian Joseph passed away on 17 May 1917 in Casino, New South Wales, at the age of 56 after an horse and cart accident on the Common whilst at work.  At the time, Kevin and his family lived in their house in Colches Street, Casino in the sub-division of Pound Hill. At the time, Pound Hill was described as  ‘Beautiful Elevated Residence Sites situated on the summit of Pound Hill and extending to the River Bank with frontages to Barker, Colches and Richmond Streets’. The Jordan residence fronted onto Colches St, the side (North) fence on Kyogle Street, the back (East) fence on Jersey Street and the other side fence (South) bordering with the neighbour.

Above and below - the only photos I can find of Julian Jordan

Above and Below - Clara Gertrude Jordan

Above - Clara and Kevin Sylvester Jordan (Dad)

After the death of Julian, Clara took the 8 children to live at Tabulam with her parents in the Tabulam Hotel. Her father James Jordan was the owner of the Tabulam Hotel.  I am unaware of how long they stayed there but, family history puts Clara in the future, running a boarding house in Tenterfield. There is a story that whilst living at the Hotel as a baby, Dad would have his nappy changed on the Bar!  I’ve visited the Hotel and sat at that original Bar and had a couple of beers in his memory!

In approximately 1932, Kevin worked for 'Boltons Talkies' after his School years. 'Boltons Talkies' was a travelling picture show that showed movies in the Northern Rivers area of NSW - Tenterfield, Bonalbo, Casino, Lismore, Grafton etc. They would set up Picture Screen and Speakers in vacant blocks of land, at Pubs, local Halls etc.

About 1936, Kevin took his knowledge from 'Boltons Talkies' to working in the Projectionists Box at the Lyric Theatre in Tenterfield showing the latest films of the day. (The Lyric Theatre still stands in Tenterfield but it’s interior was burned out by a fire and rebuilt). Whilst he did this, he was also a part time Honorary Ambulance Bearer with the Tenterfield Ambulance.

In an article from the Northern Star (Lismore NSW) newspaper, dated 25 November 1939, it is reported that Kevin passed his exam on First Aid for St Johns Ambulance in Tenterfield.

World War 2 had broken out and Kevin enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on the 08 May 1941 in Tenterfield.  He served as a Nursing Orderly (later known as Medical Orderly) in many RAAF bases within Australia.  He was in Darwin during the Japanese bombing of that city. On the 23 June 1948, Kevin discharged from the RAAF at the rank of Flight Sergeant from the Royal Australian Air Force whilst working at 112 RGH (Repatriation General Hospital) at Greenslopes in Brisbane QLD. 

Kevin Jordan in his RAAF Uniform.

After his discharge, he went and lived with his sister Cecilia and her husband, Ron McCosker in Lismore.  He had a job as a casual Ambulance Officer and used to relieve at smaller country Ambulance Stations. In an article from the Maitland Mercury newspaper dated Wednesday 22 February 1950, it said that Kevin had been appointed to a permanent position at Maitland Ambulance and was due to start on the following Monday (which would have been Monday 27th February 1950). He only worked at Maitland (and relieved in Hamilton, Newcastle) for a short time as he is not listed on any of the staff lists in 1951/52. 

In 1952, Kevin accepted a full time job with the QATB (Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade) at Beaudesert in Queensland.  He met Marie Yore (Registered Nurse) at the Beaudesert Hospital during the course of his duties.

Dad (Kevin Sylvester Jordan) outside the Ambulance Centre in
Beaudesert, QLD

During his off time from the Ambulance, he was involved in the Beaudesert Drama Society.  He used to help making stage props and worked behind the scenes for many productions that were held at the Beaudesert Civic Centre.  He also loved his photographs and we have him to thank for the many photos of us as kids.  Those photos really showed our way of life and our growing up.  So thankful for Dad’s photography.

Kevin Sylvester Jordan married Marie Josephine Yore in Beaudesert, Queensland, on 18 September 1954 when he was 37 years old. Mum would have been 26. The Wedding was at St Mary's Catholic Church and the reception was had at The Grand Hotel in William Street, Beaudesert.

Dad and Mum - Wedding Day - 18 September 1954

Dad passed away on 23 December 1996 at home, 4 Delamore Street in Beaudesert, Queensland, when he was 79 years old. He is buried in the Gleneagle Cemetery, about 6 kms out of Beaudesert heading toward Brisbane.

Yore

I have been able to trace our Yore Ancestry back to my 6th Great Grandfather, Laurence Yore, born in 1665 at Cruisetown, County Louth, Ireland. There is no date of death for him I can find. He was married to Elisabeth, also born in 1665 and died in 1759. The 1600s were extremely volatile. The fifty years from 1641 to 1691 saw two catastrophic civil wars in Ireland 1641–53 and 1689–91, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and left others in permanent exile. In 1649, Oliver Cromwell was ordered to invade Ireland by the English Government in Westminster to crush all resistance to the new English Commonwealth.

Despite this, it appears that our ancestors have somehow survived those wars. Laurence Yores’ son, Garrett James Yore, was born in 1689 in Dulane, County Meath which is 50 kms from Cruisetown in Co. Louth. Garretts’ son, James Yore was born in 1740 at Spiddall, Co Meath which is very close to Nobber.

Survive wars they may have but when Ireland was hit by a Potato Famine it constituted an historic social crisis. Roughly 1 million people died of starvation between 1845-1852 and, between 1845 and 1855, at least 2.1 million people left Ireland to start lives in other countries like Australia. In later years it was the opportunity of land and gold that attracted the Irish Immigrants.

Our Yore ancestors arrived in Australia from the town Nobber in County Meath Ireland. My Great Great Grandfather Michael Yore (b 1839 in Spidal, County Meath, Ireland) departed Cork, Ireland on the 18 Aug 1863, arriving in Australia on 23 Nov 1863 as a sponsored immigrant aboard the ship ‘Fiery Star’. My Great Great  Grandmother, Annie Ryan born 6 OCT 1844 at Tullamore, Kings Co (Offaly),Ireland arrived on the 1 Aug 1862 with her parents and siblings aboard the ship ‘Erin-go-Bragh’ .  Both ships arrived at Moreton Bay in Queensland.

Michael Yore

Anne 'Annie' Ryan

The 'Fiery Star'

The 'Erin-go-Bragh'

Michael Yore immigrated with Thomas Plunkett, both had been friends for a long time. They initially went to the Gympie Gold Fields. Yore and Plunkett then selected land together on the south bank of the Logan River, near the current intersection of Deer Lane and Waterford–Tamborine Road. The original property was known as ‘Argyle’ according to the electoral rolls of the late 1860s. Michael married Annie Ryan on 12 Feb 1866 at St Stephens in Brisbane.  Yore sold his share of land to Plunkett and took up land on the banks of the Albert River near Tamborine Village, where he established a dairy. In May of 1871, built his house ‘Spiddal” at Tamborine. A Slab house, Shingle Roof, 4 rooms, verandah in front. Slab Dairy, Shingle Roof. Slab Kitchen, Shingle Roof. Slab Barn, Thatched Roof, stockyards & piggeries and, 20 acres of cultivation. 

Michael & Annie Yore had 9 children, the eldest being John Thomas Yore.

John Thomas Yore was born on the 3 May 1866 at Waterford, QLD. John was educated at the Tamborine State School. On leaving school, John joined his father, working on the farm, remaining there until he was 25 years old. It was about this time that he started employment as a builder and contractor. He was trained in Carpentry by his Uncle, Mr Markey who was married to his father's sister.  In 1896 the Cryna repurchased estate (just outside of Beaudesert) was open for selection and John followed his father's footsteps on the land. He built a home and went into dairy farming. The property he named ‘Glenmore'.

John Thomas Yore

Early photo of the property 'Glenmore'

John Thomas and Mary Margaret Yore (nee Kennedy)

John Thomas and Mary Yore and Family.  The lad standing at the 
back is my Grandfather, Edward Joseph Yore.

John must have kept up with the building work because, whilst working on the Christmas Creek Church, John met Mary Kennedy (born 10 Dec 1867 at Tamborine, QLD) who would ride with Catherine Yore (Johns sister) to Christmas Creek and stay over for dances. They were married on the 8 Jun 1898.

John was one of the first Councillors for the Shire of Beaudesert for the years 1913-1918. In 1924 he had a second tour as a Councillor for the Shire of Beaudesert for a period of 5 years; 1924-1929.

John loved going to meetings and it was a Beaudesert Show Meeting that was the ultimate cause of his death.  He had a bleeding ulcer and Doctors orders warned him not to ride a horse.  He went to the meeting and had to gallop home when a storm arose. He died on the 21 April 1935. His wife Mary died on the 28 October 1935.

John and Mary Yore (nee Kennedy) had 5 children. The oldest of these being Edward Joseph Yore, my Grandfather, best known as ‘Pa’ born 20 Mar 1899 at Tamborine, Old.

The Yore family is very well known in the Tamborine and Logan districts of SE Queensland. There is much more information to be found about how they became established in the Yore Family Book  ‘Spiddal’.

Edward Joseph Yore - 20 Mar 1899, Tamborine, QLD - 30 Aug 1965, Beaudesert, QLD.

Edward lived his life on the property ‘Glenmore’ built by John Thomas (JT) Yore (his father) in 1896 at Cryna, just outside of Beaudesert. He lived on the farm in his youth and worked it as he got older. When Edward married Josephine Maria Morris (born 09 July 1998 at Georgetown, QLD),  on the 30 October 1926 they also lived on the property with Edwards parents. Edward was left the property after the death of his parents. Sadly for the family, Edward and Josephine’s daughter Eileen Margaret, born in May 1931, passed away when she was an infant, at only 3 months of age.  Tragedy struck again when John, their only son, born 1 December 1934, passed away when he was 9 on 30 August 1943.

Edward Joseph Yore at 'Glenmore'

Edward Joseph and Josephine Maria Yore (nee Morris)
30th October 1926

Edward Joseph Yore at 'Glenmore'.  The baby on the sled
is my Mother - Marie Josephine.

Edward and Josephine had 5 children -

Marie Josephine Yore - 29 Mar 1928, Beaudesert, QLD - 18 Jun 2022, Boronia Heights, QLD

Eileen Margaret Yore - Nov 1930, Beaudesert, QLD - 15 Aug 1931, Beaudesert, QLD

John Edward Yore - 1 Dec 1934, Beaudesert, QLD - 30 Aug 1943, Beaudesert QLD

Laurie Theresa Yore - 21 Dec 1936, Beaudesert, QLD - 23 Jan 2024, Toowoomba, QLD

Frances Mary Yore - 15 Dec 1938, Beaudesert, QLD

Photos of Mum (Marie Josephine) and Baby Eileen.  Mum would have been 2.5 years old when

these photos were taken.  Sadly, Eileen would have passed away a short time after.

The Yore children of 'Glenmore', left to right, Marie Josephine, John, Laurie and, Frances.

Marie Josephine Jordan (nee Yore) was born on 29 March 1928 in Beaudesert, Queensland, her father, Edward Yore born 20 Mar 1899 at Tamborine, Queensland , was 29, and her mother, Josephine, born 09 Jul 1898 in Georgetown Queensland, was 29.  She was born in the then Beaudesert Hospital in its very early days, known as Dalkeith (which incidentally was built my Mums’ Grandfather, John Thomas Yore.  I believe that the old hospital is still standing but has been a private residence for many years now.

Marie Josephine Yore

Her childhood was spent on ‘Glenmore’, her parent’s dairy farm at Cryna, just outside Beaudesert.   Mum had 2 younger sisters, Laurie Theresa Yore b 21 Dec 1936 at Beaudesert, d 23 Jan 2024 at Toowoomba, Queensland and Frances Mary Yore b 15 Dec 1938 at Beaudesert who is still with us and, living in Banora Point near Tweed Heads.

Growing up as a young girl on a farm, Marie enjoyed being involved in the various activities that needed to be done around the property.  She worked with her father Ted.  Horses were an integral part of life on the farm. Her first pony was Dicky but, it was a 2nd pony Brownie that won her heart. In her youth, Marie would ride Brownie to School where he would graze in the paddock at the back, riding him home again in the afternoon.  Mum originally went to the Cryna Public School. It was closed and then Mum went to St Mary’s Primary.  The School was associated with the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Beaudesert.  She often spoke of crossing creeks and during thunderstorms would stop in to neighbouring properties on the way home. One particular story she used to tell was about the day Brownie bolted, she fell off and was left to walk all the way home. In fact, Marie often spoke of Brownie fondly and in quiet moments in her later years whilst in aged care, her mind would wander and she would say how much she’d love to take Brownie for a ride again.  

Brownie in the back paddock at 'Glenmore'

Having worked on the farm until around the age of 20, Marie decided to broaden her horizons.  She went to Brisbane for Nurse Training at the Mater Hospital.  Over time, she returned to Beaudesert to nurse in the hospital she had been born in, now much more developed.  

Marie Josephine Yore in her nurses uniform.

It was there that she met Dad, Kevin Jordan, who was an Ambulance Bearer, as they were called then.  Kevin and Marie were married on 18 September 1954 by Father Gervaise Pender at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Beaudesert. 

Edward Joseph Yore and Marie Josephine at St Mary's Church on her
wedding day, 18 September 1954.

Their first residence was a flat in Delamore Street in Beaudesert and then a rental house at 2 Delamore Street. They purchased 4 Delamore Street in 1964, the home that we all grew up in. By the time she moved out into aged care, Marie had lived in Delamore Street for 60 years. 

In 1996, Kevin passed away quite suddenly.  Mum continued to live in the family home but branched out and enjoyed new activities and new friends.  Many of these activities had to do with her strong Catholic faith and through this, she felt fulfilled and gained new acquaintances and friends.  

Mum maintained her independent life at 4 Delamore Street for 18 years after Kevin’s death. In 2014 she surprised us all by announcing that she had decided to move to St. Paul de Chartres Residential Aged Care in Boronia Heights (between Beaudesert and Brisbane).  

Marie passed away on the morning of 18 June 2022, she was 94.

Kevin & Marie had 5 children.

Leo John was born on the 7 October 1955 in Beaudesert.

Catherine Marie was born on 15 May 1957 in Beaudesert.

Peter Edward was born on 17 July 1959 in Brisbane, Queensland.

Theresa Anne was born on 19 March 1961 in Beaudesert, Queensland.

Matthew James was born on 7 December 1966 in Brisbane, Queensland.

Morris and Mosch

It was a fairly simple thing doing the Jordan Family. Considering that my Grandparents Julian and Clara were first cousins, everyone else that came before was basically along the same blood lines. It also helped immensely that a group of my Cousins had done extensive work beforehand and I was blessed with a lot of the information that I needed.

I am putting in some information about my Grandmother Josephine Yore (nee Morris) family bloodline because it is an interesting history. 

Lets begin with the Morris ancestors.  As with nearly all names I have researched, the spelling for Morris has changed over the centuries from Moris/Morris/Maurice. How does that happen?

The furtherest back I have gone on Ancestry for the Morris Family is to a Maurice Morris (no, that’s not an echo!  Who, with a surname of Morris would name their son Maurice? Was that some sort of a Dad joke?)  Anyway, Maurice Morris (my 13th Great Grandfather) was born in 1480 at Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland.  Dunfermline was the de facto capital of the Kingdom of Scotland between the 11th and 15th Centuries. Dunfermline had a Palace which was home to Queen Anna of Denmark and her Husband King James VI (King of Scotland).  Maurice died when he was 71 years old in 1551.

As we come down the years of 13 generations, the Morris Family has basically lived in the vicinity of St Andrews and St Leonards in Fife, Scotland. We have Aristocracy (my 11th Great Grandfather born 1537 was Sir William Morris/Maurice!), Weavers, a Police Constable and, although not a direct ancestor (a cousin or brother to one of ours) a Tom Morris, famous golfer associated with St Andrews Golf Club in Fife. If you’re a golfer; you’ll know.

Robert Fairfield Morris was born on the 11 June 1834 at St Andrews & St Leonards in Fife, Scotland. He married Catharine Clark (born 29 August 1830 in Fife, Scotland) on the 23 April 1854 in Leuchars, Fifeshire, Scotland. In April 1861, Robert is listed in the Scottish Census as being a Police Constable in Dundee, Angus, Scotland.  

Robert and Catharine had 3 children - 

William - born 15 Dec 1855 in Markinch, Fife, Scotland - died 6 Feb 1921 in Caboolture, QLD.  William is 5 years old and living in London Lane, Dundee, Scotland according to the 1861 Scottish Census. He is listed as being a Scholar so I suppose that means he is going to School!

Mary Ann - born 27 Aug 1860 in Dundee, Forfar Shire, Scotland - died 18 Aug 1939 in Rockhampton, QLD

Ellen Elizabeth - born 26 Oct 1866 in Drayton Old - died 26 Nov 1914 in Toowoomba, Qld

Note regarding immigration.  I had always considered that Robert and Catharine immigrated to Australia with their 2 children (Mary Ann and William) who were both born in Ireland. However, I cannot find anything on any of the passenger lists for Immigrant Ships that would match the family unit. It is possible that they may have come to Australia without Mary Ann and William (who may have been left with relatives in Ireland until Robert and Catharine could afford to bring them over. It was common for this to occur) I have performed many many searches and still cannot find any details about their arrival in Australia. I believe they arrived between April 1861 (they were listed on the Scotland Census) and October 1866 (the birth of their daughter Ellen in Drayton, QLD). 

I have found information (unconfirmed) about a William Morris aged 21 arriving on the 26 February 1876 at Maryborough QLD on the ship ‘Indus’.  The age of the passenger would match William and, Maryborough would be a handy port to arrive to travel to the Etheridge Gold Fields where he ended up.

I also believe that I found Mary Ann Morris arriving in Australia aboard the ship ‘Kapunda’ in Rockhampton QLD on the 23 Jun 1878 (unconfirmed). Passenger details put her age at 17 which would match her age.  Mary Ann lived, married and died in the Rockhampton area which further supports this information.

A few entries in local Toowoomba Newspapers about Robert Morris in Aug 1885, desiring to purchase land in Drayton and then in 1888 and 1889 complaining to Council about the water run off on Cambooya Rd, Drayton.

No further information was found for Robert and Catharine until the 30 September 1903 when it was reported in the Darling Downs Gazette that Toowoomba Police responded to a call for a concern for welfare and that both of them were found deceased in their home at the junction of the Wyreema and Westbrook Crossing Roads at Drayton. There was no sign of violence and it was believed that they had both had failing health for some time. The Coronial Report detailed that they had been deceased for approximately 2 days. Robert was reported to have died of Urinic Convulsions due to Kidney Disease accelerated by Senile Decay.  The findings for Catharine were that she had died from Cerebral Effusion producing Serious Apoplexy. Catharine had had a stroke some 12 months before and never fully recovered.

In 1869, Gold was discovered in the Etheridge Shire in North Queensland. William Morris married Josephine Theresa Mosch (born 16 Nov 1872 in Georgetown in the Etheridge Shire QLD) on the 17 August 1893.   I think it is highly likely that when he was of age he went there to make his fortunes. He didn’t do too badly at that.

William Morris

Josephine Theresa Morris - nee Mosch.

1897, William is listed as a ‘Machine Owner’ at the Mount Hogan mining township. The Etheridge Chronology (by Margaret Somers) has William working both the Joseph Morris and the Day Dawn Mine on the Gilbert Field in 1901. In February 1905 he bought in the proceeds of crushing 7 tons of rock to get 223 ounces (6.3 kg) of smelted gold from the Joseph Morris Mine at Gilberton, QLD. It was mentioned in that newspaper article that the ‘unfortunately the shoot had cut out but it will doubtless induce the lucky owner to try elsewhere’. In today's (2025) Dollars that 6.3 kg of smelted gold would be roughly AU$908,000!

The family must have been living in Gilberton at the time. That is where the Joseph Morris Mine was located and also one of their daughters (Mary Ann was born at Gilbert River) There is a bit of family lore attached to the Joseph Morris Mine. The story goes that Williams’ son Joseph took off one evening and in his travels found a gold seam.  He raced home and the claim was lodged. Not sure about the accuracy of that story though, Joseph was born in 1894 and the mine was not worked until 1903. He was a bit young to be galavanting around looking for gold seams, although……..

In a Newspaper Article for the Townsville Daily Bulletin dated 8 Mar 1946 titled ‘On The Track’ the author is discussing various happenings that lend themselves to the heritage of North Queensland. ‘Charlie and his mate, Ned McCaffery who was in charge of Bob Cooper’s store, were full of anecdotes and amusing sayings. Both are gone, and Ned died in Townsville.  John McGallen who had the battery did well, both In the battery and cyanidlng. His battery was situated on that wonderful shaft, the Joseph Morris, found by Mr. Morris’s son and worked by his father. It proved to be one , of the richest leaders on the Gilbert. I met Mr. Morris, accompanied by Tommy Dixon, on one or two occasions when escorting the gold to Hughenden’.

The Joseph Morris reef was not worked until 1903. The Joseph Morris mine was sunk to 60 metres (200 ft) on a reef striking north. The remaining workings consist of a timbered shaft, open to the water level of about 30 metres (98 ft) and situated in the middle of a line of collapsed stopes.   A 60-ounce (1,700 g) nugget is reported to have been found near the Joseph Morris mine. The reef was well noted for its sometimes extremely rich returns.

Note: in getting a lot of this information from various sources I have noticed some discrepancies with dates. One source indicated he was working the Joseph Morris Mine in 1901 whilst another Wiki source indicated it was not worked until 1903. One Newspaper article said that the Joseph Morris Mine was sold by William in 1903 whilst another says he bought in 6.3 Kg of smelted gold from the Joseph Morris Mine in 1905. I am not particularly concerned about the chronology of these sources; William apparently was working very hard and it was paying off! What is left of the Joseph Morris Mine is now heritage listed by the QLD Government.

 

William did try his luck elsewhere.  As The Evening Telegraph newspaper from Charters Towers dated 12 July 1905 reports, that William Morris is to be the new Butcher on the corner of George and Normanton Streets in Georgetown. I think he still had his hand in the prospecting because an article from The Queenslander newspaper dated Sat 13 July 1907 states that William Morris and Colin Douglas have reported finding a Copper Lode about 20 miles east of Georgetown

William and the family moved east to Sarina QLD. Various news articles about William Morris on the Committee for the Plane Creek Public School dated 10 Feb 1911 appear. Plane Creek was the location for a large Sugar Mill and I have found further references to the William Morris ‘Farm’ in that area.

On the 17 Nov 1912, his wife Josephine died and was buried in Mackay, QLD. In an article titled ‘Sarina’ from the Daily Mercury Newspaper (Mackay) there is a reference to her death ‘I refer to the death of the late Mrs Morris, wife of our respectable townsman Mr W. Morris JP. Although not an old resident in Plane Creek, she quickly made many friends, who now mourn her loss’.

It was not long after the death of his wife Josephine that William took his family south to the town of Elimbah, near Caboolture in the Moreton Bay region. In the Mackay Newspaper, The Daily Mercury, dated 29 October 1913, it is reported that the Sarina School Committee has had new appointments vice William Morris who has left the district.

Written on the back of this photo is 'Elimbah'.  I am certain that the young girl
with the doll is my Grandmother Josephine Maria.

William next shows up in the classified ads section in The Brisbane Courier Newspaper dated Sat 20 Mar 1915 - reports the following land sales ‘Mr Ed Greenup’s Fruit Farm Elimbah, 160 acres, to Mr. Morris of Mackay’.  I believe he was growing Pineapples.

There is a Bereavement Notice in The Brisbane Courier dated Thursday 2 August 1917 on the death of Williams daughter Kathleen (also known as Catherine Teresa). The notice indicates an address of ‘Elimbah NC Line”.

William died on the 6 Feb 1921 aged 65. He is buried in the Caboolture Cemetery.

As indicated, William Morris married Josephine Theresa Mosch on the 17 Aug 1893. They had 6 children - 

Joseph Charles Morris - 11 June 1894, Georgetown, QLD - 20 Feb 1978, Brisbane QLD

The Family Story is that Joe found the seam of gold that turned into the Joseph Morris Mine, this story is actually mentioned in a quote I have included above so, perhaps there is some truth in it!  Joe enlisted in World War 1 on 6/5/1916 aged 21 years and 10 months - embarked 7/2/1917 - Battle of Paschendale - Battle of Ypres - not wounded - discharged 17/9/1919

Catherine Teresa Morris - 24 Feb 1896, Georgetown, QLD - 23 Jul 1917, Caboolture, QLD

Josephine Maria Morris - 9 July 1898, Georgetown, QLD - 8 Nov 1994, Beaudesert, QLD - married Edward Yore; their story mentioned previously

Olive Ursula Morris - 27 Aug 1900, Georgetown, QLD - 3 Feb 1981 - Mackay, QLD

Mary Anne Morris - 20 June 1903, Gilbert River, QLD - 22 Aug 1984, Beaudesert, QLD

William Robert Fairfield Morris - 17 Jan 1912, Mackay, QLD - 11 Jan 1979 - Bundaberg QLD

Williams wife was Josephine Theresa Mosch (born 16 Nov 1872 in Georgetown in the Etheridge Shire). Like other surnames of our ancestors, there are several spelling differences over the years - Mosch or Moesch or Mosche! 

I have traced the Mosch ancestry back to Johann Nepomuk Moesch.  Johann (my 5th Great Grandfather) was born on the 22 Dec 1729 in the town of Frick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland.  A ‘Canton’ in Switzerland is an administrative division, much like the Counties of England or Scotland I imagine. There are 26 Cantons of Switzerland which is about the same size as Tasmania. Frick is about 6 kms from the Rhine River which is the border of Germany. The municipality of Frick is in the district of Laufenburg in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. The area of Frick was was a farming area.

German is the official language in Canton Aargau. There is a difference between High German (Hochdeutsch) and Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch). High German is spoken at school and on certain radio and television programmes. In everyday life people speak Swiss German.

 There is not much information I can find for Johann.  We do know that on the 3 Nov 1738, he married Anna Maria Vogel (born on the 3 Nov 1838 in Gipf, Oberfrick, Switzerland) in Gipf-Oberfrick, Aargau, Switzerland. Johann died on the 16 Jul 1784 in Frick, Switzerland and Anna died on the 9 Feb 1811, also in Frick, Switzerland.

I don’t know how many children they may have had, but they did have Johann Baptist Moesch born in Frick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland on the 15 Jul 1770.  Once again, any information is scant. Johann Baptist married Magdalena Kienberger (born 18 Dec 1779 in Oeschgen, Aargau, Switzerland) on the 5 May 1801 in Frick, Canton, Aargau, Switzerland.   Johann Baptist Moesch died on the 18 Dec 1846 in the district of Laufenberg, Aargau, Switzerland.  His wife Magdalena died on the 14 Dec 1849, also in Laufenberg.  

Their child in our immediate bloodline was Joseph Anton Moesch born on the 20 April 1802 in the town of Frick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland. Joseph married Katharina (Catherine) Webber (born about 1810 in Switzerland).  There is no date I could find for their wedding but their first child Maria was born in 1835.

The first wave of Swiss immigrants to Australia started in 1839 when Charles Joseph La Trobe was appointed Superintendent and subsequently Lieutenant Governor of Victoria. He had married a Swiss woman, Sophie de Montmollin who accompanied him to Australia. Through his contacts, many wine growers from regions of Switzerland began to emigrate. Swiss immigration to Australia in the mid 1800s was due to a few factors.  A severe economical crisis started in 1845 followed by a potato blight which struck all of Europe which triggered mass starvation, migration, and civil unrest. In 1847, a brief civil war arose between the Catholic Sonderbund and Protestant Radicals. The Sonderbund was easily defeated in less than a month; there were about 130 killed. Apart from small riots, this was the last armed conflict on Swiss territory. After this Civil War, the victors were generous. They invited the defeated cantons to join them in a program of federal reform, and a new constitution was drafted along American lines. National issues were to be under the control of the national parliament. The Swiss voted heavily in favour of the new constitution by 2 million against 300,000. Switzerland became calm. The constitution of 1848 transformed Switzerland from a loose confederation into a unitary federal state. It is possible that these things made Joseph wonder if there was anywhere he could take his family for a peaceful life.  Many Swiss also came to Australia after the discovery of Gold in New South Wales and Victoria, although after he arrived in Sydney on the ‘Wilhelmsburg’ the records show that Joseph stayed put.  

Joseph Anton Mosch and Catharina Webber had 6 children. All born in Switzerland.

Maria Josepha (Josephine) Mosch - 12 Mar 1835-10 Nov 1908 - she died in her home at 14 Palmer St, Woolloomooloo, Sydney

Johann (John) Mosch - 1837- unknown death date - information is that he died in California, USA

Carl (Charles) Gottlieb Mosch - 1 Mar 1840-25 Mar 1916 - died in Georgetown, Qld

Mary Theresa Mosch - Abt 1841-22 Aug 1880 - died in a Sydney Infirmary after self harming

Sophia Mosch - 14 Jul 1846-29 Nov 1916 - died in Burwood, Sydney

Valentin Mosch - 30 May 1853-1853

Catharina Mosch died in 1853 in Frick, Canton Aargau. She was still young, dying at 43 years of age. Coincidentally, their last child Valentin was born on the 30 May 1853 in Frick and died in 1853. I wonder if there were complications at birth or possibly some illness that took both of them.

Joseph & the 5 children (Maria Josepha 20, Johann 18, Carl 15, Maria Theresa and, Sophie 8) departed Hamburg, Germany on the 10 May 1855 aboard the ship ‘Wilhelmsburg’, a square-rigged, three masted sailing ship. The ‘Wilhelmsburg’ arrived on the 26 August 1855 in Hobart-Town, Van Diemens Land (later Tasmania).  This was not the final destination for the Moesch Family though and after dropping off passengers etc, the ship set off again and arrived in Port Jackson, Sydney on the 19th September 1855.

Extract from The Age dated Thursday 30 August 1855 - 

The ship Wilhemsburg arrived yesterday afternoon has on board in all 476

Germans. Half of them only are, however, intended for this port, the remaining half having to proceed to Sydney, with half the ship's cargo. The vessel left Hamburg on the 10th May, and has therefore had a protracted passage (107 days) which may be attributed to the prevalence of strong easterly winds, between this and the Cape. The immigrants have come out under the bounty regulations, are principally men, and appear to be a robust, hardy, and cleanly lost, and far superior to those previously arrived. Very little sickness has prevailed during the passage, and only 6 deaths, principally children, have occurred, whilst there have been seven births. - Colonial Times.

We next find Joseph living in Marrickville, Petersham as listed on his Naturalisation Certificate dated 6 Jul 1863 and his occupation is stated as being a ‘Gardener/Farmer’.

Joseph is settling in and on the 3 August 1863, he buys land in Marrickville (the land later ends up in Petersham after the changing of a few boundaries for new suburbs).  He paid £80 for it; Lot 4 Section 3 of the Petersham Estate Plan. The block was situated on the corner of Illawarra and Warren Roads, Marrickville.  There is a Uniting Church on that corner now; built in 1871.

On the 3 June 1864, on the Marriage Certificate of his daughter Mary Theresa Mosch to Henry Jacob Young (born in 1845 in Allemagne, Germany) it states that Joseph is a Farmer in Sydney.  

Joseph Anton Moesch must have returned to Switzerland at some point. He died on the  31 August 1869 in Oeschgen, Aargau, Switzerland. I’m still looking for information in regards to this because, on one Family Tree in Ancestry there is an entry on his death ‘died by his own hand’. This would have been a bittersweet end for a man who had lived a hard life

Of Josephs’ children, the next in our ancestral line is Carl Gottlieb Mosch.  The name Carl anglicised to Charles and, note the spelling now of the surname.  

Charles (Carl) Gottlieb Mosch was born in the town of Frick, Municipality of Laufenburg in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland on the 1 Mar 1840. He arrived in Australia with his father and siblings in Port Jackson on the 19 Sep 1855. Not much is known of his youth. I assume he lived with his Father & siblings until he was old enough to make a path for himself. 

The name Charles Mosch pops up in the Toowoomba Chronicle and Queensland Advertiser dated Thursday 1 January 1863. He is on a list of contributors who donated money to the Toowoomba Hospital Building Fund.  The contributors are listed by home town and date of contribution. Charles donated from the town of Cooyar, Qld on the 1 Sep 1862 the sum of £1.  Cooyar is a small town on the New England Hwy about 90 kms north of Toowoomba. There wasn’t much there in 1862 but for a couple of sheep stations and the location was on the track for the cattle drovers around that time. 

Cooyar is only 72 Kms from Dalby, QLD and it is in Dalby we find Charles next. On the 25 October 1866, Charles married Mary Anne Crowley (born about 1837 in Cork, Ireland) at a place called Jondaryn, QLD. Jondaryn is halfway between Dalby and Toowoomba on the Warrego Hwy and is listed on the Marriage Register as their place of Residence.

Charles and Mary moved at some stage to Georgetown in the Etheridge Shire of Queensland. The move was not an easy one.  To get to the centre of Queensland in the late 1800s, travel was to Townsville by ship and from Townsville, travel was by bullock teams hauling carts. The first reference I found for Charles and Mary and the date they arrived was an obituary for Charles in the Townsville Daily Bulletin dated Wednesday the 29 Mar 1916. This article indicated that the Charles Mosch arrived in Georgetown in 1872. 

They must have had a dairy farm. In an online article I found the memoirs of a Mr Secombe who writes that he arrived with his parents in Georgetown in 1884. He says that ‘Mick Mosch was the distributor of supplies from his father’s dairy further up the Delaney (being the Delaney River that runs south from Georgetown). Charlie Mosch and his wife with the younger children, Joe, Mick and Josephine did all the dairy chores. They were still in the Dairyman business in 1887 as indicated in Pugh's Queensland Almanac, directory and law calendar where Charles is listed as a Dairyman.

In the Electoral Roll of 1903, it shows Charles and family still living at Delaney River, Georgetown, QLD. Charles is listed as being a 'Dairyman' - his sons Joseph and Michael are listed as ‘Stockman’.

Charles Gottlieb Mosch died on the 25 Mar 1916 in Georgetown, Qld.  He is buried in the Georgetown Cemetery.

Charles Gottlieb and Mary Ann Mosch had 3 children - 

Joseph John - born 4 Sep 1867 in Jordanian, Old - died 25 Oct 1952 in Mareeba, Qld

Michael Charles - born 1870 in Gympie, Qld - died 22 Mar 1933 in Mareeba, Old

Josephine Theresa - born 16 Nov 1872 in Georgetown, Qld - died 17 Nov 1912 in Mackay, Old (who went on to marry William Morris)

That's it for my side.

Rendoth (Fromm)

I have included more information here about the Rendoth family because there is no written history as there is for the Jordan side.  Unfortunately, there are no earlier photos of the Fromm family either (just yet!  I am always on the lookout!)

Joseph Fromm (For our children, your Great Great Great Great Grandfather!) was born in Posen, Thuringia, in Prussia (later Germany). He had two sons - Victor (11 Dec 1832 -14 May 1906) and Samuel Leopold (01 Mar 1838 - 20 Sep 1912).   His wife is not listed on anything I could find.  On the wedding certificate of his son Samuel, Joseph was described as a grocer.  At this time I can find no further information regarding Joseph. 

Samuel Leopold Fromm (GGG Grandfather to our children) was born in 1837 in the Duchy of Posen in Prussia. (That location is also referred to as Pösen Thuringia, Germany) Prussia was a German Kingdom between 1701 and 1918, and it’s capital was Berlin.  The Duchy of Posen was dissolved in 1920 when most of its territory was ceded to the Second Polish Republic by the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War 1.  Posen was the provincial capital and is today known as Poznan in Poland.  In the 1861 England and Wales Census, Samuel was living in Hackney, London and was described as being a Commercial Traveller. 

Samuel married Marian Moggridge Windus on the 26 Sep 1861 in Hackney, London. In 1861, Hackney was a busy, growing borough in East London with many new houses and many people working in the ‘Rag Trade’ (the clothing or fashion industry). 

Papers from the National Archives indicate that Samuel was naturalised as a British Citizen on the 30 Sep 1862, and just prior to that on the 20 Sep 1862, he is listed on the Census as being a Wine Merchant at Kingsland, Middlesex, England.  The Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales in 1870 described Kingsland as ‘a quondam hamlet, now a metropolitan suburb, in Hackney parish, Middlesex; on the Tottenham road and the North London railway, 2½ miles NNE of St. Pauls. It has post offices, under London NE, and a police station; and omnibuses run from it to the City’.  In 1866, he was listed in the Post Office Directory and his address was given as ‘Middleton Road, Dalston, London’.

In the 1871 England and Wales Census, he is listed at about 33 years old and living in Hackney, London with wife Marian 32, daughters Martha 8, Marian 3 and son Henry 6.

Samuel’s occupation in 1875 was listed as being in partnership with a Frances Croxson at the Crown and Thistle Tavern and Restaurant at 11 Billiter Street London, where they were the Dining Room Keepers and Licensed Victualler’s.  An article in the London Gazette dated 30 Apr 1875 advised patrons that ‘THE Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned. Samuel Fromm and Frances Croxson, as Tavern, Restaurant, Dining-room Keepers, and Licensed Victualler's, at No. 11, Billiter-street, in the city of London, under the name, style, or firm of Fromna and Croxson, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent. Dated this 22nd day of April, 1875.

Samuel Fromm.

Frances Croxson.’

Samuel has then moved on, staying in the Hospitality business.  From 1876-1880, he is listed in the Post Office Directory (and confirmed online on a website http://pubshistory.com/LondonPubs/StDunstaninEast/QueensHead.shtml) as being the Publican of the Queens Head, 19 Great Tower Street, St Dunstan in East, City of London. During this time, in the Post Office Directory dated 1878, his address was listed as 26 Albert Road, Dalston.  In the 1881 Census, he has moved house to 34 King Edward Road, Hackney where his occupation is listed again as Wine Merchant.

In 1882-1884 the same website for Pub History in London, lists Samuel as being the Tavern Owner of  The Ship Tavern at 3 Hart Street, London.  This Tavern is still an ongoing concern today and if you Google the address you can take a look at it on Street View. There is a gap between 1884 to 1891 when his occupation is then listed as Restaurant Manager.

The 1901 England and Wales Census indicates that Samuel has moved south of the Thames River and is either residing at, or, is the Publican of the Empress of India at 285 Rotherhithe New Road, Rotherhithe, London.  This same address is used for the 1902 Post Office Directory and the 1903 Electoral Registers (where he is listed as a Glazier?). 

His Wife Marian passed away on the 01 May 1904.

Samuel marries again and on the 21 June 1904 to Emily Gentry (widow aged 60).  They had no children.  

Fast forward to the England and Wales Census of 1911 where he is listed as the Publican of the Lord Wellington at 132 Weston Street Bermondsey, Surrey.

Samuel passed away on the 20 Sep 1912 and was buried in Stamford Hill, London on the 25 Sep 1912.

Samuel and Marian Fromm had 4 children - 

Martha Henrietta (b Apr 1862, Hackney, London, d 7 Aug 1895 London)

Henry Samuel Ludwig (b 1 Sep 1864, Kingsland, London, d 6 Aug 1930, Shoreditch, London)

Marian Louise (b 1 Jul 1868, Hackney, London, d 26 May 1878, London) and

William Windus (b 29 Jan 1872, Dalston, London,  d Jan 1945, Lewisham, Greater London)

Henry Samuel Ludwig (HSL) Fromm (GG Grandfather to our children) was born on the 01 Sep 1864 in Kingsland, London.  In the 1871 England and Wales Census, Henry is listed as being 6 years old and living in Hackney, London. In the 1881 England and Wales Census, he is listed as living with his sisters at 34 King Edward Road, Hackney, London.  Also listed at that location in the census was his Uncle Victor Fromm who perhaps was visiting over the time of the census.  Henry was aged 16 and his occupation is given on the census as ‘Clerk’.

Henry married Rose Matilda Wilkinson (born 01 Mar 1867 in Islington, Middlesex - died 27 Dec 1938 in Dartford, Kent) in Highbury, Middlesex on 1 Mar 1886. In Apr 1891 the England and Wales Census lists Henry and Rose as residing at 36 Florfield Road, Hackney, London.  Others listed with Henry and Rose are , son Albert Edward aged 4, Henry Alfred aged 2 and, Claude William aged 6 months.  Henry is named in the British Postal Service Appointment Books 1737-1969 in June 1891 as being appointed to the position of Postman at the Post Office of Homerton in London.

All is not as it seems with the family however. At the same time he was having children with his wife Rose, Henry Fromm has been having an affair (and more children!) with a Cecilia Mortimer (born 15 May 1870 in Wapping, Middlesex - died Jul 1957 in Wellington, Shropshire ).  

With regards to Cecilia Mortimer, it appears that she was using the surname Fromm (even though they were not married) as this article from the Lloyds Weekly London Newspaper dated 22 Oct 1893 indicates under the headline ‘RECKLESS EVIDENCE’ - 

At the Islington Coroners court on Monday, Dr Danford Thomas, the coroner, said he wished to call attention to a matter of grave importance.  Some seven weeks since he held an inquiry concerning the death of a child named Fromm and the jury returned a verdict “That the child had died from malnutrition”. Since then he had received a letter from 9 Carlingford Road South Tottenham, from a Rose M. Fromm, who stated that she was the mother of the child and that she had every reason to believe that its death was due to neglect. His office had made inquiries and found that the person at the inquest represented herself to be the mother of the child was living with the father, and had charge of the infant for some time.  It was a serious matter and he had summoned the parties before him that day for an explanation.  The young woman was then called, and said her name was Cecilia Mortimer, and that she was living with Mr Fromm. She admitted that she gave the name of Fromm and wore she was the mother of the child.  She was not aware she was doing wrong. The Coroner: It is what might be called a “pious fraud.” It is a serious matter, and if the woman told an untruth in one respect how can the jury believe the rest of her evidence? Miss Mortimer said she now saw the mistake she had made in saying she was Mrs Fromm and expressed her regret and sorrow. The Coroner: I am glad to hear that, after coming and telling such deliberate falsehoods. It was a great injustice and insult to the court and the jury. I want you to realise that most strongly, I have altered the documents for the satisfaction of the Registrar, and the only step I can take is to communicate the whole of the facts to the Solicitor to the Treasury, and it will be for them to say whether you will be prosecuted or not.

Cecilia Mortimer would have been 23 years old at the time of this incident.

I believe the child who died was Claude William Fromm, born in Oct 1890 and died in July 1892.  Claude was buried in a common grave in the Waltham Forest Cemetery, Greater London, England.  

Cecilia Mortimer must have left Henry Fromm as, in the 1911 Census, she is listed as being married to a George Smith for 10 years (no exact date of marriage. There is some confusion in the Census information over the years. After marrying George Smith, Cecilias’ children by Henry Fromm become Smiths). Possibly this is where the surname Smith came from for the child Sam Fromm alias Samuel Smith which is mentioned in some family histories.

Rose Matilda Fromm, (Henrys’ official Wife) was having some mental health issues.  Admitted to an Asylum in 1893 for what was called ‘Maternal Mania’ (possibly Post Natal Depression?)  She also had some financial difficulties when separated from Henry.  Victorian England was notorious in the treatment of women who could be admitted to an asylum on the recommendation of a husband!  Women could be admitted to an asylum for as little as ‘over action of the mind’ or ‘book reading’ in an attempt to educate themselves and also, ‘desertion by husband’.  In the website detailing the Fromm Family (which has since been archived and is no longer available, and also on ancestry.com pages) Rose Matilda Fromm was listed in the London, Selected Poor Law Removal and Settlement Records as a ‘Pauper’. I have electronic copies of this document.  It is possible that after Henry Fromm left her, she had no means of support and was living in Workhouses.  In 1897/8 Rose was living in a Workhouse in Shoreditch.  Records from that Workhouse indicate she was discharged at her own request on the 8 Jan 1898.  On 26 Apr 1899, Rose Fromm was admitted to Holborn Union (a workhouse and former asylum) also known as the City Road Workhouse in the County of London.  It was the responsibility of the Parish/County to foot the bill for these places.  However, if a resident of the Workhouse was found to be living there with no legal settlement entitlement (i.e. had not resided in that area) and, it was not the Parish/County of their last legal settlement, they would be removed from that Workhouse to a Workhouse at their last legal settlement. It was recognised by the Holborn Union that Rose was “aged 30 years lawful wife of Henry Fromm now absent from her”.  Subsequently,  Rose was issued a removal notice from Holborn Union and was removed from there to the Parish of St Leonards at Shoreditch where it was noted by the Holborn Union (on the removal documents) that Henry Fromm had been residing for some years at Baldwin Terrace Eagle Wharf Road in the Parish of St Leonards, Shoreditch.  She was sent back to Shoreditch.

The England and Wales Census of March 1901 indicates a new address for Henry Fromm and family at 94 F Block - Queens Buildings, St George the Martyr, Southwark in London.  He is 36 by now and still a Postman.  This census lists a larger family now consisting of his legal wife Rose, son Albert aged 14, son Henry aged 12, son Arthur aged 10, son George aged 8, Sam aged 5 and, daughter Rose Lilian aged 11 months. 

In that same Census (1901), Cecilia Mortimer is listed as a visitor at the address of 40 Wolseley Buildings, Bermondsey, London.  

In July 1902, Cecilia Mortimer married George Smith, a Dock Labourer. 

In 1905, Henry Fromm is listed as residing at 12 Brunswick St, Southwark, London.

In the 1906 Electoral Roll, Henry Fromm is listed as living at 25 Brunswick St, Southwark, London. Also listed as residing at that address is Nora Fromm.

In the 1911 Electoral Roll, Rose Matilda Fromm is listed as residing in a dwelling house at 11 Barbel Street, Parish of St George the Martyr in the Metro Borough of Southwark.  There is no date for that Electoral Roll I could see but, in the Census dated 2 Apr 1911, Rose Matilda Fromm and Rose Lilian Fromm (aged 10) are now residing in a one room unit at 22 D Block, Jubilee Dwellings and Buildings in Southwark, London.  Her occupation then is listed as a Cleaner.

In the 1911 Census, Henry Fromm is listed as residing at 61 Darwin Street, Walworth, London.  He is living there with what appears to be a new partner - Nora Fromm 33 years old who is listed as his wife.  They were married in 1903.  Henry is still listed as being a Postman.

In the 1911 Census, Cecilia is listed as Cecilia Smith residing at 5 Three Oak Lane, Bermondsey, London. Residing there are her husband, George Smith, Arthur Smith (Albert Rendoth) single male aged 18, a Tailors Pressor at St Lukes, Cecilia Marion Smith single female aged 11 and at School, George Smith single male aged 21, an Engineers Storekeeper at Horsleydown and, Samuel Smith single male aged 15, a Messenger Boy at Bermondsey.  It appears her husband, George Smith, passed at some stage prior to 1917.  Cecilia had no children to George Smith so, these children are the children of Henry Fromm.  I think that the ages for Arthur and George in this Census have been somehow recorded incorrectly because, given his year of birth, Arthur would have been about the 21 year mark and George would have been closer to 18. 

Cecilia Mortimer married Charles Augustus Houseman on the 16 Oct 1917.  It is listed (with no reference on the website) that she resided with her new husband at Horsleydown, in Surrey.

In the 1918 and 1919 Electoral Rolls, Henry and Nora Fromm are listed as residing at 5 Lock Square, Southwark, London.

Henry Fromm died on the 16 Aug 1930 in Shoreditch, London.  Henry Samuel Ludwig Fromm certainly lived a carefree life; four partners, three of whom he married.  He had 2 families at the same time to Rose Matilda Fromm and Cecelia Mortimer.

On Henry Fromm’s death certificate in 1930, his wife is named as Beatrice Alice Fromm.

Henry’s first wife Rose Matilda Fromm (nee Wilkinson) died on 27 Dec 1938 at Dartford, Kent.

In the 1956 Electoral Register, Cecilia Houseman (nee Smith and Mortimer!) is living with Joyce and Peter Payne. Peter is the son of Cecilia Marion Payne (nee Fromm, daughter of Henry Fromm and Cecilia Mortimer) and Horace Payne.  Cecilia Marion (Fromm) lives next door at number 5, with her husband Horace and daughter.  Cecilia Marion Payne (nee Fromm)and family were still there in 1960.

Cecilia Mortimer died in July 1957 in Wellington, Shropshire.

Henry Fromm and Rose Matilda (nee Wilkinson) Fromm had 7 Children -

Albert Edward   (b 1886, Otterham, Middlesex, d 4 Jul 1975, Dartford, Kent)

Henry Alfred      (b 1888 886 Otterham, Middlesex, d Mar 1967, Surrey, England)

Claude William  (b Dec 1890, Hackney, London, d Jul 1892, Shoreditch, London)

Fredrick James (b 1892, d 1893 - 10 months old)

Robert                (b 30 Nov 1894, Shoreditch, London, d Oct 1896, Shoreditch, London)

Rose Lillian   (b 22 Apr 1900, Bermondsey, London, d 25 August 1986,                                    Kidderminster, Worcester, England)

Alma                  (b 1902-1902) 

Henry Fromm and Cecilia Mortimer had 4 children -

Arthur (Albert Rendoth)        ( b 25 Jul 1890, Mile End, London, d 4 Jul 1975, Glebe, NSW)

George Fromm Mortimer      (b Sep 1894, Islington, Middlesex, d Apr 1973, Lewisham,  

                         Greater London)

Samuel                                    (b Mar 1896, Holborn, Middlesex, d Dec 1968 Wandsworth, London)

Cecilia Marion                (b I Jun 1898 at St Olave, Southwark, London, d 16 Jul1984  Brent, Middlesex)

Arthur Fromm (later known as Albert Arthur Rendoth which I will use) was born in Mile End, London on the 25 Jul 1890.  He is not listed in the 1891 Census at his fathers (Henry Fromm) address and, his mother Cecilia Mortimer on that same Census is listed as being at 91 Fleet St, St Bride, London. She was 22 and is listed as being single and a Domestic Servant so, she was at work.  I wonder who was babysitting?

The next find for Albert Rendoth is in the Census of March 1901 where he is residing at 94 F Block - Queens Buildings, St George the Martyr, Southwark, London.  He is 10 years old.  The other occupants listed with him are his father Henry Samuel Ludwig Fromm, Rose M Fromm, Albert E aged 14, Henry A aged 12, George aged 8, Cecelia M aged 3 and, Rose L aged 11 months.

Albert Rendoth was baptised on the 20 Feb 1903 in the Parish of Saint John, Horsleydown in the County of Surrey.  The surname Fromm is shown on the birth certificate for both parents Henry and Cecilia, although they never married. The address shown on the document is 46 Barnham St Buildings, Block 2 (no suburb was listed but I believe it was Horselydown, Surrey).  Looking on Google Maps it appears that the London Rail system now runs over that address.

In the 1911 Census dated Sun 02 April 1911, Albert Rendoth (Arthur Fromm) is listed as 18 years old. (I don’t know how they could have got his age wrong!) living with his mother (now married) Cecilia and her husband, George Smith at number 5 Three Oak Lane, Bermondsey, London.  He is listed as being a Tailors Presser.  This is the last official entry I can find for Arthur Fromm. 

I came across a hand written note that was included with Albert Rendoth’s Army Records. It indicated a date, 10 May 1911 with the words ‘Australasian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd  S.S. Kuranda”on it.  The note mentions his birth name of Arthur Fromm and that he left home about 1910 for Australia.  It also states that whilst back in Britain for WW1, he visited his sister Cecilia Marion Fromm, who was in the Land Army and was last heard of whilst on leave from France in London.  However, Albert is listed before that date on the 1911 English Census dated 02 Apr1911.  I believe that in between these two dates (2 April  1911-10 May 1911) is the time he may have travelled to Australia (within that 5 week period).  Ship travel from England to Australia in that era was by steamship covering a period of 35-40 days.

The note from a family member searching
for Arthur Fromm aka Albert Rendoth.

After that 1911 Census, 4.5 years later (1915) he appears in Lismore, Australia under his new name Albert Rendoth upon his enlistment into the Army for WW1.  How he got to Australia and why he changed his name have never been evident.  There is a story that he jumped ship on arrival in Australia but that has been difficult to track down to confirm. It is also unknown where the surname Rendoth came from. 

Albert Rendoth - Mug shot for Australian Army

Albert took his Oath of Enlistment into the Australian Army on the 06 Dec 1915 at Lismore in New South Wales.  He was described at 25 years and 3 months old (bit odd given the date of birth on his birth certificate……?), height of 5ft 3inches (169cm), weight 9 stone 8 pounds (60.8 kgs), chest measurement 33.5/37 inches, complexion fair, eyes grey, hair light brown, religion Church of England.  His occupation prior to enlistment was listed as ‘Waiter’. On the 06 Dec 2015, he was appointed to ‘A’ Company 42nd Battalion that was raised in Enoggera near Brisbane, Queensland in that month. 42nd Battalion was part of the 11th Brigade of the 3rd Division. Albert embarked Australia on 05 June 1916 arriving at Southhampton, England on the 23 Jul 1916.

The 42nd Battalion completed training in Australia and Britain before being deployed to France on the 26 Nov 1916 to fight the Germans on the Western Front.  The Battalion took up positions on the frontline in Dec 1916, enduring the winter of 1916-17.  They also completed further training and labouring tasks in the rear areas when not in the line.  The Battalion operated in the Ypres sector in Belgium Jun 1917, taking part in the Battle of Messines, in late July they were at Warneton, early October at Brooseinde and on the 12 Oct 1917 at Passchendaele where they sustained heavy casualties.  The Battalion remained in Belgium for the following 5 months, rotating between the front and rear areas.  In March 1918 they moved to France to help Allies with the German Spring Offensive.  They repelled a German attack at Morlancourt and were involved in the Battle of Hamel on 04 Jul 1918.  In August 1918 the Allies launched their own offensive.  The Battalion were involved in the initial attack around Amiens and advance as the Allies tried to break through the Hindenburg Line. During the 29 Sep to 02 Oct 1918, the Battalion had its final involvement during fighting at St Quentin Canal.  After this, the Australian Corps was withdrawn for some R&R. 42nd Battalion was disbanded on 22 Oct 1918 to provide reinforcements to other AIF units that had suffered heavy casualties during the year.

Albert returned to England from France on the 10 Dec 1918. On the 03 Mar 1919, he departed England for Australia onboard the HMAT Euripides arriving in Melbourne on the 20 Apr 1919 and made his way to Brisbane.  Albert was Discharged from the AIF (Australian Imperial Forces) at Brisbane as a result of Defective Eyesight.

Albert married Grace Marjory Mackintosh on 17 Jul 1919.  The Australian Electoral Roll from that year showed them living in Depper Street, Toowong, a suburb of Brisbane. Albert is listed as a ‘Labourer’ and Grace listed as ‘Home Duties’. They were still living in Brisbane later that year as their first born Arthur Albert Rendoth was born on the 16 Nov 1919 (QLD Birth Registration 1919/B/57708). 

 

The Australian Electoral Roll in 1921 shows Albert and Grace residing at 37 Mein St, Brisbane North. His occupation is described as ‘Cook’ and Grace is still listed as ‘Home Duties’.

Their second child Barbara Cecelia Rendoth was born in Queensland on the 23 Feb 1922.  They have moved from Brisbane to Sydney between 1922 and 1924 as their next child Kenneth Sam Rendoth was born on 23 July 1924 in Glebe NSW.

An article dated Thurs 28 Feb 1929 under the heading ‘SUGAR WORKERS’ OFFICERS, Albert is mentioned as being elected a Shop Steward at the annual meeting of the Pyrmont Sugar Works Employees’ Union. The Pyrmont Sugar Works was owned by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR). The Pyrmont refinery dominated the precinct. With its by-product industries, Pyrmont became Australia’s second largest industrial concentration (behind BHP).

Whilst on R&R in England during the War, Albert had caught up with his family.  In 1929, Alberts family were becoming a little concerned that they had not heard from him since 1918 after his demobilisation after the War.  His brother Henry, sends a letter dated May 16th 1929 to the Commonwealth Bank in Brisbane.  The letter indicates that Albert was a customer of the Commonwealth Bank and Henry asks if they have any information available they could use to contact Albert.  The Bank replies and forwards the request for information to the Defence Dept in Melbourne. The Defence Dept has then contacted Henry, via his Solicitors, indicating that although they have his Army Records, they are not aware of his current whereabouts. That return letter was dated 08 Jul 1929.

In the 1930 Australian Electoral Roll, Albert and Grace are residing at 42 Westmoreland Street, Glebe.  Albert is listed as a ‘Labourer’ and Grace as ‘Home Duties’.

In the 1937 Australian Electoral Roll, Albert and Grace are residing at 117 Glebe Street in Glebe, West Sydney.  His occupation at this time is listed as ‘Sugar Worker’. He is still listed as this address in the 1943 Electoral Roll also, still as a ‘Sugar Worker’.

In 1961, the family in England are becoming concerned again. A letter post stamped date 09 Mar 1961 is sent to Central Army Records in Melbourne from a Mrs E. Rigg who states she is acting for a friend in England who is trying to trace her brother. She enclosed in the letter details of Albert Rendoth (this is the note I referred to earlier in relation to the S.S. Kuranda and the date of  May 10th 1911).  Once again the Army Records get onto the case and on the 22 Mar 1961, find Albert living at 117 Glebe Street, Glebe. The Army Records reply to Mrs Rigg advising that they will not disclose his address but will forward a letter from his family, with his Army Service Number to his last recorded address.  The friend of Mrs Rigg is Cecilia Marion Payne (nee Fromm), Alberts sister. She sends a letter to Army Records but states that she cannot remember his Army Service Number. The letter she sent is received by Army Records and is annotated as being received and forwarded to the Glebe address on the 3rd of May. On the 8th May 1961, Albert sends a letter of thanks to Army Records for on forwarding Cecilias letter.

Albert Rendoth

Grace Marjory Rendoth (nee Mackintosh)

Grace Marjory Rendoth (nee Mackintosh) died on the 16 Mar 1959 and is buried in the Rookwood Cemetery.

After the passing of Grace Marjory, Albert married Myrtle Lillimur Plummer in 1966. She was called ‘Nana Blue’ by the grandchildren because of the blue rinse she would put through her hair.  Myrtle passed away on the 27 Oct 1977.

Albert Rendoth and 2nd wife 'Nana Blue', Myrtle Lillimur Plummer

Albert Arthur Rendoth passed away on the 04 Jul 1975 and was buried on the 08 Jul 1975 at the Rookwood Cemetery.

Albert and Grace (nee Mackintosh) Rendoth had 7 children - 

Arthur Albert (b 16 Nov 1919, Brisbane, Queensland, d 22 Feb 1957 in Tamworth, New South Wales

Barbara Cecelia (23 Feb 1922, Queensland, Australia, d 20 Jan 2000)

Kenneth Sam (b 23 Jul 1924, Glebe, Sydney, d 22 Aug 2015, Penrith, New South Wales

Robert Alfred (b 17 Oct 1926, Glebe, New South Wales, d 22 Sep 2015, Sydney, New South Wales

Phyllis (b 1928, Glebe, New South Wales, d 15 Mar 1930, Glebe, New South Wales

Marjory Grace (b 4 Sep 1930, Sydney, New South Wales, d 25 Aug 2021)

Cedric Victor (b 28 Sep1932, Sydney, New South Wales, 22 Apr 2024, Scone, New South Wales

Kenneth Sam Rendoth was born on the 23 July 1924 in the Crown Street Women’s Hospital which was situated on the corner of Crown and Albion Streets, Surry Hills in Sydney NSW.

Glebe in the 1920s and 1930s, like other inner city suburbs, was the haunt of criminal gangs, all fighting for control of illegal off-course betting and a sly grog trade.  Hotels were the place where many SP bookmaking operations were conducted.  The gangs were named for their local areas; The Rocks, The Loo, The Railway, Surry Hills and the like.  Glebe in the 1920s and 1930s was a low socio-economic area. The Great Depression hit in 1929.  I can recall Kenneth Rendoth saying that one Christmas the whole family was treated to a bag of oranges.

In 1932, Ken started School at the Glebe Junior Technical School, Derwent St & Derby Place Glebe in class 1b.  The class photo shows a chubby faced Ken, scowling at the photographer as the photo is taken. 

Second row down, 7th from the left.  Kenneth Rendoth.

Ken almost died after contracting Diphtheria when he was 7; he underwent an emergency Tracheotomy (tube down his throat to help breathing). 

He left school at the age of 14 and got a job as a Storeman at Chown Bros and Mulholland at Wattle St, Ultimo. At the age of 17, Ken went to the Sydney Showground to join the AIF (Australian Imperial Forces). They accepted his mate Harold Nesbitt but told Ken to go home and grow up some more. Ken was accepted into the CMF (Citizens Military Forces) on the 1st June 1942 after fudging his 18th birthday by 4 months; his parents would not sign the enlistment papers for him to join the AIF. 

His unit was the 53rd Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment, 26th Brigade and was attached to the 9th Australian Division. He went to North Queensland for preparation training for the re-capture of Islands near Borneo. According to his Army Records, Kens Unit arrived on the Indonesian Island of Morotai to prepare for the invasion of Tarakan Island where the Japanese had an airstrip. His Unit went onto Tarakan Island and assisted the Allies re-capture Tarakan. His Unit had their gun crews positioned on the edge of the Airstrip. It was whilst he was on Tarakan Island, the the War in the Pacific ceased with the surrender of the Japanese. He returned to Morotai Island on the 21 Dec 1945. Here Ken decided to Transfer to the Australian Army Canteen Service as part of the Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan. He departed Morotai Island on the 14 Feb 1946 to go to Japan. He stayed in Japan with the Occupation Forces and returned to Sydney on the 13 August 1947 and was discharged from the Army on the 8 Sep 1947. 

Kenneth Rendoth - discharge photo.

On his return to Sydney, Ken worked at Woolworths for about 3 months. He then learned from a friend that the NSW Fire Brigade was recruiting. He applied, passed all written and physical tests and was inducted as a Probationary Fireman on the 5 Dec 1947.

On the 28 May 1948, Ken attended a YMCA dance in Liverpool St, Sydney. He saw a woman across the room. He mentioned to his friend that he was going to marry this woman, Fay Shirley Archer. He did exactly that and they were married on the 22 April 1950 at St Aidans Church, Annandale, NSW. In 1958, the Electoral Roll shows them living at 300 Nelson St, Annandale North.

Ken and Fay Rendoth 

Ken and Fay Rendoth - the bloke on the right is Fay's father
Thomas Trefusis Bawden Archer

Part of Kens’ work as a Fireman required him to have a 2 year stint in a country area and so, in 1963, Ken accepted a transfer to a country Fire Station and the family moved to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, West of Sydney. The 2 years extended into over 20!  

Ken retired from the Fire Brigade in 1984 after 32 years service. He and Fay moved to the home we all knew at 2 Parer St Springwood. Kim moved with them there as well. Well, we all know what happened after that! 

Ken became very active in the RSL (Returned Services League) Sub Branch in Springwood. The RSL is a Charity made up of serving or retired Military Veterans providing support to Veterans and their Families. He also became a member of the Springwood RSL Bowling Club where he would go on Wednesdays and Saturdays to play bowls and catch up with his mates.

Ken fell ill in 2015 and passed away at the Nepean Base Hospital in Penrith, NSW on the 22 Aug 2015.

Memoirs of Ken Rendoth - dated Mon 4 Dec 1989 & 8 Jul 1991

Born 23/7/1924 Crown St Women’s Hosp

My earliest recollections of School Days were not the happiest. Amid tears and reluctance I remember Dad escorted, or should I say dragging, me to Junior School. 

Later memories were of Mr Wheeler dividing his pupils into two sections. Had bright, promising students to whom he concentrated on and us, who were more or less, left to our own devices. This was just prior to my leaving school at the age of 14 years.

At the tender age of seven years my life was almost terminated when I suffered an attack of Diphtheria. Had to undergo a Tracheotomy (tube inserted in the throat to facilitate breathing).

The Rendoth Family consisted of Father Albert, Mother Grace Marjorie, and in order of seniority my brother Arthur, sister Barbara Cecilia, me, then brother Robert, sister Marjorie and the youngest Cedric Victor. We had a sister Phyllis who died as a baby and whom I never knew.

Mum was from Charters Towers, Queensland and Dad was from Jamaica Rd, Bermondsey, England but I do not have definite confirmation at this time. 

We resided at several different addresses in the Glebe, Sydney. Westmoreland St, Ricen St, Derwent St then 117 Glebe St and 72 Bridge Rd. The latter premises being where the family resided when I was born on the 23rd July 1924. Details from Birth Certificate state; born above date Crowns Women’s Hospital, Father Albert Rendoth age 31 Foreman, Colonial Sugar Refinery Co, born London England married Clayfield, Brisbane, Queensland. Mother Grace Marjorie Mackintosh age 28 years, Charters Towers. Witnesses: Dr Gibson and Nurse Shaw.

My school days were spent attending Glebe junior Technical School, Derwent St & Derby Place, Glebe.

I used to walk to school from our home in Glebe St, about 1 kilometre. These were pretty happy days as I recall, even though I was a mediocre student

My boyhood mates were were Harold Nesbitt, Ernie ‘Jumbo Power, Harold Meyers, Neville ‘Gogs’ North, Ray Batram and Johnny Carlson. Together we made tin canoes (to paddle in Blackwattle Bay), build ‘Billy Carts’ to race down Campbell St hill, went for bicycle rides, and later for weekend camping trips to Heathcote where we stayed in a huge cave. Generally caught the 10pm Paper Train from Central Railway on Friday night, arriving Heathcote about 1am then walked down to Heathcote Creek. Rations from Grace Bros Broadway - Friday night shopping. 

It was here that I suffered burns to my back when ‘Jumbo’ spilt half his dinner into the open fire, done his block and flung pan and dinner away which resulted in me copping hot fat on my bare back. Our bicycle stacking record occurred in Campbell St, Glebe when we rode down the hill with seven of us on a push bike.

I left School at age 14 and found a job as Storeman at Chown Bros & Mulholland, Wattle St, Ultimo (site of the present day Sydney Morning Herald) manufacturers of ‘Susie Ann’  Aluminium Ware, Enamel Pots & Pans, Galvanised Baths and Tin Ware. Commencing wage was £1-4s-3d and I worked in the storeroom making up orders for Hardware Stores such as Traverse Jones & Murray Bros. We also produced Enamel mugs for The Defence Dept. 

The factory contained a Tin Plate section, Galvanised hot dip area, Enamelling section with two large electric Baking Ovens as well as a large storeroom and Administrative Offices. The boss was Mr Frank Chown and the Work Manager a Mr Roy Bell and there were upwards of 200 men, women and boys employed.

We had to sign in and out each day on the Bundy Clock and on Pay Day, wages were handed out from numbered metal cylinder which were held on a huge metal tray 4’ x 7’ probably made at the factory.

When we were 17, Harold Nesbitt and I went to the Sydney Showgrounds to join the AIF. They refused me and told me to go home and grow up some more, but they took Harold who was enlisted in the AASC 8th Division as a Transport Driver and, subsequently became a POW when Malaya fell to the Japanese. He survived the War, came home and married Mavis from Orange, but now deceased.

I was accepted into the CMF from June 1st 1942, after putting my 18th Birthday forward to the month of April. Mum and Dad would not sign the papers for me to join the AIF at this time. 

I was enrolled as a Gunner in the 111th Light A/A Regiment which was stationed at Canterbury Racecourse. From there I was posted to gun sites at Darling Harbour, Woolwich, Sydney Harbour Bridge S.E. Pylon, Bankstown & Richmond Aerodrome before being sent to the Jungle Training Course at Canungra, QLD. 

On July 13th 1943 I was transferred to the AIF. Our Battery became part of the 53rd Composite A/A, 26 Brigade, and was attached to the 9th Australian Division. The Regiment consisted of a Search Light Battery plus a Battery of 3.7 Heavy Ack Ack and our Battery of Bofors 40mm Light Ack Ack.

We embarked from Cairns on the Liberty Ship ‘Charles M. Russell’ and were landed at Morotai where we spent time stacking stores at night in a huge Army Stores Depot. Tank Landing Ships (L.S.T) took us from Morotai to Tarakan, an island off the east coast of Borneo, where we took part in the re-capture of those islands. Out gun crew was positioned at edge of airstrip and it is where our Regiment was when hostilities in the Pacific ceased. 

We boarded the Troopship ‘Kanimbla’ and were told we were going home. However, when we got to Morotai, we were told to get off because the blokes there had more ‘home points’ than us. This led to a brief ‘mutiny’ jackup but we finally dis-embarked when the Captain said the ship would not move until we did. My options at that time were a. Garrison duty at Rabaul or b. Join the occupation force for Japan. I chose the latter, got a transfer to the AACS (Canteen Service) and became part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF), and became a clerk in the canteen (writing unreadable) point at Kure, Japan, where I served a further 2 years. Kure was a Japanese Naval Base in Southern Japan and situated on the inland sea opposite to the Island of Shikoku.

Arrived back in Sydney aboard the Troopship ‘Kanimbla’ on 25th August 1947? and was discharged on the 5th September 1947. Had a few weeks free and must have gotten bored. Found a job as a Storeman at Woolworths Bulk Store, Ross St, Glebe near the Harold Park Hotel. Was still employed there when I met an Army acquaintance in Sydney, Pat (Paddy) Finnicane, who had joined the NSW Fire Brigade, and told me that they were recruiting men for the service. It sounded good to me so I applied, passed medical and aptitude test and was inducted as a Probationary Fireman on 5th December 1947. Attended day time training at Woolhara Fire Station. Members of my class were Ray Ahearn, Reg Starkey, Ron Olsen, Kevin Riley and Les Fouracre. Roy eventually made Chief Officer. My first appointment was to No13 Station, Glebe No 75 St Johns Rd, No1 Station H.Q. and finally, following promotion to Station Officer, No343 Station Katoomba from which I retired in 1984 after 37 years service.

Enter Fay Shirley Archer. Went to a YMCA Dance in Liverpool St with Harold Meyers. Dance was in progress and across the room I saw this tall brunette so I walked across and asked for a dance. Fortunately for me, she was at odds with her current boyfriend, so she agreed. Also got to take her home to 236 Trafalgar St Annandale. 

This lovely lady consented to be my wife. We were married on 22nd April 1950.

Archer

The furthest back I have been able to trace Fay Rendoths’ maiden name is to a Thomas Archer. Interestingly, the surname Archer over the years has evolved for the surname Arger. This has been a bit of a typical thing when going back over the years when, for some reason, there has been a spelling change in a surname. Perhaps it has something to do with pronunciation as people moved around and took on a new accent?

Thomas Archer/Arger (Kims 8th Great Grandfather) was born in 1665 in Norfolk, England. Possibly in the town of Baconsthorpe. He married Margaret Warns (also born in 1665)on 4 October 1686 in St Mary’s Church, Baconsthorpe, Norfolk. They had ten children during their marriage. On the 19 Dec 1711 as per the document Register of Duties Paid for Apprenticed Indentures, Thomas was a Cordwainer; he made shoes from new leather (note: a Cobbler in those days only repaired shoes). The document shows he was living in Bawnstrope, Norfolk and his apprentice was Jon Wright.  Oddly enough, Thomas’s father in law Edmund Warns was also a Cordwainer! Thomas died in the New Year of 1730 in Norwich, Norfolk, at the age of 65 and was buried on the 5 Jan 1731 in Baconsthorpe.

Lets skip a few generations and take a look at Kims 2nd Great Grandfather William Archer. William Archer was born on 20 June 1809 in Sculthorpe, Norfolk.  He married Helen/Ellen Thomson in 1843 in Sydney, New South Wales. They had seven children in 16 years. Pretty straightforward one would think but, William had an amazing life.

A copy of the Birth Register of Sculthorpe 1809 - William Archer

In 1827, William was a Fisherman. Who knows the situation but, on the 21 April 1828, he was found guilty in the Norfolk (Borough of Kings Lynn) Quarter Sessions Court of Shop Breaking and sentenced to Transportation to the Penal Colony of New South Wales for 7 years. William was taken as prisoner to the Convict Hulk ‘Ganymede’ in Chatham Harbour, Kent. The Hulk Prisoner ships were old ships that were falling apart that were used to imprison the criminals. They were used because of the particularly harsh justice system in England at the time had the normal land prisons overflowing. The Hulks were shockingly filthy and many died whilst being held. On the 4th of September 1830, William departed on the Convict Ship ‘York’ for NSW, arriving on the 7 February 1831 in Port Jackson.

Proceeding of the Trial of WIlliam Archer at the Old Bailey  -  10 Apr 1828

Convicts were often used as free labour for farmers and William was assigned to work for a William Sparke on his 2000 acre Govt Grant. Sparke then rented William to a neighbour on Ash Island. Ash Island is one of a few islands that split the Hunter River into 2 streams before rejoining further south and flowing into the Pacific Ocean. To put it into perspective, the current Ash Island Bridge runs off the Pacific Hwy on the opposite side of the road, a little south of Hexham Maccas.

Whilst working for the neighbour splitting logs and building fences, another neighbour reported a missing cow. A ‘boy’ then reported that he had seen William and 3 others cooking and eating chops in their hut.

There was an investigation. They were found guilty at the Maitland Quarter Sessions Court and in Jan 1834, they were sentenced to Life Imprisonment (later commuted to 15 years) on Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island was known as ‘the hell in the Pacific’ for its brutal treatment of Convicts.

William Archer - Police Gazette - 1833

Because of his previous employment as a Fisherman, William found himself being the Coxswain of a whale boat that used to row out to the ships as they berthed. It was a dangerous proposition, Norfolk Island is well known for its wild surf over Coral Reefs and Sand Bars. There were drownings aplenty when people embarked their ship to reach the beach. William could swim well, and he made a name for himself rescuing people when their boat would overturn. He would swim out to them or take a whaleboat out. About 1841, William rescued some VIPs from drowning as their boat was smashed coming into the shore. They were so thankful for his skill and bravery that they petitioned the Government and 1 year later in 1842, William departed Norfolk Island a free man, thanks to the success of the petitions. On his arrival in Sydney, he was offered work as a Stonemason and was busy building the Cloister of St Mary’s Cathedral. He may have been a free man but it took until the 20 Dec 1843 to receive the official paperwork.

In 1844 he married Helen/Ellen Thomson. She was born 2 February 1816 in Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, Scotland. (Helen/Ellen - probably one of the transcription difficulties I mentioned earlier. Anyway…..). She had arrived in Australia on the ship ‘Strathfieldsaye’ on the 30 August 1841 as a single woman.

The people William rescued must have kept in touch. One of those was a Mr William Robertson of Lanark Lodge on the Clarence River. He offered William employment which William took. It is not known if this William Robertson assisted William attain land but during this time, William settled at Brushgrove. William was a sawyer, labourer, builder, farmer and publican. 

William was involved in the local Grafton area. In 1858 he was an Alderman on the Grafton Council and in Feb 1861, was elected Mayor.  He was to be the 3rd Mayor of Grafton, a position he held for about 18 months.

William was given a grant of 140 acres on the 20 May 1862. On the wedding certificate for his son James in 1880, Williams occupation is listed as Publican. This would have been at the Brushgrove Hotel which is still operating to this day.

William died on the 13 September 1891 at Brushgrove, Woodford Island, Grafton.

Williams wife Ellen Thomson was born on 2 February 1816 in Lanarkshire, her father, William Thomson, was 34, and her mother, Mary Agnes Young, was 26. She married William Archer in 1843 in Sydney, New South Wales. They had seven children in 16 years. She died on 6 October 1903 in Grafton, New South Wales.

William and Ellen Archer (nee Thomson) had 7 children - 

William T Archer                     (b 9 Nov 1844, Parramatta, NSW - d 23 Nov 1844, Sydney, NSW)

Robert James Rous Archer     (b 18 April 1846, Grafton, NSW - d 27 Nov 1929, Leichardt, NSW)

John Archer                     (b 26 Sep 1848, Swan Creek, Clarence River, NSW - d 3 Dec 1900, Glebe, NSW)

James Archer                 (b 2 Apr 1851, Swan Creek, Clarence River, NSW - d 30 Jun 1933,             Petersham, NSW)

William George Archer             (b 29 Sep 1853, Cold Stream, Maclean, NSW - d 25 Dec 1930, Annandale, NSW)

Margaret Archer                     (b 8 Jan 1857, Grafton, NSW - d 28 May 1890, Balmain Nth, NSW)

David Little Archer             (b 15 Dec 1860, Brushgrove, NSW - d 15 Jan 1937, Brushgrove NSW)

Robert James Rous Archer was born on 18 April 1846 in Grafton, New South Wales, his father, William, was 36 and his mother, Ellen, was 30. He married Caroline Cramp (b 12 May 1849 at Swan Creek, Clarence River, NSW) on 22 March 1866. They had ten children in 24 years. In 1875, it appears Robert is the publican of the Royal Hotel in Grafton.  On 27 July 1875, Robert appeared before the Police Magistrate and S. G. Davison, Esq., J.P.  in relation to an application for a bagatelle license, with his licensed house. In a publication of Certificates for Publicans Licences in 1875, Robert is listed at The Royal Hotel in Grafton. Robert and Caroline moved to Sydney sometime between 1891 and 1894 after a series of floods on the Clarence River which impacted the business. William and Caroline lived at 3 Rose Crescent, Annandale. Caroline died on the 6 Sep 1929 in Annandale, Sydney and Robert died not long after on 27 November 1929 in Leichhardt, New South Wales, at the age of 83.

Robert and Caroline Archer (nee Cramp)

The youngest child of Robert and Caroline Cramp was Thomas Trefusis Bawden Archer. Born on the 21 Jun 1891 at Bridge St, Lawrence, NSW, he would have been young when the family moved to Sydney to Rose Cr, Annandale. Not much information about his young life. Thomas apparently worked most of his life with the Wunderlich Co in Sydney. primarily produced decorative building materials like pressed metal ceilings, metal shopfronts, terracotta tiles and cladding; essentially, they were known for their intricate pressed metal panels used in architectural elements across many prominent buildings in Australia, particularly in Sydney.

Thomas Trefusis Bawden Archer

Stella Roulston

Thomas and Stella Archer with their daughter Fay Shirley

He married Stella Roulston (b 30 Jun 1888 in Parramatta, NSW) on the 22 Mar 1926 at St Aidans Church in Annandale, Sydney. He was listed on the Marriage Certificate as a Joiner and Stella was listed as a Saleswoman (she was also a Tailoress.) 

Whilst working at Wunderlich, Thomas had a workplace injury that seriously injured his hand. He had to undergo skin grafts onto the palm as a result, his arm was attached to his leg for some time to allow the skin graft to take. He only had part use of his hand after this but it appears Wunderlich kept him on and promoted him to Foreman position. 

In 1931, Thomas is listed in the Electoral Roll as being a ‘Foreman, Joiner’ and living at 236 Trafalgar St, Annandale.  Later on, in the 1936 Census, he is listed again as a ‘Foreman Joiner’. Thomas died as a result of a Stroke on the 16 May 1960. His wife Stella died on the 1 Jul 1962.

Stella Roulston was a Tailoress before she married Thomas Archer.  I have found when investigating family histories that the women received little mention of their life stories.  I guess that is what happens in a society that placed little importance on the woman who, at the time, were supposed to stay at home and have the children.  Stella’s parents were Joseph Roulston and Rhoda Whitton Herrington.  They appear to be very resilient people, Joseph immigrating to Australia in 1856 when he was just 17 years old on the Ship ‘Lloyds’ and Rhoda arriving in 1864 as a ‘Single Female not being members of Families' when she was just 15 years old!  They were married in 1871at Parramatta.

Thomas and Stella Roulston had 1 child - Fay Shirley Archer born on the 23 February 1928 in Annandale, Sydney. Fay was only 4 when she walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on its opening day on the 19 Mar 1932. She attended school at North Annandale Primary and then at the Riverside Central Domestic Science School.  Fay finished her schooling in Nov 1942 and at the age of 15 began a 4 year apprenticeship in Hairdressing. 

She met Kenneth Sam Rendoth on the 28 May 1948 and they were married on the 22 Apr 1950 at St Aidans Church in Annandale (coincidentally the same church her parents were married in). In the 1958 Electoral Roll, Fay is listed at living at 300 Nelson St, Annandale (a house they bought shortly after their wedding) and her occupation was ‘Home Duties’. Fay had worked as a Hairdresser prior to her marriage but, this was in the days when it was the social norm for a woman to stop working once she got married. She is listed in the 1963 Electoral Roll as living at Lot 2 (later number 18) Letitia St, Katoomba. Her occupation is still listed as ‘Home Duties’. Fay was also very involved in Church and Community whilst in Katoomba. 

Fay Shirley Archer

Fay and Ken

Fay moved to Springwood in the Blue Mountains with Ken on his retirement. 

Fay died in Newmarch House Aged Care Facility in Kingswood, Western Sydney from post-Covid complications on the 8 May 2020. Her and Kens ashes are interred together in the Leura Memorial Gardens in the Blue Mountains, NSW.

Ken and Fay Rendoth had 3 children -

Jayne Elizabeth - born on the 13 FEB 1951 at Waverley, New South Wales

Gaye Ann - born on the 18 Dec 1953 at Annandale, NSW

Kim Lee - born on the 14 Dec 1960 at Annandale, NSW.

FOOTNOTE:

This is really just a precis of all the information I was able to find for our family trees.

Originally, for the Jordan and Yore information, I was spoiled by the fact that a lot of that history had already been collated and written as far as our Australian branches were concerned.  I wanted to go back further in time, as far as I could.  I found a lot of information going back further on the Ancestry Website and built it up from there.  I was concerned about what would happen to all that information; Dates, Places, Census Forms, Birth Certificates, Death Certificates, Baptism Certificates, etc.  When I reached a point where I could go no further, I downloaded the Ancestry information.  The information is downloaded as what they call a GEDCOM File (which is a Genealogy Industry Standard). Trouble is, it is only a text file.  None of the photos or documents included on the website are included with it!  So, I then downloaded the majority of those.  

My next step was to purchase a stand alone Family Tree software, one that didn't rely on any information on the Internet. A lot of the software I found is suitable for Windows OS users only.  Bit of a headache when I own a Mac!  I eventually settled on Mac Family Tree Maker, made specifically for Mac users by Synium Software, a German Company.  It was a good price too! Once I had imported the GEDCOM File, I then had to match up the nearly 400 downloaded photos and documents with the various individuals. One bonus with this software is that I can upload the Family Tree, for free, to a Website run by Synium Software.  It is accessible on the web and you can view the tree, click on individuals, click on events, and view attached media without a subscription.

The link for that site is here - Jordan and Rendoth Family History

Here is the link for my Ancestry Website but I believe you have to be a subscriber to view it (give it a try anyway!)

If you belong to the families mentioned here, send me a comment and say Gidday!

FAMILY TREE

I have been working on building actual 'Tree' graphics. I was able to do this in Photoshop, using many Layers to build the

information. I saved each file a a photo file (JPEG) so I could upload it to this blog post BUT, for some reason, I can't get it on here.  Next best thing; I saved each Tree as a PDF file and uploaded it to my Google Drive.  So, what we have here is links to each branch of Kim & Peter Jordan.  I think that, from what I can see, anyone should be able to download the Trees. Not sure of how the resolution will be after downloading though.  I haven't tried to print one yet, that's next on the agenda!

The Jordan Family Tree

The Yore Family Tree

The Mosch and Morris Family Trees

The Rendoth Family Tree

The Archer Family Tree

ANCESTRY AND KINSHIP REPORTS

The Family Tree software has the ability to prepare 'Reports' on anyone in the Family Tree.  Selecting a particular Person from the tree, I can manufacture reports based on Ancestors (Ahnentafel) which basically sticks to Grandparents, Great Grandparents and so on, straight up the ancestral bloodline leaving out Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews.  A Kinship report starts at the nominated person and continues with everybody (this is where the Jordan Family got complicated.  Because my Grandparents were first cousins, Genealogical software also recognises my Dad as my 'Second Cousin Once Removed Up'. In this report, I have had to delete those references where my Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents, were also listed in a similar way. It got a bit confusing but I think I have got around that!) There are other reports that are interactive with the family tree itself via the software and so I am unable to create them for this medium.  In saying that, the link above for 'Jordan and Rendoth Family History' will take you to another website which it totally interactive where you can click on entries to see more information and media.

I have done two reports for Kim and I.  The wording and sentence construction for the Ahnentafel Reports are a little confusing as it is the software attempting to write sentences using the information given.  If you have a look you will see what I mean but, you will get the gist of what it is imparting.

Here are the links - 

Ahnentafel Report for Kim Lee Jordan

Kinship Report for Kim Lee Jordan

Ahnentafel Report for Peter Edward Jordan

Kinship Report for Peter Edward Jordan

INTERESTING READING

The following links are for documents that will make some very interesting reading. 

1.   In the year 1889, William Archer spoke with journalist John F Small of the Tweed and Brunswick Advocate.  He related to the journalist, his experiences of 10 years on Norfolk Island.  John Small wrote down Williams story and it was published in 11 Chapters in the Newspaper - Ten Years Penal Settlement on Norfolk Island as related by William Archer to John F Small

2.   I put together some information from various History Websites.  History of the Jordan Surname

3. Thaddeus Walsh is a name well known in the Jordan history in Tabulam and Casino. His connection to the Jordan Family is that one of his daughters married John Jordan (1853-1903) and 2 other daughters married into the McLean Family (both sons of Johanna Mclean nee Jordan). Another connection is that Thaddeus was a Policeman with James Jordan (1812-1867) in the Tabulam/Casino area. This story I found totally by accident and is a very interesting piece about how Thaddeus came to Australia and how he became a Policeman - The Story of Thaddeus Walsh

4. An account of the Yore Family History in Australia written by Mark Andrew Yore. Includes Yore Family Descendancy details - Spiddal - 125 Years of Settlement - 1865-1990

5. The Yore Family in Beaudesert - excerpt from 'History of Queensland; Its People and Industries - The Yore Family in Beaudesert

6.  My GGGrandfather Michael Yore arrived in Australia aboard the 'Fiery Star'.  This article, written by Kerry Heckenberg, is about her ancestors aboard the 'Fiery Star'; the Walton and Hanlon Families and makes interesting reading - Journey of the 'Fiery Star'

7. The Morris and Mosch families made a go of it and succeeded in the Etheridge area in Queensland - this book gives some insight as to life in Etheridge in those times - The Etheridge Chronology by Margaret Somers