I admit defeat - HELP!

kernowmaid

kernowmaid

Our very own Cornish Maid
I've been stuck on this since last August, and it's stopped my research.
A whole new family "branch" that I didn't know existed - and it's led me to a "cousin" in Australia born EXACTLY the same date as me. (Of course, he must be older than me - the day arrives earlier in Oz than the UK ;))

Alice Minnow (known as Minnie) GILROY was born Northallerton, Q4 1850.
Baptised 28 Dec 1850. With her parents in 1851 & 1861 (RG9/3662/69/5).

21 Dec 1874, Minnie's on a boat ("Whampoa") from London with husband Samuel MASON, arriving Melbourne Feb 1875. They weren't really married, and I think they were "sussing out" life in Australia. I've not found their return trip.

Aug 1879, Minnie & Sam arrive in Melbourne again (from London) - on the "John Elder", accompanied by their 1-yr old son George, Minnie's parents (George & Margaret GILROY) ... and 3 more sons: WILLIAM (9y 1869?), THOMAS (7y 1871?) & JOHN (4y 1873?) - ALL born in NEW YORK, USA.

The family stayed in Australia. Sam & Minnie married in 1892, and died in 1911 & 1907 respectively.

My new "cousin" is descended from THOMAS - but has no clue what happened in the USA. The family rumour is that Sam (MASON) married a Mary Ann (known as Polly) HAWKINS in the USA and fled New York with his 3 boys and the female housekeeper.

Can anyone find any of them in 1871?
Minnie would have been 20/21y. Did she go to the USA? Was she a housekeeper?

Can anyone find any reference to the births of the 3 MASON boys in New York?
What happened to their mother?
Did Sam MASON marry Mary Ann HAWKINS c1868?

And if Sam brought his sons back to England from the USA, sometime between 1873 & 1874 (John would be just a baby!) - can anyone find that crossing?

I think that Sam was born in Leeds, c1831/1832, to fishmonger William MASON.

All help & hints gratefully accepted!

Jane
 
Well..... I have spent an hour looking and no luck. Must get back to work now, Sorry :(
I must say I like your comment about your cousin being the elder of the two of you :D
 
No luck so far on 1870 U.S. Census - even with very broad search terms. Will have another go after my to-do's are to-done. ;)
 
Jane.. West Yorkshire Non Conformist records have George Mason baptised May 19 1878 DOB April ?? 1878. parents Samuel and Minnie..Samuel is a machinist. There is a tree that says his birth is registered as George Mason Gilroy . Vol 9b pg 518 Leeds
 
Mmmmm..in 1940 there is a death of a William Joseph Mason. Father Samuel mother Mary Ann Unknown. Victoria BDM. The only William there with father Samuel
 
In 1871 a Minni Gilroy is boarding with Ann Patton in Bishop Wearmouth, birth year is 1842 and she is a dressmaker. GBC/1871/4996/0037, birthplace Northallerton
 
Half Hour said:
Jane.. West Yorkshire Non Conformist records have George Mason baptised May 19 1878 DOB April ?? 1878. parents Samuel and Minnie..Samuel is a machinist. There is a tree that says his birth is registered as George Mason Gilroy . Vol 9b pg 518 Leeds
Click to expand...

Yep, that's the child of my Minnie, born 24 April 1878 (according to my new cousin - I think he's got the cert).
George is the unnamed one-year old on the manifest of the "John Elder" that arrived in Melbourne in 1879.

In 1908, one year after Minnie's death, George visited England with his wife (& father Sam), looking for his mother's "inheritance".
He died in 1949 - Victoria, Australia.
 
Half Hour said:
I found one Mary Ann (Polly) Hawkins in the States.... she was born in 1814.
Click to expand...
Can you point me in her direction please Sue?
1814 makes her 20+ years older than Sam (born 1837) ... but love knows no boundaries, eh? ;)
I'm still grasping at any straw ...

Jane
 
Archie's Mum said:
Mmmmm..in 1940 there is a death of a William Joseph Mason. Father Samuel mother Mary Ann Unknown. Victoria BDM. The only William there with father Samuel
Click to expand...

Yep, I think that's our William - a machinist like his Dad, married Rosalie, died Nov 1940.

And I think our Thomas married an Annie or Emma (Vassie/Andrews) and died in Oct 1923. (Source: findagrave & :nailbiting:gulp an Ancestry tree).

No sight of John.

Jane
 
Archie's Mum said:
In 1871 a Minni Gilroy is boarding with Ann Patton in Bishop Wearmouth, birth year is 1842 and she is a dressmaker. GBC/1871/4996/0037, birthplace Northallerton
Click to expand...

Ooh Sue, thank you!
That looks VERY likely!
So maybe Minnie's not the scarlet housekeeper ...
Maybe Sam's mystery wife died in the USA, Sam brought the boys back to England, met Minnie ...

Here I go again, making up stories, wanting a happy ending :oops:

Jane
 
Archie's Mum said:
NSW Births Deaths and Marriages.
Do you want the certificate?
If so let me know and I will steer you to a cheaper option.
Click to expand...

Thanks Sue, but no - I don't think the cert will help me here. (I've now found the link on Ancestry, but the site is playing me up so I'll wait 'til it settles down)

Jane
 
I found her death today- probably on 'Trove', but thought you had all of that. Now here is Findagrave details. must get in before the renewal begins.
Name: Alice Minnie Mason
Birth Date: 1851
Death Date: Jan 1907
Cemetery: Field of Mars Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place:East Ryde, Ryde City, New South Wales, Australia
Has Bio?: N
Code: 
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123677779
Gravesite Details Age: 56

Samuel Mason
BIRTH 1831
DEATH Jun 1911 (aged 79–80)
BURIAL
Field of Mars Cemetery
East Ryde, Ryde City, New South Wales, Australia
PLOT Portion: Mth Section: Sec 4 Plot: 611
MEMORIAL ID 123677895 · View Source
Gravesite Details Age: 80
.....Scroll down on the East Ryde site to find Samuel

No sorry it wasn't she on Trove but another lady I was looking at.
 
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