This week is week 8 of Shauna Hicks genealogical blogging challenge for 2014. Shauna has said that this blog challenge is to stimulate my own genealogical blogging efforts in 2014 by focusing on a different kind of genealogical record each week. I wanted a challenge that reflected by own archival background as well as my own genealogy interests and there are probably lots of other records that I could have included. The challenge has an Australian focus but most of these records will be found just about anywhere in the genealogy world. I am hoping that this challenge will provide a focus for my blogging efforts this year.
This post could have an alternate title - Why I'm thankful for this challenge.
Just before starting this post I was holding one of my most valued possessions. It is compact, measures 11cm x 16cm x 2.5cm. The outside is a reddish, browny leather. There was once a clasp (possibly brass - naming metals is not one of my strengths) holding the ends together, but unfortunately over time part of it has broken off. There is a circular piece of leather on one side which once would have held a writing implement. The sides, although now quite discoloured have patterns of pink and blue. It was probably purchased some time in 1853 by my great, great grandfather William Lee Dawson at Weaklin of 91 Farringden Street, London. Frederick Weaklin was a stationery manufacturer in London.
It has been several years since I have looked at this diary and reacquainted myself with its contents.
It documents the time Dr Dawson worked as a ship's surgeon for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in 1853 and 1854 and his appointment as the ship's surgeon on the Mooltan taking emigrants to Hobart Town arriving on 1st November 1854. William Lee Dawson was called to give evidence at many inquests and his diary gives the names of those deceased and their cause of death. There is also a detailed list of the expenditure on his new house.
Of his personal daily life in Tasmania there is nothing except:
Came to live in the New House on Wednesday the 20th March 1861 and Fanny Harris came to live as nurse girl on Wednesday the 27th March 1861.
As I flicked through the pages this morning I came across an entry I had not seen before.
George Seabrook and Charles, & ???? came down to work on the 12th Nov 1860 and left on the 29th January 1861 £1 per week. £33.0.0
George and Charles Seabrook were his brothers-in-law. I had never stopped to think if members of Emma Dawson's (Seabrook) family built the Dawson house. This should have been an obvious connection as Emma's father and at least 4 of her 6 brothers worked in the building trade. Now I know Emma's brothers, 22 year old George and 16 year old Charles built or at least assisted in building the house shown below.
Thanks for this challenge Shauna. It highlights that we need to go back and look over all our sources with fresh eyes. We may be fortunate enough to glean new information. Now if only I could locate where this house was built in Franklin!
P.S. If anyone can read the name I can't interpret please let me know.
This post could have an alternate title - Why I'm thankful for this challenge.
Just before starting this post I was holding one of my most valued possessions. It is compact, measures 11cm x 16cm x 2.5cm. The outside is a reddish, browny leather. There was once a clasp (possibly brass - naming metals is not one of my strengths) holding the ends together, but unfortunately over time part of it has broken off. There is a circular piece of leather on one side which once would have held a writing implement. The sides, although now quite discoloured have patterns of pink and blue. It was probably purchased some time in 1853 by my great, great grandfather William Lee Dawson at Weaklin of 91 Farringden Street, London. Frederick Weaklin was a stationery manufacturer in London.
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| Diary of Dr William Lee Dawson |
It has been several years since I have looked at this diary and reacquainted myself with its contents.
It documents the time Dr Dawson worked as a ship's surgeon for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in 1853 and 1854 and his appointment as the ship's surgeon on the Mooltan taking emigrants to Hobart Town arriving on 1st November 1854. William Lee Dawson was called to give evidence at many inquests and his diary gives the names of those deceased and their cause of death. There is also a detailed list of the expenditure on his new house.
Of his personal daily life in Tasmania there is nothing except:
Came to live in the New House on Wednesday the 20th March 1861 and Fanny Harris came to live as nurse girl on Wednesday the 27th March 1861.
As I flicked through the pages this morning I came across an entry I had not seen before.
George Seabrook and Charles, & ???? came down to work on the 12th Nov 1860 and left on the 29th January 1861 £1 per week. £33.0.0
George and Charles Seabrook were his brothers-in-law. I had never stopped to think if members of Emma Dawson's (Seabrook) family built the Dawson house. This should have been an obvious connection as Emma's father and at least 4 of her 6 brothers worked in the building trade. Now I know Emma's brothers, 22 year old George and 16 year old Charles built or at least assisted in building the house shown below.
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| William and Emma Dawson's residence in Franklin from 1861. |
Thanks for this challenge Shauna. It highlights that we need to go back and look over all our sources with fresh eyes. We may be fortunate enough to glean new information. Now if only I could locate where this house was built in Franklin!
P.S. If anyone can read the name I can't interpret please let me know.
It looks like Rose to me
ReplyDeleteYes it does. Shame I don't know anyone named Rose.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Rose too
ReplyDelete