Ancestor - March 2019

The
Genealogical
Society of 

S e m i n a r, Ta l k s a n d C o u r s eVictoriaInc

Highlands Seminar

by Graeme Mackenzie The Culture and Traditions of the Highland Clans

Friday 22 March 2019 Considers the social customs, political practices and the often colourful
traditions of the Highland clans
10.00am – 12.30pm
Tracing Your Ancestors in the Highlands of Scotland
GSV Members $20.00
RHSV/CAV/FHC $30.00 Examines the sources for genealogical research in Scotland and shows
Non-members $40.00 how they are used and issues regarding the use of Gaelic names

Video Presentations

by Lisa Louise Cooke Lisa is the author of a number of multi-media materials, an
12.00pm – 1.00pm experienced podcaster and author of four books on genealogy.

Thursday 16 May: Inspiring ways to captivate non-genealogists GSV Members $5.00
Thursday 13 June: Cold Case: brick wall strategies RHSV/CAV/FHC $15.00

Non-members $20.00

Writing Family History

Presenter: Margaret Vines

Three sessions: Wednesday 20, 27 Mar, 3 Apr 10.30am – 12.30pm

Contents of the course will include: GSV Members $90.00
• Writing process - getting started, especially drafting and editing RHSV/CAV/FHC $135.00
• Basic writing skills
• Historical skills, including documenting your writing Non-members $180.00

Participants will be expected to be writing both in class and
between classes. Maximum 10 people.

Bookings Essential in person, via website, email or phone
¢www.gsv.org.au ¢[email protected] J03 9662 4455

Researching People and Properties in Richmond

Using the GSV’s new USB product Richmond Vic: Index to Owners and Occupiers
& Index to Streets, 1857-1902 (Rate books)

by Clive Luckman

Donald Wilson’s coach building business failed and In 1880 the property was described as a five-room
on 5 July 1873 he voluntarily declared in the Court brick house, and in 1881 as having six rooms.
of Insolvency ‘that I am insolvent and that I admit Bearing in mind the living conditions for large
that I am unable to pay my debts’. This fits with the families in Richmond in the late 1800s, for this
family story that Donald was a poor businessman. Wilson family, then comprising Donald and his five
younger siblings, all unmarried, and a widowed
It was known that Donald lived in North Melbourne mother, a brick house of six rooms was luxurious.
when he was in business, and later lived in Rowena
Parade, Richmond. It was his period in Richmond In 1886 Donald was shown as owner and occupier.
that was of interest to me. Mrs Wilson died three years later in 1889 and her
will, dated in 1884, shows that Donald was to be
I began the research with the Name Index and the beneficiary of ‘All the real estate and personal
found that beginning in 1887 there were a number property whatsoever’, so I think the most plausible
of entries for Donald Wilson with the occupation explanation is that around 1886 Mrs Wilson, then
as Coachbuilder or Coach Trimmer. By bringing aged about 63, became infirm. Perhaps she had
up the relevant rate book pages, I found Donald dementia, and Donald then became seen as the
was living in Rowena Parade from 1884 to 1902. owner, or certainly head of the household.
Furthermore, the owner is shown as Mrs Wilson, a
widow, who most probably was Donald’s mother, Check the GSV website (Online Shop/GSV
Mary Ann Wilson. Publications) for further details on the Richmond
rate books 1857-1902. The USB is great value at
I decided to next use the Street Index and track $45 (plus $5 postage) and an outstanding resource
down the owners and occupiers of this house for researching family in Richmond.
before 1884. I established that Mrs Wilson began
living in the Rowena Parade house in 1880. She
was described as the owner/occupier from 1880
until 1885.

Image: Page from the 1883 Richmond Central Ward Clive can be contacted at
Rate book, with Donald Wilson highlighted [email protected]

Surnames: Wilson