John Senior was born
1833 in Newcastle on Tyne. He was working as an cabinet maker at
age 16. His son John was born to his second wife in 1865 (his
first wife had died). In the 1871 census John senior is
described as a Temperance Missionary and a Local Preacher
Methodist. He died in 1896.
John Junior was born in Newcastle on Tyne in
1865, the eldest of five known children. The other four children
were girls. John (Jnr) at age 15 was a draughtsman and the
older three girls were scholars. When he married in 1887, his
profession is draughtsman. His wife Mary Louisa Turner had lived
in Newcastle on Tyne all her life as well. In 1891 the couple
are living not far from John's parents with their two young
children. John is now working as a Lithographic Artist. Sadly,
in March 1893 John died (of "Empyaema Asthemia"). Four months
later Mary Louisa and the boys (Norman aged 5 and Fred 3) came
to Melbourne to join her parents who had come to Victoria two
years earlier. It was a very brave thing to do but she probably
had little option. Her younger brother (J W Turner) came with
them. Mary died when the boys were 11 and 13, but we do not know
who looked after them.
Norman married Winifred Farr in Northcote in
1918. Winifred was Australian born, having descended from
families that come to Ballarat in the gold rush days. Norman and
Winifred lived in Thornbury. He worked as a carpenter. They had
three children, Gwen, Win and Norma. Norman was a member of the
Manchester Unity Lodge IOOF and later the Masons. Norman died of
heart problems in 1932 leaving Winifred with three young girls
to care for. This was in the depression so things were tough.
There were no widow's pensions in those days. Winifred took in
boarders to make end and the family helped as well. One of her
highest priorities was to continue with a good education for the
girls, which she did. Winifred lived to the ripe old age of 102.
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| Norman Thompson |
Winifred Farr |