Family History Mysteries

The name Pablo Fanque popped up when doing the Burton’sCircus episode – Episode 263William Darby Banham was born in 1828. It is likely that Pablo Fanque, a renowned circus owner in Britain, born William Darby, was the father of William. William Jr. , and his brothers, worked andperformed in their father's circus. Astley’s Amphitheatre opened in Melbourne late in 1854 by the entrepreneur GBW Lewis. Lewis’s elephantine company, imported from London, included three ropewalkers, all ‘men of colour’. One of those men was Billy Banham who adopted his father's stage name in Australia.

In October 1911 the Echuca Riverine Herald reported that Albert George McGowen, born Albert Walkerden, was charged with bigamy and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Major Bidwell was jailed in Victoria Australia for 2 years for bigamy in 1911. This was not the last that Australia nor other countries around the world heard of him!His aliases included: Mervyn/Mervin/Marvin Wolford Bidwell, Wolford Bidwell, Reginald Bidwell, MervynWollf Bidwell and Major W M Bidwell.

Colin Gardner’s children from his first marriage contested his will where he left a bulk of his estate to his second wife and the children from his second marriage in 1922.

James Hardy Vaux claims the rare distinction of being transported to Australia three times, but what really distinguish him is him being the author of the first full length autobiography and first dictionary written in Australia. His life is extraordinary on many counts. He was intelligentand, by the standards of the time, well-educated. He used the aliases James Lowe, James Young and James Yonge.

When Isabel Lippe nee Horsfall died in 1921 her husband was not included in her will. He contested it and it went all the way to the High Court.Why did Isabel omit her husband from her will?

Arnold Resch featured in a breach of promise case in September 1925. Before  the Marriage Act of 1961 in Australia you could enact legal action for "breach of promise to marry",that is, suing for calling off an engagement.Arnold Resch was 44 when this case was put forward.

Mena Val was a notable Australian circus performer in theearly 1900s, recognized for her skills in slack wire walking, trick cycling and whip cracking. *Warning – this episode covers has reference to domesticviolence and suicide.*

Catherine Isabella Webber, known as Kate, was the FemaleBlondin. Her stage name was "Ella Zuila" and she was known as the heroine of the high wire. She also used Ella Loyal and Ella Zoila as stage names.She was the most famous Australian public entertainer in the world in the last two decades of the 19th century - the toast of enraptured audiences across Europe and North America. She was a striking-looking athlete of astounding physicalprowess. Ella matched and often excelled thedaring feats of male aerialists.

Catherine Isabella Webber, known as Kate, was the FemaleBlondin. Her stage name was "Ella Zuila" and she was known as the heroine of the high wire. She also used Ella Loyal and Ella Zoila as stage names.She was the most famous Australian public entertainer in the world in the last two decades of the 19th century - the toast of enraptured audiences across Europe and North America. She was a striking-looking athlete of astounding physicalprowess. Ella matched and often excelled thedaring feats of male aerialists.

Arthur Dredge married bigamously on the 19th Aug 1907 to Mabel Wright in Colac Victoria. He had married Anne McCann on the 24 July 1899 in Victoria and they had two daughters. He served 12 months in jail. He went onto marry Edith Gadstone at North Carlton on the 25 July 1914. Afrer serving in WW1, Arthur and his family lived in Castlemaine where he was an undertaker and a well loved citizen of the town.

Billy Waite was born in 1880 on a sugar cane property at Breadalbane, Qld. When Martini's Buckjumping Show came to town Billy’s life changed dramatically. He joined Martini on tour and in 1906 took out the title of Champion Roughrider of Australia. In 1907 he went out on his own, touring Great Britain and then moved onto Canada after WW1 before settling in New York. *This episode refers to deceased Aboriginal persons*

When doing Episode 275 on Simon Fraser, I came across Nangus Jack who made stockwhips. Simon described him as a master craftsman and clever teacher. Nangus Jack was born John Nangus Hughes and was of Aboriginal descent.

Alexander Rintoul died 24 March 1911. He was a second saloon steward who died on the wrecked passenger steamer Yongala that sank in a cyclone off the coast of Queensland, with the loss of all 122 passengers and crew aboard.When his wife applied for his probate, she stated that his will went down with the Yongala, and in the course of the investigation, another two wives were uncovered!

Simon Alexander Fraser was an Australian bagpiper, stock rider, and whip-maker of Scottish descent.  Simon was born on a boat in Port Arthur, Van Dieman's Land , on 13 February 1845, the eldest son of twelve children.By 1848 the Fraser family relocated to Barwite, Victoria(near Mansfield). He spent most of his life living in the district.

Lucy Benson was an Australian organist, musician, theatrical entrepreneur and conductor, when all the rest of conductors in Tasmania were men. Lucy produced over 30 major operas and musicals and was the most gifted and productive leading amateurs of her time.She was a friend of Nellie Melba and Amy Sherwin. Lucy’slegacy as a teacher, composer and director changed the musical and cultural landscape of Tasmania. Amy Sherwin, (The Tasmanian Nightingale), considered Lucy to be “one of the best teachers of voice production in the colonies."

This is the final episode in an epic 5-part set of episodes for this man! William Henry Hayes, known commonly as Bully Hayes, was believed to have been born in 1827 in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He was an adventurer, swindler and blackbirder who sailed throughout the Pacific Islands and New Zealand and Australian ports from the 1850s until his death in 1877 aged only 50. He was a strange mixture of a man. He was an astute entrepreneur and a mariner of great ability. Courageous, resourceful, determined in the face of adversity, and capableof acts of generosity. However he was also a philanderer and a rogue, given to towering rages and sullen moods. Heregularly defrauded creditors and willingly engaged in illegal trading activities and had an enduring reputation for ruthless. This is the story of Bully Hayes, his wives and partners and his children. Note - It is almost impossible to separate fact from legend regarding Hayes, so I have endeavoured to only present what is likely to be accurate accounts.*Warning – this episode contains themes related to child sexual assault, human trafficking and murder and uses terms that are not considered acceptable today.*

This is a 5-part epic set of episodes for this man! William Henry Hayes, known commonly as Bully Hayes, was believed to have been born in 1827 in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He was an adventurer, swindler and blackbirder who sailed throughout the Pacific Islands and New Zealand and Australian ports from the 1850s until his death in 1877 aged only 50. He was a strange mixture of a man. He was an astute entrepreneur and a mariner of great ability. Courageous, resourceful, determined in the face of adversity, and capableof acts of generosity. However he was also a philanderer and a rogue, given to towering rages and sullen moods. Heregularly defrauded creditors and willingly engaged in illegal trading activities and had an enduring reputation for ruthless. This is the story of Bully Hayes, his wives and partners and his children. Note - It is almost impossible to separate fact from legend regarding Hayes, so I have endeavoured to only present what is likely to be accurate accounts.*Warning – this episode contains themes related to child sexual assault, human trafficking and murder and uses terms that are not considered acceptable today.

William Henry Hayes, known commonly as Bully Hayes, was believed to have been born in 1827 in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He was an adventurer, swindler and blackbirder who sailed throughout the Pacific Islands and New Zealand and Australian ports from the 1850s until his death in 1877 aged only 50. He was a strange mixture of a man. He was an astute entrepreneur and a mariner of great ability. Courageous, resourceful, determined in the face of adversity, and capableof acts of generosity. However he was also a philanderer and a rogue, given to towering rages and sullen moods. Heregularly defrauded creditors and willingly engaged in illegal trading activities and had an enduring reputation for ruthless. This is the story of Bully Hayes, his wives and partners and his children. Note - It is almost impossible to separate fact from legend regarding Hayes, so I have endeavoured to only present what is likely to be accurate accounts.*Warning – this episode contains themes related to child sexual assault, human trafficking and murder and uses terms that are not considered acceptable today.*

This is a 5-part epic set of episodes for this man! William Henry Hayes, known commonly as Bully Hayes, was believed to have been born in 1827 in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He was an adventurer, swindler and blackbirder who sailed throughout the Pacific Islands and New Zealand and Australian ports from the 1850s until his death in 1877 aged only 50. He was a strange mixture of a man. He was an astute entrepreneur and a mariner of great ability. Courageous, resourceful, determined in the face of adversity, and capableof acts of generosity. However he was also a philanderer and a rogue, given to towering rages and sullen moods. Heregularly defrauded creditors and willingly engaged in illegal trading activities and had an enduring reputation for ruthless. This is the story of Bully Hayes, his wives and partners and his children. Note - It is almost impossible to separate fact from legend regarding Hayes, so I have endeavoured to only present what is likely to be accurate accounts.*Warning – this episode contains themes related to child sexual assault, human trafficking and murder and uses terms that are not considered acceptable today.*

This is a 5 part epic set of episodes for this man! William Henry Hayes, known commonly as Bully Hayes, was believed to have been born in 1827 in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He was an adventurer, swindler and blackbirder who sailed throughout the Pacific Islands and New Zealand and Australian ports from the 1850s until his death in 1877 aged only 50. He was a strange mixture of a man. He was an astute entrepreneur and a mariner of great ability. Courageous, resourceful, determined in the face of adversity, and capableof acts of generosity. However he  was also a philanderer and a rogue, given to towering rages and sullen moods. Heregularly defrauded creditors and willingly engaged in illegal trading activities and had an enduring reputation for ruthless. This is the story of Bully Hayes, his wives and partners and his children. Note - It is almost impossible to separate fact from legend regarding Hayes, so I have endeavoured to only present what is likely to be accurate accounts.Warning – this episode contains themes related to child sexual assault, human trafficking and murder and uses terms that are not considered acceptable today.

Ernest Bonner Page, under the stage name Professor Bonner, was a self-styled hypnotist, who toured the eastern states of Australia in the early part of the 20th century. His most famous act was when Bonner would hypnotise one of his men, Sam Williams. Sam would be blindfolded and while hypnotised, would ride a carriage through the streets to discover an article previously hidden by one of the town's gentlemen, usually the mayor or councillor. Sam would then be 'buried', causing him to sleep for 120 hours. Bonner would charge local people to view the burial. It would be publicised when Sam would be resurrected from the 'dead' and locals flocked to the circus tent.

Ernest Bonner Page, under the stage name Professor Bonner,was a self-styled hypnotist, who toured the eastern states of Australia in the early part of the 20th century. His most famous act was when Bonner would hypnotise one of his men, Sam Williams. Sam would be blindfolded and while hypnotised, would ride a carriage through the streets to discover an article previously hidden by one of the town's gentlemen, usually the mayor or councillor. Sam would then be 'buried', causing him to sleep for 120 hours. Bonner would charge local people to view the burial. It would be publicised when Sam would be resurrected from the 'dead' and locals flocked to the circus tent.

Mary Kearney was a publican in Deniliquin NSW. She tragically died in a fire at her establishment, the Commercial Hotel, in Deniliquin on the 14th February 1884.

Jockey Jack was a woman named May McDonald. In her early years she toured with circuses and buckjumping shows and then worked on properties. Jockey Jack got her nickname while working atGreg Greg station on the Upper Murray. The son of the station was Jack, and the family dubbed May as Jockey Jack because she rode as well as the other men, including Jack! Acknowledgment to Marion Taylor of the Albury history group for the work she has done that was the basis of my episode.

On the afternoon of Tuesday 18 Sept 1883, Mr James Denham Pinnock, manager of the Ballarat branch of the Commercial Banking Company, prepared a gold shipment for transfer to the main office in Melbourne. The shipment contained 16 bars of gold (weighting over 120 pounds) and 670 pounds of mutilated notes which were sent to be destroyed.The shipment went with Pinnock rail then by carriage to the head office in Collins St. It was 11pm so Alfred Corbett, a caretaker and messenger at head office secured the strong box in a lower bank vault until the morning. At 10.20 the next morning Pinnock went to the safe and it was discovered pins had been inserted and bent into the keyhole. A locksmith was called, and when the safe was opened, it was empty!

Constance Ada Elizabeth Usher and her sister Beatrice Cottier Usher were quite well known in musical and theatre circles in Australia in the early 1900s.Their parents, Alfred and Elizabeth Usher raised their children in a middle-class household in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, steeped in artistic pursuits. Alfred and Elizabeth’s  involvement in local music scenes—her father as a member of the Royal Sydney Liedertafel choral society and her mother as a performer—provided early immersion in musical environments, including family gatherings and community events that fostered a creative atmosphere.

Patrick John Daly, a showman, who was born at Barnawartha Victoria, had a string of horse stealing charges in the early 1900s in several states of Australia. He went by the professional names of P.H Montogomery, W.G Kemp and Professor Kemp.

Patrick John Daly, a showman, who was born at Barnawartha Victoria, had a string of horse stealing charges in the early 1900s in several states of Australia. He went by the professional names of P.H Montogomery, W.G Kemp and Professor Kemp.

Mrs Thompson, a mother of five daughters and a son, accusedher newly acquired son-in-law of having married her 15 year old daughter without her consent. The Melbourne Herald reported on the same day the mother informed the police that it was “a serious charge.”Who was her daughter and who was the newly acquiredson-in-law and how did this occur without consent?

George Selth Coppin was a comedian, impresario and entrepreneur, and was a driving force in early Australian theatre.

George Selth Coppin was a comedian, impresario andentrepreneur, and was a driving force in early Australian theatre. 

In Jan 1901 at Grenfell NSW, William Woodfall, the accountant at the Union Bank, disappeared. The bank found a discrepency of 4100 pounds.

I was chatting to a member of my local historical societyand he mentioned how in the research of his books in local pubs in our area (Deniliquin NSW),that one publican was a circus owner! It immediately captured my attention andI had to know more!Henry Burton was born in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England,in Mar 1825. After training as ringmaster with the circus of James Cook, which toured Scotland and the Border counties, he arrived with his wife on 23 December 1849 at Adelaide in the Constant.

Amy Stone was born Amanda Porter in 1840 in Massachusetts, USA. She married, Henry F. Stone, known as Harry, on the 16 Sept 1857 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Harry was her personal manager and she used the stage name Miss Amy Stone.She toured Australia twice and her second tour was widely reported in the papers of the day in 1875.

Frederick Richardson had four marriages, six children, a fling with a fifteen-year-old that led to  a seventh child, two divorces, one bigamy prosecution, a charge for wife desertion, and another charge for child maintenance!Thank you to Mélanie Méthot who allowed me to use her blogas a basis to this episode.https://www.thebigamyproject.com/

The eldest of 15 children, William Eric Hamilton was born inDecember 1907 in Emmaville NSW. His father was a tin miner until 1928 when the family moved to Surry Hills. He was the only child who seemed to have trouble with thelaw. Thank you to Mélanie Méthot who allowed me to useher blog as a basis to this episode.https://www.thebigamyproject.com/

Daniel Doran had a string of small offences in SA and NSW, but his biggest offence was bigamy – several times!!

The title of this episode indicates this story is about royalty – it couldn’t be further from the truth!Lilian Grace Dorothy Gibson was born in 1886 in India to James and Julia Gibson. Lilian used a number of aliases: Charlotte Gibson, Grace Gibson Herbert, Charlotte Grace Tyrer, Lilian Grace Tyrer and The Heiress!

In 1926, Emily Claughton left an estate worth nearly 130,000 pounds to charities and churches. Who was Emily Claughton, how did she come to be sowealthy and why did she not leave anything to her family members?

Between 1879 and 1882, His Royal Highnesses Prince Albert Victor and Prince George (the future King George V), sons of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward 7th), served as a midshipman on-board HMS Bacchante, an ironcladscrew-propelled corvette of the Royal Navy. The princes’ tutor, John Neale Dalton, accompanied them as tutor and chaplain for the duration of the journey. During their time time on HMS Bacchante, the ship toured many territories of the British Empire, including colonies in the Caribbean, South Africa and Australia. They also visited South America, the Mediterranean, Egypt and East Asia.

*Warning - this episode contains reference to deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders*Billy Jonas was a buckjumper and roughrider with Martini’s Buckjumping Show in the early 1900s.

Anne Hanson got in touch as she not only uncovered mysteries in her family research but wrote a fantastic book on her discoveries! It is a gripping journey into forgotten history, identity, and the power of family. This true story will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered what mysteries might lie within their own family tree.“Buried Secrets is as suspenseful as a detective novel." ~ Akron Beacon Journal“It’s hard to put this book down, to be honest, because it is well written and full of surprises.”~ Genealogists’ MagazineYou can purchase Anne's book https://annehanson.com/ or listen to it as an audiobook https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BF2XBBTN?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_auYou can get early access to this episode by subscribing for only $5.00 per month!Click on the following link: ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/.../familyhistor.../subscribe

In 1944 in court, Karl Adolph Ernst Schultz’s criminal history was summed up by describing 35 previous convictions. Karl had six aliases by this time, including surnames such as Rafferty and Sinclair. He had almost as many weddings as he had aliases, “marrying” a total of five times, committing bigamy three times! Thank you to Mélanie Méthot who allowed me to use her blog as a basis to this episode.https://www.thebigamyproject.com/

Tommy Freeman was an Echuca based paddle steamer captain and as a youth was coined the Echuca Blondin! He was a born adventurer, a hard taskmaster and an impatient man – he was said to have served the worst meals on all the paddle steamers on the Murray and his enemies called him ‘Tear Arse Tommy’!

Joseph Hawdon and Charles Bonney were pioneers and overlanders who took cattle from Albury NSW to Adelaide in 1838. This venture helped to fill in the map and would be the impetus for a succession of other parties making the long journey, and for pioneering alternative routes.

Joseph Hawdon and Charles Bonney were pioneers and overlanders who took cattle from Albury NSW to Adelaide in 1838. This venture helped to fill in the map and would be the impetus for a succession of other parties making the long journey, and for pioneering alternative routes.

Andrew Stenhouse owned a grand home called 'Willyama' in St Kilda Victoria. He owned a successful sawmill in Broken Hill NSW prior to purchasing this property. Legend had it that Andrew hid 2,000 gold sovereigns in this home.

In the 1850s Christopher Bagot was considered one of the most successful squatters in the Riverina region of NSW.

George S Melville, nicknamed ‘Frenchy’, was born in about 1815 in Scotland. He was a convict who was involved in the famous McIvor Diggings gold escort robbery in July 1853.