This year I have decided to take part in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blogging prompts.
The theme for Week 12 (March 18-24): 12.
Once again I am running late with last week's theme, a lot happening in my family at the moment.
For the theme 12, I have chosen to write about my direct maternal great-great-grandmother Margaret (Randall) Chambers (1855-1917). Margaret was born on 12 September, a birthdate also shared by my maternal grandmother (Margaret's granddaughter) and one of my nephews.
Margaret Randall and her twin sister Ann Randall, daughters of Edward Randall and Mary Ann (Brown) Randall (formerly Bailey), were born 12 September 1855 at Hahndorf, South Australia. The Randall family were then on their way from South Australia to the gold rushes in Victoria. Margaret's twin sister Ann died in infancy and it is believed she is buried somewhere along the road between Hahndorf and Avoca, Victoria.
Margaret (Randall) Chambers c.1910
The Randall family then settled in Avoca. It was there that Margaret, aged 28, married George Chambers, aged 52, a widower with 7 children, on 1 January 1884.
Margaret and George went on to have a family of 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters:
- Millicent Mary (Chambers) McCarthy (1884-1967)
- Matthew Harold Chambers (1886-1949)
- Hubert Randall 'Bert' Chambers (1888-1977)
- Elsie Bertha May (Chambers) Bailey (1893-1982)
- Kathleen Pearl (Chambers) Clifford (1898-1987)
Margaret became quite ill in the latter months of 1916.
A small notice appeared in the Avoca Mail on Tuesday 28 November 1916 as follows:
The friends of Mrs Chambers, of Faraday street, will learn with regret that she is a present an inmate of the Maryborough Hospital, in a serious state of health.
(Source: No title (1916, November 28). Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 - 1900; 1915 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151728684)
The Avoca Free Press gave an update on Margaret's condition on 13 December 1916:
The many friends of Mrs Geo. Chambers, of Avoca, will regret to learn that her condition has not improved. Mrs Chambers, who is seriously ill, is now under the treatment of a specialist in Melbourne.
(Source: Personal. (1916, December 13). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1900; 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151686033)
On 16 February 1917, the Avoca Mail reported:
The many friends of Mrs Geo. Chambers, who has been seriously ill in Melbourne for some time past, will be pleased to learn that there is a marked improvement in her condition, and Mr Chambers is in receipt of a letter from her in which she states that she hopes to be out of bed in a few days.
Mr Geo. Chambers, of Faraday Street, was on Monday last notified by the Defence Department that his son Bert, who was recently reported wounded whilst on service in France, is at present in Hospital in England. He is suffering from a wound to the wrist.
(Source: No title (1917, February 16). Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 - 1900; 1915 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152147086)
Margaret did not make a full recovery, and did not live to see her son Bert return from Europe. She died on 28 March 1917 at the residence of her sister, Rebecca (Randall) Wasley, 26 Yarra Street, Hawthorn, Victoria.
On Friday 30 March 1917 the Avoca Mail reported:
We learn with regret of the death of Mrs Chambers, wife of Mr George Chambers, of Avoca, which occurred in Melbourne on Wednesday last, after a lengthy and painful illness.
(Source: No title (1917, March 30). Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 - 1900; 1915 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152147636)
The following death notice appeared in the Avoca Free Press on 31 March 1917:
Death.
CHAMBERS—At the residence of her
sister, Mrs Wasley, Hawthorn, on 28th March, Margaret, beloved wife of Mr George Chambers, of Avoca, and youngest sister of Mr Edward Randall. Aged 61.
(Source: Family Notices (1917, March 31). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1900; 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151685854)
The Avoca Free Press published an obituary for Margaret that same day (Saturday 31 March 1917):
Obituary.
MRS GEO. CHAMBERS.
Sincere and widespread regret was felt when it became known that Mrs Chambers, wife of our esteemed townsman, Mr George Chambers, had passed away in Melbourne on Wednesday. The deceased lady had been ailing for some time, and was taken to the metropolis for treatment. Despite the most skilful care and attention, however, the patient gradually sank, and died at the residence of her sister, Mrs Wasley, of Hawthorn. Throughout her illness Mrs Chambers bore up with Christian fortitude, and now that this good lady has gone she will be deeply mourned. Kind-hearted and generous, Mrs Chambers was ever ready to help others in cases of sickness and distress, and she performed many kindly acts which the world knew nothing about. She did good in an unostentatious manner, and her demise is greatly deplored. She leaves a grown-up family, including Sapper Bert Chambers, who was recently wounded whilst fighting for King and country. The sorrowing husband, children, and other relatives have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement. Mrs Chambers was 61 years of age. The deceased lady was a sister of Mrs Edward Randall, of Avoca. The interment took place at Hawthorn on Thursday.
(Source: Obituary. (1917, March 31). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1900; 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151685864)
Margaret was buried at the Burwood Cemetery in the same grave as her nieces May Wasley and Blanche (Wasley) Lidgey.
Source: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 March 2019), memorial page for Margaret Chambers (unknown–unknown), Find A Grave Memorial no. 112908150, citing Burwood Cemetery, Burwood, Whitehorse City, Victoria, Australia ; Maintained by SueM (contributor 47776904)
© 2019. Australian Genealogy Journeys. This post was originally published at https://ausgenjourneys.blogspot.com/2019/03/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-week-12-12.html
This year I have decided to take part in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blogging prompts.
The theme for Week 12 (March 18-24): 12.
Once again I am running late with last week's theme, a lot happening in my family at the moment.
For the theme 12, I have chosen to write about my direct maternal great-great-grandmother Margaret (Randall) Chambers (1855-1917). Margaret was born on 12 September, a birthdate also shared by my maternal grandmother (Margaret's granddaughter) and one of my nephews.
Margaret Randall and her twin sister Ann Randall, daughters of Edward Randall and Mary Ann (Brown) Randall (formerly Bailey), were born 12 September 1855 at Hahndorf, South Australia. The Randall family were then on their way from South Australia to the gold rushes in Victoria. Margaret's twin sister Ann died in infancy and it is believed she is buried somewhere along the road between Hahndorf and Avoca, Victoria.
 |
| Margaret (Randall) Chambers c.1910 |
The Randall family then settled in Avoca. It was there that Margaret, aged 28, married George Chambers, aged 52, a widower with 7 children, on 1 January 1884.
Margaret and George went on to have a family of 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters:
- Millicent Mary (Chambers) McCarthy (1884-1967)
- Matthew Harold Chambers (1886-1949)
- Hubert Randall 'Bert' Chambers (1888-1977)
- Elsie Bertha May (Chambers) Bailey (1893-1982)
- Kathleen Pearl (Chambers) Clifford (1898-1987)
Margaret became quite ill in the latter months of 1916.
A small notice appeared in the Avoca Mail on Tuesday 28 November 1916 as follows:
The friends of Mrs Chambers, of Faraday street, will learn with regret that she is a present an inmate of the Maryborough Hospital, in a serious state of health.
(Source: No title (1916, November 28). Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 - 1900; 1915 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151728684)
The Avoca Free Press gave an update on Margaret's condition on 13 December 1916:
The many friends of Mrs Geo. Chambers, of Avoca, will regret to learn that her condition has not improved. Mrs Chambers, who is seriously ill, is now under the treatment of a specialist in Melbourne.
(Source: Personal. (1916, December 13). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1900; 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151686033)
On 16 February 1917, the Avoca Mail reported:
The many friends of Mrs Geo. Chambers, who has been seriously ill in Melbourne for some time past, will be pleased to learn that there is a marked improvement in her condition, and Mr Chambers is in receipt of a letter from her in which she states that she hopes to be out of bed in a few days.
Mr Geo. Chambers, of Faraday Street, was on Monday last notified by the Defence Department that his son Bert, who was recently reported wounded whilst on service in France, is at present in Hospital in England. He is suffering from a wound to the wrist.
(Source: No title (1917, February 16). Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 - 1900; 1915 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152147086)
Margaret did not make a full recovery, and did not live to see her son Bert return from Europe. She died on 28 March 1917 at the residence of her sister, Rebecca (Randall) Wasley, 26 Yarra Street, Hawthorn, Victoria.
On Friday 30 March 1917 the Avoca Mail reported:
We learn with regret of the death of Mrs Chambers, wife of Mr George Chambers, of Avoca, which occurred in Melbourne on Wednesday last, after a lengthy and painful illness.
(Source: No title (1917, March 30). Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 - 1900; 1915 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152147636)
The following death notice appeared in the Avoca Free Press on 31 March 1917:
Death.
CHAMBERS—At the residence of her
sister, Mrs Wasley, Hawthorn, on 28th March, Margaret, beloved wife of Mr George Chambers, of Avoca, and youngest sister of Mr Edward Randall. Aged 61.
(Source: Family Notices (1917, March 31). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1900; 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151685854)
The Avoca Free Press published an obituary for Margaret that same day (Saturday 31 March 1917):
Obituary.
MRS GEO. CHAMBERS.
Sincere and widespread regret was felt when it became known that Mrs Chambers, wife of our esteemed townsman, Mr George Chambers, had passed away in Melbourne on Wednesday. The deceased lady had been ailing for some time, and was taken to the metropolis for treatment. Despite the most skilful care and attention, however, the patient gradually sank, and died at the residence of her sister, Mrs Wasley, of Hawthorn. Throughout her illness Mrs Chambers bore up with Christian fortitude, and now that this good lady has gone she will be deeply mourned. Kind-hearted and generous, Mrs Chambers was ever ready to help others in cases of sickness and distress, and she performed many kindly acts which the world knew nothing about. She did good in an unostentatious manner, and her demise is greatly deplored. She leaves a grown-up family, including Sapper Bert Chambers, who was recently wounded whilst fighting for King and country. The sorrowing husband, children, and other relatives have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement. Mrs Chambers was 61 years of age. The deceased lady was a sister of Mrs Edward Randall, of Avoca. The interment took place at Hawthorn on Thursday.
(Source: Obituary. (1917, March 31). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1900; 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151685864)
Margaret was buried at the Burwood Cemetery in the same grave as her nieces May Wasley and Blanche (Wasley) Lidgey.
Source: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 March 2019), memorial page for Margaret Chambers (unknown–unknown), Find A Grave Memorial no. 112908150, citing Burwood Cemetery, Burwood, Whitehorse City, Victoria, Australia ; Maintained by SueM (contributor 47776904)
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Thank you, Chris
Thank you Chris
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