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Donald Melville and Catherine Clunas Line

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Donald Melville and Catherine Clunas Line including the George Hugh Melville Mystery

1. Donald Melville .

He married Catherine Clunas .

Children:

2. i. John Melville b. 20 Jun 1800.

ii. James Melville , b. 1811, d. 10 Sep 1876 in Helmsdale, Sutherland , Scotland . Shoemaker. Death reported by wiodow making her mark. Cause - Bronchia Pneumonia.

He married Janet Sutherland , married 28 Nov 1834 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland .

3. iii. Alexander Melville b. 1807.

Generation Two

2. John Melville , b. 20 Jun 1800, occupation Master Mariner, d. 18 May 1884. Master Mariner. At West Helmsdale in 1881. Death reported by grand-daughter, Jane Murray.

He married (1) Jane McKay , married 22 Feb 1828 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland , b. 1806.

Children:

i. Catherine Melville , b. 1829 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland .

She married James McKay , married 28 Mar 1856 in Edinburgh , Scotland (son of James McKay and Mary McLean ). James: Went to Australia .

ii. Donald Melville , b. 25 Mar 1830 in West Helmsdale, Sutherland , Scotland . 1n 1841 census aged 10 years but not with family in 1851.

iii. Hugh Melville , b. 20 Dec 1831 in West Helmsdale, Sutherland , Scotland . 1841 censu given as 8 years and 1851 census as 18 years. Given as a Cooper born in Kildonan. He may be the Goege Hugh who arrived in NSW, Australia or there may have been a George who later became George Hugh in NSW - See George Hugh data.

iv. Jane Melville , b. 20 May 1834 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland .

She married Donald Bremner , married 11 Nov 1855 in Edinburgh , Scotland . Donald: From Olrig, Caithness , Scotland .

4. v. George Hugh Melville b. 1835.

vi. Isabella Melville , b. 31 May 1836 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland .

5. vii. Roberta Melville b. 9 May 1839.

He married (2) Grace MacPherson , married 29 Oct 1847, b. 1806 (daughter of Alexander MacPherson and Margaret McAulay ), d. 3 Jun 1881 in West Helmsdale, Sutherland , Scotland .

3. Alexander Melville , occupation Shoemaker, b. 1807 in Portgower, Sutherland, Scotland, d. 1888 in Portgower, Sutherland, Scotland. Not in 1841 census. Alive in 1884.

He married Jane Murray , married 25 Nov 1831 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland , b. 1803 in Portgower, Sutherland , Scotland , d. 29 Apr 1884 in Portgower, Sutherland , Scotland .

Children:

6. i. William Melville b. 29 Nov 1832.

ii. Catherine Melville , b. 31 May 1836 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland .

iii. George Melville , b. 13 Sep 1842 in Loth, Sutherland, Scotland, d. 28 Feb 1885 in Portgower, Kildonan, Sutherland, Scot., occupation Railwayman. Death date may be 8th. Death reported by neighbour. Single.

iv. Donald Melville , b. 7 Oct 1839 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland .

v. Margaret Melville , b. 1845, d. 1 Feb 1860 in Portgower, Kildonan, Sutherland, Scot. Death reported by father.

Generation Three

4. George Hugh Melville , b. 1835 in Helmsdale, Sutherland, Scotland, d. 20 Sep 1911 in Newtown, Sydney.Australia, occupation Master Mariner/Deputy Harbour Master/Captain. Master Mariner. Retired Deputy Harbour Master according to death certificate. Given as almost 60 years in NSW. Cause of death Cerebral Haemerrhage.

Death reported by Allan G Hamilton.

He married Catherine McKinnon , married 7 Jul 1863 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia , b. c1843 in Inverness-shire , Scotland , d. 31 Dec 1929 in Petersham, NSW, Australia . Catherine: Cause of death Cerebral Haemerrhage and cerebral softening. 67 years in Australia . Death reported by Alexander G. Hamilton, Grandson, 73 Rawson Street , Waverley .

Death as reported in the press on 8 January 1930 - 'At the Deaconesses' Home of Peace, Petersham. Catherine Melville, relict of the late Capt. George Melville, Newcastle , NSW aged 85'.

Children:

i. Jane Melville , b. 26 Dec 1863 in Bolton Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, d. 30 May 1935 in Waterfall Sanitorium, NSW, Australia. Jeane Melville died 1935, Waterfall Sanitorium, south of Sydney : Late of Petersham, Sydney. Buried Waranara cemetery with mother, in Presbyterian section. Variously listed as Jane/Jean/Jeane in documents after 1864.

Jean's death announcement in the Sydney Morning Herald of 31 May:

Melville - May 30, 1935. Jean Melville, daughter of the late Captain George Melville, Pilot Station, Newcastle .

ii. Margaret Melville , b. 28 Nov 1865 in Bolton Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, d. 12 Oct 1874 in Pilot Station, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Cause of death - Paralysis, 10 days. Buried 13 October 1874 at the Presbyterian Ground, Newcastle .

7. iii. George Hugh Melville b. 7 Mar 1868.

8. iv. Florence Melville b. 26 Jan 1870.

v. John Melville , b. 22 Nov 1871 in New Comen Street , Newcastle , NSW, Australia .

5. Roberta Melville , b. 9 May 1839 in Loth, Sutherland , Scotland , d. 12 Jan 1928 in Kildonan Parish, Sutherland , Scotland . 1881 in West Helmsdale with 5 Children. Death reported by Donald Murray, son. Cause of death - senility.

She married Alexander Murray (son of Angus Murray and Margaret Fraser ). Alexander: Crofter at West Helmsdale .

Children:

i. Angus Murray , b. 1868, d. 1959 in 123 West Helmsdale, Sutherland , Scotland . Cooper. 1901 making herring barrels and living in Stafford Street , Helmsdale with wife and family. Worked for George Couper and Co, Fishcurers, Helmsdale.

From the Northern Times:

September 25, 1959

We regret to intimate the death of Mr Angus Murray, retired cooper, 123 West Helmsdale. He was 90, and one of the oldest inhabitants of Helmsdale.

Mr Murray was a cooper all his life, and for many years he was with George Couper and Co, fishcurers, Helmsdale. During his service with the firm he went to all the northern fishing ports.

A kenspeckle figure, Mr Murray could recall the days when the weekly wage at the trade amounted to only 15/-, and these were the days when coopers had to work very hard to earn their bread and butter.

One of his most treasured possessions was a medal presented to his grandfather, who served with Wellington in the final overthrow of Napoleon at Waterloo . The medal, encased in a frame, bears the inscription: " Wellington , Waterloo , June 18, 1815." Below the medal is the flattened bullet which wounded his grandfather in battle.

Mr Murray's funeral was to be at Helmsdale cemetery last Saturday, when the services were conducted by the Rev J S Fulton, Helmsdale Church of Scotland, and the Rev J B Perry, Helmsdale Free Church. The chief mourners were Hugh and Angus Murray (sons), George Seaton (son-in-law) , Alex Macleod and George Sutherland (nephews), George Tulloch, George Sutherland and Angus Mackintosh.

He married Janet Sutherland , b. 1874 (daughter of Hugh Sutherland and Isabella Polson ), d. 1937.

6. William Melville , b. 29 Nov 1832 in Portgower, Sutherland, Scotland, occupation Machinery Inspector/Railway Guard, d. 6 Nov 1905 in Limekiln, Dunfermline, Scotland. 1818 living at 9 Craigholm Crest, Burntisland, Fife . Also in household second wife Elizabeth born Dunfermline and three children - Andrew S Melville gb. St Cuthnerts, Edinburgh about 1878; Jane A b. Burntisland about 1878; Alexandrina b. Burntisland about 1880.

At Death given as Railway Guard. Cause of death - Carcinoma of Intestine, Bronchitis, Cardiac Dilation. Reported by Alexandrina Melville, daughter.

He married (1) Georgina McKay , married 06 Oct 1857 in Milton , Glasgow , Scotland , b. 21 Mar 1824 in Culgower, Loth, Sutherland , Scotland (daughter of John Mackay and Isabella Gordon ), d. 8 Jun 1872 in Pilrig, Edinburgh , Scotland .

Children:

i. John Melville , b. 1860.

9. ii. Margaret Louise Melville b. 1861.

He married (2) Elizabeth Sands .

Generation Four

7. George Hugh Melville , b. 7 Mar 1868 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia , occupation Clerk/Court Employee. Born 7 Mar 1868 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia , occupation Clerk/Court Employee. Variously described on records as Clerk or Court Employee. Not given as deceased on 1935 death certificate of a family member, as deceased on a certificate in 1939 but as shown below given by family member as 'killed in Action WW1'. Death certificate not located.

He married Ellen Thomas, b. Gulgong 20 August 1873 daughet of Edward Thomas and Mary Ann Abrahams. Married 5 Oct 1892 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia . On the marriage certificate it is noted that the consent of the bride's father, Edward Thomas, was given in writing since she was under the age of 21 years.

George Hugh Melville had family to two different women but under an alias (Alan George Melville or George Allan Melville or George Hugh Alan Melville) to the second of those women below;-

Ellen Thomas d. 1 September 1963

Gwendoline Estelle Thomas d. 1 July 1949

He was married to the first named and had a bigamous relationship or simply a relationship with the second. The families were listed separately on the certificates and press announcements though tsome members appear to have been aware of one another.

It looks as though Allan George Hugh Melville was 'killed off' in WW1 according to certificates from the 1950s. Though noted as killed in action no one of this name or any combination of the names was found to be in the Australian Forces.

Death record for Gwendoline Estelle Melville (Thomas) 1 July 1949 at 9 Park Road , Bulli, City of Wollongong . Age given as 74 years.

Information from the death certificate;-

Place of marriage given as Newcastle , NSW to George Hugh Alan Melville (Deceased). Age at marriage given as 22 years giving an estimated birth c1870 while age at death of 74 years gives an estimated birth date c1875. As the death informant was a son-in-law age at death and at age at marriage not necessarily known accurately and this was the case in age given for her at marriage.

Parents noted as Edward Thomas (Stationmaster) and Mary Ann Abrahams on death certificate.

The children of the marriage are given as Reginald G. (50 yrs), Dorothy L. (40 yrs) Josephine M. (45 yrs) Jean (42 yrs) living - one male deceased but presumably referring to Wallace killed in action in WW11.

Death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald in July 1949 for Gwendoline:

Melville, Gwendoline Estelle - July 1, at Bulli, relict of the late Captain George Hugh Allan Melville (1st A.I.F., died in action), and loving mother of Reg (Cowra), Wallace (2nd A.I.F., died in action), Dorothy (Mrs Bertrand Cook (Bulli), Josie (Mrs John Glover, Adelaide ), and Jean (Mrs Keith Scott, South Yarra , Melbourne). Privately cremated, Woronora, July 2, 1949.

Despite searches in the War Graves Commission records no death record found for George Hugh Allan Melville or any combination of the forenames. Also no death record found elsewhere.

This is one of the entries which shows Ellen as Gwendoline Estelle and George Hugh with the Alan added as the third forename. As noted elsewhere the Alan does not appear on earlier records and when it does it can be the first forename.

Death record for Ellen Thomas 1 September 1963 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia . Parents Edward Thomas and Mary Ann Abrahams. The same as for Gwendoline Estelle Melville or Thomas. Either parents were added for convenience to hide the bigamous relationship or the two women were sisters. In the list of children to Edward Thomas and Mary Ann Abrahams there is not sign of a Gwendoline but sahe has been reported as from this family y later members including actress Gwen Plumb in her book 'Plumb Crazy'..

The only child family name common to both family lists is Dorothy but it is possible that Dorothy Lyle Melville was the one referred to in the family to Gwendoline and that the Dorothy referred to in the family to Ellen may have been Gayney by an alternative name.

The Children of George Hugh Melville

What all this adds up to is George Hugh Melville had the following children to Ellen and Gwendoline as in the lists below but to Gwendoline under an alias. One source does make the case for Nell being to Gwendoline but brought up partly by Ellen and partly by a new neighbour in the district of Gordon in Sydney .

Children to Ellen:

Alan Gordon Melville b.1893

Gayney Gordon Melville b.1894

Florence Gordon Melville b.1895

Nell Gordon Melville b.1897*

Dorothy Melville b.c.1897**

Elsie Gordon Melville b.1899

Hector Gordon Melville b.1902

Ronald Gordon Melville b.1904

Lachlan Gordon Melville b.1906

Lois Gordon Melville b.1908

Children to Gwendoline:

Dorothy Lyle Melville b.1898****

Reginald George Melville b.1899

Wallace Ross Melville b.1903***

Josephine Mary Melville b.1903

Jean Agnes Melville b.1905

* Dorothy's date is estimated from age given at Marriage.

** Suggestion from Yvonne Fleming nee Pettitt that Nell could have been born to Gwendoline but brought up by Ellen cannot be dismissed as this birth is just before the run of births to Gwendoline. Possible first child to Gwendoline could have been given to Ellen to raise hence the addition of Gordon as a middle name.

*** Wallace Ross date of birth comes from the only record of him - Army Records. It may not be accurate and since it is just 6 days different from the birth date of Josephine it is possible one or both dates in error and they were twins.

**** Birth date according to age at Marriage would be 1901 but since neither an age given at marriage nor a birth date registered many years later likely to be entirely accurate the date remains in doubt.

He married (1) Ellen Thomas , married 5 Oct 1892 in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, b. 1873 in Gulgong, NSW, Australia (daughter of Edward Thomas and Mary Ann Abrahams ). Ellen: Death record for Ellen Thomas 1 September 1963 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia . Parents Edward Thomas and Mary An Abrahams. The same as for Gwendoline Estelle Melville or Thomas. The two women were sisters though in the list of children to Edward Thomas and Mary Ann Abrahams there is no sign of a Gwendoline.

Ellen cremated at Rookwood Cemetery , Sydney where she had a plaque and where her ashes are buried.

Sydney Directories post WW1 suggest husband George Hugh Melville not with Ellen - dead or living elsewhere:-

Mrs Ellen Melville at 95 Stewart Street , Paddington, Sydney in 1921 and apparently head of house.

Mrs Ellen Melville at 1 Acoca Avenue , Sydney in 1925 and apparently head of house.

(See directories information for 1918 and 1919 for Gwendoline Estelle Melville which show her as head of house elsewhere).

Children:

i. Alan Gordon Melville , b. 31 Jul 1893 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia . b. 31 Jul 1893 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia . d. 8 September 1968 at Katoomba Hospital . Home address - 9 Holmes Street , Leura. Address at birth given as Pilot Station, Newcastle . Father given as George Hugh Melville (Clerk) and Mother as Ellen Thomas. Informant - Father.

Death notice for Allan Gordon Melville in the Sydney Morning Herald of 9 September 1968:

Melville, Alan Gordon (ex 13th Batt. 1st A.I.F.) at Hospital, Katoomba, of 9 Holmes Street, Leura, dearly beloved husband of Eda, loved brother of Dot (deceased), Florence, Elsie, Nell, Lois, Hector, Ron and Lackie and fond brother-in-law of Alma Collins and George Johnson and uncle of their families. At rest.

The death notice for Alan Gordon Melville lists the siblings with Gordon as a middle name, with the exception of Dorothy who was later found in records simply listed without a middle name. It excluded those children with the other various middle names including Dorothy with middle name Lyle. The reason for this has now become apparent. There were two different families here. Most of the press notifications miss out children and this pattern follows for each group.

He married Eda Estelle Johnstone , d. 8 Apr 1977 in Katoomba Hospital . Eda: Death notice for Eda Estelle Melville (MS Johnson) in the Sydney Morning Herald of 9 April 1977:

Melville, Eda Estelle - April 8, 1977 (suddenly) at Katoomba Hospital, late of 9 Holmes Street, Leura, loved wife of Alan (deceased), dearly loved sister of Alma Collins (Randwick) and George Johnson (deceased), loved aunt of Joyce and Barry, George, Pat and Terry, aged 71 years, at Peace.

ii. Gayney Gordon Melville , b. 17 Oct 1894 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia . b. 17 Oct 1894 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia . Address at birth given as Pilot Station, Newcastle . Father given as George Hugh Melville (Clerk) and Mother as Ellen Thomas. Informant - Father. Registration states - 'After declaration duly made according to law'. May be because registration took place about three months after birth.

Gayney disappears from records and also is not reported in family announcements though she appears in 1921 on the late birth registration of Nell. Did she die young and become forgotten about or though called Gayney, in birth record, did she actually have another name, possibly Dorothy.

One of Ellen Thomas's siblings (next one to her in the list of children to Edward Thomas and Mary Abrahams)

is called Gainey. Presumably this is where George and Ellen got the name.

iii. Florence Gordon Melville , b. 28 Nov 1895. Address at birth given as Pilot Station, Newcastle . Father given as George Hugh Melville (Clerk) and Mother as Ellen Thomas. Informant - Father. 'After declaration duly made according to law'. May be because registration took place about three months after birth.

Florence appears in some later family press announcements but no other records found.

10. iv. Nell Gordon Melville b. 6 Jan 1897.

v. Dorothy Melville , b. c1898 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia , d. 1962. Dorothy Melville b. c1898 (Date calculated from age of 25 years given on marriage certificate). D. 1962. Her place of birth is given as Newcastle , New South Wales , Australia .

On the marriage of Dorothy to David Spinks (aged 26 years) on 5 June 1923 at Waverley Registry Office Dorothy is given as employed on House Duties. Her parents are given as George Melville (Deceased) and Ellen Thomas. George is given as having been of Independent Means. The address at marriage is 1 Avoca Street, Bondi, NSW, Australia and, incidentally, this was the address of her mother in a trade directory of 1925 in which Ellen Thomas is described the head of the property.

Since there are two marriages for individuals named Dorothy Melville to different men and two death dates for two individuals named Dorothy Melville it is clear that there were two Dorothys who had the same father but different mothers. Dorothy Cook (ms Melville) had her Golden Wedding in 1979 while Dorothy Spinks (ms Melville) had her death recorded in 1962.

She married David Spinks , married 5 Jun 1923 in Waverley , Bondi, NSW, Australia .

vi. Elsie Gordon Melville , b. 9 Dec 1899 in Rowantree Street, Balmain North, NSW, Australia, d. 15 Apr 1988 in Sydney, Australia. Other children listed on the certificate - Alan G (6 yrs)., Gayney G. (5 yrs), Florence G. (4 yrs), Nellie (3 yrs) and note given saying all children living, none deceased.

Father given as George Hugh Melville and mother as Ellen Thomas. Informant - Mother.

She married John Wars .

vii. Hector Gordon Melville , b. 11 Aug 1902 in 46 Palmer Street , Sydney , NSW, Australia . Father recorded as George Hugh Melville (Clerk in Works Department) and mother as Ellen Thomas. Other children recorded - Alan G. (9 yrs), Gayney G. (8 yrs), Florence G. (7 yrs), Nellie G. (5 yrs), Elsie G. (3 yrs) - all living. Informant - Mother.

viii. Ronald Gordon Melville , b. 31 May 1904 in 46 Palmer Street , Sydney , NSW, Australia , d. 9 Aug 1987 in Sydney , Australia . Father recorded as George Hugh Melville (Clerk) and mother as Ellen Thomas.

Other children recorded - Alan G. (10 yrs), Gayney G. (9 yrs), Florence G. (8 yrs), Nellie G. (7 yrs), Elsie G. (4 yrs), Hector G. (1 yr) - all living, none dead. Informant - Mother.

Ronald married Cathleen Nora Malone, married 19 Feb 1935 in Sydney , Australia . She d. 9 August 1987.

Marriage certificate indicates Ronald Gordon Melville to be a Newspaper Artist and Cathleen to be engaged in Domestic Duties. He was 31 years and born Sydney and she 26 years and born Newtown , Sydney . Place of residence for both was Bondi. Cathleen's parents were given as James Malone (Railway Employee) and Margaret Walsh. Interestingly Ronald's parents were given as George Hugh Melville and Ellen Thomas with no indication of his father being deceased despite an alternative source suggesting Alan George Hugh Melville, and possibly his father, with the added forename, died in WW1. His father is entered as a Civil Employee. As the marriage certificate for Dorothy gives Alan George Melville as deceased in 1929 and since Alan George and George Hugh are possibly one and the same the 1935 certificate may be in error.

Ronald's death announcement in the Sydney Morning Herald of 11 August:

Melville, Ronald Gordon August 9, 1987, late of Dover Heights, dearly beloved husband of Cathleen (deceased), brother of Alan, Lachy, Hector and Dorothy (all deceased), Peg, Ellen, Elsie and Lois.

Why no mention of Gayney, Florence , Reginald, Josephine and Jean? Is Ellen actually Nell? Who is Peg as we do not have a Margaret? Is Dorothy actually Gayney now using an alternative name.

Maybe those were the only siblings that could be recalled by the person preparing the announcement for the press. It should noted that all those siblings have the middle name Gordon recorded for them except Dorothy who appears to have no middle name from later records. At events where names of children of George Hugh Melville listed there appears to be two distinct groups. Those with the Gordon middle name and the others with different middle names, with the exception of a Dorothy who seemed to be at times accepted by both groups but more likely, as proven later, there were two named Dorothy - one in each family. Not all members of the group always appear - Gayney Gordon Melville, Florence Gordon Melville and Ronald Gordon Melville all missing from the list above All the children appear to have the same parents but what is happening in this total family group? - increasing as records are examined it is becoming clear that George Hugh and Allan George are one and the same person with children to two different women.

He married Cathleen Malone , married 19 Feb 1935 in Sydney , Australia .

11. ix. Lachlan Gordon Melville b. 25 Jun 1906.

12. x. Lois Gordon Melville b. 1908.

He married (2) Gwendoline Estelle Thomas , b. c1875 in Mudgee, NSW, Australia, d. 1 Jul 1949 in 9 Park Road, Bulli, Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Gwendoline: George Hugh Melville was married to the firstly in 1892 and had bigamous relationship or simply a relationship with Gwendoline Estelle Thomas. The families were listed separately on the certificates and press announcements and not all members may have been aware of the family group another.

Family knowledge confirms that Ellen and Gwendoline were, in fact, sisters though the latter's birth record has not been found. The death record for Gwendoline gives parents as Edward Thoma and Mary Anne Abrahams - the same as Ellen's.

Death record for Gwendoline Estelle Melville 1 July 1949 at 9 Park Road , Bulli, City of Wollongong . Age given as 74 years.

Information from the death certificate;-

Parents noted as Edward Thomas (Stationmaster) and Mary Ann Abrahams on death certificate.

Gwendoline was cremated at Woronora General Cemetery , Linden Street , Sutherland, NSW but there is no memorial there as her ashes were collected.

Death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald in July 1949:

Places of Residence of Ellen after disappearance of 'Husband/Partner':

Sydney Directory: Mrs Gwendoline Melville at 'Kema', O'Brien Street , Bondi, Sydney in 1918 and 1919 as head of house.

also

Mrs Gwendoline Melville at 'Marden Hall', Springfield Avenue , Darlinghurst in 1925. (Certificate).

Children:

xi. Dorothy Lyle Melville , b. 15 May 1898 in Pymble, NSW, Australia . This birth was record 13 December 1950 on the order of a Judge of the District Court and gives place of birth as Pymble, NSW, Australia . The certificate is shown in the Appendix. Interestingly her father is noted as George Hugh Melville sometimes known as Alan George Melville . He is given as Journalist and born in Aberdeen but the marriage date is correct for the George Hugh Melville and Ellen Thomas above. The mother is given as Gwendoline Estelle Thomas sometimes known as Ellen Thomas.

While this certificate contains some information at variance with that on certificates for some of the other children this might be accounted for due to the late registration and the fact that the individual no longer had access to the earlier generation for details. Date of birth may also not be accurate due to uncertainty over time. Taking year of birth from age on marriage certificate would give a birth year of 1901. The most concerning piece of information from this record is the statement that Dorothy's father was from Aberdeen since this is the only such reference found in connection with this family.

At first sight Dorothy appears to be 'in the camps' of both those family members but later evidence showed a second Dorothy.

Dorothy Lyle Melville married Bertrand Anthony Cook (Medical Practitioner) on 16th July 1929 in Sydney . Her parents are given as Allan George Melville (deceased) and Gwendoline Thomas. Her father is given as a Journalist. Bertrand's parents were William Henry Cook (deceased Farmer) and Eleanor Forry (surname unclear).

Dorothy's Golden Wedding is announced in the Sydney Morning Herald of 23 Jul 1979:

Cook - Melville - July 16, 1929, at St Mary's Cathedral, Bertrand to Dorothy, present address, 55 New South Head Road, Vaucluse.

Dorothy Melville b. c1898 (Date calculated from age of 25 years given on marriage certificate). D. 1962. Her place of birth is given as Newcastle , New South Wales , Australia .

13. xii. Reginald George Melville b. 24 May 1899.

xiii. Wallace Ross Melville , b. 20 Aug 1903 in Sydney , NSW, Australia , d. 1 Jul 1942 in Died in Action WW2. Occupation - Clerk.

On marriage certificate father given as George Melville, Deceased, Journalist and mother as Gwendoline Thomas. This is in line with information given for those children born to George Hugh Melville and Gwendoline Thomas the sister of his legal wife, Ellen Thomas. Marriage witnesses were R. G . Melville and R. Thomas.

Died in action 1 July 1942 as member of A.I.F. 2/22 Bn. Australian Infantry. Rank - Private. Wife given on army records. Wallace appears to have no birth registration at all. His date is gleaned from his WW11 enlistment details.

Dates of birth for Wallace and his sister Josephine cause some difficulty - One or both may have given the wrong birth date. They could possibly be twins with a wrong date for one or both.

He married Martha Kathleen Carlow , married 5 May 1928 in St Mary's Church, Waverley , Sydney , NSW, Australia . Martha: From St Kilda , Victoria , Australia . Occupation - Clerk.

xiv. Josephine Mary Melville , b. 28 Aug 1903 in North Sydney, NSW, Australia . This birth was registered in February 1951 in pursuance of an order made by a Judge of the District Court. Parents given as George Hugh Melville also known as Alan George Melville and Gwendoline Estelle Melville (MS Thomas) also known as Ellen Melville (MS Thomas).

Again on this entry George Hugh Melville is given as born in Aberdeen and occupation as Journalist. Parents place and date of marriage is given as Newcastle , NSW on 5 October 1892. I suspect that the information on George Hugh Melville being the same for the three births recorded late in 1950 and 1951 (two in that year) has come from the same source.

Actress known as Josie and whose most famous part was in the musical Sally. The Australian Theatre website says of her in its review of the show:

'Sally moved to Melbourne in September and continued playing until June the following year. It was a huge success and was generally thought to be the beginning of a stellar career for Josie Melville. It was not to be. Josie pursued her career for a short time, but never repeated the success of Sally. She married a South Australian businessman in 1934 and devoted herself to family life.'

xv. Jean Agnes Melville , b. 28 Jan 1905 in Sydney , NSW, Australia . This birth was registered in February 1951 in pursuance of an order made by a Judge of the District Court. Parents given as George Hugh Melville also known as Alan George Melville and Gwendoline Estelle Melville (MS Thomas) also known as Ellen Melville (MS Thomas).

The certificate indicated previous issue as two females - this would accord with the number of previous issue not recorded until 1950 and 1951 but assuming this is one family does not include children recorded at the time of birth nor the child record late in 1925.

8. Florence Melville , b. 26 Jan 1870 in Newcomen Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, d. 24 Jan 1918 in North Sydney, Australia. At death residing at 69 Arthur Street , Nirth Sydney. Died at Mater General Hospital , North Sydney . Cause of death - anaemia. Informant - A, Guthrie, sister-in-law. Buried at Gore Hill Cemetery , Sydney 24 January 1918.

She married Robert William Grieve Hamilton , married 3 Oct 1892 in Stockton , Newcastle , NSW, Australia , b. c1868 in Kew , Victoria , Australia (son of James Hamilton and Marian Kennedy ), d. 26 Apr 1948 in Bank Street , Molong, NSW, Australia , occupation Surgeon Dentist. Robert: Surgeon Dentist. Buried Methodist Cemetery , Molong.

Children:

i. Eric Denver Hamilton , b. 10 Jan 1895 in Armidale, NSW, Australia .

ii. Alan George Hamilton , b. 14 May1897 in Armidale, NSW, Australia . At marriage occupation was Seaman.

He married Ethel Gladys Murray , married 24 Nov 1924 in St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Phillip Street , Sydney , Australia . Ethel:.

iii. Son Hamilton , b. c1893, d. c1893. Died in infancy.

9. Margaret Louise Melville , b. 1861.

She married James Seath , married 28 Dec 1891 in Hurlington, Edinburgh , Scotland , b. 1849, d. 25 Jan 1896.

Children:

14. i. Sydney Melville b. 1889.

Generation Five

10. Nell Gordon Melville , b. 6 Jan 1897 in Newcastle , NSW, Australia , d. 26 Sep 1988 in Sydney , Australia . Birth not registered until 1 February 1921 - informant Ellen Melville, 95 Stuart Street , Padington, Sydney. Wrongly registered as for 6 January 1899. The 'Newcastle Herald' of 23 January 1897 announced the birth of a daughter to the wife of G H Melville of 7 Pilot Station, Newcastle and birth date given as 4 January 1897. The late registration gave father as George Hugh Melville and mother as Ellen Thomas. Other children, given as in the family, when Nell born recorded on the certificate as:

Allan G. - aged 6 years

Gayney G. - aged 5 years

Florence - aged 3 years

All living, none deceased. Those were the children at the time of Nell's birth and the children born post her actual birth are not listed.

Yvonne Fleming (nee Pettitt) states in an email regarding Nell:

After Nell passed away in 1989 - My Father and I read a book by Gwen Plumb ( the actress and Dad's cousin) called Plumb Crazy - in it on page 35 is a reference to the family mystery. Also we had found out that my Dad Gordon ( only son of Nell and Charles )when he was to be married in England - his parents' Nell and Charles made arrangements to travel there - the paperwork showed that my Gandmother Nell had only been declared as born and not registered. Her Mother was supposedly Ellen Thomas . I say supposedly because she apparently reared 9 children - one of which was Nell but as Nell never refered to her as Mother ( rather Nanny ? and to her Grandmother as Banna ? ) I presumed that in keeping with the revelations in Gwen Plumb's book - that Nell may have been the child of Ellen's sister living nearby and sharing the same man!!! Nell also said over and over again about Ellen "she was a wonderful woman" - Ellen eventually left the home near her sister and apparently took 9 children with her to the suburb of Gordon in Sydney . The next door neighbours were the Barthgates who not having a daughter took a shine to Nell and consequently (so the story goes reared her as their own ).

I have Ellen having 10 children including Nell but this is on the basis that Gayney and Dorothy were two different children. Since Gayney gets barely a mention in the records and never at the same time as Dorothy they may have been the same child or alternatively one or other may actually be one of the other girls be a different name.

She married Arthur Charles Pettitt , married 11 Mar 1987 in Sydney , NSW, Australia , d. 11 Mar 1987 in Sydney , Australia .

Children:

15. i. Gordon Pettitt .

11. Lachlan Gordon Melville , b. 25 Jun 1906 in Sydney , NSW, Australia , d. 17 Nov 1971 in Cogee. Date of birth extracted from Lachlan 's WW2 service records.

Lachlan 's death announced in the Sydney Morning Herald of 18 November 1971:

Melville, Lachlan Gordon (Lachie) - November 17, 1971 (suddenly), at his residence, Coogee, husband of Mildred, loved father of David and Annette.

Announcements in the press on 18 November invited family and friends to a service in St Nicholas Church of England before cremation at Crematorium Eastern Suburbs. Also a notice inviting members of Coogee Sports Club to attend the funeral of their 'late esteemed member'.

He married Mildred Riley, married 22 Dec 1938 in Randwick , Sydney , Australia . Married at District Registrar's Office. d. 6 March 1996. Cremated at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney .

At marriage Lachlan 's parents given as George Melville (deceased) and Ellen Thomas.

Mildred's death announced in the Sydney Morning Herald of 7 March 1996:

Melville Millie - March 6 1996, wife of the late Lachie Melville, much loved mother of Annette and David and adored grandmother of David and Tamara. Passed away peacefully in hospital, aged 82 years.

He married Mildred Riley , married 22 Dec 1938 in Randwick , Sydney , Australia . Mildred: Married at District Registrar's Office.

Children:

i. Annette Melville .

She married Ian ? .

ii. David Melville .

12. Lois Gordon Melville , b. 1908 in Paddington, Sydney, NSW, Australia, d. 23 Mar 1996 in Sydney, Australia.

She married John Grant . John: Known as Jack.

Children:

i. John Grant .

13. Reginald George Melville , b. 24 May 1899 in North Sydney, NSW, Australia , d. 4 Feb1974. This birth was recorded on 1 June 1925 upon a Declaration lodged in the Registrar General's Office, Sydney . The place of birth is given as North Sydney and the parents as Allan George Melville (Clerk) and Gwendoline Thomas. The place of marriage is given as Brisbane , Queensland and the date as February 1898. Those two facts are at variance with other facts given for this couple and the birth date given is just over a week later than that given for Dorothy Melville. Were they twins and/or is there a mistake in one of the birth dates? In this family, has something strange been going on, are they just dysfunctional and get all their dates in a 'mess'?

Reginald's death announcement in the Sydney Morning Herald of 24th May:

Reginald married to Linda Alice Castle. Reported in death notice in Sydney Morning Herald for Linda Alice:

Melville, Linda Alice - July 14, 1964, at her residence, 21 Cook Street, Cronulla (formerly of Cowra), dearly loved wife of Reg., loving mother of Jean (Mrs Ryall), Bill, Marie (Mrs Stone), Maurice (deceased), Shirley, Ailsa (Mrs Di Leva) and Jill (Mrs McLeish).

Buried in General Lawn Cemetery , Woronora.

Second Marriage to Kerrie c1969, no issue.

He married Linda Alice Castle , married c1920 in Bathurst , NSW, Australia , d. 14 Jul 1964 at 21Cook Street, Cronulla, NSW, Australia . Linda: Reginald married to Linda Alice Castle. Reported in death notice in Sydney Morning Herald for Linda Alice:

Buried in General Lawn Cemetery , Woronora.

Children:

i. Jean Melville , b. c1922.

ii. Reginald Melville , b. c1924. There is a Bill but no reginald in children listed at death of father - could this child have been known as Bill.

iii. Marie Melville , b. c1926.

iv. Maurice Melville , b. c1920. Dead by 1974.

v. Shirley Melville , b. c1931.

vi. Ailsa Melville , b. c1935.

vii. Jill Melville , b. c1936.

14. Sydney Melville , b. 1889 in Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland, d. 15 Apr 1949, occupation Tramcar Motorman, occupation Rubber Worker. Illegitimate.

He married Mary Simpson Robertson , married 15 Aug 1921 in Blythswood, Glasgow , Scotland , b. 1898, occupation Tobacco Factory orker.

Children:

i. Alexia Robertson Melville , b. 1929.

16. ii. Sydney Melville b. 9 Jan 1922.

Generation Six

15. Gordon Pettitt .

He married Helga Pettitt (MS Unknown) .

Children:

i. Martin Pettitt .

ii. Yvonne Pettitt .

16. Sydney Melville , b. 9 Jan 1922, d. 24 May 2004.

He married Janet Muir Gibson , married 30 Sep 1944 in Leith, Edinburgh , Scotland , b. 12 Jun 1922, d. 25 Mar 2008.

Children:

i. Living (details excluded).

17. ii. Living (details excluded).

Generation Seven

17. Living (details excluded).

He married Living , (details excluded).

Children:

i. Living (details excluded).

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