Experienced people, what would you guess?

[erich]

Dizzi & Mary,

I am not currently subscribing to Ancestry (I only subscribe by the month when I want to be active) so I can't check, but I think I have been in contact with John (of the Ranton-George tree) and I think he got the information from me. I agree, it isn't helpful if people include dubious information (although I have done that before now, while I investigated further) and I have not yet included the McDonald connection and subsequent adoption in my family tree, though I think it is pretty much established. and will likely include it soon. The birth in Lincolnshire is what the Australian certificates say, but there is no validation of that anywhere that I can find, so I only have it with a question mark.

Ernest's second marriage certificate should show his birth place, age and time in the colonies (as his first one did) but I think it is unlikely to show anything different to what I already have, and at $28 a copy, it's a bit expensive to get nothing new. But maybe I'll decide to take the punt.

Thanks again.

Eric

[Mary in Oz]

Eric I will have a look at that tree on Ancestry for you and see what they have..and let you know..

[Mary in Oz]

Eric ...I have found a bit which looks interesting..a marriage in March quarter 1922 in Sunderland Durham 10a 933
Frederick C.J,Hargraves to a Mary A B McQuillan..

I know its a long way after Ernest is born but could it be she or he was already married to someone else and they couldnt marry any earlier..and that is why Ernest has 2 surnames attached to his name..but bet he was only registered with one.He would have had to be registered as a McQuillan, but they added the Hargraves to look like they were married.To save face..

I have a great Aunt who married after she had had a few children,,She did marry the father of the children so that made it easier to find..

Francis might not have liked the name Frederick so changed it for some reason..to Francis..I have a distant grandmother who was named Elizabeth after her dead sibling,,She changed her name to Amelia and was never known as Elizabeth up to the time she died..Death certificate shows Amelia..

Anyway its something to ponder..Will check out the Ancestry tree tomorrow.. had to take hubby to the docs today..

[JALimestone Plains]

Erich and Mary, I checked the tree and yes - John did get the info from you Erich.

Interesting find Mare, food for thought.

Erich I think you might need to get that certificate - he might have been more forthcoming on it than on the first one

[JALimestone Plains]

Erich, on the off chance I checked the National Archives site - they said the other week that they are continously updating the data base and I think that I have found an entry for Ernest. Unfortunately the records are in Melbourne. I have sent you an email.

[JALimestone Plains]

here is the entry

Ernest Hargraves Nat Arch 2.jpg

[erich]

Eric ...I have found a bit which looks interesting..a marriage in March quarter 1922 in Sunderland Durham 10a 933
Frederick C.J,Hargraves to a Mary A B McQuillan..

It is quite a coincidence, but I can't see how to verify it, and it is quite a stretch - even if Francis & Mary were only 16 when he was born, they would be about 56 by this time - it's a long time for the scenario you paint. Yet I know that we have to look at the unlikely now because there are no other options! But even if this isn't the right couple, your idea of Ernest's parents not being married, supported by his constant use of the name McQuillan, even giving it to both his daughters by his first marriage, suggests you may be on the right track. I have searched for Ernest McQuillan, unsuccessfully, but it may be worth a more thorough try. Thanks again.

[erich]

Thanks JAL, I have also replied by email. I am looking into this. Let's hope it reveals something that gives us some direction!!

(I have to keep hoping!!!)

[JALimestone Plains]

Erich, thanks for your email, I think I will need to take notes from now on - getting forgetful again

[JALimestone Plains]

Erich, no luck today at the National Library - looked at 1909 and 1912 mirco fiche electoral rolls - no Ernest at Jervis Bay, sorry. Let's hope you get the digital record from the national Archives soon - pity they mixed up the first one