Hello from Australia.
My gt gt grandmother, Ann George (nee Owen) was born to Robert and Mary OWEN of Lydbury North, baptised 4th August 1799.
She came to Australia on one of the first ever ships to carry free settlers to the 'colony'.
On her death cert her father's occupation was given as overseer. I believe to do with the Workhouse??
Is there a record of the workhouse in that area?
I am interested to know if there is any further info on the family and also about the life and times of the village then. Is there a record of where they lived?
What would have induced a single woman to venture on a tiny ship across the world? There were no other 'Owens' on board, so she didn't migrate with family.
I know there was some advertising of assisted passage in England. Would this have induced her? Maybe she was someones' help'???
Any input would be gratefully received.
Travelled to Shropshire in 2010 and loved it... what a shame I didn't know of the connection then!
Cathy
Thanks Mike for your helpful pointers. I will follow up.
I have found out that the ship she travelled on,The Hugh Crawford was chartered by a 'pioneerist' Thos Potter McQueen, born in Bedfordshire. He was granted 10,000 acres here in Australia and filled the Hugh Crawford with shepherds, agricultural workers, servants and animals.
I'm guessing Ann was a servant of some kind...
She went on to marry a Welchman here in 1826 and had 8 children. He was a carpenter and farmer. I think they had a comfortable life. Can you believe I have a photo of them in ther 60s taken in the 1860s!
Thanks again
Cathy
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Hello Cathy
The first place for you to look is the Lydbury North web site which contains a wealth of information. It can also be reached from this site by going to 'Links' above then Shropshire Town and Village Sites.
Second, you should look at The Workhouse web site to see what that tells you.
Next try the Access to Archives (A2A) web site which has extensive listings.
Is it possible that Ann travelled to Australia to work for someone who was originally from Shropshire? You mention advertising and I understand that there was a considerable need for young women to balance the male/female population in the early years and it is just possible that she was one of the adventurous types who thought it would suit her.
Mike