My article in Bronte Studies

My article in Bronte Studies
My article

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

William and Australia

Ellen and Margaret Williams, with thanks to Cheryl Pivac
In the early 1850s William's eldest son, William Frank (known as Frank), emigrated to New South Wales with some guidance from Elizabeth Gaskell then a friend of Charlotte Bronte. He married in Sydney in 1855 and he and his wife Ellen had a son and a daughter. There is reason to believe that Frank died before his father (1875).

Norman Penty, who did so much research into William's family tree, traced Frank's progeny to Mark Wasson and Stephen and Kent Warner who live in Sydney. If anyone knows them, I would love to make contact.

The only other Australian connection I have come across is that William read Catherine Spence's Clara Morison but declined it with a letter similar to that he sent to Charlotte Bronte on reading The Professor.

POSTSCRIPT

Thank you so much, Australian cousins, for getting in touch. The picture in filling in a fascinating way.


3 comments:

  1. While I’m here Phil (still in Australia) I’ve posted to Facebook to see if any Sydney friends and connections can help find the relatives. It’s a small world, so something may come of it! I’m off to Sydney myself in a few weeks if you want any on the spot research done? Janet

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    1. That is brilliant of you. Thank you. As to research, I shall see what information comes to light. Hope all is well.

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  2. I am the great granddaughter of Amelia Vera Williams (great granddaughter of WSW). Would love to get in touch. Christine (from the Australian arm of the WSW family). I have messaged the WSW page on Facebook with my email.

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