The church that Charles built

St James Church of England at Jericho was built in 1888.  This was the second church to be built on the site as the first built in the 1840's was demolished as it had started to fall down.  

The building was designed by the well know architect, Henry Hunter and Walter Fish was responsible for the stonework with the woodwork being carried out by Charles Ellen, both of Oatlands.

Mum and I were fortunate enough to be given the key to the church so we could take a tour.  It is no longer in use as a church but still has all the original timber fittings that Charles made.  The beautiful leadlight windows were added some time after it was built and there is a small carved timber piece that was found on the tip in the 1970's LOL

 

The House that Charles built

Last weekend I went to Oatlands with my mum.  We stayed at Jenny Wren cottage, a house that my g.g.g.grandfather, Charles Ellen built.   It was built for the stonemason George Aitchison who became a prominent land and property owner in Oatlands.  

Charles Ellen also rented this house and lived here for some time with his family.  Originally it was a small four room house but now has additions of a larger dining room and bathroom at the rear of the building.

I must say it felt a bit strange staying in a house that my ancestor once lived in and I feel some what closer to him now than I did before.

met a cousin!

I found out a few weeks ago that a lady who lives in the north of the state is also a descendant of Charles Ellen and is researching him too.  To say I was excited would be an understatement!  I immediately contacted her and we finally had the opportunity to meet up yesterday.  It is so nice to know someone else out there and to see photos of her line of the family.  More to come I am sure!

a bit excited

This week I spent two days at the library.  Our library has a great section for family history buffs with heaps of info and the staff are more than happy to assist novices like myself.
I struck gold finally.  I had been having heaps of trouble finding out how John Thynne and Charles Ellen came to Tassie.  Lots of digging around and I finally found them both plus John came out with his widowed mother, Ann and his little brother Martin.  They are all Bounty Immigrants, although I am still unclear whether Charles was actually a convict or not as I have some conflicting info on him.

A good week of finds all round and it boosts my enthusiasm when it was starting to wane a little.

List of names

I have added a page of the names connected to my families.  If you see a name you are familiar with and think we may be connected somehow please leave a contact message for me to chase you up!  We may be cousins or something.

So we start with me

I am Kelli-anne Schultz.  Born in 1967 at Sandringham Hospital, Victoria.

The family lines I have started with are:

Paternal:
Schultz - my grandfather
Lambeth - my grandmother

Maternal:
Ellen - my grandfather
Thynne - my grandmother

This is exciting and somewhat addictive.  I know there are a few convicts on my maternal side and an elopement!  On my dad's side, lots of sadness and mystery.

One thing that has struck me since starting this is just how tough things were for the women folk.  So many babies to be had and then so many to be lost, it is just heartbreaking.

Well, this blog will hopefully grow and develop as I find out new things.  I hope to put some pages up of photos, links and other useful things I find along the way.

Anyway, if you are following I hope you enjoy my journey

Kelli