The Family Goldmine

Most families have legends and mine is no different. The legend in my family is that there is a family-owned goldmine somewhere in Australia. 

The story goes that my great-grandfather loaned his cousin some money before he emigrated to Australia. The condition was that the cousin would send the money back once he had settled. When his cousin had made Australia his home, my great-grandfather James Harbertson was sent the papers to a goldmine, which for some reason he never signed - a bit of a step-up from the money he lent out! Other rumours say James was cheated out of his rightful property.

It's a good story, right? But is there any truth to the tale? 

James had three cousins who emigrated to Australia; Andrew, Robert and Lancelot Harbertson. They settled in the Corrimal area of New South Wales.

While I can find nothing to suggest the three brothers part-owned or had shares in a goldmine, there are some quite intriguing articles about the kind of lifestyles they had.

Lancelot Harbertson, or Lance as he was commonly known, married a woman named Frances Wilkinson on 4 October 1913. Below is a newspaper article published in the Illawarra Mercury reporting on the rather fashionable wedding:

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Wedding.

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A very pretty wedding was celebrated on October 4th, at "Glenavon," the residence of Mr. and Mrs. A. Harbertson, Corrimal, the contracting parties being Miss F. Wilkinson, of Horden, Durham, England, and Mr. Lance Harbertson, of Seaton Delaval, England. The Rev. Mr. Beynon (Presbyterian) officiated. 

The bride was given away by Mr. T. Dixon, and she was attended by Miss Grace Dixon as bridesmaid, whilst Mr. R. Harbertson acted as groomsman. The bride was very handsomely gowned, and she wore a pretty gold brooch, set with pearls and rubies, the gift of the bridegroom, whose gift to the bridesmaid was a handsome gold pendant. 

After the ceremony the wedding party adjourned to "Milton Cottage," Mount Pleasant, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T Dixon, where the wedding breakfast was served in such a manner as to win praise from all present. 

After justice had been done to the good things provided, Mr. Bert Makin proposed the toast of "The Bride and the Bridegroom," to which the bridegroom responded. The "Parents of the Bride," was proposed by Mr. R. Harbertson. Mr. Bourke proposed "Our Host and Hostess," and Mr. Dixon responded. 

The guests, to the number of about forty, were next entertained at an enjoyable musical evening, including songs, games, etc. The happy couple were the recipients of numerous presents including some costly articles, amongst the presents being a three-decker wedding cake made and presented to Mr. and Mrs. L. Harbertson, by Mrs. Dixon.

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Gold pendants, gold brooches set with pearls and rubies? How grand! 

But did the family goldmine fund the pretty wedding? Who knows. Whatever the truth, it makes for a good story. 

Barty's Dream

Ages ago I wrote a blog post on my 4x great-grandfather, Bertram McKeith, or Barty Keith, as he was commonly known. Newspapers often picked up on this jovial, comedic man, reporting on his wild tales, accounts and exaggerations. Barty is still remembered fondly in my family. 

The following article appeared in the Northern Daily Telegraph on 9 March 1892:

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BARTY'S DREAM.

One day the renowned Barty Keith, of Seghill, went into a public-house, and, not meeting with the reception that he usually got from the company present, he sat down silent for a while. 

Starting to his feet he exclaimed, "Begox, lads, aa've hed a grand dream."

"What aboot, Barty?" exclaimed several of the company. 

"Lads, aa dreamed that aa died and went to heaven, and when aa got te the gyet, aa knocked, an somebody shouted, 'Whe's thor?' Aa replied, 'Bartram Keith, frae Seghill, sor.'   'Oh come in, Mr Keith, we've been expecting you coming.' And se, lads, aa went inside."

"And what was it like, Barty?" asked one. 

"Aye, marrow, it wes grand. The forst thing a saa wes six white angels sitting aroond a big tybel, with a gallon pit full o' beer, and when they saa whe it wes, they aall jumped te thor feet and shooted oot, 'Sup here, Barty; sup here, Barty!"

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Not only is this article a lesson in Geordie, but it is also a further insight into Barty's character. 

One interesting thing to note is that Barty is described, or rather describes himself, as living in Seghill. For much of his life Barty lived in Bedlington. Barty actually only lived in Seghill for the first few years of his married life. His son Ralph was born there in 1840.

My original blog post can be found here.