Moses Williamson Born 1863 Victoria Australia

Photographer unknown, Portrait Moses Williamson, circa 1911, John Palmer Williamson's Private Photo Collection, His son John was known as Palmer [his second name during his teens, photo was possibly given to his son when he left home] [W006] 

Moses was born on 17 September 1863 in Saint Kilda, Victoria, Australia, the son of John Williamson and Lousia Walker.[i]

His siblings were born in Victoria, Australia as follows: Thomas Williamson born 1855 in Melbourne; Rachel Williamson born 1857, Miriam Williamson born 1859 and Phebe Williamson born 1861 in Collingwood; Lydia Williamson born 1866 and Aaron Williamson born 1869 in Saint Kilda.

Moses a professional tailor was running his own tailor shop at 25 in Burwood rd., Glenferrie, Hawthorn, Victoria.[ii] His father had been a professional tailor as was his older brother Thomas and younger brother Aaron.[iii] [iv] His father died when Moses was only ten years old.[v]

Moses married Caroline Munro on 16 December 1885 in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.[vi]

Photographer unknown, Family portrait of the Williamson family, circa 1907, Western Australia. From Left to right: Harry Williamson, Moses Williamson, Monty Williamson, Cuthbert Williamson, Phoebe Williamson, Caroline Williamson(nursing Norma) and John Williamson(Jack) [W135]

He and Caroline had the following children in Australia, those born in Victoria were Richard Montague Williamson born 1866 in Melbourne and Phoebe Dorothy Williamson born 1890 in Hawthorn; those born Western Australia in York were John Aaron Palmer Williamson born 1892, Henry Andrew Williamson born 1895, Cuthbert Moreton Williamson born 1896; their last child, Norma Williamson born 1906, was born in Fremantle Western Australia.

Moses moved his family to Western Australia in 1890 possibly seeking land and maybe gold as he had shares in a mining company.[vii] [viii] [ix] [x] [xi]  He continued to work as a Tailor in Perth, York and Yarloop.[xii] [xiii]  Moses became a member of the Freemasons in 1888 while living in Victoria and transferred his membership when he relocated to York 1893.[xiv] [xv] [xvi]  He was elected as Councillor in the South Ward of York around 1893.[xvii] As a nurseryman, he ran the Glenferrie Apiary in York.[xviii] [xix]

After 1920 Moses move to Hamilton in New South Wales possibly motivated by ill health.[xx] [xxi]

Moses died on 25 June 1933 in Hamilton New South Wales, and was buried on the following day in Sandgate General Cemetery, New South Wales.[xxii] [xxiii]

Moses Williamson on WikiTree

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[i] Birth Certificate Moses Williamson (Births Registered in the District of St Kilda in the Colony of Victoria Certified Copy Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia Year 1863, Number 23188)

[ii] 1888 'Advertising Situations Vacant', Advertising for staff, The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 10 July, p. 8., viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196001857

[iii] Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Marriage Certificate Thomas Williamson & Mary Anne McCoy, 5 June 1876, 2242/1876 occupation listed for Thomas was tailor

[iv] Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Death Certificate Aaron Williamson, died 20 November 1891, Saint Kilda, Victoria, Australia, 15639/1891

[v] Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Death Certificate John Williamson, died 7 June 1874, Saint Kilda, Victoria, Australia, 6427/1874

[vi] Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Marriage Certificate Moses Williamson & Caroline Munro 7312/1885

[vii] According to Moses’ grandson, John Williamson, the family went to WA in the hopes of picking up a land grant but was not successful in doing so.

[viii] 1890 'Classified Advertising', Listed as a shareholder in ‘The No. 1 Central Extended Gold Mining Dompany’, The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 18 December, p. 2. , viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3139290

[ix] Birth Certificate of Phoebe Dorothy Williamson, born 27 February 1890. Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria, Australia, 4302/1809; Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Western  Australia, Death Certificate Pheobe Dorothy Williamson (Year 1911, Reference #) [Pheobe born in Melbourne but only lived their for 6 weeks before going to WA.]

[x] Anon, 'Judicial and Law Notices', The Argus, 10 April 1890, p. 3. , viewed 14 May 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8599718

[xi] 1890 'Classified Advertising', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 18 June, p. 2. , Announcement of a New Department for Tailoring employing Mr Williamson, viewed 29 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3134977

[xii] 1891 'Advertising', “Announcement that M Williamson opening up a new business in York’ Eastern Districts Chronicle (York, WA : 1877 - 1927), 7 February, p. 4. , viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148137170

[xiii] 1910 'Advertising', Feature advertisement for The Local Tailor of Yarloop, South Western Advertiser (Perth, WA : 1910 - 1954), 23 November, p. 4. , viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149940513

[xiv] Library and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England; Membership entry of Moses Williamson aged 25, tailor member of the Victoria Lodge, Hawthorn Victoria, initiated 13 November 1888mFreemasonry Membership Registers; Description: Membership Registers: Colonial and Foreign I 1788-1919 to Colonial and Foreign J 1923-2037; Reel Number: 27, Lodge Number 2009, Folio Number 251

[xv] Ancestry.com. England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.; Membership entry for Moses Williamson Initiated 5 October 1892, York Lodge, Western Australia, Lodge 2118, year 1892, folio 214, line 31; Citing Original data: Membership registers 1751-1921 from the collection of the United Grand Lodge of England held by the Library and Museum of Freemasonry. Images reproduced by courtesy of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London.

[xvi] 1892 'GENERAL NEWS.', Eastern Districts Chronicle (York, WA : 1877 - 1927), 26 March, p. 5, Col 2. , viewed 20 Jun 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148590374

[xvii] 1893 'GENERAL NEWS.', Eastern Districts Chronicle (York, WA : 1877 - 1927), 8 April, p. 2. , viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148498169

[xviii] 1897 'Advertising', “Asking for Pickle bottles” Eastern Districts Chronicle (York, WA : 1877 - 1927), 13 November, p. 4. , viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148266686 [possibly for the bottling of honey]

[xix] 1912 'Advertising', “Selling off Old Hives of Bees” The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 21 February, p. 12. , viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23865054

[xx] 1917 'Personal.', Gossip column refers to Mr Moses Williams ill health, South Western Times (Bunbury, WA : 1917 - 1929), 21 July, p. 5. , viewed 30 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214191890

[xxi] Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936 ([database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Australian Electoral Commission. [Electoral roll]. Microform mc N 451-mc N 457. National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia.), Entry for Moses Williamson Westcombe, Coolah road, Hamilton, master tailor, Electoral Year: 1930, State: New South Wales, District: Newcastle, Subdistrict: Hamilton page 143.

[xxii] Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, New South Wales, Australia, Death certificate Moses Williamson, died 25 June 1933, Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia, 10306/1933

[xxiii] Northern Cemeteries, Moses Williamson buried 26 June 1933 in Sandgate Cemetery, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. https://nmclm.com.au/  accessed 30 March 2020 [unmarked gravesite located at GENERAL, 34A, GENERAL-34A-52]

John Williamson born 1832 Belfast Ireland

John was born about 1832, the son of Thomas Williamson and Jane in Belfast, Ireland.

His siblings were Jane, born about 1821; James, born about 1836, also born in Belfast, Ireland.

He left Ireland circa 1845 and went to Great Britain with his parents

1851 English Census[i]

In 1851 he was living in Wood Street, Maryport, Cumberland, England, UK with his parents and his younger brother James

1. Thomas Williamson, aged 54, Dock labourer

2. Jane Williamson, aged 50,

3. John Williamson, aged 19, Tailor apprentice

4. James Williamson, aged 15, ship carpenter apprentice

John married his wife Louisa Walker on 10th October 1853 in Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton, Middlesex, England.[ii]

John travelled to Australia with his wife, Louisa, and his brother-in-law Alfred Williamson and wife, aboard the "Constance" in August 1854.[iii] On the passenger manifest, John’s surname is listed as Williams rather than Williamson [note the ages and professional however, are listed correctly]

1. Alfred Walker, 24 years, Tailor

2. Mrs “, 21

3. John Williams, 24 years, Tailor

4. Mrs “, 21 years

John died 7 Jun 1874 at the age of 42, after living in for 19 years in Victoria, he is buried with his wife in St Kilda General Cemetery, Dandenong Rd, St Kilda East, Victoria, Australia.[iv] [v] [vi]

John Williamson's family tree on WikiTree (@WikiTreeOfficial).

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[i] 1851 English Census (Series HO107 Piece: 2435; Folio: 561; Page: 11)

[ii] General Register Office, England, Marriage Certificate John Williamson & Louisa Walker married 10 October 1853, GRO Reference Marriages December quarter, Shoreditch, Vol 1c, page 364

[iii] Passenger Listing for John Williams[on] and his wife, and Alfred Walker and his wife on the Ship Constance. August 1854. Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839-1923 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2009. Original data: Inward Overseas Passenger Lists (British Ports). Microfiche VPRS 7666, copy of VRPS 947. Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria. Original data from Register of Assisted Immigrants from the United Kingdom. Microfiche VPRS 14. Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria. Year Range Reel: 1854"Constance" passenger List (Schedule A) p.6

[iv] Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Death Certificate John Williamson (Reference details 1874, # 6427

[v] Anon, 'Funeral Notices', The Argus, 9 June 1874, p.8. [Retrieved 3 December 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5871773]

[vi] The Springvale Necroplis website (Deceased database accessed at http://www.necropolis.com.au; has information regarding Springvale and St Kilda Cemeteries), Reference Number 4212; Tombstone at Grave site, St Kilda General Cemetery, Church of England - Monumental Grave, Compt C Grave 832 & 830

Generations of Water Play

Growing up water play was a big part of our lives and learning to swim was considered essential. I attended lessons at school and privately, as my children did, and now my grandchildren do. Swimming lessons were part of the school curriculum.

Holiday programs such as VICSWIM were also popular and which was offered as an intensive Christmas Holiday swimming Program. In 1990 the “Summer Vacation Learn to Swim Campaign attracts 32,500 children at 266 venues and involved 792 teachers”[i]

1963

Out first childhood holiday was Batesman Bay which is near Merimbula, a coastal town on the Princes Highway in southeast New South Wales, Australia.

Photographer Christine Filiamundi, Caravan Park, 1963, Batesman Bay, NSW, Australia. [W126] From the Left in the foreground, John Williamson leaning over Mark Williamson, Sandra Williamson & Judy Williamson

The caravan park is to the left of the picture, where we hired a caravan and slept during the nights.

Photographer Christine Filiamundi, Family on the beach, 1963, Batesman Bay, NSW, Australia [W161] From the left Judy  walking towards John who has Mark on his knee,  John Williamson Snr, Sandra Williamson and Margaret Williamson

While on holidays our paternal Grandparents came down to visit from Sydney in New South Wales.

Photographer Christine Filiamundi, Sandra sitting on the beach with her paternal grandparents, 1963, Batesman Bay, NSW, Australia [W118]

1968

As we got older we continued to go to the beach often.

Photographer unknown, A picnic on the beach, 6 October 1968, Chelsea, Victoria, Australia. [W165]

Photographer unknown, Paddleboarding at the beach, 6 October 1968, Chelsea, Victoria, Australia. [W166] From the back: Judy, Paul, Mark & Sandra

2019

And so the tradition continues

Trying to escape the 43-degree heat (109F for my US friends), 30 December 2019, Frankston, Victoria, Australia

At the beach with friends, 2 October 2019, Frankston, Victoria, Australia

Beautiful day for the beach, 2 October 2019, Frankston, Victoria, Australia

Beach Swimming in Australia – background notes

“Shark Patrols”

As a child, I remember small flying overhead as we played and swam at the beach which preformed “Shark Patrols”.  A horn would sound and we would have to get out of the water where we’d wait until eventually an announcement or another siren would ring or perhaps a megaphone announcement from the plane and we would be allowed to venture back into the water. I don’t ever remember scared, just excited. Some years the popular AM Radio Station 3UZ funded the operation of the shark spotting plane.

“Swimming between the Flags, and the Surf Life Saving Clubs” 

As child when possible we needed to swim between the flags.

Best, Alleyn & Surf Life Saving Victoria 2002, 50 years and more : a history of Surf Life Saving Victoria, Surf Life Saving Victoria, St. Kilda, Vic 

“The painful stings of Blue Bottle Jelly Fish”

Marine Stingers – “Australia’s waters are home to many interesting and fascinating creatures, including jellyfish, some of which can be the cause of painful stings!” 

“Slip! Slop! Slap!” cancer prevention program

One of the most successful health campaigns in Australia's history was launched in 1981, when a cheerful seagull in board shorts, t-shirt and hat danced his way across our TV screens singing the jingle.

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[i] https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ip4lxwyteek1efsy.pdf