Hello, Kay. I have found some time to look at your very interesting data. Thanks very
much for it. It seems to clarify some pieces and raises some questions which I will have
to try and solve. I have a distant second cousin ['a half second cousin once
removed' says the oracle] who lives near Emerald and she has access to Australian BDM
records, so I will send her a list of things to look for!
The following is my assessment [written in the form I will send to others] of the data
compared to that I have collected:-
The following is a comparison between data obtained generally from within the descendants
of Captain Thomas Collins - the first line for each person - and data obtained by Kay
Vinson from the pre-1856 records on film at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints Family History Centre - the second line for each person. This is all NSW data and
hence the children born in England are not included.
I have then added my comment [in italics] about the data for each child. The major item
is that the first child was most probably a girl - the Fanny mentioned on Thomas'
death certificate.
It is interesting that Kay has not found a girl born in 1836 or 1837 - the one who died in
the Bay of Biscay en route to England. Potentially this was a twin of either Thomas
Danvers or Jessie Lambert.
Here is the story about the death:- Many years later his daughter Jessie, Mrs. Compigne,
related a tragic happening that occurred when the ship reached the Bay of Biscay.
"The nurse, whilst otherwise a decent enough woman, developed a taste for ship's
rum, and, having taken too freely of the potent spirit one evening during heavy weather,
she overlaid and suffocated Mrs. Collins' infant daughter. The distracted mother was
horrified at the thought of a burial at sea. The captain and the mate accordingly placed
the tiny body in a metal-lined case, covered it with lavender water and so embalmed it.
In this way it was conveyed to England and duly committed to the earth."
Kay, re Ann COLLINS B. Nov 21st 1846 to Thomas and Sophia at Cook's River. occ. Wood
Mason. This is very unlikely to be a relative of mine. First, Thomas was only ever a
mariner [until 1844] and a farmer [from 1844 until his death]. In 1844 he was at
Coolmunda, about half way between Warwick and Goondiwindi, and shortly after he moved to
Telemon near Boonah. The family history is very well documented from the 1840s and,
although Thomas had a sister Ann, I do not think the child you have found was in my
family. You seem to have found another Thomas and Sophia!
Francis Danvers Collins b: 27 December 1827 in Sydney, Australia d: 1828 in
Sydney[PARA]Fanny Danvers COLLINS. B.Dec 1st 1827 on the ship "Elizabeth".
Father's occupation given as [TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB]commander of the ship
"Elizabeth".[PARA]Thomas Collins' death certificate lists Fanny as a
deceased child, but we have not previously known anything about her. It now seems that
'Francis' was a girl! Maybe the real name was Frances and this was shortened to
Fanny? There is an apparent error in the dates but the data about where the birth took
place is conclusive about who she was. I would guess they were living on the ship in
Sydney at the time, possibly not long after arriving from England. So, well done Kay, and
thanks - this helps to tidy up our knowledge a bit more![PARA][PARA]
James Carden Collins b: 15 February 1829 in At sea, off Trinidad, West Indies d: 5 June
1916 in [TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB]Erewhon, Yeppoon[PARA]James Carden COLLINS. B.Feb 15th
1829 to Thomas and Sophia Collins in Sydney[PARA]I think there is no doubt he was born at
sea off Trinidad. They must have registered the birth when they arrived in Sydney and the
place was noted as Sydney. There is also the history that they sailed from England
"in early 1829" which would rule out a birth in Sydney in February.[PARA][PARA]
William Humphrey Collins b: 13 November 1831 d: 1831[PARA]William Henry
COLLINS. B. Oct 11th 1831 to Thomas and Sophia in Elizabeth St[PARA]Two problems here -
the date and the name. Kay has already found another Thomas and Sophia Collins in
Australia at about that time so this may be unrelated. I believe Humphrey would certainly
be the correct second name since it was used again in that generation of children and in
the next generation. Need to check original birth records to confirm date. Henry is not
a name used in 'my' Collins'.[PARA][PARA]
William Alex Collins b: 13 November 1832 in Sydney, Australia d: 2 December
1832[PARA]William COLLINS B. Oct 19th 1932 son of Thomas and Sophia Pamela. in
Sydney[PARA]Again, the date problem - need to check original birth records.
Emma Pamela Collins b: 16 January 1834 in Sydney, Australia d: 6 July 1915[PARA]Emma
Pamela COLLINS. B.Jan 16th 1834 to Thomas and Sophia Pamela in Annandale[PARA]No issues
here.[PARA]
Jessie Lambert Collins b: 18 January 1836 in Sydney, Australia d: June 1911[PARA]Jessie
Lambert COLLINS B. Jan 18th 1836 to Thomas and Sophia Pamela in Annandale[PARA]No issues
here.
Thomas Danvers Collins b: 17 October 1837 in Sydney, Australia[PARA]Thomas Danvers
COLLINS B. Oct 17th 1837 to Thomas and Sophia Pamela of Annandale Cottage[PARA]No issues
here.
Sophia Elizabeth Earl Collins b: 22 October 1846 in Telemon d: 1929 in
Greycliffe[PARA]Sophia Elizabeth Earle COLLINS B 22nd Oct 1849 to Thomas and Sophia Pamela
at Teleraine [TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB]Logan River, County of Stanley. Baptised at St.
John's Church Brisbane.[PARA]Minor problem with the spelling, but I think it was
Earle. I am certain the year was 1846, not 1849. Telemon [absolutely correct] is
misspelled as Teleraine.[PARA]
Regards,
Dave Collins
dave.clnz(a)xtra.co.nz
ph (09) 298 6614