As I mentioned in my previous post, my Grandmother, Margaret Mary Mulholland nee White, had told me that my Great Grandfather John Mulholland was from a large family. However, it would be several years into my research before I would manage to find John's parents in the Irish Census records. I had to work through several clues along the way. With each piece of evidence, whether it be a certificate of Birth, Marriage, or Death; an immigration or naturalis(z)ation record; or even a newspaper clipping, I have managed to come to appreciate in some small way, the lives of some of my ancestors, and collected the clues to piece this family puzzle together.
I am not going to present this story in a neat package, there is no tidy date order of the events. Instead, I will reveal things pretty much in the rather haphazard disorder that I have remembered of the stories told to me and the discoveries I have made along the way.
My Father and Grandmother had told me that my Grandfather, Joseph Cecil Mulholland, was a Meat Scalder.
The scalder would regulate the temperature of the water in the scalding vats or tubs ; keep the water at the required temperature ; and test the scalding of the meat while in the vats, using a pole with a small scraper or hook on one end to determine whether the scalding was sufficient. This operation was very important, as time and work necessary to do the scraping or shaving are increased or decreased by poor or good scalding. This occupation required close and careful attention, and a willingness to work in a meat-packing house.
Source: Internet Archive
http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924054144393/cu31924054144393_djvu.txt
Descriptions of Occupations (1918)
Subject: Vocational guidance; Occupations
Publisher: Washington : U. S. Govt. Print. Off.
Language: English
Digitizing sponsor: MSN
Book contributor: Cornell University Library
Contributor usage rights: See terms
Full catalog record: MARCXML
On Friday 11th December, 1942, whilst cleaning up at the end of the day's work, my Grandfather Joseph Cecil Mulholland, died suddenly. The following day, his employers had arranged for his burial, at the Church of England Cemetery, Rookwood Necropolis, Rookwood, New South Wales, Australia. At the funeral, my Grandmother was approached by two of her husband's work mates, claiming that he had been electrocuted. It certainly is curious how his funeral was rushed through the day after his death...
In October, 1997, I obtained a copy of Joseph Cecil Mulholland's death certificate, which revealed that he died of "Heart disease", "inquest unecessary", he was 45 years of age, born in Belfast, Ireland and had been living in New South Wales for 20 years. Joseph was the son of John and Elizabeth Mulholland nee McWilliams. He was survived by his wife and four children - Elizabeth Ada, Patrick Joseph, John Terence and Margaret Ann. The informant was my Grandmother.
At about the same time in 1997, I was shown my Grandfather's funeral booklet "Memories" , which revealed that Joseph Cecil Mulholland, was -
Born Belfast EIRE 4 September 1897
Died Sydney NSW 11 December 1942
Age 45yrs 3 mths 7 days
Buried Rookwood Church of England Section 13 No 1772 12 December 1942
Married 20 October 1928, St Mary's Cathedral, by Father W O'Donnell
Children -
Elizabeth Ada Alice
Margaret Ann
Patrick Joseph
John Terence
(NB. I have removed the ages of the children)
These two documents revealed information, that I had not known before. I now had an estimated arrival date in Australia of 1921, for my Grandfather...so then my focus was to find him on the passenger lists.
A search of the Passenger Lists at the State Archives, eventually revealed that Joseph, had arrived in Sydney on 11 August, 1921, on board the Ship "HORORATA" . He was listed as Mr C.J. Mulholland, (I am not sure why his initials were transposed), also included in the list of male passengers were his father Mr J. Mulholland, and his brother Mr W.G. Mulholland. Within the list of female passengers, his mother, Mrs E. Mulholland was listed.
Source: Shipping Masters Office Passengers arriving Microfilm 2117.
Archives Office of New South Wales, O'Connell Street, Kingswood NSW (now known as State Archives, New South Wales).
My Grandfather's passport which included his photo, was issued by:
Foreign Office Branch Passport Office Liverpool 5 October 1920
For travel to Australia direct or via United States of America
It revealed that he had been seen by Customs 1, on 25 July, 1921, at Fremantle Western Australia
Age 23, and his occupation was Iron Moulder.
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Joseph Cecil Mulholland circa. 1921 |
My Grandfather's Birth Certificate, which confirmed his date of birth as 4 September 1897, his father's occupation as Shoemaker, also revealed that he was born at 7 Abingdon St, Belfast, and his mother's maiden name was McWilliams. The informant was his mother Elizabeth Mulholland.
I now had an address to search for the family...
© Geoff Mulholland 2013-2016
© Geoff Mulholland 2013-2016
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