Thursday 17 August 2017

NFHM2017 Blogging Challenge Week 3 - River Lodden Victoria

One river in my family history that comes immediately to mind is The River Loddon which, after the Goulburn river, is the second longest in Victoria.  It begins near Musk, just East of Daylesford and travels North for nearly 400 kilometres to merge with the Little Murray River around Winlaton near Swan Hill.

A map of the river can be seen HERE at Bonzle.com

My great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann (Marrian/Marion) PIKE was born at River Loddon on the 10th of May 1847, youngest daughter of Isabella nee BEATON and John PIKE.  Loddon District covers a wide area and the exact location seems to be unknown, although likely somewhere near the Murray River.  


Her Obituary in the Euroa newspaper in 1933 had an interesting snippet about her memories.

THE EUROA ADVERTISER, FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1933.
MRS MARRIAN MORGAN
The death occurred at her residence, Euroa, on Friday last, of Mrs Marrian Morgan, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of the district. The late Mrs Morgan was one of the earliest residents, coming to this district in 1851, with her widowed mother, at the age of four years, and has thus resided here for 82 years. She was born in Loddon district, and had a good recollection of the early days, recalling an occasion, when she resided in the north, her mother had to leave her children and cross the Murray, a mile wide in flood, in a frail boat, to obtain provisions. They did not expect their mother to return safely.  After her marriage she resided for many years on a farm a few miles from Euroa, near Mr G. Harrison’s. She raised a large family, four of whom, with her husband, pre-deceased her. Her eldest son, John, was drowned in the Seven Creeks, near the Sydney road bridge, in flood time. For many years the late Mrs Morgan had resided in the town. The possessor of a kindly and genial nature, she held the affection of a large circle of friends and relatives. She leaves an adult family of one daughter (Mrs A. McNay, Yarrawonga), and eight sons, all of whom are well known here and held in high respect. The funeral took place on Sunday last. The graveside service was read by Rev. L. Hume. The pall bearers were Messrs, H., Edward, George and Arch Morgan, S. T. McNay, G. McCoomb and N. McCoomb; the coffin bearers were Messrs G., R., A., J., E., and F. Morgan, and Messrs T., J., and George Morgan jr., acted as flower bearers. Mr T. G. Ferguson carried out the funeral arrangements.


Wikipedia - electoral district of Loddon


http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/585809
Created/Published Melbourne : Surveyor Generals' Office, Dec. 8 1855


2 comments:

  1. I have never had a very good sense of direction and still wrestle with the concept of a river flowing north. Silly isn't it? Thank you too for reminding me of the value of sites such as Bonzle which I have now saved to my Favourites. I love the photo of Mary Ann.

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  2. Our women ancestors really had to be strong didn't they?! Like Alex I tend to forget Bonzle.

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