Great Ormond Street Hospital records

Reading my Ancestors magazine tonight I read about the Great Ormond Street Hospital records and, as you do, searched for Greathead and was most surprised and delighted to find Louisa Annie Greathead After a bit more digging I discovered she had quite a sad start in life. She was the daughter of Charles Greathead and Mary Ann Priscilla Grishow. They had three daughters and when in 1864 their son was born Mary died in childbirth.

Charles emigrated to Australia in 1866 to join his father's business. Charles was a tailor, he seems to have left behind his daughters Emily aged 12, Celia aged 10 and Louisa Annie aged 9. The little girls went into the workhouse. Did he plan to send for them later? He remarried in Australia and had two more children both of who died in infancy and he died himself in 1877

Louisa Annie was admitted by Dr Gee on 29 March 1867 into Great Ormond Street Hospital. She had previously suffered from scarlet fever. She stayed for 70 days having been admitted with Chorea, which was abnormal involuntary movement disorder. She was aged 11 years 6 months. When discharged she was declared to be cured. Her address was given as 82 St John's Road, Islington which was the Islington workhouse

Emma Jane Davey née Greathead

Just today received two fantastic pictures. One of Emma and one of her husband Thomas. Emma looks so like her Mum Sarah. Thank you Richard and Clare his daughter who sent them to me

Joseph Greathead's Journal of the Collingwood Flat District

Carolyn also gave me a link to a Manuscript: City of Melbourne Missionary Society: Joseph Greathead's Journal of the Collingwood Flat District - Pages 57-63

A public meeting was called in Melbourne in August 1854 to establish a City Mission to bring spiritual enlightenment to the ‘sabbath breakers, the thoughtless, the profligate and the infidel’. Joseph Greathead was employed by the Mission to converse with every person or family in Melbourne concerning salvation, the consequences of sin and the necessity of repentence.

One of Joseph Greathead's duties was to maintain a daily journal of his visits. This journal, of 460 pages, covers the period October 1854 to June 1856, after which time the Mission was terminated through lack of funds. During these two years, Greathead witnessed and recorded the depressed social conditions experienced by Melbourne's working class poor

The manuscript follows in a similar vein as his diary of the trip aboard the ship Diana.

Joseph Greathead's diary

Joseph Greathead's diary was contributed to the La Trobe Library in Melbourne, Australia by his great grandson Tony Boyle. I have been very fortunte to receive a copy of the transcript of this diary. It starts on 9 April 1853 and ends on 17 August 1853.

The contents are amazing, detailed is everything about the journey, what they ate, how they felt, what they did, what they saw, where they were, what was happening around them until they arrived in Australia. When the family left the ship they set up in a tent which they had bought with them and began their new life.

I have read and reread the pages and am amazed at the fantastc details within the diary.

Thank you Carolyn for sending me the copy

Josephs journal

I have just received another Email regarding Joseph Greathead's journal about his family's trip to Australia. Apparently a copy of it can be obtained from La Trobe Library in Victoria, Australia. I really would like to have a copy. Maybe Carolyn or someone else maybe able to help.

Joseph Greathead

I have just received an Email from Tony, who I first attempted to contact back in 2004. He is the GGGrandson of Joseph Greathead. He informs me that Joseph wrote a journal of his first two years in Australia and it is held in La Trobe Library. However even more exciting was his admission he holds a handwritten diary of Joseph and his family's journey from Shadwell Basin, off the Thames to Australia in 1853. Wow

Another new baby Greathead

I was delighted to hear from Sean in South Africa that he and his wife have a beautiful baby daughter born back in July. Many congratulations

Working together

Guy from South Africa sent me a chart and later an article from a book about a branch of the Greatheads who emigrated to South Africa. Not the 1820 setters but another branch. After much thought I was still concerned about the "roots" of his research. I was able to add some new twigs, and more detail to known twig for later generations, but it was the first two generations that I was convinced were incorrect. After consulting my IGI record, with careful consideration for the known errors and the actual copies of the 1841 census I am convinced I am correct. We will see............ Guy and I continue to correspond and the results will be included on the website update due end of November. Many thanks, Guy

Astle James Thomas Greathead

Just received a picture of the grave of Astle in Southport Cemetery from Judy. The grave reads: Greathead, Astle J.T.; originally of Lowestoft and of Wootten Bassett England and Shanghai, b. 12 Jan 1844, d. 11 Dec 1887. I am very grateful Judy - thank you

Infant grandaughters burial stone

I have just received an Email from Fiona who sent me a very sad picture of the burial stone of the two infant grandaughters of Sarah Greathead. They were Gertrude Lydia and Sarah Amelia Greathead Packenham, who died aged 5 months and one year 5 months. Grateful thanks Fiona

Alfred Greathead's third wife

Gosh I have been lucky this month. I have received even more photographs today of the parents of Alfred Greathead's third wife, Jane's parents and brothers. These will appear on the website on 31 October. This photograph is one of her brothers Samuel and his wife Emma. Many thanks Fiona

Samuel Greathead

It is always good to hear from "old" friends and tonight I received a long letter from Heather. We last spoke in July 2005. Her gg Grandfather was Samuel Greathead. She has given me real food for thought and I will enjoy investigating her ideas. Many thanks Heather I will get back to you very soon.

Brothers and sisters marry the Greatheads

Yvonne wrote telling me that brother and sister Clare and Frederick Hutchison married brother and sister William and Florence Greathead. Keeps the family trees nice and tidy. Thanks Yvonne

Beatrice Olivia Smith Greathead

Dianne has very kindly sent me some additional photographs, grandfather (Beatrice 's first husband), great grandparents and great x2 grandfather. Thank you so much. She also completed some of the missing information around them including the names of the ships on which they emigrated and when they arrived in NSW. The next update of the website due 1 August will include all these pictures and information.

William Greathead's parents in law

One again Ellen has come up trumps with a fabulous picture of William and Alice Sands née Richards (as I am now informed by Ellen). She called them a real fun couple. I think maybe it just was not done to smile when being photographed. Their daughter Rachel married William Greathead . Thanks Ellen a brilliant photograph

Thomas William Greathead

Just received a response from George through the Genes Reunited website the maiden name of Thomas's wife Harriett. It was Banham. he also gave me details of her parents. His great grandfather was her brother. I am hoping that George will stay in touch and we can explore more common ancestors.

Alice Milner Greathead

Just made contact with Andrew who is the grandson of Alice Milner Greathead known as Millie. He tells me she had six siblings so since I only knew three of them and limited information about them, I am hoping he will be able to improve the situation. He also brought me up todate with the recent family. I look forward to many Email exchanges with Andrew

Florence Eliza Greathead

Yvonne has kindly supplied me with descendant details of Frederick Ernest and Florence Eliza (nee Greathead) Hutchison. The family were all born in New South Wales and are now safely stored on my personal database. She says she is now sorting out some photographs. I can hardly wait. Thanks Yvonne very much

South African Greatheads

I was very please to receive an Email from Ann Shuttleworth who gave me some more information about William Henry Burgess and Susanna Greathead and their family. It was good to hear from her again.