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William Russell and Sarah McKeown © Born in Derrytagh, Lurgan, Ireland on the 6th September, 18671, Sarah was the daughter of Samuel McKeown, a weaver, and Elizabeth (nee Castles). Sarah arrived in Australia with her parents and siblings aboard the passenger ship Roma2. It is not known when or how they made it to England, but the Roma left Plymouth England on the 28th February, 1883 and reached Cooktown Queensland in April the same year. It is not known where the family actually disembarked, or when they came to Brisbane. However, at some stage Sarah did move to Brisbane. It is believed Sarah gave birth to four illegitimate children3, all in Brisbane, John 1887; Elizabeth Jane, at Lutwyche 18891, she married Thomas Harold Butler 19124; Sarah 1892 and Alice 1894. It is not known where Sarah was living or who the father of her first four children may have been as they were all registered as McKeown. It is thought both John & Alice died very young. Sarah married William Russell at the Brisbane Registry Office on the 29th October, 18944. Also born in Ireland, William, a bachelor, gave his age as 28, birthplace as Antrim, his occupation is recorded as Groom, parents as Robert Russell, a farmer and Jane (nee Clark). Sarah gave her age as 27, condition Spinster, occupation as Domestic and parents as Samuel McKeown and Elizabeth (nee Castles). Witnesses were William Kelly and Horace John Muggeridge. At the time of their marriage William resided at Swan Hill in Brisbane and Sarah at Kingsholme Street, Kingsholme. Like Sarah, William came to Australia from Ireland2, it is believed he arrived in 1887 possibly aboard the Almora, but whether he came with family or on his own has not yet been confirmed. William and Sarah's first child, a son Robert was born on the 26th September, 1895. The family grew rapidly to include William Samuel Victor 1897; Agnes Ellen 1899; Lily Matilda 1901; Edith May Gertrude 1905; Annie Caroline 1907; and James Thomas 19095. The Queensland Electoral Roles tell us Sarah and William lived in Constance Street, Fortitude Valley in 1903-1905, with William described as a Labourer and Sarah Home Duties. By 1908 they had moved to Wandoo Street and were still living there in 1913, William is still recorded as a Labourer and Sarah as Home Duties. In 1921 Sarah, now a Widow had moved to Ann Street, near the Waterloo Hotel, and occupation is still Home Duties7. Family story tells that William was a Carter for a brewery, and as an extremely patriotic Irishman he used to drive up and down the street on St Patrick's Day in his Orangeman outfit, just to annoy the neighbours. William died on the 13th May, 1919, in the Brisbane Hospital5. Age 53, cause of death was given as Valvular Heart Disease and Heart Failure. The informants were the Hospital Medical Superintendent and his son Robert Russell. William was buried at the Toowong Cemetery on the 14th May, 19195. Sarah died at home in Mountjoy Street, Petrie Terrace, of Chronic Cardiac Disease and Cardiac Failure, on the 5th May, 19235. Informant was again son Robert Russell. Sarah was buried with her husband in the Toowong Cemetery on the 7th May, 19235. There is a headstone6 on William and Sarah's grave which reads:
'Our
Parents William Russell d. 13 May 1919 aged 53;
References:
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