Ann and William had 6 children - last Henry born in Oz 8 June 1873 and died at 7 weeks 27 July - They settled on a farm between the towns of Kerang and Cohuna in Vic (local area known as Gannawarra). Many of the family are buried in Cohuna cemetery which I visited last summer. John Popplewell Hird is my husbands great grandfather.
His brother Thomas (and his wife Rosanna Hall) died very young leaving 2 children (Harry- killed at Gallipoli, Turkey in 1915, no issue and Eva Jane -never married, no issue)
His brother, William Jonathon, married Mary Williams (who I think was born in Cornwall) and had 5 children, 17 grandchildren.
Mary Jane married Francis West (a first gen Australian) and had 8 children before Francis died (in the same week (Nov 1899) as Thomas, above, both of influenza). Her son, also Francis, married one of Williams daughters, Rachel.
Annie Elizabeth married Charles Bassingdale of Swanland, Yorkshire and had 4 children. I think she and the last baby died in childbirth, also 1899.
John married twice. Anne Rust died 1895, leaving 2 daughters. Then to May Byers, 2 girls and 2 boys. Ethel is 91 and living in Melbourne, Victoria, never married - no issue. Anne married Albert Jarrett but he died young - no issue. Wallace (died 1968) married and has 4 sons all living. Bruce (died 1998) also married and has 4 sons.
Many of Williams descendants still live around Kerang/Cohuna and the original farm is still owned by family members.
John moved his second family to Melbourne, built the house (now owned by Ethel) and a second one to the rear which Anne lived in until her death in 1993. My husband, Graeme and I moved to West Aust. in 1994, and now live in Perth with our 2 kids, Emily and Sean.
Do you have much on the Cockin/Popplewell ancestors? I have been searching for a date of death for Jonathan Cockin - have it narrowed down to btwn 1835 and 1851 (suspect it is before 1841 though). I have his parents and I think maybe some grandparents, but then I am lost. All my research has been via the internet, which is very restrictive - I would love to be able to visit the areas where they lived and the cemeteries etc.
I am interested in the Holt/Cockin descendants, I have the children and some approx dates for their birth but that's all.
I've also completely stuck on Ann and Elizabeth's youngest sister Mary. Do you know what happened to her?
Looking forward to chatting further.
Regards
Michelle
PS. I wouldn't call it Jane Cockin's bible - was new when presented to Ann. Original Inscription reads ' Ann Cockin Garthorpe, England (England added later - different pen) Presented by her mother Jane Cockin, January 1st 1855'
Under this is ' Ann Cockin married to William Hewitt Hird February 20th 1856 at Luddington, Lincolnshire England'
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, 10 July 2009 7:12 PM
Subject: RE: Holt/Cockin descendants
Just had a quick look at the tree – William Hird and Ann had five children – Tom, Jonathan, Ann, John and Mary Jane but that’s where my information peters out as have no details of spouses or children. Which one is your husband descended from? Interesting that you have “Grannie Cockins” (Jane Popplewell) bible. The Australia thing fits in – I have an address for 1908 of barton Creek, Gannawarra, nr. Kerang, Victoria
Clive
Sent: 10 July 2009 10:10
Subject: Holt/Cockin descendants
Hello Clive,
I have been doing some research into my husbands family...he is a descendant of Ann Cockin (Elizabeth's sister) who married William Hird and emigrated to Australia. We have a family bible, which is inscribed by Jane Cockin (nee Popplewell). It was given to Ann just prior to her marriage (dated 1855).
I have amassed a fair bit of data on the Popplwells and the Cockins, and am happy to share/compare with you.
Nice to hear from you.
Cheers
Michelle Hird
