Elizabeth Hartnett (Fisher)

The West Australian Friday 8 August 1947

FIVE GENERATIONS Bunbury Woman's 159 Descendants BUNBURY, Aug, 7.--One hundred and fifty-nine descendants, including 23 of the fifth generation, will tomorrow extend best wishes to Mrs. Elizabeth Hartnett, of 177 Spencer-street, Bunbury, when she celebrates her 90th birthday. Mrs. Hartnett is very proud of her descendants. She says she lost count of the number many years ago, but could still recognise them all. Seven of her 11 children are living; there are 43 grandchildren 86 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren. Daughter of Mr. Henry Fisher, who left his home in Essex 93 years ago and settled in Brunswick, Mrs. Hartnett has literally grown up with the South-West. She was born in Brunswick on a farming property and has spent her whole life in the district. Memories of her childhood are steeped in colourful pictures of adventure. She recalls the time when pioneer whites attended native corroborees, when a 20-mile "jog" into town on horseback was just part of a day's work. She remembers, too, details of the lives of men whose names have since become part of the history of the State. Mrs. Hartnett nearly lost her life at Bunbury 40 years ago, when she fell off what was known as the old "town jetty" and drifted, fully clothed, for quarter of a mile along the estuary. She was saved from drowning by a Mr. Simon Wenn. She attributes the fact that she is still alive partly to her love of swimming when young. Her first husband, whom she married in Bunbury in 1872, was Mr. James Carroll, who died about 20 years later. Two years after his death she married Mr. Hartnett, who died some years ago. Mrs. Hartnett's eldest daughter married her mother's brother-in-law. She is Mrs. B. Hartnett who is now 74 years of age. Although she reads a good deal, Mrs. Hartnett still does not use glasses.

The Daily News Tuesday 9 August 1949

WOMAN 91 THINKS SHE HAS 180 DESCENDANTS ? BUNBURY, Tues: For 91-year-old Mrs. Elizabeth Hart nett of Spencer-st, South Eunbury, it is an almost impossible task to keep an accurate figure of the number of her descendants. At present it is "180, maybe more, or maybe less." She does not always receive the news of the birth of another great-great-grandchild. But she does know that she has had 11 children, 43 grandchildren, at least 86 great-grandchildren and that more than 12 great-great-grandchildren were born in the last year. She can immediately recognise any of her descendants down to great-grandchildren, but is not sure that she would know all of the last generation. Yesterday Mrs. Hartnett celebrated her 91st birthday. She planned to have a quiet party with some of her offspring — 'as many as are able to come and see me.' A daughter in Kalgoorlie sent her a birthday cake. Born at Brunswick Mrs. Hartnett has spent nearly all her life in the South-West. She married James Carroll in 1872 and some time after his death 20 years later she married Mr. Hartnett. Mr. Hartnett died several years ago and Mrs. Hartnett lives with a 76-year-old daughter who married her foster father's brother.