Ellen (Nelly) Harkness

Ellen Lee married Thomas Lawson Harkness at Freemantle, West Australia 23rd March 1916 in the Johnston Memorial Congregational Church according to Congregational rites. Thomas’ father is recorded as Thomas Moir Harkness, “chemist”, and his mother as Ellen Lawson, so the identification is certain. Ellen’s father is recorded as Edmund James Lee, and her mother as Jessie McDougall. Thomas was 29 and his address was “Steamship Dimboola”, profession “linesman”. Ellen’s was 22 and her address was given as 295 Wellington Street Perth (present address) and her usual address was given as 59 Princes Street, Sydney.

So, we have Jestyn’s father Thomas working for the same shipping line as the enigmatic Mr H C Reynolds. Is it mere coincidence? I further note that Thomas later became an electrician, and an electricians screwdriver was found in Somerton Man’s suitcase. It appears (from checking newspaper advertisements from the 1940s) that electrician’s screw drivers were uncommon, and expensive in 1948. So, we have two points common to both Jestyn’s father and SM. Thomas was involved in setting up a dodgy stevedoring company (the Yarra Stevedoring Company Pty. Ltd.) in Melbourne in 1930. The Argus newspaper, Melbourne, 13th March 1930 Page 6, gives details of a fraud case against Thomas. Thomas had been previously declared bankrupt in New South Wales (Sydney Morning Herald 18th February 1926 Page 7).

I have traced Ellen Lee’s family but I haven’t found anything that seems to be relevant. Her parents, Edmund James Lee and Jessie nee McDougall, were married at Sydney in 1882. They appear to have had five children (based on Edmund’s obituary), Ted, Charlie, Nellie (ie Ellen), Jack and Jess. Edmund died 23rd April 1935 aged 77 years. Wife Jessie. His address was 39 Ashmore Street, Erskinville (a Sydney suburb). Edmund’s father was James E Lee, mother Susan.

Ellen Harkness nee Lee died at Moorabin (a Melbourne suburb) 12th July 1982 aged 88 years. Her address was given as 89 Patty Street, Mentone, and she was cremated at Springvale crematorium (undertakers P. Stevenson, K Summers and P Blair).

Children on Ellen Harkness nee Lee Thomas Lawson Harkness aged 64 as at the time of her death. Edmund James Harkness aged 62 Jessica Ellen Thomson nee Harkness aged 60 Jean Moya Carr nee Harkness aged 59 Ellen Mary McLeish nee Harkness aged 54

Source https://ciphermysteries.com/2013/03/15/sorry-but-the-unknown-man-is...