Vera Irene Richardson

BIRTH & BAPTISM First name(s) Vera Irene Last name Richardson Sex Female Birth year 1904 Birth place Mirboo North Father's name Robert Mother's name Ellen Matda Davis Registration number 4783 State Victoria

Ellen Matilda Davis, born Dunolly 1865, married 1883 to William James Collier (1854-1893), married Robert Richardson in 1902, and died at Parkville 1955, aged 90 yrs, possibly at the geriatric hospital there.

Vera Irene Richardson, born Mirboo North 1804, father Robert Richardson, mother Ellen Matilda Davis, died Boronia 1982, gentlewoman. Vera was a typiste in 1939 and 1946 electoral rolls, living with her mother at 18 O'Grady St Carlton. No father present.

There is also an 1889 land lease (selection) approved for Ellen Collier, at Mardan, which is a short distance from Mirboo North on the Meeniyan-Mirboo North Road, which places Ellen in Richardson territory. Since William James Collier died in 1893, the likelihood is that they moved to Mardan where William died, and Ellen met Robert who worked in the area.

ELECTORAL ROLLS: In 1909, Robert Richardson, farmer, is at Allambee East; with wife Ellen, home duties. Ditto in 1912, except Ellen Matilda is also now a farmer. DITTO in 1914. In 1915, Robert Richardson, farmer, is at Allambee East, sub Division of Mirboo North; with wife Ellen Matilda, farmer; and his sister. Elizabeth Minnie Richardson, home duties.

• *****BINGO! With Elizabeth Minnie in the household I can now be confident that I have the right Robert Richardson. It seems that Robert might have moved onto the farm that Ellen Matilda inherited from her husband. This also explains how Elizabeth Minnie met Walter Gorman who was working his mother's farm at Allambee East at the time.

In 1916 &1917, Robert, Ellen Matilda and Elizabeth Minnie are all on the farm at Allambee East. Robert and Ellen are farmers and Elizabeth Minnie keeps house.

In 1919, Robert Richardson, teamster, is at Leongatha; with wife Ellen Matilda Richardson, home duties. I have lost sight of Robert from this point. Ellen Matilda lived the rest of her life with Vera Irene, first at Bacchus Marsh, then in Melbourne where eventually they bought a house in O'Gradey St Carlton.

1921, Ellen Matilda is in Leongatha, Gippsland, apparently alone. Robert and Ellen seem to have lost the farm from abt.1918 and then separated.

1924, Ellen Matilda is at Gell St, Bacchus Marsh, home duties, apparently alone unless she is living with a relative not named Richardson, or working as a house keeper. DITTO, living with Vera Irene, daughter of Robert & Ellen Matilda, who is a milliner. 1931, at 13 Oxley Rd Hawthorn with Vera Irene. 1932 at 18 O'Gradey St Carlton with Vera Irene. 1934 Name: Ellen Matilda Richardson Gender: Female Electoral Year: 1934 Subdistrict: Carlton State: Victoria District: Bourke Country: Australia Residence Address: 18 O'Grady st Occupation: Home Duties with daughter, Vera Irene, typiste.

1937, both at O'Gradey St Carlton where Vera is a typist.

In 1943, Ellen Matilda Richardson is at 18 O'Grady St Carlton, home duties; with daughter Vera Irene Richardson, typiste. DITTO for 1949. DITTO for 1954.

Vera Irene became a milliner and later, a typiste in the Commonwealth Public Service, where she had a long and successful career, well able to support her mother. She never married.

In 1951 the Gazette reports her promotion.

In 1965, she was working in the Taxation Branch of Treasury, retiring as a Grade 2 Clerical Assistant on 25th May 1965.

DEATH & BURIAL First name(s) Vera Irene Last name Richardson Age 78 Sex Female Birth year 1904 Death year 1982 Father's name Robert Mother's name Ellen Death place Boronia State Victoria Registration number 18387

Record set Victoria Wills & Probate First name(s) Vera Irene Sex Female Last name Richardson Grant year 1982 Death year 1982 Occupation Gentlewoman Residence Boronia State Victoria Country Australia Nature of grant EW Country of residence Australia Death date 07 Aug 1982 Grant date 29 Nov 1982 To whom committed - File number 912/908 [Vera's will can be seen at the Public Records Office Victoria]