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Hi John Iriving left the UK in 1911, Elizabeth Noble born 1887 Gateshead Durham left UK Feb 1912, met up with John and the married in Melbourne on the 16 Feb, 4 days after her arrival, there was a son "thomas" born to them, died as a baby. Daughter Stella was born in Bedndigo 1915. Elizabeth and daughter left Australia when Stella was 5yrs & went back to UK, never returned to Aust as family story was that John had died in Aust while they were gone.
John is a mystery. On his marriage cert he records that he was born in Glasgow SCT, parents John Iriving dec'd and Martha Sinclar. His occupation "blacksmith", he was also alot older that Elizabeth born abt 1867. I cant find John born in SCT to those parents, also in the UK those parents have a son born 1888 UK and his name is Joseph. I think John Iriving was born 1867 in Lamsesley Durham, parents Martha Irving (nee Talbot) 1834 Durham, and William John Iriving 1834 southwick, Durham. This John Irving married Francis ? in Durham cant find marriage. 1891c shows John age 24, Frances 24 with a son 6mths John, living in Whickham, Johns occup is a Blacksmith. 1911c John & Francis are living apart. I think John must have met up with Elizabeth in Durham she possibly was pregnant, and they left UK. John maybe a bigamist. Hope someone cant help me sort this out, many thanks.

Julie Anne - have you looked for him as Irving?

what date did he leave the UK?

on a piece of paper we have written John Irving lef eng 24 Dec 1911 on the ship SS Commonwealth. I think Elizabeth arrived in Aust about 4 days before they were married but not sure about her shipping to Aust.
I have only searched for a John Irving

Julie Ann, in your header and opening post you repeatedly refer to him as IrIving, not Irving?


How did you link to John and Elizabeth? - it might help us trace him.

What's the date of their marriage?

post says married Feb 1912.
if he left Dec 1911 he should?? be on the 1911 census

Just for background:

UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960

Name: Miss Stella Irving
Birth Date: abt 1915
Age: 5
Port of Departure: Australia
Arrival Date: 15 Oct 1920
Port of Arrival: London, England
Ports of Voyage: Sydney [Melbourne] [Durban] [Cape Town]
Ship Name: Commonwealth
Shipping Line: Peninsula and Orient Steam Navigation Company Ltd
Official Number: 115903

Travelling with Elizabeth, 35

The only John Iriving I found in 1911c was the who was married to Francis and had a son John, his occupation was a blacksmith. this John in 1911 was living apart from Francis, and living with Elizabeth Snowball aged 54.
The income Passenger list for Elizabeth is correct

More background:

Australia Death Index, 1787-1985
Name: Thos Noble Irving
Death Place: Mitiamo, Victoria
Father's Name: Jno Irving
Mother's name: Elizth Noble
Registration Year: 1913
Registration Place: Victoria
Registration number: 6627

Thats correct ,although we think his birth was registered under the name of Noble, not sure as unable to find a birth

I've searched and searched and afraid I can't find a passenger list that matches the travel details you have for John - was hoping it may have given some clues

Thanks all the same the John Iriving I have found seems to fit. His age, occupation and also he was in the same area as Elizabeth. I think that he has lied about parents and where born as he was a bigamist. This John does have a mother name Martha, and his father William John, or George, Ive been told that the accents were quite strong. I dont think John knew his father as he died young.