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I am trying to find out lots of the original history surrounding this Elliminyt Post Office. I know it was opened on 1/2/1879 and closed on the 30/6/1993.
A person of great interest to my family tree is that of Edwin Nonus Smith who was born Norfolk, England in 1830. Christianed 12.10.1830 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England and died on the 22/10/1901 at Colac, Victoria, Australia and was buried at Geelong Eastern Cemetery, Victoria, Australia on the 23rd Oct 1901.
Edwin was educated I believe at Cambridge University in England and came to New Zealand where he had a large Sheep Farm. I found and article where 1500 sheep were sold - not sure if he was selling or if he had gone broke, but after that he came to Victoria where he met Esther Keanan and they married in 1875.
They had 3 children - 1 daughter Daisy Esther Ann Jan and 2 sons Edwin James Pearson and Henry Alexander Bell.
The earliest I can find that Edwin was the Postmaster at Elliminyt was 1883, but may well have been the first Post Master from 1879. Edwin had a B.A. and was a school teacher and worked for the Victoria Education Department. This is another area of interest - how long and what schools he taught at in Victoria.
I would love to find out the original address of this Post Office and any pictures of this Office or even the street at Elliminyt around 1900 or earlier.
I believe that the Post Office may have been the front of the residence where they lived and also on a farm property of some 21 acres - all this is an assumption of the parts I know, but the property of 21 acres is correct - but not sure where in Elliminyt.
Edwin died in 1901 after which his wife kept running the business/post office.
Again not sure for how long but she died in 1925 at Colac.
So can anyone please help with any information / pictures about this property / Post Office at Elliminyt and /or the early days of Edwin Nonus Smith and family?
Thank you
Kevin
(Sorry I can't be online all the time but will check as regular as possible and help where I can.)
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Try contacting the local library
http://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=3309&h=1&p=1
They may have local history books/photos or drawings, or be able to put you in contact with an Historical Society
You could also try the 'Ask a Librarian' service at the State Library
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/services/ask-librarian
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Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900
Edwin Nonus. Smith
College: CAIUS
Entered: Michs. 1849
Died: 22 Oct 1901
More Information: Adm. pens. at CAIUS, Feb. 5, 1849. [Youngest] s. of James Pearson, M.D., of Great Yarmouth. B. there, Sept. 1830. Matric. Michs. 1849; B.A. 1853. Went to Australia where he engaged in tuition. Died Oct. 22, 1901, at Colac, Victoria, Australia. (Venn, II. 286; The Times, Dec. 4, 1901.
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Thank you for your help.
I have been to the State Library just a few weeks back and also teh Latrobe Library which is part thereof. They helped get me to where I am now but nothing new. I am a member of teh Colac Family History Group and between this group and the Colac Histiory group I have a little on the current building used and was closed in 1993. just need to make the links comes together or show me I may be trying to jump too far in building bridges.
Thats good data I didn't have on the university - thank you
James Pearson Smith MD was a hard one to get data on but I ended up finding lots at the Norfolk public records office. But now very difficuly going further back.
I do have his parents Simon Smith and Mary Alice Mallett.
There is a Post Office historian somewhere in Victoia - so i am trying to track him - no luck so far on the Internet.
The rates documents show details of the property but no address or lot number.
So close but not close enough.
I am sure it wilol surface - we just keep digging.
Thank you
Kev
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You are probably better placed than we UK residents, but someone with experience of Australian research might be able to suggest other avenues.
Happy hunting :-)
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Thank you for your help.
I will try and track down this Historian of Australian Post Offices.
Looks like there is no website - so will try at teh Melbourne Library next Thursday
Thanks again
Kev
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Hi Kevin,
I think a visit to the Melbourne library is your best bet (Its something I need to do for my own research)
Have you looked on Trove? There is a little on your family on there.
Good luck.
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Thank you Carolee.
I went to the Melbourne Library about 2 weeks back and although very helpful they really did not turn up much more except they gave me an earlier date for the Elliminyt Post Office - they had a date of 1883.
So I then came back to the Colac History group and 2 days back I found out that the Elliminyt post Office started on the 1/2/1879. I am going back today to see if I can uncover any more.
I do have a photograph of the Post Office as it was in 1993 but would love one or a street scene around 1900.
I know Edwin's daughter Daisy donated monies to the Melbourne University and there is an assistance scholarship or payment to a selected student each year.
The best option I have found yesterday was in Melbourne / Thomastown there is a Post Office historian called John Waghorn. He worked for the Post Office since the early 50's but has been gathering data since - has some 30+ file cabinets and indexes on more than 70,000 postal workers. Unfortunately he does not seem to have a website / email address but I did find out a postal address. So I will prepare a letter today and send it off and find out if he can help and if he has any charges attached.
It slowly appears - one just has to keep pushing along and its nice to gain help from others like yourself.
Thank you again
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