By Jean Dunstan
My curiosity about my maternal family began with a photo of four generations – me, my mother, her father, and his father.
Phillip Island and District Genealogy showed me how to find documents which established my great grandfather’s death and parents’ names.
They also suggested searching for newspaper articles in Trove that showed that he had been employed as Chief Officer of Wills and Probate with The Public Records Office of Victoria for 45 years.
What an asset he would be for me today!
Following the paper trail back even further I found records relating to his parents, James and Emma. James was born in South Pool, Devon in England and migrated to Geelong with his brother Nicolas.
They were both registered as shoemakers. William set up business in Geelong and Nicolas eventually moved to Ballarat.
However, the 1851 English census showed James living in Kingsbridge with his wife Emma, daughter Frances and their servant, Susannah but his occupation was listed as Professor of Mesmerism.
No wonder I had been so mesmerised by the whole process.
This investigative process only seemed to lead to more questions.
What was mesmerism, why did he leave England and why did he not continue his chosen field of mesmerism as it seemed to provide him with a comfortable way of life in Kingsbridge?
Mesmerism was developed by Franz Mesmer, an Austrian physician, who believed that an invisible and universal “fluid,” or energy, exists in all people and helps sustain good health when kept in equilibrium.
“Mesmerism” became synonymous with radical healing practices using magnets. By the 1850s it was less popular and became the practise of hypnotism.
The challenge to find out more about my maternal relatives continues …
Keen to find out more about your own family history? Drop into the Phillip Island and District Genealogical Society at their office at 56 Chapel Street, Cowes. Ask one of the friendly volunteers to help you get started on your research.
For more information email piadgs@gmail.com.au or visit www.piadgs.org.au