Project Description
Pearce Owen and Jeannie Nicholson – Mum’s parents (Elizabeth Emily Shaw)
St Barnabas Church c. 1930 Norfolk Island – Pearce Owen (right)
Father of Elizabeth Emily Shaw (Mum)
Occupation: Builder
Note: Mum has a hand written note as Jane Nicholson and Alphonso Owen, but Mum’s Birth Certificate is Pearce Own.
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Norfolk Island and Brisbane
(1) Pearce Owen – Married Jeannie (Jane) Eliza Nicholson, Norfolk Island. It is possible Alphonso was Pearce’s middle name. Disease destroyed banana crops. Pearce moved to East Brisbane approx 4 years later and died of pneumonia. It is said he was a singer (Operatic) and met Jeannie (Grandma) on the boat to Australia. Jeannie decided to cancel an arranged marriage. Jeannie allegedly was on a hit list in Ireland where one or two brothers had been killed, hence sent to Australia. A family of 19 children. (I’ve known of 14 to possibly 16, so I can’t confirm 19. Due to poverty and food shortages, Ireland also had mixed families under the one roof.) Mum has an earlier photo of my Grandma, where the photo has “Melbourne” printed on the borders. Mum said Jeannie was never in Melbourne, so we suspect photographs were sent down to Melbourne for developing.
(1) Family photo Bribie Island. “SHAWEN”. Top: Mum (Elizabeth Shaw) with Heidi, Grandma (Jeannie) & Bill Ham (Mum’s step-father). Bottom: Laurie (me), Nana (Harold Shaw’s wife) and Ray (with the ginger coloured Dashound). Dad laid the concrete external slab where you see the Christmas tree in shadow. Nana and Grandpop (Harold Shaw) had a house beside our holiday house. Originally dirt floor. Upper level, one large room and balcony. One Christmas I received a paint set – didn’t know how to do anything with it. I tried a bow and arrow and almost shot someone to my left.
67 Heidelberg Street, East Brisbane
Pearce Owen moved to East Brisbane, fairly near the river where he rented. When he passed away Grandma could not afford the house and moved to a smaller rental at 67 Heidleberg Street, East Brisbane.
Various photos – Mum’s side of the family
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