Spotlight on ... The Seven Sisters!

Quite a while ago, I decided to branch off from just telling the stories of my direct ancestors and use some of my posts to share other stories of interest. This week the Spotlight is on a remarkable group of women ... seven sisters who were a part of the early settlement of the Richmond River area.

In a strange parallel, when I first began gathering facts about these seven sisters as part of my family tree research, our country's producer of coins, The Royal Australian Mint, released a very special coin named 'The Seven Sisters'.   

Released back in 2020, this coin was part of a series entitled "Star Dreaming", which highlighted some of the most memorable stories in our ancient indigenous folklore about the constellations seen in the Southern Hemisphere. 

"The Aboriginal peoples of Australia are some of the oldest astronomers who used the placements of the stars as a means of travel, like maps, and even to predict the weather. Their skills and stories date back more than 65,000 years, and the stars have aided them in time-keeping for all this time.

The Seven Sisters, as they are known to Indigenous Australians, is also the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades in the constellation of Taurus. Stories passed down over the millennia describe them as a group of young women being pursued by unwanted male attention: Literally a tale as old as time. The celestial cluster tells the story of the seven sisters fleeing to the sky to escape a man who wants to take one of the sisters as his wife."  

(Quote taken from 'Coin Update' website, dated Sept 9, 2020)

Unlike the seven sisters in the indigenous storyline however, the seven sisters in my family tree did not attempt to escape becoming a wife.  On the contrary, marriage for them was the expected thing to do.  As it was near impossible for women to support themselves financially, marriage ensured they were provided for, but also protected them from the rougher elements of colonial society.  Marriage was in reality inevitable during their lifetimes, but I do also hope that marriage for them was loving and respectful.

So, who were these seven sisters?  They were the Exton sisters, one of whom was my paternal great great grandmother and the others were my paternal great great-aunts.

Shared Ancestors:  my 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.

Five of the sisters were born in England, between the years 1832 and 1852, which roughly matches the period known as the Victorian era.  This was a period of extreme social inequality, marked by dreadful working and living conditions for so many, which persisted until well after the end of the Victorian age.  

These five sisters and their parents, James and Susannah Exton, lived in the small village of Manthorpe, in an agricultural area in Lincolnshire.  The majority of the inhabitants of this area were chiefly employed in as agricultural workers.  Most of the land was the property of Earl Brownlow, but there were many small freeholders as well.  

It is doubtful that James and Susannah were amongst these freeholders.  The 1841 census shows James's occupation as 'labourer' - not 'agricultural labourer' or 'farmer', as others were identified - so it is likely that James worked labouring jobs wherever they could be found.

The family group sheet below shows that Susannah Exton nee Lancaster gave birth of five girls - one before her marriage to James, and then four more girls over a period of seven years while the family were living in England.

Family Group Sheet provided by Ancestry.com

When Susannah Lancaster married James Exton, she already had a daughter named Harriet who had been born in 1833 out of wedlock. At this point in time, I have no information about the paternity of that daughter, and it's unlikely that will ever come to light. Over 18 years following their marrige, James and Susannah went on to have 8 children together - 4 born in England, and 4 born in Australia.

In early 1844, James and Susannah made the decision to leave their home and emigrate to Australia.  They boarded the ship 'Briton' with daughters Harriet, Sarah, Eliza, Anne and Emma; leaving the port at Liverpool on the 15th of March 1844.  The voyage lasted for 162 days.  That's a very long time for young children to be aboard a clipper ship.  

Living conditions would have been very uncomfortable considering they it's highly likely they spent most of their time in 'steerage' - the lowest deck, below the water line, without ventilation and with little light. The use of candles or oil lanterns was restricted and the girls would have spent their days in very cramped spaces where hygiene would have been very poor and disease would have spread quickly.  No doubt those experiences moulded these young girls into very resilient, tenacious and courageous women who faced everyday challenges with great strength and fortitude. 

Assisted Immigrant Passenger List - 'Briton' - 1844

At that time of embarkation, Harriett was 11, Sarah was 8, Eliza was 6, Anne was 4 and Emma was only 1.

The family's passage had been paid for and James, the girls' father, had been engaged to work for a man named James Kenworthy of Richmond River in New South Wales, as a farm labourer.  

After arrival in the colony of Australia, all the sisters would have helped out their father and mother with their shepherding work, living mostly in tents or small huts, as they would have moved around constantly.  Between 1844 and 1852, James Exton and his wife Susannah became parents four more times.  Firstly Susannah gave birth to two boys, and then another two girls joined the family in 1849 and 1851.  

There were now seven sisters who, within quite a short time, began married lives of their own and had their own quite large families.  Some of the Exton girls married into other well-known pioneering families of the Richmond River area -  the McGuiness, McQuilty, McDonough and Cusack families.

Harriet Lancaster-Exton

Harriett Lancaster-Exton
photo shared by mingma54 on Ancestry.com

Harriett was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England in 1833.  When Harriet was baptised in February of 1833, she was noted as 'illegitimate' on her baptism record.  Harriet's name was recorded on both immigration and marriage records as "Harriet Lancaster Exton", which I find particularly interesting.  Most children who were born out of wedlock took on the surname of their step-fathers at that time, but in this situation a point appears to be made that Harriett was a Lancaster first, and then an Exton.

Harriett married a convict named John Michael Jones when she was 14 years old.  They went on to have 10 children over their 19-year marriage.  Husband, John Michael, died in 1866.  Three years later, Harriett married Henry George Brown when she was 36 years old, and they had 2 children.  Harriett was widowed for a second time when she was 45 years old.

Harriett's obituary stated that she "left nearly 200 descendants ... 10 of her children who survived her, 67 grandchildren and over 100 great grandchildren."   (Leader, Fri 27 Aug, 1915 p.5)

Sarah Emily Exton

Sarah Emily Exton
photo shared by HollingworthN on Ancestry.com

Sarah Emily Exton was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England in 1835.  After emigration to Australia, Sarah lived and worked alongside her parents until she married in 1858 at the age of 18.  She married a man named Edward McDonough, although his name on the marriage record was Edward Banner.

Sarah Emily and Edward had a son named William, born in 1857, but the relationship / marriage must have broken down.  I'm not entirely sure what happened and there is no information I've been able to find that can explain the end of this relationship.  Edward lived until he was 85, so Sarah Emily did not become a widow, but she re-married in 1858 when she was 23.

She married the convict James Hugh McGuiness and they went on to have 8 children.  Sadly, at the age of 50, Sarah died accidentally.  She was found drowned at Hanging Rock Creek, near Lismore.

Sarah Emily was survived by 7 of her children.  My research so far has not yielded information about any grandchildren.

Eliza Exton

Eliza Exton (my great great grandmother) was born in 1837.  She arrived in Australia with her family when she was 7 years old.  At the age of 15 she married convict Patrick Cusack.  They went on to have 11 children.  Eliza became a widow at the age of 39.

 

Eliza's obituary stated that she had 52 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and on great great

grandchild.  She was also survived by 8 of her children, including my great grandmother Ellen Cusack.

Annie Exton

Annie Exton
photo shared by lesfay1 on Ancestry.com

Annie Exton was also born in Grantham, England, in 1839.  At the age of 14, she married William Clark and she gave birth to 9 children.  Annie was widowed when she was 32 years old, and re-married when she was 37.  She had another son with her second husband that same year. Sadly she was widowed again at the age of 45.

The obituary for Annie mentioned that she was survived by six sons, one daughter, 46 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.

Emma Exton

Emma Exton was born in 1842.  When she was 17 years old, she married James Dooley.  They went on to have 13 children. She passed away at the age of 82.

Emma was survived by 10 of her children and at least 30 grandchildren.

Elizabeth (Betsy) Exton

Elizabeth (Betsy) Exton
photo shared by HollingworthN on Ancestry.com 

Elizabeth (known as Betsy) Exton was born in 1849.  She married when she was 16 years old.  In 1866 she married Francis Thomas McQuilty and they went on to have 11 children.

Elizabeth was survived by 9 of her children and at least 35 grandchildren.

Lucy Exton

Lucy Exton was born in 1851.  She married James McDonough when she was 17.  She gave birth to 10 children

Lucy was survived by 9 of her children and 10 grandchildren.

Notes of interest:

• The marriage ages for all seven sisters would seem particularly young to many of us living in the 21st century, but for women living in the colonial period of Australian history, it would have been the norm - 

          Harriett and Annie married when they were 14.

          Eliza married when she was 15 years old.

          Elizabeth wed when she was 16.

          Both Emma and Lucy married when they were 17 years old.

          Sarah was a little bit older when she married.  She was 18.

          At that time marriage was considered the 'normal state' and indeed absolutely necessary for the 

          population growth of the colony.  It was more an arrangement of convenience and not the 

          result of two people falling in love. 

          There was no legal minimum age for marriage, but it was widely accepted that very young 

          women should only be married with the permission of their fathers. 

          Young men seeking to make a better life for themselves could not really do so without a wife.  

          Land leases were denied those who were unmarried.

• Sisters Harriett, Eliza and Sarah (2nd marriage) married convicts which meant that the young men they were marrying had to make a convict application to marry.  They needed official permission from the colonial government to marry.

• The men that Elizabeth, Sarah Emily and Lucy married were related to each other.  Elizabeth married the biological son of Francis McQuilty and his wife Mabel, while Sarah Emily's husband and Lucy's husband were the stepsons of Francis McQuilty - sons of Mabel's first husband, Bernard McDonough.

• Most of the seven sisters lived very long lives and died of natural causes

         - Elizabeth died at age 69 - cause of death was recorded as senility

         - Eliza died when she was 76 - cause of death recorded as senility / heart failure

         - Annie died at the age of 80 - cause of death was heart failure

         - both Harriett (the eldest of the seven) and Emma died at the ripe old age of 82 - cause of death 

           for both was recorded as senility / senile decay.

• Only two of the sisters died at a relatively young age

          - Sarah tragically died at the age of 50 when she drowned at a local creek

          - Lucy died at the age of 53 as the result of a heart attack

• At the times of their death, collectively, they were survived by at least,

         - 60 children

         - 20 grandchildren

         - 139 great grandchildren

         I doubt very much that these totals are all correct.  The numbers should be greater, as there were 

         limits on the extent of my research and the amount of information I was able to find.  

         What a legacy!

The Seven Sisters Constellation - Pleiades

• Whenever I look up into the night sky and I'm successful in spotting The Pleiades constellation, I think of the Exton sisters. 

          The Pleiades constellation is also known as the Seven Sisters.  It's an open cluster of stars located 

          approximately 440 light-years away.  That makes it the nearest star cluster to Earth.  For the 

          observers in the southern hemisphere, like myself, this constellation is best seen in the  

          summertime.  I'm often outside scanning the northern night sky between the constellations of 

          Pegasus and Taurus, searching for this star cluster during the summer months.

          I love that there is a connection between members of my family tree and the stars ... well at least 

          in my mind there's a connection!

           

         The Seven Sisters constellation has significant importance to many of our indigenous Australians 

         as well.  It figures in the ancient Dreaming Stories and the songlines of several Aboriginal              

         Australian peoples and I do wonder if the seven Exton sisters every heard the Star Dreaming  

         Story of the Seven Sisters!

For those who are interested, follow this link:  The Star Dreaming Story of the Seven Sisters

Spotlight on ... Joined Together!

For this Spotlight post, I'm sharing more of the wedding day photos from my family tree photo collection.  These are photos of relatives other than my direct ancestors and I will keep adding photos as I discover them during my family tree research.  

(I have published a previous post of wedding day photos from the period 1871-1919: Link)

This particular collection of photos span the decades from the 1920s to the 1960s, and shows changing trends in wedding attire, particularly for the women.  You can also get a sense of social class, whether they were well-off or less than affluent; and a sense of location, near a town or city where they could access a photographic studio or perhaps living in a small township with photos taken by other family members in the front or back yard. 

Looking at this particular group of 50 couples, the data shows that the majority of these marriages lasted a long time.  The most consistent reason for the end of a marriage was the death of a spouse.  

Sadly the shortest marriage span was that of my maternal Aunt Marcella (my mother's sister).  Her marriage only lasted 7 months as she died suddenly.  Other short marriages included:

- my paternal Uncle Colin's marriage as his wife died unexpectedly just three years after their wedding day

- my 2nd cousin once removed Sydney's marriage lasted just four short years because Sydney died as a prisoner of war during WW11

- my mother and father's marriage only lasted nine years as my mother passed away when she was only 44 years old.

There was one member of this group of people who did appear to go through with a divorce, although I have not yet found any record of this.  It happened in the 1930s which took me by surprise.  It was not all that common to get a divorce even then.   

On a brighter note, the marriage that lasted the longest was that of my maternal 1st cousin once removed, Irene Alma (known as Bond) Bidgood and Edward Michael (known as Ted) Lawlor.  They were married for 70 years. 

1920s  

Photo shared by omeb1 on Ancestry.com

Elizabeth Ann Thomas  (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married Keith Collins in 1920, at Orange in New South Wales.

Elizabeth was 28 years old and Keith was 23.  When Elizabeth passed away, they had been married for over 50 years.

Elizabeth wore quite a plain wedding dress with very little adornment, and seemingly no veil either.  It does appear that she is wearing a simple necklace and a quite large-faced watch. 

Common Ancestor:  (with Elizabeth)  my 3x great grandparents William Henry Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns

Photo shared by helenmayne0 on Ancestry.com

Alice Maud Thomas (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed), sister to Elizabeth pictured above, married David Young the following year, in 1921.  They also married in Orange, in New South Wales.

Alice was aged 22 and David was 28.  They were married for just 26 years, as David died in 1947.   

In contrast to her sister, Alice had a long, intricately decorated veil and held a beautiful bouquet.  She also wore a simple necklace.

Common Ancestor:  (with Alice)  my 3x great grandparents William Henry Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns

Photo shared by my Uncle

Sarah Mary Josephine McCane (my maternal grandmother) and James O'Donnell  (my maternal grandfather) also married in 1921.

They wed on the property owned by Sarah's father, near Gumlu  in Queensland.   They remained married for 49 years until the passing of my grandmother Sarah in 1970.

As you can see, there was no studio portrait taken that day.  There was actually no studio for hundreds of miles, so the wedding day photos were taken in the back yard with a blanket on the ground and the climbing rose bushes as the background.

My grandmother's dress was quite simple, but she did wear rather an ornate wedding veil and carried a bouquet of flowers and ferns taken from the family's garden.

My grandfather looks very dapper is his suit with the waistcoat and starched white shirt.  He is also wearing white gloves, which was a trend for grooms at the time.  My eye is always drawn to that unusually shaped object hanging on my grandfather's waistcoat chain.  I wonder if that was a wedding gift from my grandmother or perhaps my grandmother's family?

Photo shared by carol731963 on Ancestry.com

Eileen Roxena Maud Browning  (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married twice.  

This photo shows Eileen on her first wedding day, in 1921, when she married Richard Mills in Sydney, New South Wales.  Eileen was 17 years old.

She word quite a simple dress with a large sash across the waistline.  She also wore a watch.

Eileen and Richard appear to have divorced at some stage around 1930, as both went on to marry other people and lived into the early 1970s.

Common Ancestor:  (with Eileen)  my 3x great grandparents William Henry Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns.

Photo shared by jillymac1 on Ancestry.com

Alma Grace Barrow McCann (my paternal 3rd cousin once removed) married Eric Mason in 1922.  They married in Lismore, New South Wales.

Alma was 23 years old and Eric was supposedly only 16.   They were married for 52 years as Eric passed away in 1974. 

Again, the wedding dress was quite plain.  Alma wore a headdress with her veil and carried a stunning and quite enormous bouquet.

Common Ancestors:  (with Alma)  my 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.

Photo shared by a distant cousin

Norah O'Donnell (my maternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married Patrick Irish in 1924 at St. Patrick's Basilica in Montreal, Canada.  

At the time, Nora was working as a teacher and was 25 years old.  Patrick was aged 38.  After their wedding in Canada, they returned to live in Nicholastown, County Kilkenny, in Ireland where their four children were born.  Norah and Patrick were married for 21 years until Norah passed away in 1945, aged only 47.  

Norah's wedding dress is simply stunning with that rather dramatic-looking panel that runs the length of her dress.  What an eye-catching outfit.  

Common Ancestors:  my 3x great grandparents Patrick O'Donnell Daniel) and Margaret Rafter.

Charles Leslie McCann (my paternal 3rd cousin once removed), brother to Alma Grace Barrow McCann pictured above, married Katherine Patricia Fisher in 1925 in Nambour, Queensland.

Charles Leslie (known as Les) was 25 years old and Katherine (known as Kitty) was 22.  Their marriage lasted for 47 years until Katherine became a widow in 1971. 

Interestingly, Katherine did not choose the traditional white dress or veil.  Perhaps this was a matter of affordability at the time.

Charles looks very smart in his suit.

Common Ancestors:  (with Charles)  my 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.

Photo shared by AllisonKing01 on Ancestry.com

Myrtle Hukins (my paternal 1st cousin 2x removed) married Stanley Harrington Latty in 1925.  They married at Fairfield, in New South Wales when Myrtle was 26 and Stanley was 29.

Whilst Myrtle's wedding dress is quite simple and plain, her wedding veil is stunning.  Those shoes are quite lovely as well.  Stanley has gone for the starched white shirt and white bow tie, and matching white gloves.

Their marriage lasted for 37 years as Myrtle became a widow with the passing of her husband in 1962.

Common Ancestors:  (with Myrtle)  my 2x great grandparents Adolphus Hukins and Mary Ann Farley.

Photo shared by klhughes112 on Ancestry.com

Marie Olive Cusack (my paternal 1st cousin 2x removed) married Lewis Woolridge in 1925.  Marie was 22 years old and Lewis was also 22.  They married in Byron Bay, New South Wales.  Marie and Lewis were married for 40 years, until Marie's death in 1965.  

Marie is wearing the popular fashion of the time, a slightly loose, straight-cut dress with a dropped waistline and raised hemline. Her veil was also typical of the fashion at the time, calf-length netting fixed with a floral wreath on the bride's head.  Her bouquet is naturalistic and the outfit is completed with white stockings and white buckled shoes.

Common Ancestors: (with Marie) my paternal 2x great grandparents Patrick Cusack and Eliza Exton.

Photo shared by my third cousin Doreen Power

Norah Lonergan (my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed) married Edward James Elliott across the pond in the U.S.A.  They married in 1927 when Norah was aged 25 and Edward was 31.

Their marriage took place at Long Island City, Queens, New York, lasting 47 years until Norah became a widow in 1974.

This is such a beautiful wedding portrait.  My eyes are drawn to that stunning bouquet of roses and that long, long veil with its very pretty headpiece.   I also adore the bridesmaid's bouquet of rose buds.

Common Ancestors:  (with Norah)  my 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.

Photo shared by atmese on Ancestry.com

Leila May Atherton (the wife of my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed) is with her bridesmaids, Betty and Mary, on her wedding day in early 1929.   Leila married Frank Warren Shaw in Nambour, Queensland when she was 26 and Frank was aged 29. 

I found a newspaper article about Leila's wedding day and in it there is a detailed description of her beautiful wedding dress:

"The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a frock of ivory Chantilly lace over silver lame made with a draped bodice, and a long skirt featuring an uneven hemline trimmed with handmade silver flowers.  Her veil of embroidered tulle over pink crepe de Chine was lent by Mrs. Claude Duncombe, and she carried a sheaf of orchids."

The same article also describes the gowns of the bridesmaids:

"There were two bridesmaids in attendance, the Misses Betty Atherton (sister of the bride) and Mary Shaw (sister of the groom), who were frocked alike in lavender georgette fashioned with petalled skirts, and in each petal there was a pink flat flower.  They also wore large cream hats trimmed with lavender flowers, and they carried shower bouquets of pink roses."   (Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday, 1 February 1929).

Leila and Frank were married for 24 years.  Leila became a widow in 1953 with the passing of her husband Frank.

Common Ancestors:  (with Frank)  my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.

1930s

Photo shared by bluehills05 on Ancestry.com

Mabel Eunice Susan Cusack  (my paternal 1st cousin 2x removed) married in 1930.  She married Harold Armfield in Byron Bay, New South Wales, when she was 20.  Harold was 21.

Their marriage lasted for 55 years when Harold became a widow in 1985. 

Both the wedding dress and the bridesmaid's dress are quite short, at knee length.  The bride's veil is once again, the thing that draws my attention.  It's floor length and held in place with a delicate floral headband.

Common Ancestors:  (with Mabel)  my paternal 2x great grandparents Patrick Cusack and Eliza Exton.

                          Photo shared by my third cousin Doreen Power

Photo shared by my 3rd cousin
Doreen Power

Mary (Mae) O'Donnell (my maternal 2nd cousin once removed) married James Warren McKenna in 1931 in Kings County, New York, U.S.A.  Mary was 19 and James was 23.  They were married for 34 years until James passed away in 1965.

While Mary is wearing quite a simple straight-cut dress, her bridesmaid (her sister Lorena) is wearing a sleeveless dress with multiple layers in the skirt.  I'm fascinated by the oversized satin bows on both the bouquets!  Seems out of the ordinary.

This photo, showing Mary (Mae) on her own, is so lovely.  Just look at that fabulous bouquet!  The veil appears to be double-layered and edge by the most gorgeous lace.  The wedding dress itself is plain and understated so that the veil and bouquet take the spotlight.

Common Ancestors:  (with Mary)  my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.

Photo shared by Dorothy Smith on Ancestry.com

Reginald Smith (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married Lilian Elizabeth Fordham in 1931.  They married in Kyogle, New South Wales when Reginald was 30 years old and Lilian was 26.

My attention is drawn to the length of Reginald's trousers, as they do seem rather short!  Lilian is wearing a typical early 1930s calf-length wedding dress with a lovely headdress and veil, and the standard white stockings and shoes.

Reginald and Lilian were married for 19 years, as Lilian became a widow in 1950.

Common Ancestors:  (with Reginald)  my paternal 3x great grandparents William Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns.

Photo shared by asm94563 on Ancestry.com

Rita Jane Smith (my paternal 3rd cousin once removed) married Thomas Frederick Bruggy in 1932.  They married in Lismore, New South Wales, when Rita was 21 and Thomas was 24.

The photo shows Rita in her simple white wedding dress, wearing a dainty flower-trimmed head piece and a long veil edged with embroidery.

Rita is carrying a stunning bouquet that seems to have lots of daisies and a few roses.  

Rita's marriage lasted for only 18 years as she passed away in 1950.

Common Ancestors:  (with Rita)  my 3x great grandparents Michael Cusack and Mary Green.

Photo shared by MareeJoy1972 on Ancestry.com

John Herbert McCann (my paternal 3rd cousin 2x removed), brother to both Alma Grace and Charles Leslie McCann mentioned earlier, married Violet Matilda Vidler in 1933.

They married in Lismore, New South Wales, when John was 28 years old and Violet was 23.  They remained married for 49 years, until John passed away in 1982.

I noticed Violet's wedding dress has puffs at the top of her long sleeves, and she does not appear to be wearing white stockings which seemed to be the usual choice for bride's wedding outfit at that time.  Her bridal bouquet is simply gorgeous.

Common Ancestors:  (with John)  my paternal 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.

Photo shared by my second cousin Brigid O'Donnell

Catherine O'Donnell (my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed) married Nicholas Flahavan in County Kilkenny, Ireland in 1934.  Catherine was 39 years old and Nicholas was 58.  

The wedding day photo was taken outside the family home and Catherine wore a very elegant yet simple dress, while Nicholas wore a smart suit with a flower spray on the lapel.  Catherine and Nicholas were married for 30 years, until Catherine died in 1964.  Nicholas died two years later.

Common Ancestors:  (with Catherine)  my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.

Photos shared by my 3rd cousin Doreen Power

Lorraine (Lorena) Frances O'Donnell (my maternal 2nd cousin once removed) married James Francis Kenney in 1934.  Lorraine was 19 years old and James was 27.  They married at St. Alphonsus Church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York.

Lorraine (known as Lorena) and James were married for 38 years until James passed away in 1972.

Lorraine's wedding gown is patterned with what look like little flowers and scalloped embroidery.   The very long veil also appears to have little flower sprays sewn onto the scalloped edging and larger flowers sewn above that.  Lorraine's flower bouquet is simply stunning.

Common Ancestors:  (with Mary)  my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.  

Esme Isabel Aitkin (the wife of my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed), married Edwin Gilbert Shaw in 1935.  She was 21 and he was 26. 

They married in Bundaberg, Queensland and their marriage lasted for 48 years until the death of Edwin in 1983.

This amazing wedding dress seems to be so vastly different to the trends seen in the previous photos.  It seems Esme was quite fashionable and up-to-date with her choice of wedding ensemble for her mid-1930s wedding day.

The dress is floor length and all lace.  Esme is wearing elbow-length gloves and her veil appears to be embroidered all over, not just around the edges.

(Photos shared by Jo Cucchiaro)

The headpiece looks more tiara-like than the usual headband and it appears to be adorned with stones rather than the typical flowers.

Obviously the mid 1930s was the start of a new trend in wedding attire.

Common Ancestors:  (with Esme's husband, Edwin)

my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.

Photo shared by David Shaw Gordon

Margaret Hilda Shaw (my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed), sister-in-law of Esme mentioned above, married Alan Desmond Whitbread Johnston in 1935 when she was 35.  Alan was 29 years old.  

They married in Innisfail, Queensland and were married for 19 years as Margaret died in 1954.

An article printed in the Cairns Post dated Thursday, 8th of August, 1935, provides a description of Margaret's wedding dress and veil:

"The bride looked charming in a beautiful frock of magnolia satin which was made with long sleeves, and a slurred under bodice and small waistcoat effect fastened at the waist line with a diamante buckle.

The Honiton lace veil was lined with pale pink tulle, and was held in place by a coronet of orange bloom.  White stain shoes, and an exquisite bouquet of Madonna lilies, white roses and maidenhair ferns, and tulle streamers completed a pretty picture."

Common Ancestors:  (with Margaret)  my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.

Photo shared by my cousin Keith, son of the groom Colin

Colin Vincent Connors (my paternal uncle) married Ruth May Masters in 1935.  They were married at the Wesley Church at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.  Colin was aged 26 and Ruth was 22.

Sadly, their marriage only lasted for three years as Ruth passed away just a few weeks after giving birth to twin daughters.  

I adore this photo of my uncle and his first wife.  I know that Ruth made her own wedding dress and veil.  While the dress itself was rather simple, the veil is an absolute work of art with four layers of tulle attached to a tiara-like headband.  I love the three flowers sewn on the neckline of Ruth's wedding dress.

Common Ancestors:  (with my uncle Colin)  my paternal grandparents George Thomas Connors and Grace Olive Brown.

Photo shared by my  3rd cousin on Ancestry.com

 William Augustine Farrell (my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed) married Rachel Currie McBride in 1935.  William was aged 27 and Rachel was 24.  They married in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

William and Rachel were married for 56 years and had three sons together.  They both passed away in 1991.

Rachel is wearing quite a fitted dress with long sweeping lines.  The neckline is high and she is wearing long elbow-length white gloves.  Her tulle veil is floor length and held in place by a tiara style headband.  Rachel's wedding dress is the first one in my wedding dress photo collection that has a train.

Common Ancestors:  (with William)  my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney/Downey.

Photo shared by businefamily on Ancestry.com

Sydney Herbert Thomas Busine (my paternal 2nd cousin once removed) married Rheita Ann Madden in mid-1939.  They married in Sydney, New South Wales when Sydney was aged 21, and Rheita was 20.

They were married for only 4 years, as Sydney died as a prisoner of war in Burma during WW2.  I always get a little choked up when I see this photo as my second cousin and his wife look so very young and happy, not knowing what they were about to face in the coming four years.

Rheita's dress has quite a long train and she is carrying a lucky horseshoe with her bouquet.  The dress itself appears to be quite plain apart from the bodice which has more detail on it. The long veil is designed to sit atop the dress train and is about the same length. 

Sydney looks very comfortable in his smart suit.

Common Ancestors:  (with Sydney)  my paternal 2x great grandparents Patrick Cusack and Eliza Exton.

Norma Beryl Jean Moehead (my paternal 3rd cousin once removed) married Harold Lloyd Cupitt in 1939.  They married in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia when Norma was aged 19 and Harold was 26.

Norma and Harold were married for 24 years.  Harold passed away in 1962 at the rather young age of 50.  Norma did re-marry seven years later and that marriage lasted for 32 years until Norma became a widow in 2001.

This wedding group portrait is such a magnificent end to the 1930s collection of wedding photos.  The entire wedding party looks almost regal!  Even the bridesmaids' dresses have trains, and they're quite long. All of the dresses appear to have a sweetheart neckline. The quirky looking hats that the bridesmaids are all wearing add that special touch. 

I have to say I'm very impressed by the enormous bouquets the bridesmaids are carrying.  So many blooms!  The bride's bouquet is quite simply stunning with what appear to be brugmansia flowers hanging from the bottom.

The scene-stealer though is definitely that gorgeous little flower girl.  She just wants the whole day to end!

Common Ancestors: (with Norma)  my paternal 3x great grandparents William Henry Browning and Anne (Nancy) Littlejohns.

1940s

Photo shared by rachelgoddard1 on Ancestry.com

Rita Sneddon (the daughter of the husband of my paternal 1st cousin 3x removed) married  Arthur Sydney Goddard in 1942, in the midst of the war years.  They were married in Sydney, New South Wales, when Rita was 26 and Arthur was 25.

They were married for 31 years until Rita became a widow in 1973.

This photo reflects the wedding attire chosen by many during the Second World War years - ordinary dresses for the ladies and uniform for the men.  Rita is wearing a smart and fashionable white dress with a hat and bag matching the colour of her bridesmaid's dress.  Doesn't that look lovely?  

Allan Herbert Cusack  (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married Matilda Dorothy Pilkington in 1942.  Allan was 30 years old and Matilda was 26.  They married in Victoria, Australia.

Allan and Matilda remained married for 54 years until Matilda's passing in 1996.  Allan passed away the following year.

The photo above shows Matilda with her bridesmaids, flowergirl and her mother.  Behind the bridesmaids stands Allan and his best man.

Matilda's dress is quite simple in design but is made out of a beautiful lace over satin.  The dress has long lace sleeves and a high neckline.  Her veil is held in place with a pretty garland of flowers.

The bridesmaid's dresses are also quite simple in design, but with short puffed sleeves.  All the bridesmaids are also wearing short veils, which I haven't seen all that often in my family tree wedding photos.

The scene stealer in both the wedding day photos is that adorable little flower girl.  The bow in her hair is almost as big as her head!  She is also wearing a little veil.

Common Ancestors: (with Allan)  my paternal 3x great grandparents Michael Cusack and Mary Green.

Photo shared by joybailey591 on Ancestry.com

Cecil James Peter McQuilty  (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) married just before he was discharged from the AIF in 1945, when he was aged 29.  He married Berenice Joan Miller who was just 19 years old.

Cecil and Berenice married in Sydney, Australia.  They remained married for 42 years until Cecil passed away in 1987, and raised five children together.

There are a number of things I love about Berenice's wedding gown.  It's a gorgeous satin gown with a sweetheart neckline with small sprays of flowers sewn at the sides of this neckline.  She's also wearing beautiful long satin gloves and atop the halo-like head band there's another little spray of flowers.  Berenice also went all the way and had her hair styled beautifully to suit.

Common Ancestors:  (with Cecil)  my paternal 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.

Photo shared by Carol Chandler on Ancestry.com

Cyril James Reid (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed) was another of my relatives who had a wartime wedding.  He married Muriel Emily Barnes nee Lemon, sometime around 1944-1945.  I don't have an exact date, but it would have been after Muriel had been granted a divorce by the courts in 1944.  

Cyril would have been about 27 and Muriel (known as Babs) would have been 41.  It was Muriel's second marriage.

Cyril and Muriel were married for around 45 years, until Cyril passed away in 1989.

Common Ancestors:  (with Cyril)  my paternal 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.

Photo shared by mareecarpenter on Ancestry.com

Emma Eileen May Reid (my paternal 2nd cousin 2x removed), half-sister to Cyril mentioned above, wed Murray Aubrey Waddell in 1946.  She was 31 and he was aged 28.  They were married for 22 years, until the death of Murray in 1968.

Emma married after the end of WW2, and she chose a glamorous all lace gown with a train of the same material.   She wore a flower-adorned coronet and a long veil with embroidery all around the edging.  Emma carried a small bouquet.

Common Ancestors:  (with Emma)  my paternal 3x great grandparents James Exton and Susannah Lancaster.

Photo shared by asm94563 on Ancestry.com

Leila Mary Smith  (my paternal 3rd cousin once removed) married in 1946 when she was 26 years old.  She married Douglas Allen Madson who was 22 years old.

Leila and Douglas were married for 59 years.  Sadly they missed their 60th wedding anniversary as Douglas passed away in 2005.

They married in the suburb of Forest Lodge in Sydney at St. James's Church.

Here they are on the steps outside the church posing for another photo.

Leila's dress is a beautiful satin gown with a fitted bodice, sweetheart neckline and long sleeves.

I do so love the vibrancy of the turquoise bridesmaids' dresses and those little hats they are both wearing.

Common Ancestors:  (with Leila)  my paternal 3x great grandparents Michael Cusack and Mary Green.

Photo shared by Tony Walsh on Ancestry.com

Eunice Marjorie Woolridge  (my paternal 2nd cousin once removed) was 21 years old when she married Edward Alfred Gray in 1947.  They married in Byron Bay, New South Wales.

Eunice and Edward remained married for 58 years until Edward passed away in 2005.

In the wedding day portrait I noticed the satin panelling at the bottom of the bridesmaid's dress immediately as it seemed to match the fabric of the bride's dress.  Eunice's wedding gown is quite simple.  Interestingly the gown had a long train but quite a short veil.  I have to say I adore the little flower girl's dress with all its ruffles and that jaunty little hat that sits atop her curls.

Common Ancestors:  (with Eunice)  my paternal 2x great grandparents Patrick Cusack and Eliza Exton.

Photo shared by Malcolm Harris on Ancestry.com

John Francis Tyler (my paternal 1st cousin once removed) wed Joan Margaret Barry in 1948 at Dulwich Hill in New South Wales. 

John was 21 and Joan was 18.  They were married for 44 years until John died in 1992.

I'd love to know what colour the bridesmaid's dresses were and I'm intrigued to see that the bridesmaid's headpieces also appear to have small veils.  Was this a common thing?

Common Ancestors:  (with John)

my paternal great grandparents Richard Brown and Ellen Cusack.

Robert Edward O'Donnell  (my maternal 2nd cousin once removed) married Catherine DeMarco in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York in 1948.  Robert was 26 years old and Catherine was 21.

They remained married for 29 years.  Sadly Robert passed away in 1977 at the relatively young age of 55.

Robert looks so very dapper in his wedding portrait.  He's sporting a long dress coat as part of his suit and wearing a cravat under that stiff white collar.  Catherine's wedding gown is quite beautiful with its full skirt and lovely neckline accentuated with a lace border very similar to the border on her veil.  She wore a very pretty crown atop her beautiful curls.

Common Ancestors: (with Robert)  my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.

Photo shared by my cousin Therese (Irene's daughter)

Irene Alma Bidgood  (my maternal 1st cousin once removed) married Edward Michael Lawlor in 1949.  Irene (known as Bon) was 22 years old and Edward was 28.  They married in Bowen, Queensland, Australia and were married for 70 years, until Irene passed away in 2019.

Irene's dress looks deceptively simple but on closer inspection you will notice the beautiful embroidery all around the hem of her dress.  Her floor-length veil is also beautifully embroidered all around the edges.

The bridesmaid's simple dresses with floor length skirts are so pretty, covered in flowers with short puffed sleeves.  They are both wearing spectacular wide-brimmed nylon hats and lace gloves.

My mum Margaret was one of the bridesmaids.  She's on the left.  Irene was one of Mum's first cousins.

Common Ancestors: (with Irene)  my maternal great grandparents Owen McCane (Muckian) and Margaret Farrell.

1950s

Photo shared by BrendaDeSantis73 on Ancestry.com

Edward Francis O'Donnell (my maternal 2nd cousin once removed) married Marilyn May Tain in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, U.S.A. in 1950.  They were married for 64 years, until Edward passed away in 2014.

I love the simplicity of this wedding day photo.  They truly do look so happy as they cut the cake during their wedding reception.  This is a simple family wedding. Nothing terribly lavish.  I can spot sandwiches, coleslaw and cocktail onions on sticks for the wedding luncheon ... so 1950s!  

The bride is wearing an elegant two-piece suit with a simple pill-box hat with a short veil, while the groom is dressed in a stylish striped suit.

Common Ancestors:  (with Edward)  my maternal 2x great grandparents John O'Donnell and Catherine Joy.

Photo shared by philathh on Ancestry.com

Hilton Alexander Hart (my paternal 2nd cousin once removed) married Kathleen Mary Chetham in 1952.  They married at Maitland, New South Wales when Hilton was 31 and Kathleen was 21.

They were married for 32 years until Hilton became a widower in 1984.

I adore this photo ... the bike leaning on the front wall behind them, the formidable looking garden ornament beside them in amongst the overgrown lawn and those radiant smiling faces!  

The bride is wearing quite a simple long white dress with a peculiar looking head piece / hat with a spotted veil.  

Common Ancestors:  (with Hilton)  my paternal 2x great grandparents Henry Johnson Brown and Caroline Penelope Browning.

Photo shared by Mise2a on Ancestry.com

Neville Charles Guthrey (my paternal 2nd cousin once removed) married Berrice Mary Coleman in the late 1950s.  I don't have an exact date for their wedding day, but it's likely they were married for around 55 years when Neville passed away in 2014.

The bride's dress is quite lovely with its lace sleeves and ribboned skirt.  I'm not so sure I love the fingerless gloves worn by the women and the flower girl though.  

Common Ancestors:  (with Neville)  my paternal 2x great grandparents Adolphus Hukins and Mary Ann Farley.

My photo

Margaret Brigid O'Donnell  (my mother) married Bede William Connors (my father) in 1959.  They married in Bowen, Queensland when Margaret was 35 and Bede was aged 34.  Sadly the marriage was to last only 9 years as my mother passed in 1968.

Photo shared by my Uncle

Marcella Therese O'Donnell  (my maternal Aunt), my mother's sister, wed Geoffrey James Webber in 1960 at Bowen, Queensland.  

Marcella was aged 25 and tragically the marriage only lasted seven months as Marcella passed away in 1961.

Both sisters wore similar wedding dresses - all-over lace, with a tight-fitting bodice, a collared neckline, full length sleeves and a full-circle skirt.  Their veils were short and held in place with coronets.  Margaret and Marcella carried small bouquets and satin-covered lucky horseshoes.

1960s

Photo shared by David Shaw Gordon on Ancestry.com

Elizabeth Marion Gordon (my maternal 2nd cousin once removed) wed Kevin John Gregg in 1964.  

They married in Mosman, New South Wales when Elizabeth was 25 and Kevin was 35.  They were married for 55 years, until Elizabeth passed away in 2019.

Elizabeth's wedding dress is simplicity itself.  The veil is beautifully embroidered and held in place by a simple band.

The bridesmaid's hat is a statement though!  

Common Ancestors:  (with Elizabeth)  my maternal 2x great grandparents Michael Farrell and Susan Muldowney.