Catherine Mary CONWAY and John HASTED (father of her first child)
and her husband John Thomas BROOKS
Catherine Mary CONWAY (1876-1898) known as Kate was born 22 June 1876 at Lady Bowen Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, the illegitimate daughter of Eliza/Elizabeth MOORE. Eliza was born about 1852 in Westmeath, Ireland and was a Roman Catholic.
On 18 June 1882 just before her 6th birthday Catherine, named as Mary Catherine Conway, along with her half-sister, Maud Head aged 3 were admitted to the St Vincent's Orphanage, Nudgee, Brisbane. Their mother was in "Brisbane Reception House" (for the temporary treatment of lunatics). They appear to have remained at the orphanage until they were old enough to be placed in employment. I discovered this information through a DNA match to a 2nd cousin who is descended from Catherine's half-sister, Maud Head. Research continues into what became of their mother, Elizabeth Moore, however she did spend time in the Goodna Asylum for the insane. Queensland mental health records are not available for public viewing.
In 1896 Catherine gave birth to my grandmother, Audrey Ethel CONWAY, (known as Ethel) in Adavale, Queensland. No details were recorded about the father, however after a convincing DNA match to my Aunt, I am positive her father was John Hasted. She shares 279 centimorgans with one of John's great granddaughters making them half first cousins once removed and the centimorgans shared are higher than the average for this relationship. As well, in 1895 John was living in Adavale, a very small town in South East Queensland, working as a carrier so I am convinced he is her father. At the time he was married with 5 children. An obituary for his wife, Elizabeth Knowles, mentions they lived in Adavale.
On 18 June 1882 just before her 6th birthday Catherine, named as Mary Catherine Conway, along with her half-sister, Maud Head aged 3 were admitted to the St Vincent's Orphanage, Nudgee, Brisbane. Their mother was in "Brisbane Reception House" (for the temporary treatment of lunatics). They appear to have remained at the orphanage until they were old enough to be placed in employment. I discovered this information through a DNA match to a 2nd cousin who is descended from Catherine's half-sister, Maud Head. Research continues into what became of their mother, Elizabeth Moore, however she did spend time in the Goodna Asylum for the insane. Queensland mental health records are not available for public viewing.
In 1896 Catherine gave birth to my grandmother, Audrey Ethel CONWAY, (known as Ethel) in Adavale, Queensland. No details were recorded about the father, however after a convincing DNA match to my Aunt, I am positive her father was John Hasted. She shares 279 centimorgans with one of John's great granddaughters making them half first cousins once removed and the centimorgans shared are higher than the average for this relationship. As well, in 1895 John was living in Adavale, a very small town in South East Queensland, working as a carrier so I am convinced he is her father. At the time he was married with 5 children. An obituary for his wife, Elizabeth Knowles, mentions they lived in Adavale.
John HASTED (1864-1924), son of William HASTED and Ann TRIGGS was born on 29 July 1864 in Privett, Hampshire, England and was baptised on 11 September 1864.
In the 1871 Census, John aged 7 was living with his family in Privett, Hampshire. On 18 June 1875 he arrived in Rockhampton, Queensland on board the ship "Sepia" with his father and siblings. His mother remained in England. John HASTED married Elizabeth KNOWLES on 15 March 1887 in Queensland. They had eleven children. |
On 6 June 1896, four months after Audrey Ethel's birth Catherine married John Thomas BROOKS (known as Jack) at the District Registrar's Office, Charleville, Queensland. John was the son of John BROOKS and Susannah MAIR and was born on 2 February 1864 in Toowoomba, Queensland. At the time of their marriage Catherine was a domestic servant living in Charleville and John was a Groom for Cobb & Co. Audrey Ethel always believed John Thomas Brooks was her father and he treated her as his daughter.
Catherine's story is a very sad one, as she died soon after giving birth to her second child. In 1897, John and Catherine were living at Strachans Tank, Emu Creek, Charleville-Adavale Road, Charleville. John was a groom for Cobb & Co. When Catherine was about 34 weeks pregnant she was sent to Charleville to be confined. She gave birth to Edith on 13 December 1897, but soon after became seriously ill. She was described as "incoherent, rambling in her statements and confused names of people around her. She had not slept for 8 or 9 days, would not take any food and was very excitable." In consequence of what he was told John came to Charleville on Sunday, 26 Dec 1897.
The following day, Monday, 27 December 1897, Catherine was examined by a Medical Practitioner who found her to be of "unsound mind and needed to be taken charge of and detained under care and treatment".
On Wednesday, 29 December, John gave a statement at the Charleville Courthouse. He said, "She won't speak to me at times and refuses to take any food or drink and at times talks very stangely. I am unable to do anything with her. I have no idea what is the cause of her trouble". Catherine was found to be insane and was committed to the Roma Gaol pending her removal to the Lunatic Asylum in Toowoomba. Catherine left that day with a Police Escort to travel to the Roma Gaol. They arrived at 9 pm that night. What a terrible journey it must have been for her. Imagine travelling 268 km from Charleville to Roma, in the middle of the Queensland summer, most probably in the back of a wagon or stagecoach in such an extremely weak condition. It must have been horrific.
Catherine died aged 21, on 3 January 1898 after being at the gaol for 5 days. The cause of death was puerpual insanity, cerebritis and softening of the brain substance with paralysis of the brain.
An Inquest into the Death of Catherine Mary Brooks was held at the Roma Gaol on 5 Jan 1898. It found that she should not have been sent to the gaol when there was a hospital both at Charleville and Roma.
She was buried on 4 January 1898 in the Roman Catholic Section of the Roma Cemetery, Roma, No. 791. I visited the cemetery in 2013 and after a bit of searching found her grave marked by the number 791.
Catherine's story is a very sad one, as she died soon after giving birth to her second child. In 1897, John and Catherine were living at Strachans Tank, Emu Creek, Charleville-Adavale Road, Charleville. John was a groom for Cobb & Co. When Catherine was about 34 weeks pregnant she was sent to Charleville to be confined. She gave birth to Edith on 13 December 1897, but soon after became seriously ill. She was described as "incoherent, rambling in her statements and confused names of people around her. She had not slept for 8 or 9 days, would not take any food and was very excitable." In consequence of what he was told John came to Charleville on Sunday, 26 Dec 1897.
The following day, Monday, 27 December 1897, Catherine was examined by a Medical Practitioner who found her to be of "unsound mind and needed to be taken charge of and detained under care and treatment".
On Wednesday, 29 December, John gave a statement at the Charleville Courthouse. He said, "She won't speak to me at times and refuses to take any food or drink and at times talks very stangely. I am unable to do anything with her. I have no idea what is the cause of her trouble". Catherine was found to be insane and was committed to the Roma Gaol pending her removal to the Lunatic Asylum in Toowoomba. Catherine left that day with a Police Escort to travel to the Roma Gaol. They arrived at 9 pm that night. What a terrible journey it must have been for her. Imagine travelling 268 km from Charleville to Roma, in the middle of the Queensland summer, most probably in the back of a wagon or stagecoach in such an extremely weak condition. It must have been horrific.
Catherine died aged 21, on 3 January 1898 after being at the gaol for 5 days. The cause of death was puerpual insanity, cerebritis and softening of the brain substance with paralysis of the brain.
An Inquest into the Death of Catherine Mary Brooks was held at the Roma Gaol on 5 Jan 1898. It found that she should not have been sent to the gaol when there was a hospital both at Charleville and Roma.
She was buried on 4 January 1898 in the Roman Catholic Section of the Roma Cemetery, Roma, No. 791. I visited the cemetery in 2013 and after a bit of searching found her grave marked by the number 791.
Child of Catherine Mary CONWAY & John HASTED:
1. Audrey Ethel BROOKS (1896-1955). My Grandmother
Child of Catherine Mary CONWAY & John Thomas BROOKS:
1. Edith Mary BROOKS (1897-1961).
Edith was born on 13 December 1897 in Charleville, Queensland and baptised on 9 March 1898 at St Mary's Church, Charleville. Her mother died when she was two weeks old.
Edith married William CROMPTON on 21 December 1915 in Tallebudgera, Qld. They had eleven children: Eileen Jessie 1916-1973, m. Robert ALLISON; Kathleen Mary 1917-2004 m. Sydney ALLEN; Elsie Cecelia Damien 1919-2000 m. W HOOD; William Aubrey Joseph Hilton b.1921 m. Mildred LOVE; Joyce Adele b.1923 m. Patrick HOGAN; Dorothy Sophia 1925-1976 m. McGARRIGAL; Laura Amelia b.1926 m. Bazil GIBBONS; John Victor 1927-1977 m. Grace WINTLE; Paul James b.1929 m. Shirley FOSTER; Rose Editha b.1933 m. Ronald JONES; Nola Patricia b.1934.
Edith died at Southport, Queensland aged 63 on 3 February 1961.
1. Audrey Ethel BROOKS (1896-1955). My Grandmother
Child of Catherine Mary CONWAY & John Thomas BROOKS:
1. Edith Mary BROOKS (1897-1961).
Edith was born on 13 December 1897 in Charleville, Queensland and baptised on 9 March 1898 at St Mary's Church, Charleville. Her mother died when she was two weeks old.
Edith married William CROMPTON on 21 December 1915 in Tallebudgera, Qld. They had eleven children: Eileen Jessie 1916-1973, m. Robert ALLISON; Kathleen Mary 1917-2004 m. Sydney ALLEN; Elsie Cecelia Damien 1919-2000 m. W HOOD; William Aubrey Joseph Hilton b.1921 m. Mildred LOVE; Joyce Adele b.1923 m. Patrick HOGAN; Dorothy Sophia 1925-1976 m. McGARRIGAL; Laura Amelia b.1926 m. Bazil GIBBONS; John Victor 1927-1977 m. Grace WINTLE; Paul James b.1929 m. Shirley FOSTER; Rose Editha b.1933 m. Ronald JONES; Nola Patricia b.1934.
Edith died at Southport, Queensland aged 63 on 3 February 1961.
On 28 March 1899, fourteen months after Kate died John Thomas BROOKS married Rose Hannah HANSFORD. They had eight children.
John Thomas BROOKS died aged 62 of Myocarditis, cardiac failure, lasting 9 months on 11 September 1926 in Adavale Hospital Adavale, Qld. At the time he was living in Klugh St, Adavale. He was buried on 11 September 1926 in Adavale Cemetery, Adavale, Queensland. Rose died in 1963 aged 84.
Susannah Williams nee Mair (previously Milford and Brooks) with her children. L-R Mary Slade (nee Milford), John Thomas Brooks, Susannah, James Brooks, Jessie Daffurn (nee Williams). The letter on Susannah's lap is from her son William Brooks who is not in the photo. Photograph courtesy of William Yeoman, son of Mary Yeoman nee Brooks.
Children of John Thomas BROOKS and Rose Hannah HANSFORD:
1. Henry Hilton BROOKS (1899-1968) Henry was born on 31 July 1899. He died on 26 May 1968 in Brisbane.
2. Alma Matilda Mary BROOKS (1901-1994) Known as Mary, she was born on 25 April 1901 in Morven, Queensland. Her name was wrongly recorded on her Birth Certificate. Her mother Rose who spoke with an Irish accent registered her birth over the phone and the clerk had trouble understanding her so Alma became Holman and Brooks became Brocks. In 1921 she took a joy flight in Charleville, Qld on one of the first Qantas planes, paying 3 guineas for her ticket. When I visited her in 1990 she told me that she was the oldest surviving passenger and showed me a newspaper clipping from the Sydney Morning Herald, 1 February 1990 with a story about her daring flight entitled 'Of Camels, Jumbos and Other Birds'. She also featured in another Qantas article entitled 'First Lady'. She married Albert Richard YEOMAN on 22 April 1923 in Charleville. Mary died aged 92, on 22 January 1994 in Gordon, NSW.
3. Rose BROOKS (1903-1903)
4. Lizzie Esther BROOKS (1904- ) Lizzie was born on 3 April 1904. She married George FARQUHAR in 1927.
5. Margaret Jessie BROOKS (1906-1998) Margaret was born on 11 April 1906. She died aged 86, in 1992.
6. William James BROOKS (1907-1911)
7. John Thomas BROOKS (1908-1968) Known as Jack, he was born on 11 Nov 1908. He died aged 59, on 13 Oct 1968 in Charleville.
8. William James BROOKS (1911-1962) Known as Jim, he was born in 1911. He died, aged 51, in 1962.
Children of John HASTED and Elizabeth Eliza KNOWLES:
1. Elizabeth Emma HASTED (1890-1976)
2. William Edward HASTED (1892-1909)
3. Charles HASTED (1894-1957)
4. John HASTED (1894-1962)
5. Thomas Edward HASTED (1895-)
6. Harriet Evelyn HASTED (1897-1977)
7. George Henry HASTED (1899-1960)
8. Lily Maud HASTED (1902-1946)
9. Annie Sophia HASTED (1905-1971)
10. Arthur Marsh HASTED (1909-1975)
11. Dorothy Grace Agnes HASTED (1911-1967)
1. Elizabeth Emma HASTED (1890-1976)
2. William Edward HASTED (1892-1909)
3. Charles HASTED (1894-1957)
4. John HASTED (1894-1962)
5. Thomas Edward HASTED (1895-)
6. Harriet Evelyn HASTED (1897-1977)
7. George Henry HASTED (1899-1960)
8. Lily Maud HASTED (1902-1946)
9. Annie Sophia HASTED (1905-1971)
10. Arthur Marsh HASTED (1909-1975)
11. Dorothy Grace Agnes HASTED (1911-1967)
Sources
1. "Birth Certificate : Catherine Moore (Catherine Mary Conway)". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
2. "St Vincent's Orphanage Nudgee, Admission Register". Queensland State Records.
3. "Birth Certificate : John Thomas Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
4. "Birth Certificate : Audrey Ethel Conway". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
5. "Baptism : Audrey Ethel Brooks". St Mary's Church Register, Charleville.
6. "Birth Certificate : Edith Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
7. "Marriage Certificate : John Thomas Brooks & Catherine Mary Conway". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
8. "Death Certificate : Catherine Mary Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
9. "Inquest into the Death of Catherine Mary Brooks". Queensland State Archives.
10. "Roma Cemetery Records". Roma Tourist Information Centre.
11. "Death Certificate : John Thomas Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
12. "Information from Donna Getchell, daughter of Laura Amelia Crompton".
13. "Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages, On-line Index".
14. "New South Wales Births Deaths & Marriages, On-line Index".
Updated 22 September 2021
1. "Birth Certificate : Catherine Moore (Catherine Mary Conway)". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
2. "St Vincent's Orphanage Nudgee, Admission Register". Queensland State Records.
3. "Birth Certificate : John Thomas Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
4. "Birth Certificate : Audrey Ethel Conway". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
5. "Baptism : Audrey Ethel Brooks". St Mary's Church Register, Charleville.
6. "Birth Certificate : Edith Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
7. "Marriage Certificate : John Thomas Brooks & Catherine Mary Conway". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
8. "Death Certificate : Catherine Mary Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
9. "Inquest into the Death of Catherine Mary Brooks". Queensland State Archives.
10. "Roma Cemetery Records". Roma Tourist Information Centre.
11. "Death Certificate : John Thomas Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
12. "Information from Donna Getchell, daughter of Laura Amelia Crompton".
13. "Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages, On-line Index".
14. "New South Wales Births Deaths & Marriages, On-line Index".
Updated 22 September 2021