As this photograph from the State Library of NSW archive was taken in 1884 or 1885, its likely Ellen is one of the students here.

As this photograph from the State Library of NSW archive was taken in 1884 or 1885, its likely Ellen is one of the students here.

Ellen Laing, who was born 1875 (10721/1875) at Towamba was the daughter of Donald Laing and Sarah Higgins.

Part of a large family, her father was a mail contractor, whilst presumably her mother worked at home.

She had a relationship with, but never married, her first cousin, William Rixon, born 1868 at Towamba, near Eden, NSW who was the eldest son of Thomas Rixon and Jane Laing.

They had several children together, including my grandmother, Bertha who was born at Pambula in 1902.

The birth registrations of their children are odd, to say the least, but may give some insight into their relationship. Neither their first or second child lists William as the father (using Laing or Lang), whereas the third and fourth do, and use the name Rixon. My interpretation of this is that the relationship was initially kept hidden, and then recognised, and then of course William left and married someone else.

William Rixon marries Bertha Ramsay

William Rixon marries Bertha Ramsay

On December 31 1907, William Rixon (a labourer from Rocky Hall) married Bertha Mary Ramsay (domestic duties at Burragate) at Bombala Church of England (1047/1908). They had five children: Thomas William (1909), Gladys May (1911), Annie (1914), Bertha Dorothy (1923) and Marcus (1924) and all were born in Victoria. William Rixon died August 22, 1929 in Bairnsdale, Victoria.

According to the Electoral Rolls, by 1926, Ellen’s daughter, Ruby Amelia White was living with her at Maybe Street. Bombala.

Sometime between 1930 and 1934, Ellen and Ruby moved to Forbes Street, Bombala and Ellen worked as a Cook which, according to the Electoral Roll she still was in 1938.

Fellow researcher, Kerrie Beers believes Ellen moved to Sydney with daughter, Ruby about that time and helped her run the boarding house at Henrietta Street Waverley.

In 1940, Ruby divorced from Edward White and married Jack Alterator, who joined the army in February 1941, discharged twelve months later with shellshock. In about 1942 or 1943, Ruby and Jack moved to Brisbane, during which time Ellen lived with her other daughter, Bertha and son-in-law, Charles Dunn. According to the Electoral Rolls, she had left Lismore by 1946, presumably returning to live with Ruby and Jack who had returned to Sydney.

Death certificate of Ellen Laing (Lang), Sydney 1950

Death certificate of Ellen Laing (Lang), Sydney 1950

Ellen spent the end of her life at Newintong State Hospital and Home which had a history of providing support for destitute or aged women. Suffering with Chronic Myocarditis and Rhuematoid Arthritis, she died on June 16, 1950. Myocarditis is inflammation or degeneration of the heart muscle. On June 20, she was buried in the Presbyterian section of Liverpool Cemetery.

Significantly, some of the information contained on the death record appears to be intentionally misleading, perhaps indicating that even in death, there was a degree of shame associated with the relationship between Ellen and William.

Children

* John William Laing was born on May 30, 1896 (21362/1897) at Pambula NSW. The evidence suggests John was probably raised by his grandparents, Donald and Sarah Lang, as he was listed on Sarah’s death certificate in 1920. He married Ivy M Clarke in 1924 (3380/1924). On March 28, 1942 he enlisted at Millingadi in the Second World War (Service Number – N379920 ). He was discharged on January 25, 1945. He died on October 19, 1981 at Pambula.

* Bertha Ellen Lang (Rixon) was born at Pambula, NSW in 1902 (21692/1902) (though William is not listed on the birth certificate). She grew up being known as Bertha Rixon. She married Charles Henry Dunn. Their marriage on January 19, 1921 (1921/002992) at St Matthias’ Church of England, Bombala took place with the permission of her mother, Ellen Rixon. They were married by D.D. Curthous in the presence of Ellen Rixon and J.P. Dunn. After their marriage, Charles obtained worked as a linesman for the PMG. His work took him to a number of locations in NSW, including Orange, although to date I have been unable to confirm the locations in which he worked based on electoral roll data. I can confirm, however, they had left Bombala by 1925.

Bertha Rixon was born in 1902, the eldest daughter of first cousins William Rixon and Ellen Laing.

Bertha Rixon was born in 1902, the eldest daughter of first cousins William Rixon and Ellen Laing.

By the mid-30s with a young family in tow, they moved to Lismore on the NSW North Coast. Initially, When they arrived in Lismore (probably in 1935-1936) they lived at 37 High Street, Lismore Heights. Over the next few years, they also lived 8 Baillie Street and in Ballina Street , before moving to 13 Union Street (probably about 1941). Charles Dunn died at Lismore Base Hospital on Saturday, July 24, 1943 due to heart and lung disease. Anecdotal family history records that Bertha worked as a cook for a number of years at Lismore’s “Mecca Cafe”, though I am unsure if this was before or after the death of Charles. I do recall, however, from my own childhood that on the odd occasion that granny cooked a meal, they were quite good. Her jam tarts, in particular, were memorable.

Bertha continued to live at 13 Union Street South Lismore until about 1959. Her children, Arthur (and wife Frances), Joan, Edna and Leslie John also lived in the house for varying periods of time.Then in about 1959, she and her son, Leslie John moved into 21 Kyogle Street, Lismore with her daughter, Bertha and son-in-law. A very vague childhood reference I recall was that granny had some sort of “breakdown”. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the children of Charles and Bertha married and raised families of their own. Most remained in the Lismore district, including at Casino and Alphadale Crossroads, while one daughter, Edna, moved to Brisbane.Family photographs record a visit to Sydney in the 1960s (probably about 1968), possibly related to the move to Hong Kong by her grand-daughter and son. Family history records a visit by Bertha to her sister Ruby (known as Molly). Bertha Rixon died January 16 and was buried at the Lawn Cemetery, Goonellabah on January 19, 1987.

Ruby (aka Molly) Rixon

Ruby (aka Molly) Rixon

* Ruby Amelia Rixon was born at Bombala in 1904 (30541/1904). She married Edwin H White in 1923 (12052/1923). In 1940, Ruby divorced from Edward White and married John William (Jack) Alterator (20880/1940) who was born at Scone on October 15, 1898, At Charring Cross, NSW on February 28, 1941, Jack enlisted in the Second World War. Suffering with shellshock, he was discharged on July 8, 1942. In about 1942 or 1943, Ruby and Jack moved to Brisbane, during which time Ruby’s mother, Ellen lived with her other daughter, Bertha and son-in-law, Charles Dunn. According to the Electoral Rolls, Ellen had left Lismore by 1946, presumably returning to live with Ruby and Jack who had returned to Sydney. Ruby died on February 6 1987, within weeks of her elder sister.

* William Arthur Rixon (Barney) was born on May 1 1906 (21967/1906). He married Maisie Grebert in Mullumbimby and they lived for many years at Goonengerry. Barney died on October 13, 1981, within weeks of his daughter, Helen’s wedding. Maisie is still living.

William Arthur (aka Barney) Rixon, Goonengerry, NSW

William Arthur (aka Barney) Rixon, Goonengerry, NSW

RIXON – ARTHUR WILLIAM (BARNEY) 13/10/81 at Mullumbimby Hospital, late of 11 Ann Street, Mullumbimby, beloved husband of Mrs Maisie Isobel Rixon and loved father and father in law of Mr David Rixon (Butterworth, Malaysia, Mr Phillip Rixon, Mr and Mrs Peter Watson (Helen) and Master Stephen Rixon (all of Mullumbimby) and loved brother of Mrs Bertha Dunn (Lismore). Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral which is appointed to leave St Martins Anglican Church, Mullumbimby after a service commencing at 2pm TOMORROW THURSDAY for the Mullumbimby Garden Cemetery. BECKINSALE FUNERALS Fred and Ivy Little AFDA

Acknowledgements
Kerrie Beers has done a tremendous amount of research on this couple and their families.

Sharing Around: Please feel free to copy any of the information on this page which may help you in your own research. My feeling is that family research is hard enough, without the need to constantly re-invent the wheel. It would be great, however, if you’d leave a comment below just to say “hi”.