Mystery Brooch
Great Grandmother’s brooch has no hallmarks.
She was born in England in 1838. Younger brother born in Constantinople in 1846, so it seems that the whole family went to live in Turkey about 1845. She lived in Turkey for about 30 years, from about 1845 until 1876/7, and then briefly went back to England & I think Scotland too, before migrating to Australia in 1878 Religion – she was definitely religious. Dad gave me a lot of old books for safe keeping and in them were more than 11 bibles! She has photos in her old album of Armenian bishops taken in Constantinople. Interests – definitely musical. Dad said she played the piano at every family gathering even up until her 80’s. She was well educated, and apparently a great letter writer. It seems that her family must have done well in Turkey for her to have piano lessons |
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Great Grandmother’s brooch has no hallmarks. The workmanship seems very good considering it’s age.
She was born in England in 1838, and on the 1841 English census (they were living in London) it says that her father was a blacksmith so doesn’t sound like lots of money there.
Her younger sister was born in London in 1844 and her younger brother was born in Constantinople in 1846, so it seems that the whole family went to live in Turkey about 1845.
Dad told me that he thought her father was building a bridge in
Constantinople, and this could fit with his trade of blacksmith. The first Galeta bridge was built in 1845 so it is possible he worked on this one.
Her maiden name was Dorman, but the famous bridge builders Dorman Liang seem to be no relation, and anyway the company was founded much later.
She lived in Turkey for about 30 years, from about 1845 until 1876/7, and then briefly went back to England & I think Scotland too, before migrating to Australia in 1878 by herself but with her 4 living children.
Her husband Fergus came out to Australia in 1876, as he was in a reported shipwreck off Wilsons Promontory (survived). Not sure where he was in 1877, but he is back in Australia early in 1878 before she and the children arrived.
Religion – she was definitely religious. Dad gave me a lot of old books for safe keeping and in them were more than 11 bibles! 3 or 4 of these have her writing in the front and were gifts to her husband and children and grandchildren.
She has photos in her old album of Armenian bishops taken in Constantinople, but when she arrived in Melbourne she attended the Collins Street Baptist church.
Interests – definitely musical, as Dad said she played the piano at every family gathering even up until her 80’s. She was well educated, and apparently a great letter writer. It seems that her family must have done well in Turkey for her to have piano lessons.
When she came out to Australia she actually opened a business in South Melbourne called “Stamboul Cash Store” which sold groceries and fruit, but also wood and coal.
Quite an amazing enterprise for someone in those days with 4 children who had never worked previously.
She was born in England in 1838, and on the 1841 English census (they were living in London) it says that her father was a blacksmith so doesn’t sound like lots of money there.
Her younger sister was born in London in 1844 and her younger brother was born in Constantinople in 1846, so it seems that the whole family went to live in Turkey about 1845.
Dad told me that he thought her father was building a bridge in
Constantinople, and this could fit with his trade of blacksmith. The first Galeta bridge was built in 1845 so it is possible he worked on this one.
Her maiden name was Dorman, but the famous bridge builders Dorman Liang seem to be no relation, and anyway the company was founded much later.
She lived in Turkey for about 30 years, from about 1845 until 1876/7, and then briefly went back to England & I think Scotland too, before migrating to Australia in 1878 by herself but with her 4 living children.
Her husband Fergus came out to Australia in 1876, as he was in a reported shipwreck off Wilsons Promontory (survived). Not sure where he was in 1877, but he is back in Australia early in 1878 before she and the children arrived.
Religion – she was definitely religious. Dad gave me a lot of old books for safe keeping and in them were more than 11 bibles! 3 or 4 of these have her writing in the front and were gifts to her husband and children and grandchildren.
She has photos in her old album of Armenian bishops taken in Constantinople, but when she arrived in Melbourne she attended the Collins Street Baptist church.
Interests – definitely musical, as Dad said she played the piano at every family gathering even up until her 80’s. She was well educated, and apparently a great letter writer. It seems that her family must have done well in Turkey for her to have piano lessons.
When she came out to Australia she actually opened a business in South Melbourne called “Stamboul Cash Store” which sold groceries and fruit, but also wood and coal.
Quite an amazing enterprise for someone in those days with 4 children who had never worked previously.
