Many years ago. Many, many years ago, my grandparents were visited by a distant relative who left with them a family history. When I expressed interest in family history, the document was given to me. It was put together by Lorely Morling - and it was the history of the White side of my family. When I contacted her, Lorely sent me a number of documents that she'd put together and one of them was about Elizabeth Ellen White. Her story is sad, tragic even. The story is beautifully told in the newspaper of the day. Thank you to the National Library of Australia Newspaper collection!
Elizabeth Ellen White was born on 31 July 1875 in Stalybridge, Lancashire, England. She was the first born child of Mary Jane (nee Robinson) and Robert White (They were first cousins, but their story is for another day!). Three years later, on 17 June 1878, her younger brother, John, was born and soon after the family migrated to Sydney, Australia accompanied by Robert's sister Ann. The family settled into Australian life! Ann married and Mary fell pregnant with her third child.
Then on 30 July 1880, Mary took the two children into the city with Ann. It was the day before Elizabeth's 6th birthday. The four were walking along George Street and needed to cross the street. Mary was holding John and Ann was with Elizabeth. Elizabeth saw her mother crossing the street ahead and ran towards her. A horse drawn omnibus was coming down George Street and was unable to stop in time. Elizabeth was trampled by one of the horses and died. I think there were expectations 130 years ago that not all children would survive - and just like today, the roads can be dangerous. Poor little Lizzy!
(Relationship to SNR = Great-great grandfather's sister)
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