This is a family connection that was mentioned by Frederick Harry in a letter to his daughter: he wrote about his cousin, Olly Rogers, who lived in Adelaide. Unfortunately I can’t find the exact link. I believe that Oliver’s mother, Anna Williams (possibly just Ann!) was connected to either Frederick’s mother; or his grandmother (who were both named Mary Williams, and both had mothers called Ann and, I think, sisters called Ann!). I’ve not been able to find the link which is very frustrating… However, seeing I have researched Anna Williams and the family, I thought I should write it up! (I've focussed this on Anna - seeing that it is more likely that the family relationship is through her).
Anna Williams was born in about 1833. I suspect she was born in Wales – Ann Williams was a relatively common name in Wales – but a relevant baptism record hasn’t been found!
Sometime between 1850 and 1856 Anna Williams married Jonathan Rogers.
Jonathan was slightly older – possibly about ten years older – born about 1823. A Jonathan Rogers was registered as a mechanical engineer, at the Pontypool Iron Works in 1853 – this fits his future career and places him close to one of the relevant Williams family who were also living in Pontypool!
Anna and Jonathan’s first child, a daughter named Mary Maude, was born in about 1856 – but again, I don’t know where!!
By 1858 the family was living in South Australia. Their daughter, Kate was born in 1858 in Adelaide and a son, William Edward, was born in 1859 in Payneham. Jonathan was appointed to the South Australian Railways as a first Draftsman in October 1859.
1862 was a mixed year. A new son, Oliver Herbert (the Olly referred to in the letter) was born on 21 June, but on 16 August, six year old Mary Maud died of diphtheria. Anna and Jonathan had a further three children: 1863 – Agnes Maud; 1866 – Annie Edith; and 1870 – Arthur Ernest. The family now consisted of six children: three boys and three girls.
On 25 April 1887, Anna Rogers died of paralysis aged 54 years. Paralysis was a relatively common description of death and could possibly have been caused by a stroke or polio or even syphilis (although given that only one of her children had pre-deceased her, this is less likely). Just ten days later Arthur Ernest (her youngest son) died aged 16 years on 4 May 1887, at the Private Hospital, North Adelaide. The reason given for his death was “inflammation of the lungs” which could have been Pleurisy or Pneumonia. It is possible that Anna and Arthur died of the same disease, with either description being incorrect – but could have just been a sad coincidence…
Jonathan Rogers, age 78, died on 10 September 1900. For many years he had held the position of superintendent of public works in the south-east of South Australia. One of his highest profile tasks was as the engineer for the Millicent drainage scheme. The Kingston and Beachport jetties were also constructed under his supervision. He died at his residence, a farm named Poolna, near Millicent. The family was later described as a “South Eastern pioneering family”.
Agnes Maud Rogers died on 6 January 1914 (age about 51). She was unmarried.
Kate Ida Ellis died on 24 November 1927 (age 69), at her daughter’s home in Prospect. She gained a middle name at some point! Her husband James Ellis had died earlier and they had a daughter and two sons. Interestingly, she was buried in the Roman Catholic portion of the New Cemetery.
Oliver Herbert Rogers died on 28 June 1929 (age 67) with an obituary published in the Adelaide papers. He had married Elsie Eliza Roach in 1892 and they had one daughter. Elsie died at her daughter’s home in Perth on 22 December 1951.
William Edward Rogers died in April 1938 (age 77) in the Naracoorte Hospital. He had married Rosa Day in 1896; she died a few years before him; and they had no children.
Annie Edith Rogers – who called herself Edith – died on 6 June 1947 (age 81), nearly 10 years after her brother’s death. She was also unmarried and her death was registered without any details of her parents.
It would appear that Frederick Harry had met the family, although not Anna - she died before Frederick arrived in Australia.
Relationship to SNR = possible sibling of great-great-great grandmother
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