Bridget Carrucan Line

Home > Bridget Carrucan Line

1895 - Kate Coleman childhood home30 viewsJohn Vincent Coleman, the grandson of Bridget Coleman, was born on 28th April 1892 in Malvern and died on 2nd November 1970, aged 78. On 18 Oct 1917, when he was 25 years of age, he married Kate Jones (1896-1990).
Kate was born on February 20, 1896 in her family's log cabin home in Yarra Street, Warrandyte. The simple family home had a bark roof. Clothes were washed in the river and cooking was done on a wood-fired stove. The site is where the squash courts now stand.
The photo shows the primitive house in which Kate grew up. It shows Freda Jones and children (from left): Mary, Freda, Tom, Ben, Bill and Rachel. Charlie and Winifred are not pictured. Freda was expecting Kate at the time.

1900 approx - Research hotel27 viewsMartha Coleman (1858-1924), the second child to Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married William West in 1878.
They had 13 children between 1979 and 1896, the first 8 born in Eltham and the remaining 5 born in Research where they moved in 1890. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Research Hotel where William was the proprieter.
It was passed onto us by Karen Hough who comments:
This image was given to me by a family member, Barry Smith, who has the original image (an old postcard, as I believe they used to do to photos). It belonged to his grandmother, Elizabeth Martha West who was the 7th child of William and Martha. She was raised there and returned there to live for a while when her husband Claude Wiltshire went off to WW1. William West's name is clearly visible on the fascia board. It was taken some time after the other image of the hotel as the verandah above the post office looks very saggy!

1900 approx research hotel and post office26 viewsMartha Coleman (1858-1924), the second child to Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married William West in 1878.
They had 13 children between 1979 and 1896, the first 8 born in Eltham and the remaining 5 born in Research where they moved in 1890. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Research Hotel where William was the proprietor.
This photo was passed onto us by Karen Hough and shows the hotel and post office, circa 1900. This image is from http://www.pictures.libraries.vic.gov.au/. Yarra Plenty Regional Library own the image but it is on public access.

1906 - John West and his sister Margaret41 viewsJohn (b 1880) and Margaret (b 1886) were two of the 13 children born to William George West (1856-1935) and Martha Coleman (1959-1924). They were grandchildren of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman. This photo shows them around 1906.
This photo was passed onto us by John's granddaughter Cheryl Laumer nee West.

1910 - John Coleman's cottage in Eltham circa 191030 viewsThis photo shows John Coleman's cottage which stood on the corner of Main St and Diamond Creek Road up towards Research. It is almost identical to Peter Carrucan's cottage which still stands at the corner of Bible St and Napoleon St in Eltham.
If we assume it is normally the eldest son who takes over the family farm, then it would have gone to John Patrick Coleman (born 1857). He and his wife Mary Agnes (nee McHugh) had 3 children - John Francis (born 1895), Agnes and Edward. Now there are 3 children in the photo and they are in the right chronological order. The size of the eldest boy might indicate an age of around 15 so that would put the photo at around 1910.
While this fits the context, it is very much speculation. If you have further information, please contact me...Tim

1910 approx - Elizabeth Martha Wiltshire nee West35 viewsMartha Coleman (1858-1924), the second child to Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married William West in 1878.
They had 13 children between 1979 and 1896, the first 8 born in Eltham and the remaining 5 born in Research where they moved in 1890. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Research Hotel where William was the proprietor.
This photo is of Elizabeth Martha Wiltshire nee West who was the seventh child, born 1888 and died 1980. This photo was passed onto us by her great grand daughter Karen Hough. I am guessing it might have been taken around 1910.

1911 Elizabeth Martha Wiltshire nee West with her two children Bertha Frances and Clive Gordon35 viewsMartha Coleman (1858-1924), the second child to Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married William West in 1878.
They had 13 children between 1979 and 1896, the first 8 born in Eltham and the remaining 5 born in Research where they moved in 1890. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Research Hotel where William was the proprietor.
This photo shows the seventh child, Elizabeth Martha Wiltshire nee West, with her two children Bertha Frances Wiltshire and Clive Gordon Wiltshire. Bertha was born in 1909 and Clive in 1910. Clive died in QLD in 1998. Bertha died in Sandringham in 2001.
This photo was passed onto us by Clive's grand daughter Karen Hough.

1915 - Benjamin Francis West29 viewsMartha Coleman (1858-1924), the second child to Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married William West in 1878.
They had 13 children between 1979 and 1896, the first 8 born in Eltham and the remaining 5 born in Research where they moved in 1890. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Research Hotel where William was the proprieter.
Benjamin Francis (Frank) West was their 12th child, born in 1895. He enlisted in the AIF in 1915 and served in Europe in the 4 FAB, Field Artillery Brigade, as a shoeing smith. He died in 1970 in Research.
This photo was passed onto us by Karen Hough.

1920s - Martha West nee Coleman27 viewsBridget and John Coleman's second child Martha was born on 1st January 1858. In 1878, aged 19, she married local Eltham boy William West (born 25th March 1856). William became the proprietor of the Research Hotel in 1889 and they moved into residence there. Martha died in 1924, aged 66, and William died in 1935, aged 79. They are both buried in the Eltham Cemetery.
I suspect this photo was taken at Research some time in the early 1920s.
This photo was passed onto us by Martha's great granddaughter Cheryl Laumer nee West.

1920s late - Gerald and Bertha (nee Coleman) Martin25 viewsBridget (Bertha) Coleman (1864-1941), the daughter of Bridget Carrucan, married Gerald Martin in 1894. They had five children, all born in the Ballarat district, all with either nicknames or abbreviations, as was common at the end of the Victorian Era.
Lilian (Lil) Bertha(1896-1984)
Edwin (Ted) Gerald (1897-1978)
John (Jack) Herbert (1899-1977)
Constance (Connie) Mary (1902-1938)
Rebecca (Rita) Winifred (1905-1989)

1920 approx - Edwin (Ted) Gerald Martin27 viewsEdwin Gerald Martin was born in Ballarat, Victoria on 22 August 1897, the second child and elder son of Gerald David and Bertha (Bridget) Martin nee Coleman and a grandson of Bridget Carrucan.
On the 17th August, 1916, he enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Forces in Melbourne, at the age of 18 years 11 months and fought in a number of fronts including Passchendaele.
On 1st June 1920 Ted enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy, exactly one year after he had been discharged from the AIF.
In 1927 Ted married Lillian (Nig) Edith Martin (no blood relation) at St Peter's Church, Eastern Hill, Melbourne.
From 1st September 1939 to 27th December 1941 he was on the Australia, serving through the Battle of Britain. On 26th March 1941 he was mentioned in dispatches for his "skill, resource and devotion to duty". This was followed in his award, on 2nd July 1941, of the British Empire Medal.

1924 - Frank, Bern and Dave West as teenagers27 viewsJohn (b 1914), Bernard (b 1916), David (b 1918), Frank (b 1918), Ron (b 1920) and Beatrice (b 1921) were the children of John West (1880-1948) and Ada Dobbins (1877-1936). They were all great grandchildren of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman.
This photo, taken around 1924, shows Bern with his younger twin brothers Frank and Dave.
This photo was passed onto us by Bern's daughter Cheryl.

1925 approx - Rita Connie Martin26 viewsConstance Mary (Connie) Martin (1902 - 1938) was Gerald and Bertha Martin's second daughter and Rebecca Winifred (Rita) Martin (1905 - 1989) was their third daughter. They were granddaughters of Bridget Carrucan.
Rita who married Ernest Waller had 2 children, Ken and Thelma, who continue the Martin line.

1930s - Bern West's 1st flight27 viewsBernard West (1916-2007) was a great grandchild of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman. His daughter Cheryl advises that he lived near the Brisbane airstrip and loved to watch the planes come in and out. At one time he aspired to be a pilot. This photo, passed onto us by his daughter Cheryl, show his first flight, in Brisbane. Cheryl thinks he was a teenager at the time so that would place the photo in the early 1930s.

1934 - Ada West nee Dobbins with children Joe, Dave, Ron, Frank and Pat26 viewsJohn West (1880-1948), the grandson of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married Ada Dobbins (1877-1936) around 1912 and they had 6 children John Joseph (Joe) (b 1914), Bernard (b 1916), David (b 1918), Francis (Frank) (b 1918), Ronald (Ron) (b 1920) and Beatrice Patricia (Pat) (b 1921).
This photo, taken around 1934, was passed onto us by Bern's daughter Cheryl. It shows Ada with 5 of her children - Joe, Dave, Ron, Frank and Pat. The only one missing from the photo is Bern and that is because it is probably him taking the photo.

1934 - Bern West in his late 20s in Perth24 viewsBernard West (1916-2007) was a great grandchild of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman. This photo shows him in Perth in his later 20s, probably around 1934.
This photo was passed onto us by his daughter Cheryl.

1935 - John West at Pinkenba27 viewsJohn West (b 1880) was one of the 13 children born to William George West (1856-1935) and Martha Coleman (1959-1924). He was a grandchild of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman.
He worked in the WA goldfields for some 20 years before moving to Queensland with his wife Ada and his family, settling at Pinkenba at the mouth of the Brisbane River.
This photo, taken around 1935, was passed onto us by his granddaughter Cheryl Laumer nee West.

1940 approx - Bridget (Bertha) Martin nee Coleman23 viewsBridget (Bertha) Coleman (1864 - 1947), born at Eltham on 6th August 1864, was the fifth of John and Bridget Coleman's children. In 1894, she married Gerald David MARTIN (1862-1930). This photo is taken around 1940.

1949 - Bernard West and Iris Willmott Wedding22 viewsThis photo shows the wedding of Bernard West (1916-2007) and Iris May Willmott (1921-1966) on 10th December 1949 in Darwin. Bernard was a great grandchild of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman.
They had 2 children, Peter Bernard (b 1951) and Cheryl Anne (b 1954).
Photo given to us by Bern's and Iris's daughter Cheryl.

1949 - Bern and Iris Willmott Wedding25 viewsThis photo shows the wedding of Bernard West (1916-2007) and Iris May Willmott (1921-1966) on 10th December 1949 in Darwin. Bernard was a great grandchild of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman.
They had 2 children, Peter Bernard (b 1951) and Cheryl Anne (b 1954).
Their attendants are David West (1917-2005) and his wife Dorothy (Dot) nee Helmes (1920-2008).
Photo given to us by Bern's and Iris's daughter Cheryl.

1950 approx - Ted, Nig, Lil, Jack, Eileen and George24 viewsGerald Martin and his wife Bridget (Bertha) nee Coleman had five children, all born in the Ballarat district, all with either nicknames or abbreviations, as was common at the end of the Victorian Era. The children were
Lilian (Lil) Bertha(1896-1984)
Edwin (Ted) Gerald (1897-1978)
John (Jack) Herbert (1899-1977)
Constance (Connie) Mary (1902-1938)
Rebecca (Rita) Winifred (1905-1989)
The photo shows 3 of the children with their respective spouses - Ted, Nig, Lil, Jack, Eileen and George.

1965 approx - Lilian (Lil) Bertha Martin24 viewsLilian (Lil) Bertha(1896-1984) was the eldest child of Gerald Martin and his wife Bridget (Bertha) nee Coleman. Lil was one of five children, all born in the Ballarat district, all with either nicknames or abbreviations, as was common at the end of the Victorian Era. The children were
Lilian (Lil) Bertha(1896-1984)
Edwin (Ted) Gerald (1897-1978)
John (Jack) Herbert (1899-1977)
Constance (Connie) Mary (1902-1938)
Rebecca (Rita) Winifred (1905-1989)

1971 Eileen and Jack Martin with grandchildren Catherine Anne Elizabeth and Richard Martin21 viewsThis photo shows John Herbert (Jack) Martin (1899-1977), the grandson of Bridget Coleman with his wife Eileen (nee Grant) and their four grand children Catherine, Anne, Elizabeth, and Richard Martin, the children of Jim Martin.

1975 - Rita Waller with her brother Jack and sister-in-law Eileen Martin24 viewsJohn Herbert (Jack) Martin (1899 - 1977), the grandson of Bridget Carrucan and his wife Eileen (nee Grant) and his sister Rita Waller.

1980 approx - Kate Coleman nee Jones25 viewsJohn Vincent Coleman, the grandson of Bridget Coleman, was born on 28th April 1892 in Malvern and died on 2nd November 1970, aged 78. On 18 Oct 1917, when he was 25 years of age, he married Kate Jones (1896-1990).
Kate was born on February 20, 1896 in her family's log cabin home in Yarra Street, Warrandyte.
The photo shows Kate around 1980, when aged in her eighties.

1990 James David (Jim) Martin Townsville-226 viewsJames David (Jim) Martin (1927-), the great grandson of Bridget Carrucan, married Helen Mary Dallimore and they have four children, Catherine, Gregory, Richard and Elizabeth.
After a career in the sciences, he was accepted into the Theological Hall at Ormond College, University of Melbourne, commencing theological studies in 1957 and graduating in 1960. After a number of appointments around Victoria, he was appointed as Principal of The John Flynn College, a co-residential College within James Cook University of North Queensland, a position he held until his retirement in 1992.

1990 Richard Zeita Ken David and Judith Waller24 viewsKen Waller is the son of Ernest Arthur Waller (1905 - 1965) and Rebecca (Rita) Winifred Martin (1905 - 1989) who is the granddaughter of Bridget Carrucan.
In 1954 Ken married Zeita Lillian Coleman. The photo shows Ken and Zeita with their sons Richard and David and David's wife Judith.

1992 James David (Jim) Martin Townsville26 viewsJames David (Jim) Martin (1927-), the great grandson of Bridget Carrucan, married Helen Mary Dallimore and they have four children, Catherine, Gregory, Richard and Elizabeth.
After a career in the sciences, he was accepted into the Theological Hall at Ormond College, University of Melbourne, commencing theological studies in 1957 and graduating in 1960. After a number of appointments around Victoria, he was appointed as Principal of The John Flynn College, a co-residential College within James Cook University of North Queensland, a position he held until his retirement in 1992.
This painting was done when he retired from the John Flynn College and records his time as Principal.

1992 Sale of Coleman Farm in Eltham - 128 viewsThis article was published in the Diamond Valley News of Tuesday 11 February 1992 and announced the forthcoming auction of Coleman's Corner, John Coleman's original house block and house. Unfortunately, in subsequent years, roadworks straightened the road and this corner and the house no longer exists. Coleman Crescent is the only reminder to this early pioneering farm.

1992 Sale of Coleman Farm in Eltham - 221 viewsThis article was published in the Diamond Valley News of Tuesday 11 February 1992 and announced the forthcoming auction of Coleman's Corner, John Coleman's original house block and house. Unfortunately, in subsequent years, roadworks straightened the road and this corner and the house no longer exists. Coleman Crescent is the only reminder to this early pioneering farm.

2000 John Stanley Martin29 viewsJohn Stanley Martin (1933-2010), the great grandson of Bridget Carrucan, married Helen Elizabeth Laurence Tucker in 1971 and they had two children, Nigel and Robert. He and his brother Jim are sons of John Herbert (Jack) Martin (1899-1977) and Eileen Martin (nee Grant).
In 1969, John was appointed Lecturer in Charge of Swedish and Old Icelandic at the University of Melbourne, becoming a Senior Lecturer in 1979 and Associate Professor and Reader in 1988. The same year he was made a Knight of Royal Swedish Order of the Polar Star. The Swedish Section, founded in 1962, was a small operation. John worked hard to build it up to become a viable unit. In 1995 he retired from the University of Melbourne. During the 27 years at the university he wrote and edited books and produced articles on a range of topics, including medieval Iceland, mythology, the medieval church, Scandinavians and their communities in Australia and liturgical language.

Colemans Corner, Eltham - site or original house of John Coleman and Bridget Carrucan28 viewsJohn Coleman's block was on what used to be called Coleman's corner in North Eltham. You travelled some 2-3 km from the Eltham Township towards Research on Main Road until you encountered a sharp corner in the road at the turnoff to Diamond Creek. The Coleman block was on the left side of Main Road. Continued in next photo.

Colemans Corner, Eltham - site or original house of John Coleman and Bridget Carrucan34 viewsUnfortunately, in subsequent years, roadworks straightened the road and this corner and the house no longer exists. Coleman Crescent is the only reminder to this early pioneering farm.
Fittingly there is still a farm within the grounds of the old farm, namely the Edendale Farm and Community Centre.

2009 - Noelani and Scott Bernard Laumer27 viewsNoelani and Scott Laumer are great great great grandchildren of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman. Their mother Cheryl Laumer nee West advises that this photo was taken at an event honouring the young women of the Church.
This photo was passed onto us by Cheryl.

2009 - Robert, Noelani, Scott, Cheryl Laumer28 viewsThis picture shows Cheryl Laumer nee West and her husband Robert Laumer with their two children Noelani and Scott at an event honouring the young women at Church.
Cheryl is a great great grandchild of Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman.
This photo was passed onto us by Cheryl.

35 files on 1 page(s)