Hello Listers, I am researching families Crook and Spain and wondering if anyone has a connection or information on them. I have Ellen SPAIN born 1873 in Ballarat who married John CROOK born Aldershot, Kent, UK. Ellen and John Crook married in Australia and settled in the Newcastle district. Ellen's father was Daniel Spain and mother Mary Matthews. John Crook's father was William Crook (a soldier) born UK and Mary Unknown also born UK. Much appreciated if anyone can help. Fay

Fay Shepherd wrote: > Hello Listers, > I am researching families Crook and Spain and wondering if anyone has a connection or information on them. I have Ellen SPAIN born 1873 in Ballarat who married John CROOK born Aldershot, Kent, UK. Ellen and John Crook married in Australia and settled in the Newcastle district. Ellen's father was Daniel Spain and mother Mary Matthews. John Crook's father was William Crook (a soldier) born UK and Mary Unknown also born UK. > Much appreciated if anyone can help. > Fay > > Hi Fay, My late mother in law was an Ellen Susan Spain, born in Mt Gambier. She was born in Mt Gambier the year after rhe Queen Mother was born. Her parents owned the Commercial Hotel in Mt. Gambier. They lived out around Pt. McDonnell way I think. Ellen Susan married William Ewart Pyne, a lawyer and mayor of Mt Gambier during WW2. They had three children, Elizabeth Skipper Pyne, John Skipper Pyne, and Patricia Skipper Pyne. (John and Patricia deceased - Elizabeth has dementia retired from nursing in Adelaide and now lives back in Mt.Gambier) A cousin, Brian Spain, compiled a family history of the Spain family. Brian and Marie Spain (and their children) lived in Cooma where Brian was head of the Snowy Mountain Scheme in the 1970s. I am not sure if Marie still lives in Cooma but I'll check with my daughter who lives in Sydney as she keeps in touch with them every Christmas. Cheers Ainslie.