Thanks Jan, that's nice info for me too as my Nanna's father Ernest Edward BUCKMAN b1886, apparently grew bananas & other things at Valla sometime after he married Jessie Adella SMITH in Coopernook / Kendall 1911. Thanks so much, Deb (WA) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jan Thomas" <jthomas4@bigpond.net.au> To: <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 7:39 AM Subject: [NORCO] Valla > Replying to Nancy with her query about Valla. > > Mitchells are still there at Mitchell Road, Valla. They've been there so > long > they've managed to get the Council to name the road after them. They may > remember or at least have heard of your person. I think several members > of the family have property out there. > > Jan Thomas > on the banks of the beautiful Hawkesbury River

Hi Jan & listers, I was talking to one of my Nanna's cousins today (who I hadn't realised was in the Nambucca area at the time - thought she was in Sydney) and she just happened to mention the Palais. Apparently they all liked to go to the Palais because it was on the headland and in hot weather the breeze was a relief especially with all the dancing! And yes... they went to the "pictures" in the School of Arts Building (I did find this was in Ridge Street on the net searching for photos). Nambucca's first real cinema came in 1952 as the Nambucca Cinema in Bowra Street, Nambucca Heads. Are you sure the Palais still exists? I have just got a hold of the book "Precious Memories - A Photographic History of the Nambucca Shire" by David Dunne. It has a chapter about halls & says of the Palais: "Until its destruction by fire in August 1994, the Palais de Dance or Headland Hall at Nambucca Heads was a popular dance hall........" Maybe it was rebuilt or only a part of it burnt down? Will find out. I recommend the book I mentioned to anyone researching the area, it's great. It has a lot of info as well as photos and includes places I am interested in like Eungai, Valla, Missabotti, Macksville etc. It has a contents but unfortunately no index (oh well, we can't have it all!). Nambucca Shire Council sells it (a lot cheaper than second hand online bookshops are selling it for too!) Deb. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jan Thomas" <jthomas4@bigpond.net.au> To: <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 7:41 AM Subject: [NORCO] Nambucca Entertainment Centre and the Palais > Replying to Deb Cook from an earlier posting. > > The School of Arts (now the Nambucca Entertainment Centre) is in Ridge > Street > next door to the Post Office. > > The Palais was out on the headland above the main beach. The building is > still there. The Historical Society Museum is next door. > > Jan Thomas > on the banks of the beautiful Hawkesbury River

Tracey, Your line is also mine through Jane O'Hara who was one of my gg grandmothers on my mother's side. The index page for my genealogy web pages is at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jray/ . Under the O'Hara name you will find a link to the Williams family of Manning & Bellinger Rivers. Among the links on the John Thomas Williams web page click "Family Tree" and on the next page under Jane's 2nd marriage heading you will note at #6 a link to a page with a photo of your g grandmother Emma Williams and her family history. I have not had any contact with any descendant of her's so all that is there was ascertained from public records. You will note she was not born at Raleigh but in fact was the last of the John Thomas Williams and Jane O'Hara children born at Manning River before they moved to the Bellinger River where your born in New York, America, gg grandfather was the first blacksmith, a sugar cane grower and miller, and unofficial school teacher before the Bellinger obtained it's first government school. cheers, John Raymond Brisbane > Subject: THOMAS WILLIAMS and JANE O'HARA > > Hi, > > I am after information on THOMAS WILLIAMS and JANE O'HARA > who are my g g grandparents as I only have there names but there > daughter emma my g grandmother (she married John Fox) was born > in Raleigh, on her marriage certificate it lists her fathers > occupation as smith and coach builder > regards > Tracey

Replying to Deb Cook from an earlier posting. The School of Arts (now the Nambucca Entertainment Centre) is in Ridge Street next door to the Post Office. The Palais was out on the headland above the main beach. The building is still there. The Historical Society Museum is next door. Jan Thomas on the banks of the beautiful Hawkesbury River

Replying to Nancy with her query about Valla. Mitchells are still there at Mitchell Road, Valla. They've been there so long they've managed to get the Council to name the road after them. They may remember or at least have heard of your person. I think several members of the family have property out there. Jan Thomas on the banks of the beautiful Hawkesbury River > >

Hi Cass, I have a completely different lot of COX originally from Simpson Buckinghamshire; in 1848 they went to the Hunter, next the Clarence, and later spread to the Richmond, Tweed, and Brisbane rivers. I doubt there's any connection with yours as I have a pretty full tree from Bucks onwards, and all three Henry's in 1800's are accounted for (including my great-grandfather Henry Charles COX 1873-1949). Just wanted to let you know there is a different and *very* large COX tribe in the North Coast (my g2-grandfather George COX had 19 children, probably the record but generally the families were large) - I can help you sort out who is who in my lot, if their trails cross and any confusion arises. Cheers Steve I shouldn't say this - COX by name and COX by nature - but I can't help myself :o) Carole Thomas wrote: >Hi > >I am researching the COX family . > >Henry and Alice COX settled in the Lower Macleay in the 1860, Henry died at on 23.3.1878 and Mary died on 8.6.1907, they were buried in the Frederickton Cemetery. > >The children of Henry and Mary are > Alice Ellen born 1858 married Ben Thomas 1879 and died 1944 at Arakoon > Eliza Jane born 1860 married John Dalton 1882 and died at Stockton 1943 > Henry John born 1861 married Suzannah Connelly 1888 died 1937 Bowraville > Frederick William be 1863 married Elizabeth Boyter 1907 died 1943 Buried Frederickton > Louisa May married William Lawson > Emily Clara married William Plowman > Edward Albert married Emma Weller , I understand they lived in Yamba > Charlotte Ann married Thomas Logan , lived in Chatswood, Sydney > Maude Edith died 1928 buried Frederickton > > > >If anybody has any information on any members of my COX family I would be grateful if you would contact me > >Thanks > >Cass Thomas > >

Tracey do you have any dates ? I have found a few records but just need a time frame. Regards Colleen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tracey" <traceyjones@unwired.com.au> To: <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 2:10 PM Subject: [NORCO] THOMAS WILLIAMS and JANE O'HARA > Hi, > > I am after information on THOMAS WILLIAMS and JANE O'HARA who are my g g > grandparents as I only have there names but there daughter emma my g > grandmother (she married John Fox) was born in Raleigh, on her marriage > certificate it lists her fathers occupation as smith and coach builder, > > regards Tracey > > > > > > > > ==== AUS-NSW-NORCO Mailing List ==== > Why not put your GEDCOM on line at > http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/ > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >

Hi I am researching the COX family . Henry and Alice COX settled in the Lower Macleay in the 1860, Henry died at on 23.3.1878 and Mary died on 8.6.1907, they were buried in the Frederickton Cemetery. The children of Henry and Mary are Alice Ellen born 1858 married Ben Thomas 1879 and died 1944 at Arakoon Eliza Jane born 1860 married John Dalton 1882 and died at Stockton 1943 Henry John born 1861 married Suzannah Connelly 1888 died 1937 Bowraville Frederick William be 1863 married Elizabeth Boyter 1907 died 1943 Buried Frederickton Louisa May married William Lawson Emily Clara married William Plowman Edward Albert married Emma Weller , I understand they lived in Yamba Charlotte Ann married Thomas Logan , lived in Chatswood, Sydney Maude Edith died 1928 buried Frederickton If anybody has any information on any members of my COX family I would be grateful if you would contact me Thanks Cass Thomas

Hi, I am after information on THOMAS WILLIAMS and JANE O'HARA who are my g g grandparents as I only have there names but there daughter emma my g grandmother (she married John Fox) was born in Raleigh, on her marriage certificate it lists her fathers occupation as smith and coach builder, regards Tracey

Shoalhaven Family, Local & Cultural History Fair - Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June 2006. Speakers.- Friday: 11 am Shauna Hicks, - Victorian PRO 1pm Allan Murrin (transcription agent) - Obtaining English Certificates. 2pm Ray Thorburn (historian) -Resources Kiama Family History Centre. Saturday 17th June 11am Keith Campbell (historian) - Religious views of Alexander Berry. 1pm Marilyn Rowan (transcription agent) - What is a transciption agent and how they are of benefit to the researcher. 2pm Cathy Dunn (historian) - People and Places - the future of history. Plus 10 Local History Stall Holders and 7 Commercial Groups. A great two days for Historians and Family Historians especially those who had a family member who once resided in the Shoalhaven or Illawarra district. Web Page: www.shoalhaven.net.au/historyfair Mary L. Lidbetter

Hello Listers A big thank you to all who replied to my query on VALLA. What a great list. After 17 years I can now pin point the area of my research. My interest in Valla is due to searching for my Uncle( Jim)James William CROSS.born Cardiff Wales. 1912 Details gathered so far :- J.W.CROSS emigrated from Wales 1929 to Australia. For a number of years 1929 -33 James worked for Mr Mitchell on his property in Valla. Information from family members indicate James returned to Cardiff,Wales1945 -52 searching for his sister Laura, to return to Australia with her. Can anyone remember Mr Mitchells property please,or any knowledge of Jim CROSS? Thanks once again for all your help Nancy N.Z.

Hi Deb, What a great love story. These are the things that make family history come alive. My parents who lived in the Dorrigo area (Tyringham) also had a dance hall kind of romance, Mum though she was too young to date but Dad thought differently, so after cricket one night he arrived in his whites, walked into the hall and threw a bag of live chickens into the middle of the dancers. This didn't get Mum's attention, so he went outside and hitched up the parson's horse and sulky for him. Only trouble was the horse was on one side of the fence and the sulky on the other. There were several other crazy attempts over a period of time, until finally Mum decided enough was enough and they started courting. She was 17 when they married and he 21. I was not born till 2 years later, so she must have been pretty stubborn. Laurel

Sorry! Of course that was meant to be Nambucca Heads Entertainment Centre (not recreation centre) in my last message. Deb

Thanks to everyone who replied on & off list. You've been very helpful. I am now looking at 2 places: - Nambucca Heads Recreation Centre which used to be School of Arts (was used as picture theatre & dance hall) and - The Palais It was probably the Rec Centre though & will be checking it out. Happy searching :o) Deb

Thanks Colleen, Have spied that one :o) Deb. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Colleen Wells" <colleenhasell@ozemail.com.au> To: "D Cook" <oneleaf@bigpond.net.au>; <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 2:11 PM Subject: Re: [NORCO] Nambucca Heads - WW2 dance halls & movie theatres > Hi Deb, > This site may help with history of the area. > Colleen > > http://www.nambucca-web.com/nambucca-history.htm > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "D Cook" <oneleaf@bigpond.net.au> > To: <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 11:00 PM > Subject: [NORCO] Nambucca Heads - WW2 dance halls & movie theatres > > >> Hi listers, >> >> I am wondering if there is anybody on list who would know what dance >> hall/s & movie theatre/s there were in Nambucca Heads at the end of WW2. >> >> My WA Grandfather met my Grandmother (a Buckman) in Nambucca Heads (where >> she lived) while he was in NSW with the army. When he was discharged he >> went directly to Nambucca Heads to a dance hall where she was & told her >> sister to go inside & get her. Apparently she came running out & he >> opened his great coat to hug her as she ran into his arms. Soon after >> that he proposed to her in a movie theatre, married her & took her home >> to WA. AAAAW!! So romantic! >> >> Anyway, I would love to know where these places could have been. I don't >> know whether there was only one movie theatre there in those days? Would >> there have been more than one dance hall in the area. >> >> My aim is to find pictures/photos of these places. Any books which may >> have info/photos? >> >> Can anyone help? >> >> Thanks, >> Deb (WA) >> >> >> >> >> >> ==== AUS-NSW-NORCO Mailing List ==== >> The quick way to access and search any rootsweb mailing list is to start >> at: >> http://lists.rootsweb.com/ >> >> ============================== >> Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the >> last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: >> http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >> >

Hi Chris, Nanna's name was Norma. She was particularly close to her sister Ella. Their parents were Ernest BUCKMAN (Nambucca Heads) & Jessie Adella SMITH (of Kendall / Coopernook). Ernest was born in Nambucca Heads & grew bananas etc at Valla. They ended up in Sydney where Norma was born. They eventually returned to Nambucca Heads where he had a fruit run. City life got too hard I think. Those Urunga boys you mention are mentioned in a book called "A Shepherd From Kent" by Alison Brooks (page 37). Their grandfather Francis Thomas b1862 is brother of my 2nd Great Grandfather William J BUCKMAN b1854. Their father Jabez established the first saw mill (cedar) in Nambucca. There is a picture of the father Thomas b1893 & of the grandfather Francis (Frank) b1862 & wife Rosanna. If your father is interested I could send you what it says about them. Let me know. I have tried Picture Australia & googling the other night but haven't found anything definitive as yet. Will keep looking though. Someone suggested (offlist) contacting the museum at Nambucca which I will do. Thanks for that book list! Fantastic! Thanks heaps, Deb ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Goopy" <cgoopy@optusnet.com.au> To: "D Cook" <oneleaf@bigpond.net.au>; <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 8:13 AM Subject: Re: [NORCO] Nambucca Heads - WW2 dance halls & movie theatres > Hi Deb, > > you brought back memories for me. I come from Urunga, a little way north > of Nambucca Heads and know it reasonably well. What was your grandmother's > christian name? > > My Dad talks of Buckmans. There was family of Buckmans in Urunga, four > boys.. Tommy, Doug, Alan and Russell, who died in New Guinea in WW2. Their > father was also Tom and he'd been in WW1. Maybe they were cousins to your > grandmother? > ...clipped....

Hi Deb, you brought back memories for me. I come from Urunga, a little way north of Nambucca Heads and know it reasonably well. What was your grandmother's christian name? My Dad talks of Buckmans. There was family of Buckmans in Urunga, four boys.. Tommy, Doug, Alan and Russell, who died in New Guinea in WW2. Their father was also Tom and he'd been in WW1. Maybe they were cousins to your grandmother? Google "Nambucca Heads + movie theatres" and you will find several listings for the Nambucca Plaza theatre which seems to have been there forever. Do the same with "dance hall + Nambucca Heads" and you should have all your answers. I went to Picture Australia, URL below and found 9 pages of photos of Nambucca and people from the area. I have yet to try Google images, but I'm sure there would be some there as well. http://www.pictureaustralia.org/apps/pictureaustralia What a lovely romantic story. Thank you. My parents also had a dance hall story. My father didn't dance, but he would ride a bike to the dance hall where my mother and her sisters would be dancing, and then walk her home, wheeling his bike. Wonderful times. I hope this is of some help. I will send you off list an attachment that is a book catalogue from the Richmond Historical Society, which will give you some idea of what has been written about the area and related areas. Chris

Hi Deb, This site may help with history of the area. Colleen http://www.nambucca-web.com/nambucca-history.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "D Cook" <oneleaf@bigpond.net.au> To: <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 11:00 PM Subject: [NORCO] Nambucca Heads - WW2 dance halls & movie theatres > Hi listers, > > I am wondering if there is anybody on list who would know what dance > hall/s & movie theatre/s there were in Nambucca Heads at the end of WW2. > > My WA Grandfather met my Grandmother (a Buckman) in Nambucca Heads (where > she lived) while he was in NSW with the army. When he was discharged he > went directly to Nambucca Heads to a dance hall where she was & told her > sister to go inside & get her. Apparently she came running out & he > opened his great coat to hug her as she ran into his arms. Soon after > that he proposed to her in a movie theatre, married her & took her home to > WA. AAAAW!! So romantic! > > Anyway, I would love to know where these places could have been. I don't > know whether there was only one movie theatre there in those days? Would > there have been more than one dance hall in the area. > > My aim is to find pictures/photos of these places. Any books which may > have info/photos? > > Can anyone help? > > Thanks, > Deb (WA) > > > > > > ==== AUS-NSW-NORCO Mailing List ==== > The quick way to access and search any rootsweb mailing list is to start > at: > http://lists.rootsweb.com/ > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

Hi Nancy, I am not sure what farming went on at Vella Beach, more a holiday destination now, but it is within the same region as Nambucca Heads, Urunga, Bellingen, Dorrigo and Coffs Harbour. Farming during this era in the same vacinity would have been banana gowing at Coffs Harbour, potatos at Dorrigo and I guess a good mix of vegetables, pumpkin, tomatoes etc, as the climate is ideal for this sort of farming. First settlers to the area about 1840's were cedar cutters, please find below more info on this area. ******* Before the arrival of Europeans the Bowraville district was inhabited by the Ngaku and the Gumbayngirr Aborigines. Today there are still substantial numbers of their descendants living in the area. The first Europeans to arrive in the area came in the 1840s. Like most of the coastal areas of New South Wales the first settlers were cedar cutters. In March 1841 Clement Hodgkinson explored the upper reaches of the Nambucca and Bellinger Rivers. He was the first European to make contact with the local Aboriginal community. The township, originally named Bowra, grew up in the 1850s and 1860s. It was renamed Bowraville in the 1870s because confusion was occurring with the Southern Highlands township of Bowral. No one knows with any certainty what the word 'Bowra' means. Various sources claim it is a local Aboriginal word meaning either 'cabbage palm', 'bullrout fish', 'scrub turkey' or 'bald head'. There is also a suggestion that the town's name comes from a European, Captain Bowra, who was sent up the river to search for cedar. In the early years of its existence Bowraville was primarily a timber town. It grew to meet the needs of the local timber cutters and so by the 1870s it boasted two hotels a number of general stores, a blacksmiths shop, a tailor, local post office, a school and a number of churches. By the 1880s, while timber was still dominant, the district was also an important dairy and pig raising area. However it is still true that timber remains the predominant industry. People who are interested need only to take a short walk down the hill from the Bowra Hotel to see the size and scale of the local timber mills. Regards Colleen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nancy Finn" <nanfin@xtra.co.nz> To: <AUS-NSW-NORCO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 9:51 AM Subject: [NORCO] New Lister > Hello Listers > Researching the area of Valla Beach. Believed to be close to Coffs > harbour, Urunga, & Bowraville. Can anyone please tell me what farming > went on in this area. Cattle, Sheep, Fruit farming etc? Time frame would > be 1929 - 1930. Your help most appreciated > Nancy N.Z. > > > ==== AUS-NSW-NORCO Mailing List ==== > Don't forget to Google for the inofrmation you want using the advanced > search: > http://www.google.com.au/advanced_search?hl=en > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >

Hello Listers Researching the area of Valla Beach. Believed to be close to Coffs harbour, Urunga, & Bowraville. Can anyone please tell me what farming went on in this area. Cattle, Sheep, Fruit farming etc? Time frame would be 1929 - 1930. Your help most appreciated Nancy N.Z.