Hi all, I've been puzzling over this for a while, and thought I'd put it out there in case anyone has ideas on how to find out more about this lady (I also just posted what I knew on my blog so you may find that if you google). The woman I'm interested in, Helena Emily MCBERNEY, is not an ancestor, but the second wife of my ancestor Sebastian HODGE (1833 - 1889 Sydney NSW). Sebastian's first wife Harriet nee SMITH died on 24 January 1888 at their hotel, the Commercial Hotel, on the corner of King St and Castlereagh St in Sydney (I have searched in vain for a photo of this hotel). Sebastian and Harriet had nine children from 1855 - 1874. A year after his wife's death, Sebastian re-married, to a widower named Helena Emily McClelland. *The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 14 February 1889* *Marriages. HODGE - McCLELLAND - February 4, at St. Stephen's Church, Phillip-street, by the Rev. Dr. Steel, Sebastian Hodge, of King-street, Sydney, to Helena Emily McClelland, relict of the late Thomas McClelland.* Twenty years earlier, the NSW BDM shows the marriage of Thomas MCCLELLAND to Helena Emily MCBERNEY (336/1869), registered in Sydney. I can find no reference to their marriage in Australian newspapers, and no children by their marriage. I can also find no likely birth in Australia, not a likely immigration, for a Helena Emily MCBERNEY. But most confusing is what happened to Helen after she married Sebastian? They married on 4 Feb 1889. 10 weeks later, Sebastian HODGE died in the Commercial Hotel, apparently of nephritis and a carbuncle (perhaps the latter precipitated the former). As a result, Helena appears to have inherited her husband's estate (though she may have had independent property). We know this because very shortly afterwards the Commercial Hotel was sold: *The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 9 August 1889**Transfer of hotel license from Helena to J.E.Fallon* Then, three months later is the last record of Helena I can find: *The Sydney Morning Herald* *Thursday 28 November 1889* *METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COURT. In this case J. A. G. D'Alpuget claimed from Helen Emily Hodge, administratrix in the estate of the late Sebastian Hodge, £100 commission on the sale of the Commercial Hotel, King-street. A verdict was given for the defendant, but his Honor granted a stay of proceedings.* After this, I can find no mention in newspapers, no death record, no record of re-marriage. Nothing. What happened to Helena formerly McBerney late McClelland? cheers -- Matthew D. Hall Gaithersburg, MD cell: +1 410 733 9444

----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew Hall" <cispt2@gmail.com> To: <aus-nsw-sydney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 12:31 PM Subject: [ANS] Was was Helena Emily MCBERNEY Hi all, I've been puzzling over this for a while, and thought I'd put it out there in case anyone has ideas on how to find out more about this lady (I also just posted what I knew on my blog so you may find that if you google). The woman I'm interested in, Helena Emily MCBERNEY, is not an ancestor, but the second wife of my ancestor Sebastian HODGE (1833 - 1889 Sydney NSW). A year after his wife's death, Sebastian re-married, to a widower named Helena Emily McClelland. Hi Matthew He didnt live that long after ? .There is an Admin ref in the NSW Probate indexes # 18392 series 3 I think Thomas McCLELLAND might have left a will too , ref # 5814 series 4 . Cant make out the full date on the fiche Looks like Alfred GILCHRIST didnt live long either ......... Cant see any ref to him leaving a will ........ Then she vanishes Bye MargM Sydney List Admin

Hi Matthew On searching the NSW BDM website I found a Helena McClelland marrying a Alfred E Gilchrist in 1890 in St Leonards district Reg 6794. I found two deaths for Alfred E Gilchrist so you could track her residence via the Australian Electoral Rolls on Ancestry and look for a death notice on TROVE - thats if she died before 1954. Have you tried contacting the State Library of NSW as they might have a photo. Shirlee Wellington, NZ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew Hall" <cispt2@gmail.com> To: <aus-nsw-sydney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 2:31 PM Subject: [ANS] Was was Helena Emily MCBERNEY Hi all, I've been puzzling over this for a while, and thought I'd put it out there in case anyone has ideas on how to find out more about this lady (I also just posted what I knew on my blog so you may find that if you google). The woman I'm interested in, Helena Emily MCBERNEY, is not an ancestor, but the second wife of my ancestor Sebastian HODGE (1833 - 1889 Sydney NSW). Sebastian's first wife Harriet nee SMITH died on 24 January 1888 at their hotel, the Commercial Hotel, on the corner of King St and Castlereagh St in Sydney (I have searched in vain for a photo of this hotel). Sebastian and Harriet had nine children from 1855 - 1874. A year after his wife's death, Sebastian re-married, to a widower named Helena Emily McClelland. *The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 14 February 1889* *Marriages. HODGE - McCLELLAND - February 4, at St. Stephen's Church, Phillip-street, by the Rev. Dr. Steel, Sebastian Hodge, of King-street, Sydney, to Helena Emily McClelland, relict of the late Thomas McClelland.* Twenty years earlier, the NSW BDM shows the marriage of Thomas MCCLELLAND to Helena Emily MCBERNEY (336/1869), registered in Sydney. I can find no reference to their marriage in Australian newspapers, and no children by their marriage. I can also find no likely birth in Australia, not a likely immigration, for a Helena Emily MCBERNEY. But most confusing is what happened to Helen after she married Sebastian? They married on 4 Feb 1889. 10 weeks later, Sebastian HODGE died in the Commercial Hotel, apparently of nephritis and a carbuncle (perhaps the latter precipitated the former). As a result, Helena appears to have inherited her husband's estate (though she may have had independent property). We know this because very shortly afterwards the Commercial Hotel was sold: *The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 9 August 1889**Transfer of hotel license from Helena to J.E.Fallon* Then, three months later is the last record of Helena I can find: *The Sydney Morning Herald* *Thursday 28 November 1889* *METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COURT. In this case J. A. G. D'Alpuget claimed from Helen Emily Hodge, administratrix in the estate of the late Sebastian Hodge, £100 commission on the sale of the Commercial Hotel, King-street. A verdict was given for the defendant, but his Honor granted a stay of proceedings.* After this, I can find no mention in newspapers, no death record, no record of re-marriage. Nothing. What happened to Helena formerly McBerney late McClelland? cheers -- Matthew D. Hall Gaithersburg, MD cell: +1 410 733 9444 Please remember to snip most of the earlier message before you post any reply...... Thank you! ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AUS-NSW-SYDNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message