Another thought ! 1852-3 saw a large number of Scottish families arrive in Geelong under the Auspices of the H & IES.. Given the poor state of nutrition of many of these families on departure and of course the the various fevers/ measles contracted on board might well have contributed to the Number of Infant - Child deaths. From John Mackinnon To Donald Mackinnon Beneteler~ near Portree Bush Station~ Geelong~ September the 29th Dear Brother, I take the opportunity of writing you these few lines, to, let you know that I am in health at present: but I cannot pass the sore news I have to tell you in the beginning, that my little boy, Charles, died on the passage, after eight weeks' sailing 1000 miles west Cape of Good Hope: and it was very sore news to me indeed: but his mother was worse: but we must obey the Lord our God in every thing that he will lay on us. The measles was in the ship, and he got it, and died after being ten days sick. And little Ann took it, but she came safe from it. But I ought to bless God that I have the rest safe, for there were plenty along with me that lost all their children. Some lost three, for death was working busy all the time it continued, But likely it would not be so many, but fore the measles happening to be in the ship. All that came with me from Rasay lost their youngest child: and Donald Gillies.lost his two daughters on the passage; and Kenneth Mackenzie and Donald Lamont lost their youngest too. We were thirteen weeks and two days between the two lands, and we got a fine passage, for John Macqueen's ship would do as he was saying. When I landed here, I hired myself for six months with a shepherd on a station, and got myself and my wife £30, and our meat, during that time; and my wife hath nothing to do, but my meat and washing; and I am very pleased with the place, for all the acquaintance I have got of it. I am five miles from the town, and I never got a rest to my body till now. and I think, if myself and all I have of the family be spared, that I will be a fortunate man yet, for this is the place for plenty gold and silver. But I will not advise any man with weak children to come here, more than two under six years of age, for the passage is dangerous for children, and they will get no food but for them that can work . They must keep the rest up themselves. There were not many deaths among big people, only one man and four women, and the man and two of the women were sick before they came, and another one died in the family way, and another went overboard on a washing day. She was putting up clothes, and she fell over. Any strong one need not be afraid of the passage, whether he is young or old.Me nor my children, nor my wife, did not feel seasickness at all..." bfn John Whitehand Pam & Trevor Jennings wrote: >Hi Marie - maybe because this was the first year of official registration >more children are obvious on BDM Indexes than other years. As churches kept >burial records (especially in Geelong), many babies did not have a minister >in attanedance when they died - just the gravedigger and father so they did >not have their death recorded. Just a thought - Pam Jennings >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Marie Lockyer" <luckymarie@optusnet.com.au> >To: <AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 10:49 AM >Subject: [GEELONG] Infant deaths in 1853 > > > > >>In my research I have noticed a high number of infant deaths in the >>Geelong district in the year 1853. Does anyone know if there was an >>epidemic in that time? Marie L >> >> >>==== AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT Mailing List ==== >>Geelong & District and Bellarine Indexes : >>http://www.zades.com.au/geelong/gdbksrc1.asp >>http://www.zades.com.au/bellhs/bpnmsrc1.asp >> >> >> > > >==== AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT Mailing List ==== >Geelong and District web site : >http://www.zades.com.au/geelong/ > >. > > > -- John Whitehand Melbourne 61 3 93145306 "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea." Antoine de St. Exupery http://www.westegg.com/exupery/