The aim of this challenge is to write about one ancestor every week in 2024, according to a given prompt. I will be writing about ancestors and other family members.
“When I wrote this theme, I thought about all of the “step” relationships in our family trees and how they are often overlooked. But there are numerous ways to interpret “step” — steps in a house, long walks, steps in a process, etc. Feel free to be creative!” – Amy Johnson Crow
Step-Father
James Tranter was my great grandmother’s step-father. My great grandmother, Ada Louisa LOVE, was born at Heathcote, on 04 February 1875 to parents, Thomas Albert LOVE and Georgina Maria Annette COX. Ada LOVE’S son Thomas Albert MORRISON was my much loved grandfather.
On 09 February 1876, a few days after Ada’s first birthday, her father died. At the time of his death, it was stated that he died of colonial fever. This later came to be recognised as typhoid. Ada’s sister, Alberta Sarah Rachel LOVE, was born four and a half months after the death of her father.
Four years later, on 09 April 1880, Ada’s mother, Georgina, married James TRANTER, a farmer, at Heathcote. James was born in 1851 at Launceston to parents, Dolas Benjamin TRANTER and Elizabeth Anne MANLY. Georgina and James had 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls.
James and Georgina TRANTER’S children were:
Charles Edwin TRANTER born 21 September 1880 at Heathcote, Victoria
Maria TRANTER born 1882 in Heathcote, Victoria. Died in 1882
Edward TRANTER born 1883 in Heathcote, Victoria. Died in 1883
Ethel May TRANTER born 02 August 1884. Died in 1884
Henry David TRANTER born 1886 in Heathcote, Victoria
Louis Victor Leslie TRANTER born 1887 in Heathcote, Victoria
Arthur Cox TRANTER born 30 December 1890 at Heathcote, Victoria
Ivy TRANTER born 1894 in Heathcote, Victoria. Died 1894
Esme TRANTER born 23 September 1898. Died 1898
Vera TRANTER born 1901. Died 1901
After giving birth to 10 children, only four children survived. The surviving children, all boys, were my great grandmother Ada’s four step brothers.
My great grandmother’s step-father James, died at Heathcote on 25 October 1922. Her mother Georgina died on 31 January 1943.
Ada Louisa LOVE (back) with her mother Georgina Maria Annette COX (front)
Sources:
Various Victorian birth death and marriage certificates on hand
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236102312/james-tranter: accessed April 10, 2023), Find a Grave Memorial ID 236102312, citing Australia; Maintained by ST (contributor 50711234).
Graham Sleeth, family researcher