December 1876 - Crew and passenger list of the Rita
Walter Goodman (Junior) 1858 - 1912
Walter Goodman Jnr - his early years 1858 - 1876
Walter Goodman Jnr was born around 1858. He may have been raised by his father, Walter Senior, and perhaps his father's wife or partner. The cause of Walter and Catherine's marriage breakdown are unknown. Perhaps the marriage was bigamous. Details of Walter Goodman Senior's death are subject to continuing research.
Walter Goodman Jnr was born around 1858. He may have been raised by his father, Walter Senior, and perhaps his father's wife or partner. The cause of Walter and Catherine's marriage breakdown are unknown. Perhaps the marriage was bigamous. Details of Walter Goodman Senior's death are subject to continuing research.
28 Dec 1876 Walter Goodman Jnr arrived in Sydney
Separated from his mother soon after birth, Walter Goodman Jnr (18) arrived in Sydney on 28 Dec 1876 aboard the Rita - see above, 3rd row from bottom. Walter met his mother and her Milford family for the first time in Dalby.
Walter worked in various jobs throughout western Queensland but never married. He is buried in the historic Macalister Cemetery.
One must admire the tenacity of Catherine to maintain contact with her first born child between 1858 and 1876 and to reunite with him after 18 years apart.
Separated from his mother soon after birth, Walter Goodman Jnr (18) arrived in Sydney on 28 Dec 1876 aboard the Rita - see above, 3rd row from bottom. Walter met his mother and her Milford family for the first time in Dalby.
Walter worked in various jobs throughout western Queensland but never married. He is buried in the historic Macalister Cemetery.
One must admire the tenacity of Catherine to maintain contact with her first born child between 1858 and 1876 and to reunite with him after 18 years apart.
The slideshow above contains the following images:
1. A property map showing the Macalister Cemetery (on private land, Lot 244) where Walter Goodman is buried.
2. A recent photograph taken inside the cemetery, the visit courtesy of the property owner. Walter's grave is unmarked.
3. Walter Goodman Junior's death certificate - part 1.
4. Walter Goodman Junior's death certificate - part 2.
1. A property map showing the Macalister Cemetery (on private land, Lot 244) where Walter Goodman is buried.
2. A recent photograph taken inside the cemetery, the visit courtesy of the property owner. Walter's grave is unmarked.
3. Walter Goodman Junior's death certificate - part 1.
4. Walter Goodman Junior's death certificate - part 2.
22 Apr 1912 The Death of Walter Goodman Junior.
Walter died at Macalister, having suffered from tuberculosis and heart disease for many years. He worked at Winton and Charleville early in the 20th century and was only 54 years of age. The information on his death certificate confirms:
Walter died at Macalister, having suffered from tuberculosis and heart disease for many years. He worked at Winton and Charleville early in the 20th century and was only 54 years of age. The information on his death certificate confirms:
- Walter was born in England, probably in early 1858.
- he arrived in Australia in 1876 (aged 18 - see shipping list above).
- he was an unskilled labourer.
- his mother was Catherine McLaren, but the informants did not hazard a guess at his father's christian name.
- at the time of his death, he was in regular contact or perhaps living with the Milford and Ryan families - mentioned here are his cousin, (Arthur) George Milford 1887 - 1956, his brother-in-law, James Ryan 1869 - 1945, and his half-sister, Catherine (aka Katherine) Ryan nee Milford 1872 - 1970.