Research Forum

Sperin's in WSM - Australia
published by on Sat, 12/10/2013 - 23:33

Looking for any information on the Sperrin family.

My great great great grandfather Zephaniah 'James' Sperrin b1848 father John George Sperrin mother Jane Coulter

Married Harriet Morgan 19-08-1847 two daughters Ann Rosina, Millinda

Immigrated to Melbourne, professional Jeweller watchmaker.

He changed his name to James Stephenson at sometime.

After Harriet's death he married Louisa Minton 12-01-1893. She had had a child out of wedlock previously with someone else. Child was adopted out.

Then there is no trace of him.

Lea
Melbourne, Australia

Comments ..

Submitted by on Mon, 28/10/2013 - 22:44

Just in case you don't already have this information, Millinda "Stephenson" married Alfred Shrapnell Bailes in 1870. The Bailes family were from Bendigo but the marriage took place at St Paul's, Melbourne. Millinda is described as the daughter of Mr James Stephenson, Elizabeth St, Melbourne. Millinda and Alfred Bailes had a daughter also named Millinda (Millinda Fanny) who died in 1897 aged 25. Her married name was Moog. Millinda Moog was buried at Bendigo. It appears that Millinda Moog's mother (Millinda senior) had died by then or very shortly after as there are memorial notices in 1900 and 1902 that only mention her father. Alfred Shrapnell Bailes was a Mayor at Sandhurst (now called Bendigo). In 1883 a son was born to Alfred and Millinda and I would presume this child is Rupert Leslie or Leslie Rupert who died in a train accident. Alfred was a journalist in Bendigo. Harriet Stephenson, wife of James, died in 1899, possibly in Bendigo. All of this information came from the NLA Trove site (Google "NLA Trove"). This website is the digitalisation of a huge number of Australian city and country newspapers. If you enter "Louise Minton" into the search engine you will find some very interesting articles relating to her life before her marriage to James although I suspect you have all the newspaper articles re this episode in her life. The other daughter appears to have married Salvador Alfred Case. By trawling through the NLA site (free) and being very "creative" with your search words, you may uncover more information. Another option would be to contact other descendants to see if they have local knowledge, that is presuming you have not done that already.
Good Luck, Cheryl, Warragul, Australia

Submitted by on Mon, 28/10/2013 - 23:02

If you enter "James Stephenson" watchmaker into the search on NLA there is further information you may be interested in regarding a fire on his premises and also some court proceedings. Still nothing on his death however. Cheryl