A remarkable life

In my first post a few weeks ago I briefly mentioned a research project I am currently doing on the life of my Great Grandmother Amuri Russell. So, in the nature of all things genealogy I thought I would float a few things by my (plentiful?) readers and give you a small insight into her life (maybe I'll make it a 2-parter?).

Early life

Amuri with born at 'Mendip Hills' in the Canterbury region in New Zealand's south island in 1887 to Andrew and Emily Rutherford. She was the the seventh of eight children, the youngest daughter for the couple and part of one of the most prominent grazing family's in the country.
In about 1910 she set off with her parents and two (or possibly three) of her sister's on a round the world trip, stopping in exotic and far off destinations such as London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Berlin and Sydney. It was in Australia that she met her future husband (and my great grandfather) Eric Russell. In December 1912 Eric and Amuri married in a lavish wedding in Christchurch, New Zealand

 

The wedding of Amuri Rutherford and Eric Russell. Christchurch, New Zealand, 1912.

Australia

I believe that shortly after they were married Amuri and Eric made their way to Australia where they settled as a married couple.
The pair settled in to married life at 'Wurrook' Homestead in Rokewood, in Victoria's Western District. 'Wurrook' was part of the original 'Barunah Plains' property which had been in the Russell family since their settlement in Australia in the 1800s. The property and homesteads of the original 'Barunah Plains' was partially divided up between the Russell son's and for Soldier Settlement during the Second World War and was eventually sold off in pieces. The property and original 'Barunah Plains' homestead is now heritage listed (see the National Trust (Vic)).
Amuri and Eric had two children - Tom and Erica (my grandmother), who were both born at home and spent all their spare time on the farm and with the animals when they were both home from boarding school on holidays and weekends.

 



Above: Amuri Russell, Geelong, 1957.

At right: Amuri & Eric Russell at home in Barwon Heads in the 1970s.


Eventually Amuri and Eric permanently moved to their holiday home in Barwon Heads, which they also named 'Wurrook' where they spent the rest of their lives together.

 

Just a few achievements

Although reading through this brief outline of Amuri's life may seem like nothing out of the ordinary, her life and achievements were, in fact, extraordinary.
Amuri was not one to shy away from hardwork, or those in need and in the 1940s in the midst of the Second World War she joined the voluntary forces on the homefront. Amuri rose in the ranks to become a Sergeant in the catering division of the RAAF (however, there is contention over whether she was a part of the WAAAF or the RAAF). It also appears that she, like many others, lied about her age to join the forces. However, Amuri stated that she was several years younger than she actually was, seemingly to become a more desirable candidate to help the allies.

However, it was Amuri's work with the Australian Red Cross and Institute of the Blind throughout her adult life which was truly remarkable. So remarkable in fact that Amuri received an 'Order of the British Empire' in 1976 for her work with the Red Cross.

The end of an era

Amuri and Eric were married for 60 years, had two children, five grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren (added to the generations since have been great great grandchildren).
Amuri passed away at the ripe age of 101 years in 1988, legally blind (which holds some irony considering her life long work with the Royal Institute of the Blind), but with a very sharp mind and memory.

Amuri on her 100th birthday holding Phoebe, 6 months, in 1987. (Thanks to the Geelong Advertiser).

 

 



Post script

This short blog post does little justice to Amuri's memory and achievements throughout her life. However, through time (and this research project) I hope to be able tell her story.
In 2010 my father and I attended a 150 year reunion of the Rutherford family's settlement in the Canterbury region. This reunion brought together over 300 decendents of the Rutherford's in one place over a weekend and was truly amazing (for further details see the Rutherford Family Reunion).


Thanks, I'll keep you posted with the research.

Phoebe



A little further:

Holm, Janet, Nothing But Grass and Wind: The Rutherfords of Canterbury, Hazard Press Limited, Christchurch, 1992.

Hooray for holidays

Firstly, thanks one and all of the overwhelming support for my initial blog.

So, the two week mid-trimester break is here (finally), which means a whole lot of time to do a whole lot of research (and catch up on copious amount of study).

A few weeks ago I popped into the Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV) for their open day, and subsequently joined as a member. They have an amazing amount of resources on hand and very willing and able to help with my research and have a group dedicated to international settlers research.
Whilst I love researching my ancestors, it doesn't take a lot to become overwhelmed and find myself floundering, and this is where I am at the moment.

My Grandfather & Java

My grandfather, Hendrik (Hank) Wilkens immigrated to Australia in the 1950s and it's almost as if his life began the moment he stepped off the boat and on to Australian soil.

Hank was Dutch, however he was not born in The Netherlands, but in Java in the Dutch East Indies - now Indonesia. We believe his father was a doctor for the Dutch Army, and Hank and his brother Louis were both born and raised there. It is also believed that both of his parents, Helena and Francois were born in the Dutch East Indies, but married in The Netherlands.

The Wilkens Family in Java, Dutch East Indies, c. 1924. From left Helena holding Louis and Francois with Hank.

The Netherlands

We know that the family relocated to The Netherlands, possibly in the early 1940s. However, we can't be sure when and why they decided to leave Java. I believe the explanation lies in the Second World War and the very real threat of Japanese invasion during the Pacific campaign in the early 1940s. All we know is that the family survived the war, and the family sans Hank went on to live in The Netherlands for the rest of their lives, possibly in Zeist.

Australia

We believe that Hank arrived in Australia in the early 1950s, however after researching alien arrivals records through the National Archives of Australia I am still no closer to finding any information. He is the ever elusive mystery man.
In 1957 he married my grandmother, Erica Russell in Geelong and they went on to have 3 children (one is my father) and lived in Lara, Meredith and Torquay. Hank was a qualified industrial chemist, an extraordinary horseman and one of Victoria's, if not Australia's leading dressage teachers.
He passed away in 1991, just before his 71st birthday.

Right: Hank & Erica Wilkens on their wedding day. Geelong, 1957.



Left: Hank looking rather dapper riding one of his horses.

 

 

 

Prologue 

Last year I embarked on a trip to The Netherlands to try and uncover more about Hank's life. I made little progress in the way of further information about him, but was able to delve a little further into the lives of his ancestors. He is very much a mystery man, but I will continue to attempt to Google translate Dutch documents, analyse old photos and hassle the National Archives. I WILL persist!!

The National Archives in Den Haag, The Netherlands, 2011.

Stay tuned. Hopefully there will be much more to come.



Phoebe