1881
- Matilda Cramer – daughter of Henry Cramer and Margaret McNamara is born in Sedan, South Australia.
1881
Balranald is a town in New South Wales. It is Mutthi Mutti traditional country. It was colonised in 1848 and officially gazetted in 1851. It was a major stock-crossing place from South Australia.
Balranald’s population in 1881 was about 400 people (Wikipedia). There were five stores and six hotels. By 1888, there was a lift-span bridge over the Murrumbidgee River, a Court House, three churches and a Gospel Hall, a hospital, a bank and Masonic Hall.
March 11, 1896
Cramer siblings, Josephenna Theresa, John and Matilda are discharged from Royal Park Children’s Home, in Flemington, Victoria – to the care of their sister, Agnes (Mrs. Dean – writing is unclear in document – Gampang?). They are taken to Balranald, New South Wales.
Reference: Index to Children’s Registers of State Wards, 1850-1893
1887 (July 8) Josephenna Theresa (10 years), John (8 years) and Matilda Cramer (6 years) are ordered to the Royal Park Industrial School in Flemington, Victoria.
Their mother, Margaret Sedgman (Cramer/McNamara) is destitute since her husband (John Hall Sedgman) has deserted her.
1887
1887-1891 Theresa & Matilda attend the Girls’ School in Flemington. In 1891 (October 20) Theresa is listed as being in Abbotsford.
1889 Margaret McNamara (their mother) applies for John’s discharge but it is refused (4326) in lieu of unfavourable Police reports about herself.
1896 (March 11) Theresa, John and Matilda are discharged to their sister (Mrs. Dean) in Gampang, Balranald, NSW. There is no trace of their Step-father, J.H. Sedgman. Their mother is also living in Balranald.
Reference: Index to the Children’s Registers of State Wards 1850-1893 (Victoria):