The Fathers Family- pioneer profile

These charming photograph are shown with the permission Helen Spencer, the granddaughter of Sydney and Adelaide Fathers.

Wedding of Adelaide NEWTON and Sydney G W  in Coolgardie 30 Jun 1899.

Sydney George Williams FATHERS was born in Sydney NSW on 10 Jul 1873. He was the son of George FATHERS, who was born in 1834 in Somerset England, and Sarah Anne YOUNG. He travelled to Western Australian to work as an engineer at Bayley’s Reward GM in Coolgardie. On a trip back home to Sydney he met Adelaide NEWTON, a Welsh girl who was his mothers companion.
They married in Coolgardie on the 30 Jun 1899. Because of the Typhoid epidemic,Adelaide was sent to Sydney for the birth of their first child, Winifred (30/3/1901- 29/4/1986). She then travelled to Northam for the birth of their son, Sydney Newton (5/3/1904 – 3/9/1965) in 1904, this was Helen’s father.

Adelaide and Sydney Fathers with their two children Winifred and Newton taken in 1906

Sydney was to later work for the Goldfields Water Supply Co as was his son Newton. They were at the No6 pumping station at Ghooli, when Helen was born in 1936.

Kalgoorlie Miner 1 Jul 1949

Sydney George William FATHERS died on 21 Aug 1951 and is buried in the Karakatta Cemetery in Perth. Adelaide FATHERS died a few years later on 2 Oct 1957, and is buried in the Port Pirie Cemetery in South Australia.

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)

• Blood on the Mulga Plains: The Last Day of John Sutherland - 28/02/2026
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• The Contract at Old Warden Shaft - 28/02/2026