The Townsends at Bulong – grave tales

James Townsend, born in 1865 in Tasmania, the son of James and Mary Townsend. Married to Mary Lillias McPhail in 1886 in Victoria. They had six children, the last three born in Bulong WA. The family arrived in Bulong c 1900.

There are two Townsend graves in the Bulong Cemetery. Pearl, the last child of James and Lillias Townsend and an unnamed male child who was their grandson. Neither have headstones so their exact location is not known.

Westralian Worker 24 January 1902, page 4

TOWNSEND Pearl — d 10 Jul 1901, Reid Street, Bulong, Infant 9 hrs, Cause: Premature birth, Father: James TOWNSEND (Baker), Mother: Lillias McPHAIL, Reg 1696/1901, Buried in the Bulong Cemetery.

TOWNSEND unnamed male child, d 31 Jul 1912, Cause:- Premature birth, Father:- Frank McPhail TOWNSEND (Baker) Mother:- Olivia Agnes Eileen BROWN, Reg 12/1912 North East Coolgardie, Buried in the Bulong Cemetery.

The Townsend Children of James and Lillias:

Jessie Grace born 1887
William Frederick born 1889
Frank McPhail born 1891
James Douglas born 1894
Harry Ormonde born 1900
Pearl born 1901

BULONG MUNICIPAL COUNCIL – Back Row: Cr. W. G. McLean, Cr J. S. Lyons, and The Town Clerk Mr M. McNaboe. Front Row: James Townsend (Mayor-Elect), Mr R. C. Jones (Retiring Mayor), and Cr. C. G. Burden.

Four Generations – Standing Lillias Townsend nee McPhail, seated L-R her daughter, Jessie Grace McKenna nee Townsend, Lillias McPhail nee Nevin holding Joan Mary McKenna, Jessie’s daughter. – Photo Ancestry.com

James and Lillias Townsend – Golden Wedding photograph taken in 1936 – Ancestry.com

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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.

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