James William French

M, b. 27 January 1858, d. 1926
  • James William French was born on 27 January 1858 in Castlereagh, New South Wales.
  • He was the son of William French and Elizabeth Baker.
  • James William French was the informant of the death of William French on 10 July 1878 in Six Mile, Tenterfield, New South Wales. James French gave the following information about his father at the time of his death. At the time James, like his father was a farmer of Six Mile. William's cause of death was a heart disease from which he had suffered for three months, he was 47 years old, had lived in Australia for 23 years, parents NOT KNOWN, spouse Elizabeth Baker, children 4 males and 3 females. The medical attendant was A W Bateman who last saw William on the day he died. His youngest child, William George was only three years old.
  • James William French witnessed the burial of William French on 12 July 1878 in Tenterfield Cemetery; The minister of religion was J D Hennessy, Wesleyan and undertaker A Butler. Witnesses to the burial were his sons James William French and John French.
  • In 1883 he was Shearer.
  • At the age of 25 years, 10 months and 4 days, James William French married Mary Jane O'Brien, daughter of Edward O'Brien and Jane E(lizabeth) Weldon, on 1 December 1883 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia. Mary Jane O'Brien was a widow and was aged 34 years at the time of her marriage to James. He was a 26-year-old shearer. According to a letter from one of her descendants her maiden name was O'Brien. It appears that her mother had also remarried to someone named Weldon. Mary's second marriage took place at her mother's residence in Tenterfield. Witnesses to the marriage were Elizabeth Ann Weldon (her mother?) and Louis Werner. The service was officiated by William Denning according to the rites of the Weslyan Church. Mary Jane had four young children under nine at the time of the marriage.
  • James William French died in 1926 in Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.

Children of James William French and Mary Jane O'Brien

Jewel French

F, b. 29 March 1925, d. 2009
  • Jewel French was born on 29 March 1925 in Temora, New South Wales.
  • She was the daughter of Charles Edward French and Effie McGeorge.
  • On 9 January 1933,Jewel French's mother, Effie McGeorge died in Brisbane, Queensland, at age 42.
  • Jewel French died in 2009.

Jill (Effie) French

F, b. 5 February 1918, d. 7 June 1996
  • Jill (Effie) French was born on 5 February 1918 in Seacombe Private Hospital, Wosleey Street, Drummoyne, Sydney, New South Wales.
    Effie McGeorge and Charles French with their daughter Effie French born 5 Feb 1918 Sydney. Photo thanks to Carol Kurz and ansund1 (Ancestry)
  • She was the daughter of Charles Edward French and Effie McGeorge.
  • In 1919.
    Four generations - Samuel McGeroge, Effie French (nee McGeorge), Jill (Effie) French and grandfather James Samuel McGeorge. Taken in Scotland in 1919. Photo thanks to Carol Kurz and ansund1 (Ancestry)
  • Jill (Effie) French and Charles Edward French appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1930 living at Cowper, New South Wales.
  • At the age of 18 years and 19 days, Jill (Effie) French married Archibald James Gordon on 24 February 1936 in Brisbane, Queensland.
  • On 16 August 1992,her husband, Archibald James Gordon died in Brisbane, Queensland, at age 78.
  • Jill (Effie) French died on 7 June 1996 in Sydney, New South Wales, at age 78.

John French

M, b. 18 February 1827, d. March 1912
  • John French was baptized on 18 February 1827 in All Saints, Middle Chinnock, Somerset. His father was a labourer at the time. Note: The 1851 census shows he was born in West Chinnock but the1881 census shows John as being born in Merriott.
  • He was the son of Jacob French and Hannah Osborne.
  • At the time of the 7 June 1841 census, John French was living in the household of Jacob French and Hannah Osborne in Riddle Town, Haselbury Plunkett. Jacob is shown as a 40 year old agricultural labourer, living with Hannah aged 40, and their children Mary 19, Hannah 15, John 14, Prudence 12, William 8, Susan 5, Eliza 3, Elizabeth 18 months and Mary Osborne aged 80, a pauper.

  • At the time of the 30 March 1851 census, John French was living in the household of Abraham French and Maria Winsor in Goar Knap Gate, Yeovil, Somerset. Abraham is shown as a 30 year old labourer born Merriott. He is living with his wife Maria 30 born Sutton; and a Elizabeth Frances (Ann Frances?) age 14, nurse child; born Sutton and Frederick John 11 an errand boy born Haselbury; and Sarah Ann aged 7 born Merriott. Abraham's brother John an agricultural labourer & carter aged 20 born Middle Chinnock was also living with the family as was their brother William, aged 19, an agricultural labourer, born Hazelbury.

  • John French and Maria Winsor appeared on the census of 7 April 1861 in Yeovil, Somerset. John French, born Merriott, is shown as the 30 year old carter and brother in law of Maria French. She is shown as a the 45 year old head of the family born Sutton, a glove welter. Living with them is Sarah Ann French born Merriott aged 18, Maria and Abraham French's daughter.

  • John French and Maria Winsor appeared on the census of 2 April 1871 in Yeovil, Somerset. John is shown as the 40 year old head of the family born Middle Chinnock. He is living with his "wife" Maria French, born 1817 in Sutton Bingham.

  • John French and Maria Winsor appeared on the census of 3 April 1881 in 18 Hgr Kingston, Yeovil. John is shown as head of the household. He is a 54 year old gardener born Merriott living with his "wife" Maria a 65 year old born Sutton, Somerset and Maria's (& Abraham French's son) Fred a 40 year old carter born Merriott. Maria was not John's wife but the wife of his brother Abraham. The couple continued to live together after Abraham left (or died). Her son Fred was married, but his wife and son were living with her parents in another part of Yeovil.

  • John French appeared on the census of 5 April 1891. John is shown as a 62 year old widowed general labourer, living with his lodger Mary A Trask born about 1823 a retired glover.
  • He appeared on the census of 31 March 1901. John is shown as a 71 year old widowed carter livng with his househeeper Mary A Ferrett born 1846.

  • His death was recorded with the Yeovil, Somerset, Registration District in the March 1912 Quarter. Shown as 86 years old at the time of his death.

John French

M, b. 24 July 1768

John French

M, b. 13 May 1804

John Alexander French VC

M, b. 15 July 1914, d. 4 September 1942

QX 1071 Corporal John Alexander FRENCH - 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion, AIF. Winner of Victoria Cross. Son of Albert French and Lucy Donaldson. Photo courtesy of Australian War Memorial (1914-1942).
  • John Alexander French VC was born on 15 July 1914 in Crow's Nest, Queensland.
  • He was the son of Albert French and Lucy Fanny May Donaldson.
  • The following is from the Toowoomba Regional Council website - "John Alexander French was born on July 15, 1914 in Crow’s Nest, north of Toowoomba. His father, Albert French, was a barber originally from Tenterfield and his mother, Lucy, settled in Crow’s Nest with her family after moving from Charleville.
    John attended the Crow’s Nest State Primary School from 1920 to 1928. In May of 1928, he sat for and successfully passed a demanding State scholarship examination. As a boy, John excelled at sports, and in rugby league he was known as “The Flying Winger”.
    John was renowned for his sense of fair play and protected those who were weaker. One childhood friend, Alf Blinco, remembers a time when he was accused of stealing and unjustly punished, John found the real culprits and brought them to justice thus exonerating his friend.
    John enrolled as a State scholarship holder at the Toowoomba State High School and Technical College for his secondary schooling. He was popular and well regarded by his peers and the teachers. After completing his studies in 1929, John returned to Crow’s Nest and commenced an apprenticeship with his father.
    When World War II became a certainty, John was the first in Crow’s Nest to enlist. He was posted to the 2/9th battalion and left home on October 23, 1939. This was the first battalion raised in Queensland in World War II.
    On May 5 1940, after a period of intense training, the battalion embarked on the ‘Mauritania’ which carried them to the UK for further training. On January 1 1941 the battalion sailed to Alexandria and successfully captured the Italian fort of Giarabub. The battalion went on to battle at Tobruk before engaging in further training in Syria.
    The battalion was eventually permitted to return to Australia for seven days leave followed by a new round of re-training using new methods. The men realised that a new enemy was to be faced to protect their families and their way of life, they must engage the Japanese.
    At 4pm on September 4 1942, ‘B’ Company of the 2/9th battalion of which Corporal French was a member, encountered heavy Japanese fire at Milne Bay. After ordering his section to take cover, John bravely wiped out two Japanese gun posts.
    As he advanced on the third however, he was hit with a barrage of bullets and fatally wounded but not before killing all of the three Japanese gun crews and successfully concluding the attack. John French was awarded the British Commonwealth’s highest award for gallantry, the Victoria Cross.
    His was the first awarded in Australia and the only one on the Downs. "
  • John would often catch a lift with the MacDiarmid's when they drove to Haden for their weekly pig and calf inspection.
  • John Alexander French VC died on 4 September 1942 in Milne Bay, New Guinea, at age 28. "At Milne Bay on the afternoon of the 4th September, 1942, a company of an Australian infantry battalion attacked the Japanese position East of the K.B. Mission where it encountered terrific rifle and machine gun fire. The advance of the section of which Corporal French was in command was held up by fire from three enemy machine gun posts, whereupon, Corporal French, ordering his section to take cover, advanced and silenced one of the posts with grenades. He returned to his section for more grenades and again advanced and silenced the second post. Armed with a Thompson sub-machine gun, he then attacked the third post, firing from the hip as he went forward. He was seen to be badly hit by the fire from this post, but he continued to advance. The enemy gun then ceased to fire and his section pushed on to find that all members of the three enemy gun crews had been killed and that Corporal French had died in front of the third gun pit. By his cool courage and disregard of his own personal safety, this non-commissioned officer saved the members of his section from heavy casualties and was responsible for the successful conclusion of the attack." - Australian War Memorial.
  • John was buried in Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, New Guinea.

John Arthur French

M, b. 1912, d. 1980

John D French

M, b. 1915
  • John D French was born in 1915 in St Peters, Sydney, New South Wales.
  • He was the son of William French.

John Maitland French

M, b. 11 January 1856, d. 14 June 1931

Charles Edward French with his father John French and twin daughters. Taken c 1930
  • John Maitland French was born on 11 January 1856. at sea on board the "Maitland" bound for Sydney, Australia. It arrived in Sydney on the 22 April 1856. He was born at Lat 33"22'N, Long 11"42W'. He is unnamed on his birth certificate. His father was William French, an agricultural labourer aged 24 years, married in England and mother Elizabeth French (Baker) aged 23 years. At the time of his birth his brother Thomas was alive. The birth was registered on the "Maitland" on 23 April 1856 by the Captain Joshua Larmond.
  • He was the son of William French and Elizabeth Baker.
  • John Maitland French witnessed the marriage of Isiah (James) Bezanson and Eliza Jane French on 18 March 1878 in Tenterfield Wesleyan Parsonage, Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia; The Ceremony was performed by Rev Ebenezer Fox.
  • John Maitland French witnessed the burial of William French on 12 July 1878 in Tenterfield Cemetery; The minister of religion was J D Hennessy, Wesleyan and undertaker A Butler. Witnesses to the burial were his sons James William French and John French.
  • At the age of 23 years, 1 month and 21 days, John Maitland French married Elizabeth Ann Bailey, daughter of William Bailey and Elizabeth Cubis, on 4 March 1879 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia. She lived with her parents at the time of her marriage. Witnesses to the marriage were William Bailey (either Elizabeth's brother or father), a labourer and Elizabeth French.
  • In 1916 he was hairdresser in Tenterfield, according to his son Charle's marriage record.
  • On 12 June 1928,his wife, Elizabeth Ann Bailey died in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia, at age 71.
  • John Maitland French died on 14 June 1931 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia, at age 75.
  • John was buried in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia. Presbyterian Section B13.

Children of John Maitland French and Elizabeth Ann Bailey

Josias French

M, b. circa 1799

Children of Josias French and Catherine Wills

Josias French

M, b. 6 December 1841, d. 7 October 1917
  • Josias French was born on 6 December 1841 in Merriott, Somerset.
  • He was the son of Josias French and Catherine Wills.
  • Josias French was baptized on 2 January 1842 in Merriott, Somerset. His father, Josias was a labourer.
  • Josias French married Sophia Marshall circa 1880.
  • Josias French died on 7 October 1917 in Salam, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada, at age 75.

Kay Lorraine French

F, b. 1945, d. 2012

Keith Harold French

M, b. 1914, d. 1937
  • Keith Harold French was born in 1914 in Kyogle, New South Wales, Australia.
  • He was the son of Sydney French and Lucy (Maude) Weary.
  • Keith Harold French died in 1937 in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Leslie Chapman French

M, b. 27 February 1904, d. 1972
  • Leslie Chapman French was born on 27 February 1904 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia.
  • He was the son of George French and Elizabeth Jane Bentley.
  • Leslie Chapman French 's parents moved to Toowoomba, Queensland, circa 1907 with their family, most likely some time after the birth of their eight child Alice Ruby. George's sister Elizabeth Werner and her husband and family also moved to the area a year or so earlier. George and Elizabeth's last two children, twins, Ada and Ellen were born at the home of George's sister Elizabeth Werner in Toowomba.
  • He enlisted in the Military between 1939 and 1948 in Millmerran, Queensland. He may have joined the Home Guard. His service number was Q225834 and he listed his mother Elizabeth as his next of kin.
  • Leslie Chapman French died in 1972 in Brisbane, Queensland.

Leslie George French

M, b. 29 January 1902, d. 1947
  • Leslie George French was also known as Mick.
  • He was born on 29 January 1902 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia.
  • He was the son of John Maitland French and Elizabeth Ann Bailey.
  • Leslie George French enlisted in the Military between 1942 and 1945 in Paddington, New South Wales. He most likely joined the home guard. He listed his place of birth as Tenterfield, and next of kin as Murial French. His service number was NX12036.
  • Leslie George French died in 1947 in Islington, New South Wales.

Male French

M, b. 1891, d. 1891

Martha French

F, b. 1844, d. 25 September 1906

This photo is thought to be of John and Martha Cossart and their children William, Thomas, Isabella and Agnes. Taken c 1897.
  • Martha French was born in 1844 in Northern Ireland. She was the daughter of John French and Jane McIntyre.
  • She immigrated to Queensland on 5 June 1865. She was sponsered by her futhure husband John Cossart.
  • At the age of 22 years, Martha French married John Cossart, son of Henry Cossart and Mary Walker, on 2 April 1866 in St Luke's School House, Toowoomba, Queensland. John's occupation was given as a butcher of Main Range and Martha's residence as Toowoomba. After their marriage they lived on the Highfields property with Henry and Mary and John's siblings. John and Martha had 11 children: however, it seems that none of their births were officially registered. The dates given in the book " History of the Cossart and Allied Families" have not been verified.
  • Martha French and John Cossart appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Cabarlah. John was a farmer.
  • Martha French died on 25 September 1906 in Toowoomba, Queensland. After Martha's death John lived in Toowoomba.
  • Martha was buried on 26 September 1906 in Toowoomba & Drayton Cemetery.

Children of Martha French and John Cossart

Mary French

F, b. 9 June 1822
  • Mary French was baptized on 9 June 1822 in Merriott, Somerset.
  • She was the daughter of Jacob French and Hannah Osborne.
  • At the time of the 7 June 1841 census, Mary French was living in the household of Jacob French and Hannah Osborne in Riddle Town, Haselbury Plunkett. Jacob is shown as a 40 year old agricultural labourer, living with Hannah aged 40, and their children Mary 19, Hannah 15, John 14, Prudence 12, William 8, Susan 5, Eliza 3, Elizabeth 18 months and Mary Osborne aged 80, a pauper.

Mary French

F, b. 4 December 1763
  • Mary French was baptized on 4 December 1763 in Merriott, Somerset.
  • She was the daughter of James French and Mary Pattemore.
  • Mary French's son Jacob was born 1796 in Merriott, Somerset. He was baptised in Merriott on 13 May 1804. He was shown as a base chid of Mary French aged 8 years.
  • At the age of 52 years and 21 days, Mary French married Abraham Osborne, son of George Osborne and Sarah Slade Unknown, on 25 December 1815 in Merriott, Somerset.
  • In April 1830,her husband, Abraham Osborne died at age 63.
  • At the time of the 7 June 1841 census, Mary French was living in the household of Jacob French and Hannah Osborne in Riddle Town, Haselbury Plunkett. Jacob is shown as a 40 year old agricultural labourer, living with Hannah aged 40, and their children Mary 19, Hannah 15, John 14, Prudence 12, William 8, Susan 5, Eliza 3, Elizabeth 18 months and Mary Osborne aged 80, a pauper.

  • Mary was buried on 30 July 1846 in Merriott. The burial record shows she was 78 years old.

Child of Mary French

Mary Ann French

F, b. circa 1843
  • Mary Ann French was born circa 1843 in Merriott, Somerset.
  • She was the daughter of Jacob French and Hannah Osborne.
  • At the time of the 7 April 1861 census, Mary Ann French was living in the household of Hannah Osborne in 156 Lower Street, Merriott, Somerset. The census details showed Hannah as a widowed glover aged 63, born in Merriott, living with her two daughters Elizabeth 24, a glover and Mary Ann aged 18 years both born in Merriott. This is the first record of Mary Ann French, daughter of Hannah - perhaps the person was Mary French born 1822.

Mary Elizabeth (Girlie) French

F, b. 1911, d. 1927
  • Mary Elizabeth (Girlie) French was born in 1911 in Murwillumbah, New South Wales.
  • She was the daughter of William George (Bill) French and Mary Jane (Bid) Hood.
  • Mary Elizabeth (Girlie) French died in 1927 in Brisbane, Queensland.
  • Mary was buried on 12 January 1927 in Toowong Cemetery. She is buried in the same grave as William Stephen French, son of Charles Albert French and May Hartwig who died in 1940 aged 6 months and her brother William David French who died in 1953 aged 50 years. Mary was 15 years old.

Mary Jane French

F, b. 1850, d. 28 December 1932
  • Mary Jane French was born in 1850. She was the daughter of John French.
  • Mary Jane French married James May circa 1870.
  • Mary Jane French and James May immigrated on 20 December 1885. James 38, a labourer and Mary J 35, travelled on the Roma departing Glasgow on 25 Oct 1885. They travelled with their children Mary A, aged 14 - a domestic servant born Durham; James 11, Jane 5, Thomas 3 and infant Martha who died on the voyage. The place of birth for all bar 14 year old Mary A was listed as Midd.
  • In 1901 James' name appeared on the Crow's Nest Post Office register. He lived at Taylor's Siding(between Hampton and Geham). He was a farmer.
  • Mary Jane French and James May appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Douglas. James was a farmer. Their son James was also farming at Douglas. Their daughter Jane also lived at Douglas, most likely with her parents.
  • Mary Jane French died on 28 December 1932 in Queensland.
  • Mary was buried on 29 December 1932 in Cabarlah Cemetery. UNIT-00A-0019.

Children of Mary Jane French and James May

May French

F, b. 1887, d. 1971
  • May French was born in 1887 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia.
  • She was the daughter of John Maitland French and Elizabeth Ann Bailey.
  • At the age of 22 years, May French married Timothy Vincent O'Leary, son of Daniel O'Leary and Rebecca Boston, on 13 May 1909 in St Mary's Church, Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia. The wedding was reported in the Catholic Press - " O'LEARY-- FRENCH. A pretty wedding took place at St. Mary's Church, Tenterfield, on Wednesday, 5th inst., when Mr, T. O'Leary, second son of Mr. D, O'Leary, and Miss May French, eldest daughter of Mr. J. French, were mar ried by the Rev. Father Clancy. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a handsome bridal gown of ivory Japanese silk, made semi-Empire. The bodice opened over a vest of rick silk embossed insertion and folds richly trimmed with silk emboss ed lace to match; the tight-fitting sleeves were ruckled from shoulder to wrist, finish ed with rows of French knots. The plain trained skirt had deep padded hem, being outlined with a single row of Fronch knots. A silk embroidered tulle veil and coronet of orange blossoms completed a very dainty costume. The bride also carried a lovely bridal bouquet of white roses, chrysanthe mums and asparagus fern. She was attend ed by three bridesmaids — Miss Violet French (chief), Miss Nelly O'Leary and Miss Gladys Baker. Each wore pretty gold brooches, gifts of the bridegroom. Mr. J. O 'Leary (brother of the bridegroom) acted as best man. After the ceremony the guests adjourned to the residence of the bride's parents, where a breakfast had been prepared. Mr. and Mrs. O 'Leary left by the evening train, en route to Sydney,on their honeymoon."
  • In 1962,her husband, Timothy Vincent O'Leary died in Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales.
  • May French died in 1971 in Albury, New South Wales.

Children of May French and Timothy Vincent O'Leary

Mildred Maud French

F, b. 1891

Norman Bailey French

M, b. March 1894, d. 8 July 1894
  • Norman Bailey French was born in March 1894 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia.
  • He was the son of John Maitland French and Elizabeth Ann Bailey.
  • Norman Bailey French died on 8 July 1894 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Norman was buried in Tenterfield Cemetery.

Norman Sydney French

M, b. 19 November 1908
  • Norman Sydney French was born on 19 November 1908 in Kyogle, New South Wales, Australia.
  • He was the son of Sydney French and Lucy (Maude) Weary.
  • At the age of 24 years, Norman Sydney French married Phyllis M Kay in 1933 in Hamilton, Sydney, New South Wales.
  • Norman Sydney French enlisted in the Military between 1939 and 1948 in Woolloomooloo, New South Wales. His service number was 67327 and he gave his next of kin as Phyllis French.

Olive French

F, b. 1883

Percival John George French

M, b. May 1936, d. 17 March 2008
  • Percival John George French was born in May 1936.
  • He was the son of Percival Randolf French and Eva Linda Stanton.
  • Percival John George French died on 17 March 2008 in Murrarie, Brisbane, at age 71.

Percival Randolf French

M, b. 15 January 1895, d. 27 June 1949
  • Percival Randolf French was also known as Percy.
  • He was born on 15 January 1895 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia.
  • He was the son of George French and Elizabeth Jane Bentley.
  • Percival Randolf French parents moved to Toowoomba, Queensland, circa 1907 with their family, most likely some time after the birth of their eight child Alice Ruby. George's sister Elizabeth Werner and her husband and family also moved to the area a year or so earlier. George and Elizabeth's last two children, twins, Ada and Ellen were born at the home of George's sister Elizabeth Werner in Toowomba.
  • At the age of 39 years, 10 months and 25 days, Percival Randolf French married Eva Linda Stanton, daughter of John Thomas Stanton and Theresa Fogg, on 10 December 1934 in Neurum, Woodford, Queensland.
  • Percival Randolf French died on 27 June 1949 in Brisbane, Queensland, at age 54.
  • Percival was buried on 29 June 1949 in Balmoral Cemetery, Brisbane.

Children of Percival Randolf French and Eva Linda Stanton