A convoluted connection, to someone famous!

Years ago my husband’s, Paul’s aunt said that we were related to a famous artist, Adelaide Ironside. Well in a way he is and this is how I worked it out.

Adelaide Eliza Ironside born 17 November 1831[1], to James Ironside and Martha Rebecca Redman.  It was looking into Martha that I got all excited, as her father, John Redman, could have been either a guard on the First Fleet or a convict on the Second Fleet. Well Martha isn’t on Paul’s line.  So scrap that bit of excitement.

Sometime before Adelaide turned three, Martha and James separated and as divorce required a great deal of effort, they didn’t divorce.

James didn’t waste any time in finding another lady, one Ellen Oak/Oaks. It is through this line that Paul is a descendent. James and Ellen had five children, according to James’ death certificate, four males and one female. [2]  I can only find one birth, that of Frederick James Ironsides, born 23 October 1836[3].  

Frederick would marry Martha Amelia Bird on 2 July 1861 at St Michael’s  

Church, Surry Hills.[4]

                                                  Frederick and Martha Ironside.

Eight children were born to them, with Edgar Bird Ironside, being their second child, born 16 March 1865.[5]

Now I could go on and on, with this one begat that one and so forth but I think you can see where it is leading.

Edgar would marry, or else Paul and his Mum wouldn’t be here.

So in this convoluted tree, Adelaide Eliza Ironside, is Paul’s two times Great Grand Half Aunt, with her father  James Ironside,  Paul’s three times Great Grandfather.

Confused?  Well, let's just say, she is family!

Well an artist is something special.  More on Adelaide in her own post.

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[1] NSW, Baptism certificate #212 Vol 45, 1831.

[2] NSW Death certificate #882, 1866.

[3] NSW Baptism certificate #470 Vol 20, 1836.

[4] NSW Marriage certificate#452, 1861.

[5] NSW Birth certificate #557, 1865