Part 5 – Other Alchin Families of Interest

4. The Descendants of Francis and Catherine Alchin of London

1.1.1.10 ~ Florence Ann Alchin

Florence was born at Bayswater in London in 1860 (Kensington 1860 March qtr Volume 1a Page 82). The 1881 census records that she was a music teacher. Florence was unmarried and she was living with her widowed mother at Hammersmith. The 1901 census records that Florence was an unmarried assistant teacher who was living in Glamorgan, Wales.

1.1.2 ~ Charles Alchin

Charles was probably born in London between 1810 and 1825 – if he was the Charles Alchin who migrated to Australia (and this seems likely based on the name and place of birth of his eldest child) then he was born in about 1816. If this is he, then he married Mary Jane Lemon in the early 1840’s. Mary was born in about 1815 and she was the daughter of Samuel Lemon and Mary Dykes.

Charles and Mary had at least seven children – Alfred (1842), Jane (1845), Ellen (1846), Alice (1851), Frederick (1853), Louisa (1855) and Walter (1857). Charles and his family arrived in Victoria aboard the “Ann Milne” in June 1853 as assisted migrants. The family initially settled in Melbourne but they later seem to have moved on to the goldfields around Ballarat.

Charles established a business as a saddler and leather merchant which was carried on by his sons and grandsons. Charles died in Victoria on 9th September 1882 (Vic 1882/7638) aged about 66 years and he was buried in the Old Ballarat Cemetery on 11th September 1882. Mary died at Drummond Street, Ballarat in 1885 (Vic1885/ 4019) aged 71 years and she was buried with her husband in the Old Ballarat Cemetery on 20th April 1885.

Despite the number of Charles’ descendants who were born at Ballarat it does not appear that there are any Alchins still living at Ballarat at the present time.

1.1.2.1 ~ Alfred Francis Alchin

Alfred was born in about 1842 (Oxford 1842 June qtr Volume 16 Page 96) and he was given the same names (but in different order) as his uncle who was also raising a family at Oxford at about the same time. Alfred migrated to Australia with his family aboard the “Ann Milne” in June 1853 at the height of the gold rush.

Alfred married Maria Fenetta Sheridan in 1865 (Vic 1865/2165). Maria was the daughter of Walter Sheridan and Mary Webster. Alfred and Maria had at least four children – Charles (1866), Lillian (1868), Mary (1870) and Mabel (1872). Most of their children were born in the Sebastopol district. Maria died in 1874 (Vic 10484) possibly during childbirth.

Alfred subsequently married Catherine Fraser in 1875 (Vic 1875/1535); she was the daughter of John Fraser and Caroline Strange and she was born at Ballarat in 1857 (Vic 1857/5994). Alfred and Catherine had at least eight children – Eveline (1876), Louisa (1878), Maria (1879), Alfred (1883), George (1885), Harry (1886), Ethel (1890) and Norman (1892). The two eldest children were born in Melbourne but the rest were born at Ballarat where the family moved to in about 1879.

The 1914 electoral roll records that Alfred was a saddler of Howitt Street, Wendouree near Ballarat. Alfred died on 31st July 1921 (Vic 1921/8218) aged 78 years. He was buried in Ballarat Old Cemetery on 1st August 1921. Probate records show that he was a leather merchant of Howitt Street, Ballarat (Probate Vic 179/422). Catherine died at 11 Small Street, Hampton on 21st April 1935 (Vic 1935/2965) aged 77 years. She was buried with her husband on 23rd April 1935 (Probate Vic 271/181).

1.1.2.1.1 ~ Charles Walter Alchin

Charles was born at Sebastopol in 1866 (Vic 1866/11219). He married Alice Stanbury at Sebastopol in 1889 (Vic 1889/6749); she was the daughter of John and Ann Stanbury and she was born in about 1860. Charles and Alice had at least five children – Alice (1891), Ruby (1895), Ivy (1901), Alma (1903) and Florris (1905).

The 1914 and 1931 electoral rolls record that Charles was a saddler of 203 Sebastopol Street, Ballarat. Charles died in 1938 (Vic 1938/15390) aged 72 years and he was buried at Ballarat on 9th August 1938. Alice died at Ballarat on 5th May 1941 (Vic 1941/ 16651) aged 71 years and she was buried with her husband on 7th May 1941 (Probate Vic 322/370).