Sarah Bunstead 1829-1873 and Selina Louisa Barnes 1851-1925 : mother and daughter
© M. Penny 2001contact genepenn@pcug.org.au

 
I have only one item of evidence for Sarah Bunstead and this is her death certifcate. The information was supplied by her husband William Barnes. The information provided on this certificate states that Sarah was born in London in 1829. Her parents were George Bunstead, a gardener and Sarah, maiden name unknown. Sarah emigrated to Tasmania at the age of two, so it must be presumed that one or both of her parents accompanied her on this trip. In 1849 she married William Barnes in Hobart Town, Tasmania. Two children were born, William who predeceased her, and Selina.
The family moved to Victoria in 1863.

I have found absolutely nothing in the Tasmanian records to substantiate any of the above information, ie no convict or other passenger records, no marriage certificate, no birth or baptism notices, and no death notice for the son William!

At the given age of 38, she was in Ballarat Hospital from 14 December 1871 until 2 February 1872.
Sarah Barnes died in Beaufort Vic on 21 February 1873.

 
What I have found is a Sarah Jane Bumstead whose mother appears to be convict Elizabeth Bumstead who arrived in Tasmania on the Mellish in 1830. On 9 January 1833 Sarah was placed in the Hobart Orphanage at the age of 4, coming from the House of Correction.

This Sarah had several siblings:

William, b. c1811 who had been transported on Mary in 1830
Mary Ann, b. c1816 m. (i) James Davis m.(ii) John Walduck
Caroline b. c1819 m. Robert Halls. They had one child, Harriet, who married James Birmingham in 1867 in Tasmania. Shortly after their marriage they came to Victoria. For reasons unknown  they changed their name to Thomas, by deed poll. 
Elizabeth b. c1824 m. George Clements
George b. c1827 did not marry

 
Another unrelated piece of evidence is the marriage of a Sarah Barnes to John Duson on 26 November 1849 on the Huon. But I have found no further life events for this couple.

 
The interesting (or annoying depending on how you look at it) fact for me is that 'my' Sarah's dates match those of the 'other Sarah' ie birth date of 1829, arrival in Tasmania in 1830-31, and marriage date of 1849. But the mother's Christian name is different, and the husband is the wrong man!

 
William Barnes at the listed age of 73 was admitted to Ballarat (Hospital) on 9 January 1893 on the recommendation of Ripon Shire Council, and died 16 February 1893 in Benevolent Asylum, Ballarat, Vic. The informant on the death certificate was the superintendent of the Benevolent Asylum who knew no other personal details.

 
Two  items of evidence for Selina Barnes give conflicting information.
On her wedding day (to Allan Boyd) she stated she was born in London. Was this a genuine mistake or was she trying to cover up her Tasmanian background? Her death certificate gets it right - she was born in Tasmania, and arrived in Victoria in 1865 at the age of fourteen.
Both certificates give her mother's maiden name as Bunston..

 
I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR FROM ANY PERSON WHO COULD HELP ME FIND ANY   INFORMATION FOR SELINA BARNES AND HER MOTHER SARAH! 

 
More information for descendants of Selina (Barnes) Boyd will be found at .....

 
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