Parker Family History Research

Well, after years and years of research I have finally smashed the Parker brick wall.
Let me start at the beginning for those who have come in on my research recently.

THE BEGINNING

When my Nana (Margaret Jane (Parker) Thomas) died in 1981 I recalled her telling me that we had a bushranger in the family. His name was John Vane but it was a family secret!!! Well, I guess I was more interested in boys than bushranger at the time. By the time she passed away I had matured and was a parent and my interest in family had changed dramatically.
My search began. It didn't take long to find that a Jane Parker was married to John Vane but I had to find out how this Jane Parker was related to our family.

John Vane

The long and the short of it is that Jane Parker was my Nana's aunt. Jane was Thomas Parker's (Nan's father) older sister. She was born about 1854. I do not have a birth registration Jane but I have verified my information and if you would like to know how you can contact me.

Jane Parker Vane

THOMAS PARKER 1857 - 1933

So my addiction begins!
Unfortunately, my great grandfather, Thomas PARKER'S birth was not registered- well I have not been successful in finding the registration. Thankfully, during his declining years Thomas became a 'Seventh Day Adventist' and was remembered by my mother as an avid reader of the Bible. He use to sit on his porch at his Leadville home, on his rocking chair, reading his Bible. He actually had two Bibles which were passed down to my mother's brother. My grandfather had written his birth date along with his wife's (Jane Williams) and all the children's birth dates and marriages. Neatly folded and placed between the pages was his original marriage certificate. What a find!

Thomas PARKER and Jane nee WILLIAMS

So what about the prior generation? Well, I asked myself that question for many years and found that Thomas' parents were John PARKER and Ann SMITH. They married at Carcoar NSW in 1850. John was born in Lancashire, England and Ann was born at Yass. Their union produced five children: John 1850, Jane 1854, Maria 1855, Thomas 1857 and William 1858. By April 1859 John was dead and Ann was left a widow to care for five children aged from 9 years old to just five months old. How did she manage?
For many years I could not find out what happened to Ann but in 1861 she met George SAMPSON and married him at 'Warwick' Carcoar NSW. During the next 22 years George & Ann had nine children.

What happened to John PARKER? How did he die? I am still trying to find that out but I have since discovered that John was a convict. Now this is an interesting piece of the puzzle.

Yes, John arrived on our shores with his brother Ambrose Parker. They were both on the