Robert McMeikan and family:

I was recently send the following photographs ‘from the family album’ by Des Hindes.  I would say that the first photo may have been taken by a travelling photographer who would carry suitable backdrops such as this with them. If anyone would like to get in touch with Des, just send me a message.

My great-grandfather Robert McMeikan arrived in Melbourne on the Donald MacKay in November 1867 with his parents Robert McMeikan and Mary Ann Giles Bishop along with older brother Henry and younger brother William Giles.

He is pictured here with his children James Reginald (born 1894), Mabel Ann (born 1889) and my grandmother Gertrude Sophia (born 1891).

The youngest of the family, Robert Henry (born 1895) died of typhoid fever Feb 26, 1904 at Menzies and is buried in the Menzies Cemetery with at least two cousins, children of William Giles McMeikan. Family tells me my grandmother Gertrude very nearly died of typhoid fever at the same time Robert Henry died.

My great-grandmother Mary Ann Ireland died in 1895 at Monegeetta, Victoria, not long after the birth of Robert Henry.

At some stage after the death of Mary Ann my great-grandfather and his brother William Giles travelled to Menzies and Robert’s children were cared for by brother Henry at Rye, Victoria. I’m not sure of details here but the families ended up together at Menzies. Records show my grandfather lived in Byrne St Menzies and his brother at Woolgar/Yundagga. (James Reginald is on the Rye school and RSL honour boards as a WWI veteran).

Based on James Reginald looking like a twelve year old I guess this family photo was taken c1906 after the death of Robert Henry in 1904.

I don’t know where the photo was taken, Menzies or Kalgoorlie? I like the setting, a painting for the bush background, floral curtains and a glimpse of a galvanised iron wall left and right, carpet or matting on the ground with the odd stick here and there for a bush-like appearance. I wonder whose dog is sitting under my great-grandfather’s seat?

Robert Henry McMeikan (left) and James Reginald McMeikan. Guessing c1898 Melbourne.

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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