Ethel Bertha (Manson) Kerr (1899 - 1963)

Born 21 Aug 1899 in Grafton, Colony of New South Wales [uncertain]

Ancestors

Wife of Finlay James Kerr — married 23 Mar 1921 (to 3 Apr 1963) in Upper Orara, New South Wales, Australia

Died 3 Apr 1963 at age 63 in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia [uncertain]

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Biography

Bio researched and written by Susan Stopford. Publ. here on 25 February 2024. Last updated : 3 March 2024. This profile is a work in progress. If you would like to contribute or have any additional information, please leave a Comment below or send me a Private Message. Thanks, Susan. ©2024 Susan Stopford

Ethel Bertha (Manson) Kerr was born in the Colony of New South Wales (1788-1900)

Ethel Bertha Manson was born on August 21, 1899 in Grafton, Colony of New South Wales, a daughter of Alexander Manson (~1850–1929) and Frances Davis (1860–1946).^[1] She attended Dunvegan Public School (now Upper Orara Primary School). The small school was opened in 1891, only five years after the first settlers arrived, as did a number of her Ferrett and Davis cousins - Maud, Dulcie and Vi Ferrett and Alan and Bert Davis.^[2]

Ethel attended her cousin Maud Ferrett (also pictured in the class photo on the right) when she married Frederick Gallard on May 12, 1920 in the Methodist Church at Upper Orara.^[3] Fred Gallard's sister Hephzibah (Gallard) Davis was married to Maud and Ethel's maternal uncle John Frederick Davis.

Ethel married Finlay James Kerr in the Methodist Church at Upper Orara on March 23, 1921. He was a son of Finlay Kerr. Their marriage was registered in Bellingen.^[4][5]

The couple were living in Upper Orara in 1929 (when her father died)^[6] and in 1933 (when her brother Alexander Manson died).^[7]

Ethel died on April 3, 1963, aged 62 years. Her death was registered in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.^[8] Her name and death date are inscribed on a memorial plaque in Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery, Coffs Harbour which she shares with her husband who died on April 14, 1963.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Index: (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 25 Feb 2024), index entry for ETHEL B MANSON; Father's Given Names: ALEXANDER, Mother's Given Names: FRANCES; District: GRAFTON; Registration Number: 21199/1899. [Event Date=21 August 1899]
2. ↑ Class Photograph: Full assembly at Dunvegan Public School, 3 April 1908 (3 April 1908). Coffs Collections, accessed 22/02/2024, https://coffs.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/54349.
   
   • Photo courtesy of Coffs Collections (mus07-13187), City of Coffs Harbour
     
   Description
   Back Row left to right: Harry Woods, Ethel Lucas, Glouster Woods, Alice McGuigan, Reuben Matten, Nellie Small, Arthur Small;
   Fourth Row: Violet Smith, Eric Lucas, Jeannie McLeod, Horace Matten, Maud Ferrett, Eric Walsh;
   Second Row left to right: Alan Davis, Laurie McGuigan, Nita Gill, Dick McGuigan, Alma Gill, Ethel Manson, Dulce Ferrett;
   Front Row left to right: Os Matten, Florrie Smith, Bert Davis, Nora McGuigan, Dorothy Small, Vi Ferrett, Queenie Walsh and class sign- Dunvegan Public School 3rd April 1906 or 1908 - illegible.
   Photos of the Ferret/Houlahan Family.
   There is a note on the website that states the year on the photo is unclear and it may be 3 April 1906.
   Also accessible via Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/240314901
3. ↑ Marriage (Newspaper Article): 1920 'PERSONAL', Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), 18 May, p. 4. , viewed 19 Feb 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195530361
4. ↑ Marriage (Newspaper Article): 1921 'WEDDING.', Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), 28 March, p. 1. , viewed 25 Feb 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196450153
5. ↑ Marriage Index : (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 25 Feb 2024), Index entry for FINLAY J KERR and ETHEL B MANSON; District: BELLINGEN; Registration Number: 3712/1921. [Event Date=23 March 1921]
6. ↑ Father's Obituary: 1929 'AN ORARA PIONEER.', Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), 24 September, p. 3. , viewed 16 Jan 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195245325
7. ↑ Obituary for brother Alexander Manson: 1933 'OBITUARY', Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), 3 March, p. 2. , viewed 04 Sep 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187761529

   OBITUARY

   Mr. Alex. Manson

   Mr. Alexander Manson, a well-known resident of the Coffs Harbour and Upper Orara district, died suddenly at the residence of his sister, Mrs.B. Butterfield, Auburn, on Wednesday night. He was just on 51 years of age and had been ill for some months. His illness, which came on him about 18 months ago, necessitated his being away from home for months at a time.

   Deceased was born at Harwood Island, Clarence River, and came to Coffs Harbour as a lad with his parents 45 years ago. Soon Afterwards they removed to Upper Orara, where his father was one of the earliest setters. The father died about five years ago, but the mother is still living and went to Sydney with the deceased a few months ago. They intended returning to Coffs next week.

   A brother and four sisters also survive. The brother is Mr. George Manson, of Upper Orara, and the sisters Mesdames I. Gould (Wyalong), K. Allen (Gosford), B. Butterfleld (Auburn) and F. Kerr (Upper Orara). Another brother, Mr. William Manson died as a result of injuries at the war, and one sister, Mrs. W. Baillie, died at Murwillumbah....

8. ↑ Death Index : (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 25 Feb 2024), index entry for ETHEL BERTHA KERR; Father's Given Names: ALEXANDER, Mother's Given Names: ETHEL BERTHA; District: COFFS HARBOUR; Registration Number: 9767/1963. [Event Date=3 April 1963]
   In the index, Ellen's own name appears where her mother's should be.
9. ↑ Memorial (with image of memorial plaque): "Find a Grave", database with images
   Find A Grave: Memorial #123793806 (accessed 25 February 2024)
   Memorial page for Ethel Bertha Manson Kerr (1901-3 Apr 1963), citing Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery, Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour City, New South Wales, Australia (plot: Utg); Maintained by III (contributor 47426837).

Acknowledgements

• Thank you to Coffs Collections (mus07-13187), City of Coffs Harbour for their kind permission to upload a copy of the Dunvegan Public School class photo.