No matter how much experience we may think we have in family history research, it seems there is always a discovery waiting to be found. This is the norm and if we are prepared to go out on a limb and investigate, there seems to be no limit to what exciting discoveries we may make while out on a limb.
Frank Bond was born in Bunbury, Western Australia on the 8th of November, 1897. He was the son of Harry and Kate Bond, nee Wise, and he was my uncle. My journey to uncover more about Frank started around 16 years ago when a family member mentioned seeing a death recorded for Frank Bond, son of Harry and Kate Bond while volunteering at a local historical cottage.
Driven by curiosity, I decided to follow up on this lead. I visited the cottage and was graciously shown the record. With permission, I took a photo of the entry to add to my records and aid in further investigation. This small piece of information opened up a whole new chapter in my exploration of our family history, highlighting the importance of being open to unexpected discoveries and pursuing them with diligence.
BOND Frank. 15.01.1899, 14 months, marasmus, (Registrar) burial C/E Bunbury.
Parents, Harry & Kate E nee Wise. BD.
From the above factual evidence, I learned that I have an uncle who was never spoken of in the family and who was buried in the old Pioneer Cemetery Bunbury.
The old Pioneer Cemetery (for Anglican burials) ceased operating by 1914 when the new cemetery southeast of the city centre opened and is still operating to this day. In 1914, the council of the day informed relatives that their loved ones' remains could be transferred to the new site, at their own expense. The site of the old Pioneer Cemetery was built in the 1980s and is still a sore topic for Bunbury locals that this was allowed to happen.
There is no evidence of my past family having taken up this offer from the council, and to all knowledge at this point, Frank Bond's remains are still at the old Pioneer Cemetery site.
Adjacent to the Pioneer Cemetery was the Catholic Cemetery and it too was left abandoned in the 1950s. It is reported that over 500 graves still exist in the dunes.
Forward 16 years and after much researching of other family members; I came back to Frank Bond and found myself at the State Records Office of Western Australia, Births Deaths and Marriages. On entering and searching for his birth and then his death I was rewarded with acknowledgement of both his birth and his death in Bunbury to parents Harry and Kate Bond. For a small fee and proof of relationship, I was offered an opportunity to order both full birth and death records for my uncle Frank, an opportunity that I eagerly took advantage of.
Western Australia
Birth Certificate
Registration Number 0004661L/1898
Certificate Number 00076570487
Child
Sir name. Bond.
Given names. Frank.
Date of birth. 8 November 1897.
Place of birth. Sampson Town, Bunbury. Western Australia.
Sex. Male.
Mother.
Sir name. Bond.
Given names. Kate Elizabeth.
Maiden name. Wise.
Age at date of birth. 22years.
Place of Birth. Sturminster Suffolk, England.
Father.
Sir name. Bond.
Given names. Harry.
Usual occupation. Labourer.
Age at date of birth. 33 years.
Place of birth. London, England.
Parents Marriage.
Date of marriage. 5 February 1894.
Place of marriage. Pingelly, Western Australia.
Previous children of the parent's marriage. Lilian B 2 years, Robert O 1 year.
Information.
Names. H Bond.
Address. Bunbury Western Australia.
Description. Father.
Registered on 10 January 1898 by E Woodrow.
Western Australia
Death Certificate
Registration Number 0002328A/1899
Certificate Number 00076171175
Deceased
Sir name. Bond.
Given names. Frank.
Place of Death. Vasse Road, Bunbury Western Australia.
Date of Death. 15 January 1899.
Occupation and Sex. - Male.
Age. 16 months.
Place of Birth. Bunbury Western Australia.
Years lived in each colony. Western Australia 16 months.
Father's sir name. Bond.
Given names. Harry.
Usual occupation. Greengrocer.
Mother's Maiden name. Wise
Given names. Kate Elizabeth.
Cause of death. Marasmus (1 week).
Name of Doctor. Simon Joel MD.
Date last seen alive. 14 January 1899.
Place of burial or cremation. Anglican Cemetery Bunbury.
Date of burial or cremation. 15 January 1899.
Person certifying. J. Gibbs.
Officiating Minister. A.C Plane.
Religious denomination of Minter. Wesleyan.
Witnesses. H W Gibbs, R H Clifton.
Informants name. J B Rosselloty.
Address, Bunbury Western Australia.
Description. Clerk to Undertakers.
Registered. 15 January 1899 by E Woodrow.
Authors Note:
Marasmus is a cause of death, caused by the insufficient uptake of nutrition in children, this can be due to poverty or the scarcity of good nutritional food.
Delving into the comprehensive birth and death records of Frank Bond has provided me with a wealth of information that has surpassed my initial expectations. This detailed exploration has unearthed fascinating insights not only about the Bond family but also about the historical landscape of Bunbury in the early 1900s.
Frank's birthplace in Sampson Town Bunbury WA, although not a recognized town today, held significant importance during that period. It was a piece of land owned by Dr. John Sampson, primarily utilized as a Chinese market garden supplying fresh produce to the local community. The existence of Number 11 Sampson Road as a vestige of Sampson Town, where Dr. Sampson resided, adds a layer of historical context to Frank's origins.
Examining Harry Bond's occupation as a Laborer during Frank's birth raises intriguing questions about his potential involvement in the operations of the market garden. Subsequently, the listing of Harry as a Greengrocer at the time of Frank's death hints at the possibility of him engaging in the sale of vegetables from the same garden as a source of livelihood.
Discovering Dr. John Sampson's ownership of the lands associated with Sampson Town and No. 11 Sampson Road sparks speculation about Frank's birth occurring at that very address, which stands today as a tangible link to the past.
The revelation from Frank's death record that the family resided on Vasse Road Bunbury WA prompts further investigation into the historical significance of this location. Research unveils that Vasse Road, once a thoroughfare leading out of Bunbury towards Busselton, has now faded into obscurity, with only remnants existing on the outskirts of modern Bunbury.
Delving into the birth and death records of Frank Bond opens a window into a bygone era, offering glimpses of a life cut short and shedding light on the intricate tapestry of his family's history in Bunbury during the early 1900s. These records, often overlooked and forgotten, serve as poignant markers of Frank's presence in the world, encapsulating the brevity of his existence.
While the State Records Office holds these documents as the only tangible remnants of Frank's life, it is through the diligent efforts of family historians that his memory can be revived and preserved. By piecing together the fragments of information found in these records, we can reconstruct the narrative of Frank's life and place him within the broader context of his family's story.
As custodians of our family's past, it is both a privilege and a responsibility to unearth these forgotten details and honor the legacy of individuals like Frank Bond. Through our research and dedication, we not only ensure that their stories are not lost to time but also gain a deeper appreciation for the lives and experiences that have shaped our own.
Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.
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