Martha Heaney
Martha Heaney born 10 May 1887, 27 Burn Street, Renton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. When Martha was born her mother accidentally registered her as 'Matthew Heaney' an error that wasn't legally corrected until 1956 by her sister Eliza Jane.
Martha had 3 Illegitimate children –
1. William John McKechnie (1904 – 1905)
2. Jeanie/Genie Heaney (1907 - 1974)
3. Rachel Heaney (1910 – 1919)
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1. William John McKechnie
William was born on the 16th July 1904 at 77 Windsor Gardens, Burnbank, Hamilton, Lanarkshire. His father was George McKechnie, a coal miner from Whitehill, Hamilton. George was 6 years older than the 17 year old Martha when the baby was born. William died at 7 months old from Measles, Bronchitis and Pneumonia. The tragedy would end Martha and Georges relationship. Martha's father Hugh Heaney signed the death certificate.
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Martha and Alexander Heaney Jnr (born 1876/ her 1st cousin) had several children who emigrated with them to Australia. Alexander sailed from London on the “Balranald” departing on 29 January 1925, arriving in Sydney. His family sailed from London to Sydney in 9th October 1925 onboard the ‘Demosthenes’.
2. Jeannie Heaney– born at 9am on 5 February 1907 at 6 Stirling Street, Glasgow. Martha was employed as a Restaurant Cook.
The Demosthenes 1925
She registered the birth herself on 26 February 1907 in Glasgow, there was no father listed on the birth certificate.
The 9th of October 1925
Jeannie onboard the Demosthenes heading to her new life in Australia.
She was 18.
The ship sailed from London to Sydney. Capable of carrying 849 people the journey time was approx. 45 days.
Original passenger manifest showing the Heaney's onboard the Demosthenes
Less than 2 years after arriving in Australia, Jeannie married Harry Proudlock on the 4th June 1927 in New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia. The couple would enjoy a long and happy marriage.
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Harry born on 2 February 1905 in Wallsend, New South Wales, the son of William John and Nellie Ellen Proudlock (nee Foulkes)
Jeannie & Harry Proudlock
Jeannie at home
Harry Proudlock
A young Jeannie
Jeannie and Harry had 3 sons and 1 daughter:
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(1) Harry Earnest Proudlock born 30 October 1927 and died 22nd July 2002 in Belmont, New South Wales. Married Ena Maud Townsend in Belmont NSW in 1951
Harry & Ena Proudlock 1951
- Their children :
- Darrell ‘Dipper’ Proudlock (9 Sept 1954 – 3rd Apr 1992)
- Peter Proudlock (Birth Date Unknown)
- Leah Proudlock (Birth Date Unknown)
- Mandy Proudlock married John Dodds, they have 3 daughters Josephine, Jackie and Pennie
Mandy Dodds
(2)Nolene Letitia Proudlock married Hugh Donald McGowan
Nolene
Hugh
- Their children :
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- Margaret McGowan married Ken Foggarty they have 2 sons Richard and Robert
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- Anne McGowan married Greg Smith they have a son Bradley Smith married to Katherine and a daughter Kate married to Peter Hill
- Vicki McGowan
- Louise McGowan
Greg Smith with wife Anne (McGowan) Smith, Son Bradley Smith and his wife Katherine and daughter Kate Smith with her husband Peter Hill
(3) Colin Douglas Proudlock born on 13 May 1940 in Belmont, NSW. Died 2nd September 1999. Married Betty Marion Schuck, born 17 March 1942, daughter of Rex Reginald and Ethel Marion Waldon.
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The many faces of Colin Douglas Proudlock
Colin Douglas & Betty Proudlock
- Their Children :
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Sharon Proudlock (13 Feb 1960 – 31 Mar 1961)
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Louise Proudlock (1961 – Present) Married Neil Baker. They have 3 daughters Kirsty, Sharee and Renee
Jennifer (Jenny) Proudlock (1963 – Present) Married Bret Cartmel. They have 2 daughters Taylah and Nicole and 1 son Alex
Stephen Douglas Proudlock (1970 – Present) Married Josephina Dodds. They have 3 sons Jaden, Trae and Riley
2nd from the left Jenny Proudlock and 3rd from left her sister Louise Proudlock
Steve Proudlock with sisters Louise Baker and Jenny Cartmel
(4) Donald Alexander Proudlock born 1948. Married Lynnette Joy Lawson.
Jeannie with Harry, Dougie and young Donnie
-Their Children :
-Trudi Anne Proudlock (Born 1970 – Present) she married David McKinnon. They have 2 children Jarrod (1996 – 1996) and Katelyn Ann (1997 – Present)
-Michelle Lee Proudlock (Born 1973 – Present) she married Andrew Barrie James. They have 3 children Joshua, Codie Lee and Leighton.
-Scott Alexander Proudlock (1983 – Present)
-Donna Marie Proudlock she married Stephen John Currie. They have 3 daughters Jasmine, Jade and Janeka
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3. Rachel Heaney - Born the 2nd of January 1910 at 6 Braidfauld Street, Tollcross, Glasgow. No father listed on the birth certificate. She lived with her family in Hamilton, Lanarkshire and moved with them to Stirling where she sadly died at the age of 19 on the 4th April 1919 - Cause of death - Tuberculosis. Rachel was always remembered by the family. When they left Scotland to go to Australia they packed her doll with their belongings. The doll is now looked after by Gail Caldwell (photos below)
Rachel Heaney's Doll
4. Letitia (Lettie) Heaney - born at 10am on 8 December 1912 at 14 Gladstone Street, Hamilton, Lanarkshire. The birth was registered by both Alexander and Martha Heaney on 19 January 1912.
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Lettie married William Cooper in 1933 at New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
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Their Children :
Wayne Cooper
Rosalyn Cooper
Ronald Cooper
Lynette Cooper
L to R : Robert James (Jim) Dobson, Martha Dobson, Lettie Cooper and William (Bill) Cooper - May 1957
5. Elizabeth Heaney – Born the 12 February 1914 and died the 24th August 1999 she married William C Peacock in 1930 at New Lambton, Newcastle, New South Wales.
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They had one known child:
- William (Billy) Peacock.
Elizabeth & William (Bill) Peacock
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Elizabeth Peacock
6. Mary Ann Heaney born 7th January 1916 at 66 Cowan Street, Stirling, Scotland. She married James Duncan in 1935 in Charlestown, Newcastle, New South Wales.
One known child:
Brian Duncan born December 21st 1935 in Belmont, New South Wales
7. Alexander (Alex/Alec) Heaney born 12th December 1917 Glasgow, Scotland. He died 29th December 1993. He married Ruth Lillian Jones in 1937 at Adamstown, New South Wales.
1940
L to R : Robert James (Jim) Dobson, Martha Dobson, Alec Heaney & Phyllis Dobson (Jims sister) at Jim & Marthas wedding
He completed Military Service between 1939 and 1948 before becoming an accomplished footballer in Australia. He was captain of the Australia national men's soccer team in 1947. He took part in the Socceroo Internationals in 1947.
Australia played a series of five matches against the visiting South African national side. Due to a shipping strike the Springboks had to stay in Australia five weeks longer than they had planned, so they played an additional six matches at the end of the tour. The series started in Sydney the venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia they played the 10th, 24th, 31st of May 1947 and June the 7th and 14th 1947. This match was the fifth and last match of the series against the visiting South Africans. The win by the Springboks left the series complete at 3-1 to the visitors.
He played against the English at Richmond Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia on Monday June 11 1951 and again at Newcastle Sports Ground, Australia on Saturday July 21 1951. This was the fifth and last match in the series against the visiting English side.
After his retirement from soccer he managed several hotels in and around NSW’s: The Paxton Hotel, Hotel Denman, The Empire Hotel.
The Paxton Hotel
Alex is buried in the Kurrie Kurrie Weston Cemetery, NSW’s.
The couple had 2 sons :
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-Alexander Lawrence ‘Buster’ Heaney born 7th April 1938. Died 2011.
He married Gloria Dawn Hines in 1957 and had 3 children :
Greg Heaney
Louise Heaney
Deborah Heaney
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-Garry Neil Heaney. He married Narelle Faith Heaney.
They had 3 daughters
Fiona Joy Heaney
Felicity Heaney
Alicia Heaney
8. Hugh Heaney born July 1920 – Died 22 March 1921 in Northend, Cambusbarron, Stirling - Membranous croup - Obstruction of Upper Airway
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9. Martha Heaney born in Cambusbarron, Stirling, on 22 December 1922.
Martha married Robert James Dobson in New South Wales, Australia, in 1940. Robert was born on 11 February 1914 the son of George Leslie (1888-1945) and Sophie Dobson (nee Chapman) (1891 – 1959) Robert died in Belmont, NSW, on 11 July 1970. Martha died in Belmont, NSW, on 10 October 2002. They are recorded on the Electoral Roll of New Zealand in 1943 living at 7 Arthur Street, Waratah, Newcastle, NSW. Robert is a Fitter’s Assistant. In 1949 they are at Beech Road, Charlestown, NSW. Robert is a Fitter. In 1954 they are living at Wommura Avenue, Belmont, NSW. Robert is a Miner.
Martha Heaney Dobson
Martha and Robert had two children:
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-Howard Lesley Dobson born 1st October 1953 and died 18 Feb 2019. Howard was a coal miner married 1st to Jennifer White with whom he had 3 sons:
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- Shane Robert Dobson born 1977 married Amy Barnes, they have one daughter Bonnie Dobson born 2016
- Adam Roy Dobson born 1979 married Lisa Dennis and have 2 sons Jai born 2002 & Mac born 2005
- Chad Ryan Dobson born 1981 Married Erin Kaiser. They have two sons Will born 2007 and Noah 2012 - 2019 and a daughter Lacey born 2009
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Howards second wife was Dieuwke Johanna (Hanneke) Van Der Hout.
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-Denise Dobson. Married Richard McLean. They had 2 sons:
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Anthony McLean (Born 1963)
Richard MacLean. Richard married Toni Cameron and they have 2 daughters Joanna Maclean and Georgia Ann McLean. Georgia married Carl Vella
Howard Dobson, Martha Dobson & Denise Dobson
Adam Dobson, Lisa Dobson Jai & Mac
Adam Dobson, Lisa Dobson & Sons Mac & Jai Dobson
L to R: Joanna MacLean, Rick MacLean ,
Georgia MacLean, Toni MacLean
Howard & Hanneke Dobson
10. Margaret Heaney born in 7th March 1924 in Glasgow and died 29th July 1987 of cancer. She married William Hetherington on the 22nd August 1942 in Belmont, NSW’s and honeymooned in Sydney, Australia.
William Hetherington & Margaret Heaney at their wedding - Belmont, New South Wales, Australia 1942
Margaret Heaney with her father Alexander Heaney and her sister Mattie Dobson
Margaret Heaney with her father Alexander Heaney at her wedding 1942
William Hetherington died 21st October 2014.
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They had two daughters.
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- Diane Gail Hetherington. Born 2nd August 1944. She 1st married Kevin Barlow (1942 – 1977) and they had 2 daughters: Elise and Dayna.
2nd husband Ronald Caldwell (1943 – 2000)
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Elise Barlow married Craig Curry on 30th March 1996 (Since divorced) and they had 2 children Montana Jade Curry (Born 1997) and Mitchell Reid Curry (Born 2002)
Dayna Barlow married Neil Goldsmith in 2006 (They have since divorced) They have 2 children Bodhi James Goldsmith (Born 2007) and Jye Henry Goldsmith (Born 2008)
- Laurel Ann Hetherington. Born 29th November 1945. She married Maurice Rutherford in March 1974. They have 2 children :
Glenn Rutherford Born 23 May 1974. He married Clair Rosser on the 5th May 2017.
Nicole Rutherford Born 30 Sept 1975. She married Greg Hooper and they have 4 children : Jessica Hooper, Elli Hooper, Will Hooper and Emersyn Hooper.
Margaret Hetherington with Gail and Laurel 1948
Gail and Laurel Hetherington
Lizzie Peacock, Gail Hetherington and Mattie Dobson 1965
Gail Hetherington with her grandmother Martha Heaney
Gail Hetherington & Kevin Barlow 1965
Margaret Hetherington, Laurel Hetherington & Martha Heaney
Left to Right: Dayna Barlow, Gail Caldwell, Greg Hooper, Elise Barlow, Clair Rutherford (nee Rosser) Glen Rutherford, Laurel Rutherford (nee Hetherington) Maurice Rutherford, Nicole Hooper (nee Rutherford) and Greg and Nicole's children: Jessica, Elli, Will and Emersyn.
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Clair and Glenn Rutherford
Nicole and Greg Hooper
Gail Caldwell with daughters Elise and Dayna and grand daughter Montana
11. Frank Heaney born 1927 Belmont, NSW’s. Died 12th June 1988 New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia. He married Dorothy Harrop in 1947. Dorothy born 1928 and died 2014. Frank was very close to his mother and they enjoyed a drink and a little bit of (then illegal) gambling. They were caught in 1947 and made an example of.
Frank and Dorothy had four sons:
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Edward Heaney born 1947
Alan Heaney born 1948
Paul Heaney born 1955 and died 8th March 1969 aged 14.
Darren Heaney born 1965
12. Ella Heaney born 29th April 1929 and died the 2nd of September 2008. She 1st married Terence Francis Osborne in 1947 and they had 2 daughters Lesley Osborne and Judith Osborne. She 2nd married Geoffrey Arthur Vernon
Clay. He was an English man born in the West Midlands of England in 1925. They married in 1957 and divorced in 1970. At the time of writing nothing else is known about Ella and her family.
A rare family snap. Alexander and Martha Heaney with Nolene, Ella, Frank and Mattie
Alexander and Martha are recorded on the Electoral Register of New South Wales, Australia, living close to Alexander’s brother, Frank, and his family.
In 1930 Alexander and Martha were living in Maude Street, Belmont, Hunter (sub-division of Charlestown), NSW. Alexander is a Miner. His son and daughter, Alexander and Martha, are not of an age to vote and are therefore not on the Register.
In 1936 Alexander and Martha are still in Maude Street. Alexander is a Miner. Their children are not yet of age to vote.
Alexander and Martha still live in Maude Street, Belmont, Charlestown, NSW in 1949 and 1954. Alexander is still recorded as a Miner.
L to R Margaret Hetherington, Lizzie Peacock, Geanie Proudlock, Mattie Dobson and Mary Duncan with their mother Martha
Alexander Heaney died on 2 January 1955 aged 78 (an incorrect year of birth recorded on his death registration as 1880).
Martha was living in 1972, aged 85, as in a letter to Rose Cox (nee Strachan) living in Corby, Northamptonshire, her sister, Jean Caldwell (Graham, nee Strachan), living in Christchurch, New Zealand, refers to a planned visit that she is intending to make to visit Aunt Martha in Australia.
Martha's 80th birthday party 1967
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Martha Heaney (nee Heaney) died in Australia on 22 December 1977 aged 90.
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