Rookwood Cemetery Discoveries

 This week's blog is written on the eve of Anzac Day 2022, the first one to be commemorated in the manner of the past for the first time in three years.  It is particularly poignant at this point in time to remember the many conflicts that Australians have been involved in over many, many decades with the horrors of war playing out on our television screens on a nightly basis. One can't help but ponder upon what we have learnt from war over hundreds of years - nothing much at all.... On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. They became known as ANZACS and the pride they took in that name continues to this very day. Norman Lindsay "A Trumpet Calls" c.1918 AWM  - image ARTV00039 In 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt. That year, 25 April was officially named 'Anzac Day' by the...

 How many of us who attend funerals ever really think about how the role of the Funeral Director came to be? Not many I'd say. Today's post is about one such man who saw an opportunity and pursued it. JOSEPH TAYLOR COFFILL Joseph Taylor Coffill - from Ancestry.com public images Joseph was born in Kensington, London in May 1841 to Joseph and Margaret Coffill, his father was a farmer of French Huguenot descent and his mother was from Edinburgh. As a young lad, Joseph tried his hand at various occupations such as a porter and mortar mixer but by the age of 21 he decided that Australia was the land of opportunity and worked his passage as a seaman cook arriving in Brisbane in 1865. Joseph set up business as a carter and carried between Gympie, Rockhampton and Cloncurry. Although this was his main occupation he also found time to run a blacksmith's forge as well as trying his hand at copper mining in Cloncurry. Joseph had a life long love of horses and became a successful deal...

  The subject of today's blog struck gold (or silver as the case may be) by not by getting his hands dirty digging for the elusive objects but  by making elaborate pieces of art from the precious metals. Once again, surprisingly,  today's subject lies in an unmarked grave in the Cemetery. JULIUS HOGARTH (HOUGAARD) Julius Hogarth was born on 24 December 1820 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the son of Jorgen Hougaard and his wife Charlotte. Julius showed artistic qualities at an early age and trained under the Danish neo-classical sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. By 1840, Hougaard was listed as a Goldsmith and was residing in the household of Jorgen Dalhoff, Danish Royal Goldsmith and his family. He married Christiane Galle on  18 November 1842 at Trinitatis Church, Copenhagen; they had one son but later divorced. Census records show in 1850 Julius was recorded as an engraver and teacher at the Technical and Metalwork Institute in Copenhagen. Hougaard arrived in Sydney on...

  A newspaper article caught my attention regarding the subject of my first post on the "Rookwood Cemetery Discoveries" blog. Armed with relevant information I went forth to find the illustrious resting place for the famous (at the time) female Impressionist artist, Florence Ada Fuller. What I found was an unmarked grave in an area of many, nearby the Greek St Anthansios Chapel. To say I was a little shocked is putting it mildly but as experience has shown me, many an exceptionally talented person lies in such a resting place. During the final days of Women's History Month let me appraise you of Florence's life and achievements. Florence was born in Port Elizabeth South Africa in 1867 and migrated as a child with her family to Melbourne. Florence showed exceptional artistic talents and trained under Jane Sutherland, a member of the Heidelberg school and one of the better known Australian female Impressionist painters of the era. In 1883 at the age of 16 she was enrol...