Margaret Garvie (Gordon) Ahmelman (1879 - 1933)

Born 9 Sep 1879 in Perth, Scotland

Ancestors

Wife of Franz Christian (Ahmelmann) Ahmelman — married 29 Apr 1903 in Marrickville NSW

Descendants

Died 5 Jun 1933 at age 53 in Blacktown NSW

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Biography

Margaret was born on 16 September 1879 in Perth Scotland. She was a twin to her brother John G Gordon (Jnr).

Margaret has the same name as her mother, Margaret Garvie Gordon (Snr). The family emigrated to Australia in 1880 when she was about 1 year old. They arrived in Sydney and moved north to Ullmara in Northern NSW then back south to Newtown. Even though she was 1 year old when she came to Australia, she retained her Scottish background and family traditions.

Margaret's address prior to marriage was at George Street Marrickville. As was the tradition of the day, her occupation was "home duties" which meant she was supported by her father till marriage at the age of 23. She married Franz Christian Ahmelman. Ahmelman is spelt Ahmelmann in earlier generations and both spellings occur on Franz's official documents.

Margaret and Franz's first child Dorothea Margaret born in 1904 at Burwood, was named after both of their mothers. Tragically Dorothea died when only 4 months old. Gracie Irene was the next daughter, born in 1906. Another tragedy, Gracie died at the age of 22 in 1928. Daughter number 3, Heather was born in 1909. Daughter Number 4, Phyllis, was born in 1912. the last Daughter, Rosalie Mavis was born in 1918. The next three girls were healthy, but there was no son.

We have oral history from Phyllis (who married Bill Lovett): She recalls visiting her grandparents and having family "choirs" and "singalongs" around the piano. From what we have learnt about grandfather John Gordon, is that this fits in with his music singing/teaching talent. It was also the entertainment of the day - entertain yourselves.

Margaret had a piano which took pride of place in the family home. Rosalie (or Mavis as she preferred) learnt to play well, and Margaret bequeathed it to her. Other family heirlooms such as an "A Mor`e" broach made from beaten gold with the words "Dinna Forget" engraved on it which probably belonged to Margaret Gordon Snr and is a piece of memorial jewelry made after the death of a loved one fashionable at the time (about 1800), are passed down to her descendants.

Recollections of Margaret's grandchildren, Wanda and Margaret do not recall their mother Mavis telling us of happy/loving family times, which seems to be unusual when it comes to memories of one's mother. It seems that Margaret was very much a background person. The custom of the day was for a wife and mother to be "there" but submitted to her husband.

Margaret became ill, for how long is not stated on her death certificate but from the records found from Franz's second marriage certificate, and a search of the NSW BDM records, before or during her illness it is apparent that Franz was having an affair as he fathered a son in 1932 to Thelma Williams. It wasn't until June 1933 that Margaret passed away from lung cancer. In November the following year, 17 months later Franz married Thelma and fathered a second child in 1936.

One wonders if Margaret knew of the affair and this is why Mavis did not have happy memories of her mother/family life. More family drama followed which is continued in Mavis's biography.

Margaret's children were: Dorothea Margaret B 11/7/1904 died 11/11/1904 age 4 months Gracie Irene B 26/5/1906 D 1928 Age 22 years Heather Gordon B 10/4/1909 D 13/7/1985 Age 76 Married Leslie G Lovett 1930 Phyllis Frances May B 18/4/1912 D 16/11/1995 Age 83 Married William James Lovett 11/1/1930 Rosalie Mavis B 21/12/01918 D 8/8/1969 Age 50 Married Cecil Darcy Hope 27/1/1940

Margaret is buried in the Kingswood Cemetery, Sydney. She died at the age of 53.

Sources

• Margaret's oral and written Family Records

Marriage Cert No 3908 NSW Date/Place 29 April 1903, Congregational Church, Marrickville Parties: Franz Christian Ahmelmann, Butcher, Bachelor, age 22, Burwood Road, Burwood Birthplace Arncliffe NSW Father: Franz Christian Ahmelmann, Butcher Mother: Dorothea Jacobson to Margaret Garvie Gordon, Home Duties, age 23, Spinster, George Street, Marrickville, Birthplace" Perthshire, Scotland Father: John Guild Gordon, Blacksmith Mother: Margaret Garvie Gordon Witnesses: John G Gordon, Mary M Gammie

Death Cert No 8623 NSW Date/Place: 5 June 1933 / Blacktown Road, Blacktown Age: 53 years Cause of Death: Carcinoma Lungs Father/Occupation: John Guild Gordon / Blacksmith Mother: Margaret Garvie Gordon Informant: F Ahmelman, Widower, Blacktown Road, Blacktown Buried: 7 June 1933 Church of England Cemetery Kingswood Birth/No of years in Aust Colonies: Perth Scotland / 52 years in NSW Marriage: Marrickville Sydney NSW, 24 years to Frederick Ahmelman Issue: Heather G 23, Phyllis F 21, Roselea M 14, 2 females deceased