John Marra (1860 - 1930)

Born 12 May 1860 in Macclesfield, South Australia

Ancestors

Husband of LIzzie Mcgee (Dalton) Marra — married 8 Jul 1885 in Mount Barker, South Australia

Descendants

Died 7 Nov 1930 at age 70 in Netherby, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

John Marra was born in the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

John Marra has Irish ancestors.

Birth

John was born in Macclesfield South Australia, the son of Thomas Marra and Elizabeth Sabey. He was the second child and first born son of the couple. His mother Elizabeth (Sabey) Mara (abt.1837-1863) died in 1863, (believed to have died in childbirth by some family members). His father married in 1865 to Sarah (Sabey) Marra (1848-1927). it is believed that Sarah helped him with his children after the death of Elizabeth, and that the primary photo of the children here was taken at the marriage to Sarah. John is the young boy on the rear left behind his sister Margaret (Mara) Rainsford (1858-1883) with brother Martin (Mara) Marra (1862-1935) on the right.

Marriage

John married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dalton at Mount Barker on July 8, 1885. ^[1]

Death of Daughter

Ivy Kathleen May (Mara) Marra (1904-1914) passed away at teh age of 9 after undergoing brain surgery: OBITUARY. On Friday last, the death occurred of Ivy Kathleen Marra, aged 9 years, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Marra, of Netherby. Deceased recently under went a very serious operation for hydatids on the brain, and although she made good progress for a time, eventual ly took a bad turn, which terminated fatally. Deceased was one of the most promising and brightest little girls of the Netherby district, and will be missed not only by her school companions, but by a wide circle of friends. The greatest sympathy is extended to the parents and family* in the sad bereavement they have sustained.. The remains were interred last Sunday, the funeral being one of the largest that has entered the Netherby cemetery for some years. Father Jones, of St. Patrick's church, Nhill, conducted the funeral service; Messrs John Allen and Son had charge of the mortuary arrangements. ^[2]

Death of Son

Harold Edwin (Mara) Marra (1877-1917) was killed in Action in WWI: PRIVATE H MARRA Mr J Marra of Netherby, has been notified that his second son, Pte Harold Marra, has died of gunshot wounds received in the firing line. He was a noted athlete. ^[3]

OBITUARY. PRIVATE HAROLD MARRA. Yet another of our gallant district soldiers has fallen on the battlefields in of France while doing his duty for king and country. On Tuesday last the sad intelligence was conveyed to Mr ; J. Marra, a highly respected resident of Netherby, that his second son, Private Harold Marra, had died of gun shot wounds received in the fighting line. Private Marra was a particularly bright and popular young man of the Netherby district where be has resided since childhood, and the sad news cast a gloom over the whole district where the fallen hero was so well known and respected. He was an athlete with few equals, and on the football field always stood out prominently for the manly game he played. Sympathy of a real nature is expressed on all sides for the parents and family of the deceased soldier- The flag at the Netherby school was flown at halfmast out of respect for one who had received his education at the school some years ago ^[4]

Death

He died in Victoria in 1930 aged 69^[5]

Mr. John Marra, of Netherby, has died at the age of 69 years. ^[6]

Burial

He is buried at Netherby Cemetery. ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage Record: 91v144; (Year: 1885) BDM, South Australia (Name: John MARRA); (Father's Name: Thomas MARRA); (Spouse Name: Lizzie DALTON); (Spouse's Father's Name: William DALTON); (Marriage Date: 08 July 1885); (Marriage Place: MOUNT BARKER, SA)
2. ↑ OBITUARY. (1914, July 24). Nhill Free Press (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129554650
3. ↑ PRIVATE H. MARRA. (1917, June 13). The Ballarat Courier (Vic. : 1869 - 1884; 1914 - 1918), p. 5 (DAILY.). Retrieved May 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74574254
4. ↑ OBITUARY. (1917, June 8). Nhill Free Press (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129563033
5. ↑ Death Record: 2787 / 1930 BDM Victoria. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history. (Name: John MARRA); (Place: NHILL, VIC); (Mother: MARRA, Elizabeth SABEY); (Father: MARRA, Thomas).
6. ↑ THE COUNTRY (1930, January 16). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 43. Retrieved June 5, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90101640
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 05 June 2021), memorial page for John MARRA (24 May 1862–7 Jan 1930), Find A Grave: Memorial #225407373, citing Netherby Cemetery, Netherby, Hindmarsh Shire, Victoria, Australia ; Maintained by MZ (contributor 50759933) .

• Family history notes