Looking for a relative in Australia possibly died in 2007

Question

I am looking for my fathers Cousin Ruth Martin who lived in Toorak, Melbourne, Australia and who died in Dec 2007.

She was born roughly around 1924. I dont have her exact DOB since it still less than 100 years ago. Her parents were married in 1920, if that helps. She had one younger sister who was born in 1927.

According to the death notice for Ruths mother in 1973, Ruth was living in Toorak, Melbourne at that time.

So I checked the Ryerson newspaper index.

I found one person named Ruth May Martin who died  (late of Toorak) on or around 30 December 2007 and the obituary written up in early Jan 2008 in both the Age and the Herald Sun. May was Ruths mothers middle name.

Is there anyone who can find out more details of this Ruth May Martin for me - I would be very grateful.

Her spouses initials in 1973 were S. M. (Martin). What did S M stand for? When did he die? Did they have any children?

Comments

What was Ruth's maiden name?

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Ruth Thompson - she was my fathers first cousin, born in NZ.

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OK It is now 17 hours since I first asked this question.

While I have been asking my questions and responding to your wonderful answers, I have been working on Ruth and Samuels Profiles.

Here they are. Samuel first and then Ruth.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Martin-52562

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Thompson-31042

Answer 1

According to the 1977 Australian Electoral Roll (on Ancestry), in 1977 Ruth May Martin was living at 4 Hill Street, Toorak, Higgins, Victoria, Australia. Also living at the same address were Samuel Mitchell F. Martin (a manager), Andrew Martin (a student) and Christopher Martin (also a student). I would therefore guess that Samuel is her husband and Andrew and Christopher are their sons.

In the 1980 Electoral Roll, which is the latest one available on Ancestry, Ruth, Samuel and Andrew are still living at the same address, but Christopher seems to have moved out.

In the 1972 Electoral Roll, which is the only other one that came up in the search, Ruth and Samuel are again shown at the same address. Andrew and Christopher are not shown (not yet old enough to vote?), but there is a Vicki Martin at the same address, with her occupation given as "personnel", so possibly a daughter?

Comments

Thank you Paul!!!

Very interesting details.

Now if you can just find their marriage record - I need proof that Ruth was born in NZ to be able to say that this is the right person.

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I found Christopher Martin at school in South Australia!!

He was born in 1952, which could make him the oldest child. He was sent off to school in 1959 - at age 7.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP5B-GSXC

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Confirmed: Mother of Vicki, Chris and Andrew

Answer 2

Have you tried searching The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust at http://www.gmct.com.au/ ? They have most of the larger Melbourne Cemeteries online.

Comments

There is no burial from 2007 in the results for that website.

But thanks for the link.

Answer 3

Ruth Thompson, New Zealand Archives, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973

Immigration 16 Mar 1950, Sydney, New Zealand, age 26, occupation-Librarian, birth year estimated at 1924. Departure on 16 May 1950 at Sydney, port of Wellington, ship name Wanganella.

William Thompson born est. 1883, a farmer, and Alan Thompson born est. 1928, a clerk, also departed from the same port on the same ship.

Familysearch.org

Comments

Frank and William are not related to my family.

I do beleive that this Ruth Thompson is my Ruth Martin, but I dont have enough information to be able to prove that yet!!

I do not have any marriage details of Ruth getting married in Melbourne.

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What about Alan Thompson born est 1928 occupation Clerk who was on the same boat as Ruth?

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Also not related to my family!!

Ruth had no brothers only sisters and Alan is NOT a name that shows up in my Thompson family tree.

But he may be an ancestor of Alan Thompson the NZ Olympic Canoeist at the 1984 Los Angeles games.

Answer 4

Findmypast 

Record set Victoria Wills & Probate

First name(s) Ruth May

Sex Female

Last name Martin

Grant year 2008

Death year 2007

Occupation Home Duties

Residence Toorak

State Victoria

Country Australia

Nature of grant -

Death date 30 Dec 2007

Grant date 14 Apr 2008

To whom committed -

File number 1298008

Order link

VPRS 28/P39, unit 128

Category Life Events (BDMs)

Subcategory Wills & Probate

Collections from Australasia

Comments

Thanks Marion.

Still does not confirm, that she is MY Ruth Martin. Does not give an age or a DOB or a POB.

Can you read the actual will itself? I would also love to know who her spouse was. I am not a member of FMP.

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I have been looking, just going to newspapers on FMP, back soon

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Do you think her spouse pre-deceased her? Probably, given her will was probated - meaning she had more than $60,000 in property or money. If he was alive property would nearly always go directly to him and then only bank accounts would count for probate. Not found anything else on FMP.

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I would not be surprised if he did pass away before she did.

Anytime before Dec 2007.

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Findmypast - possible? No copy to read

Victoria Wills & Probate

First name(s) Samuel

Sex Male

Last name Martin

Grant year 1989

Death year 1989

Occupation Rted

Residence North Shore

State Victoria

Country Australia

Nature of grant P

Death date 03 Nov 1989

Grant date 11 Dec 1989

To whom committed -

File number 1018/317

Order link

VPRS 28/P19, unit 303

Category Life Events (BDMs)

Subcategory Wills & Probate

Collections from Australasia

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Copies of wills available for purchase here

https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates

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Samuel died in 1989.

Thank you so much Marion

I really appreciate that last date!!

Answer 5

Holy Cow - Samuel was a Kiwi too!! 

I found his birth record in the DIA database!!!

Samuel Mitchell Frederick Martin

Born 1918, parents - Jane and Cornelius Mitchell Martin

1918/15481

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Also found the Kiwi record of Cornelius Mitchell Martin marrying one Jane Baldwin in NZ in 1916!!

1916/8648

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The Marriage of Samuel Martin to Ruth Thompson would have been around 1950 which is less than 80 years ago so not available to the NZ public yet - IF they got married in NZ. 

Answer 6

From a CD published by the New Zealand Society of Genealogists, Samuel Mitchell Frederick Martin married Ruth May Thompson in 1943.

Regards

Jean

Comments

Yes I have heard about that CD and I wish I had been able to purchase one before I left NZ. Thank you so much Jean!!!

Answer 7

Now I have to ask - How big a deal is it to be awarded the Military cross for Gallantry in the field? Apparently it had to be approved by the king.

Samuel was awarded the Military Cross for Gallantry in Italy in 1944, during WW2.

I found several mentions of this on Papers Past.

Answer 8

hi Robynne - - have you seen this Link / or is it useful to you ? = https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/88402 =

Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Samuel Mitchell Frederick Martin

Leave a note

Contribute ›

Thank you for your service

Public - Aileen - Other relative - 22 April 2018

- if you wish - you may paste his WT hyper/Profile to the site - I have done this b4 - - cheers john.a

Comments

EXCELLENT John, Thank you. There is even a photo!!!!

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- yes ! - -  in Aust, we have DVA rolls, which give NoK, and I use VWMA to paste them - - but I do not know where the kiwis store/record them - - ja

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HUH?? Too much Jargon, John!!

What are DVA, NoK, and VWMA?

I'm just an ignorant Kiwi  LOL

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DVA - department of Veteran Affairs.

NoK- next of kin.

Answer 9

and also this - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1575840/ = from AWM , as presented in Aust - - - ja

Comments

Thanks John. So in 1949 they were living in Newcastle, NSW. That is interesting. I wonder when they moved to Melbourne?

Answer 10

She was cremated at Springvale in Melbourne 

See Deceased Search at Southern metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.

Ruth May Martin

Date of birth

04 December 1922

Date of death

30 December 2007

Date of service

04 January 2008

Service provided

Cremated

Funeral director

Le Pine - Camberwell

Tenure expiry date

-

Cemetery

Springvale Botanical Cemetery

Cemetery area

Cremated Remains Collection

Cemetery location

The cremated remains have been collected

Religion or cultural preference

Additional information

-

Comments

I know this is 3 months late, but thank you so much Janette!!