George Williams Ellis (1840 - 1924)

Born 29 Dec 1840 in New South Wales, Australia [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Books) Ellis — married 18 Jan 1873 in Balmain, New South Wales, Australia

Died 20 Aug 1924 at age 83 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Biography

This profile is part of the Ellis Name Study.

George was born in 1840. He is the son of Hugh Ellis.

Notice

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Saturday 20 September 1924, page 2. ^[1] SAILING - GEORGE ELLIS CHAMPION SKIPPER DEATH AT VANCOUVER News has been received in Sydney that the veteran champion skipper, George Ellis, had passed away suddenly at Vancouver on August 20. "Geordie," as he was popularly called, left Sydney for Vancouver in February, 1907, after having been for many years recognised as one of the best, if not the best, open boat skipper in Australia. He sailed every class, of boat from dingys up to the 24-footer, and on many occasions also succeeded in gaining first prize in yacht races. By this week's Vancouver mail Mr. Peter Cowle received a letter written by the noted skipper on August 5, a fortnight be-fore his death, to which Mrs. Curry had added: "I am sorry to write that Mr. Ellis, my darling father, died suddenly to-day. August 20, but as he had given me this letter to mail I must send it. Mr. Ellis wrote: "I am very pleased to hear the news about all my old sailing friends, seeing that a lot have passed away since I left good old Sydney. I have not seen any place like it yet. Give my best respects to all my old friends. I am enjoying good health, as Vancouver air seems to agree with me. I have not done any sailing here, only fixing yachts up and coaching with sailing. I took hold of the tiller in an all-night roll, thinking the others couldn't see me. We won, but the skipper of the second boat entered a pro-test against me. I had a pretty good innings of 45 years boat sailing, and I am just as keen as ever for it. Wishing au revoir. Wishing good luck." Our late friend makes reference to many sailing identities, some of whom have de-parted ahead of him.

Sources

1. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119963696

• https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search
• Birth - NSW BDM BC V32 25A/1840.
• Baptised at St Phillip's, Sydney - 7 February 1941 - "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTC6-8LR : 28 January 2020), George Ellis, 1841.
• Marriage - MC 1270/1873 - Groom = ELLIS, GEORGE W; Bride = BOOKS, MARY - BALMAIN
• Death - 20 Aug 1924 - Vancouver - "Canada, British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLG3-QM9 : 8 November 2017), George William Ellis, 1924.
• Link - https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GCJK-Q18