Francis Elsie Mainey (1895 - abt. 1978)

Born 1895 in Turners Flat, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

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Biography

The final two children, the thirteenth and fourteenth in the family of John Mainey (abt.1845-1896) and his wife Frances Clara (Killmore) Mainey (abt.1860-1922) were twins. Francis Elsie^[1] and Charles Lewis were born in 1895, and their births registered at Kempsey. Based on the second given name Elsie, and a mother by the name of Frances, I have assumed that finally they have their first daughter! However, the spelling registered is the 'male' spelling Francis.

Before the twins were a year old, their father was charged with failing to feed and clothe his family adequately. The pathetic condition of the two babes was described in court as "On Monday last the police visited Mainey’s and saw two infants (twins) which only appeared to be a week old, though they were really 10 months old. They appeared to be absolutely starved, and were covered with rags ; the bed and clothes were filthy, and the smell in the room was sickening. The older children appeared better cared for, but this was said to be due to kindness on the part of neighbors. Mainey, who was in a filthy condition, told the police the infants were well looked after, and were better than some others they had reared. His wife said it did not bother him, as he never looked after them. She seemed quite broken hearted, and was something like the children, half-starved and in rags. All the food in the house was part of a bag of flour, and Mrs. Mainey told the police that she had no tea or meat, or anything but milk to give the infants.^[2]

Research Notes

I have not been able to find Francis/Frances' death in NSW, nor a marriage.

Said to have died in 1978.[1]

Sources

1. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY FRANCIS E; 23377/1895; JOHN & FRANCES; KEMPSEY
2. ↑ The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW) Fri 24 Apr 1896 Page 8 Starving a Wife and Children. The full article can be read on father's profile at https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Mainey-21