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Orphan Number: 4505
Orphan: Richard RADCLIFFE
Mother:RATCLIFFE, Sarah
Father:,
Mother's ship:
Father's ship:
Age when admitted:9yrs
Date admitted:30 Jun 1837
Date discharged:24 Nov 1840
Institution(s):Queens Orphan School
Discharged to: mother
Remarks: mother at Ralph's Bay - father dead Spelt Ratcliffe in admission register
References: SWD28, CSO5/86/1885, CSO5/93/2074


This orphan has been claimed by: Pauline Kitson

Robert Felix Ratcliffe

Robert was born 29th August 1829 at Clarence Tasmania.

His mother Sarah Phillips was born 19th September 1802 at Bristol England. She was convicted of larceny, stealing a pound note from a man. Transported for 7 years and left on the “Lord Sidmouth” arriving in Hobart 1823. She was assigned soon after and later married James Ratcliffe at St Davids Church Hobart on 1st March 1824.

James Ratcliffe, a chimney sweep, was born about 1800 in England. He was convicted with two others for stealing 8 yards of fustian and some clothes. Transported for 7 years. He arrived on the “Almorah” to Sydney and then “Pilot” to Van Diemen’s Land arriving 24th December 1816.

Sarah and James has a small holding in Ralph’s Bay of about 50 acres.

They had 6 children: James, William Marshall, Robert Felix, Phoebe Elizabeth, John and Joseph Josiah.

James Ratcliffe died 9th March 1837 at York Plains. There are no details about his case of death.

Sarah kept the eldest son James to help on the farm and the two youngest children John and Joseph to stay with her.

Robert Felix, William Marshall and Phoebe Elizabeth were taken to the Queens Orphan School by Sarah in 1837. (Phoebe incorrectly listed as Radcliffe in the school records)

Robert Felix and his sister were collected by their mother when she remarried to Thomas Blake in 1840. William Marshall had absconded and returned home that year.

Robert married in 1846 (age 17) at Clarence Tasmania to a widow Mary Ann Higgenbottom nee Brooks. They had one child Sarah Ann who died in the same year she was born 1847.

Robert married Catherine Linton in 1853 in Victoria but the marriage was not legal because he was still married to Mary Ann. Mary Ann Ratcliffe died 1880 age 59 in Tasmania.

Robert then married Annie Denman in 1880 in Victoria at Tarraville where they lived till he died in 1903. He was a Shopkeeper.

He and Annie had 7 children.

 



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 Site last updated June 2021