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Subject: [AUS-VIC-West] Murdered or Missing?
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 10:08:28 EDT

My g-g-grandparents, James Kerr & Jane Townley were married in Belfast in
1843 and emigrated to Australia in 1856, arriving in Hobart and then crossing
to Victoria - to Buninyong, then settling in the Cobrico district. Jane died
in 1911, aged 91 & is buried in Terang Cemetery. According to family lore
however, James decided at some stage to return to Scotland to visit Jane's
parents. He withdrew 800 pounds and was last seen drinking in a pub at Colac
with a man who later on seemed to have come into some money. When the ship
docked in Scotland several months later, James wasn't on it and it is
generally believed that he was murdered for his money. Without a body, of
course there is no death certificate. How can I find out when he disappeared?
I have tried Wise's directory but he also had a son James (1850-1892) who was
also a farmer in the area. His last child, Hannah was born in 1868, so I am
looking after that date.
Hoping someone can help,
Dianne Davis
Also researching: Wilkinson, Williams, Jameson, Blakiston, Blundell & Hawke

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