Lucy Jane Cleary – Her Story

Lucy Jane Cleary 1893–1933

Colleen’s paternal grandmother

When Lucy Jane Cleary was born on 4^th May 1893, in Westmead, New South Wales, her father, John, was 26 and her mother, Bridget, was 25. She married Reginald George Williamson on 30^th July 1912, in Woollahra, New South Wales. They had nine children in 18 years. She died on 8^th January 1933, in Randwick, New South Wales, at the age of 39, and was buried in New South Wales.

Birth

Lucy Jane Cleary was born on 4^th May 1893, in Westmead, New South Wales to Bridget Flanagan, age 25, and John Cleary, age 26. Lucy was their third child, her older sisters Catharine Maria and Ellen May were born in 1890 and 1892. Her father, John, worked as an attendant at the Parramatta hospital for the insane. Also present at Lucy’s birth were Dr. Kearney and her grandmother, Mrs. Mary Flanagan.

Westmead is 26 kilometers west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Parramatta and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.

Significant Events in Lucy’s Timeline

• Death of Sister: Lucy Jane’s sister Ellen May died in 1895 in Parramatta, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 2 years old.
• Birth and Death of Brother: Her brother John William was born in 1895 and passed away that same day.
• Birth of Brother: Lucy Jane’s brother Harold Silvester was born in 1897 in Parramatta, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 4 years old.
• Birth of Brother: Lucy Jane’s brother Stanley Joseph was born on January 23, 1899, in Westmead, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 5 years old.
• Death of Brother: Lucy Jane’s brother Harold Silvester died in 1899 in Parramatta, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 6 years old.
• Death of Brother: Lucy Jane’s brother Peter died in 1900 in Granville, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 7 years old.
• Birth of Sister: Lucy Jane’s sister Ella Cecilia was born in 1900 in Parramatta, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 7 years old.
• Australia Becomes a Commonwealth: In 1901, Lucy Jane Cleary was 7 years old and living in Parramatta when Australia became a Commonwealth.

Australia became a nation on 1 January 1901 when six British colonies—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania – united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This process was known as federation.

• Birth of Sister: Lucy Jane’s sister Mona Anastasia was born on December 7, 1902, in Parramatta, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 9 years old.
• Birth of Brother: Lucy Jane’s brother Robert James was born on April 7, 1904, in Parramatta, New South Wales when Lucy Jane was 10 years old.
• Birth of Brother: Lucy Jane’s brother John Timothy was born in 1906 when Lucy Jane was 13 years old.
• Birth of Brother: Lucy Jane’s brother Silvester Thomas was born in 1907 when Lucy Jane was 14 years old.
• Birth of Sister: Lucy Jane’s sister Eva May was born in 1910 when Lucy Jane was 17 years old. Eva May died two years later in 1912.
• Occupation: Prior to her marriage, Lucy was employed as a staff member at the Hospital for the insane, Parramatta

Marriage

Lucy Jane Cleary married Reginald George Williamson on 30^th July 1912, in The Manse, Grafton Street, Woollahra, New South Wales, when she was 19 years old. The marriage was conducted in accordance with the rites of the Congregational Church.

Reginald George Williamson and his wife Lucy Jane Cleary probably taken on their wedding day, 30th July 1912

Children

1. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Edna May was born on 28^th May 1913 and passed away on 13^th July 1998. Edna May Williamson (1913–1998)
2. Birth of Son: Her son Norman Stewart was born on 20^th February 1915, in Parramatta, New South Wales and passed away on 24^th February 1981. Norman Stewart Williamson (1915–1981)
3. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Juanita Jane was born on 8^th June 1917 and passed away on 23^rd December 1999. Juanita Jane Williamson (1917–1999)
4. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Constance Patricia was born on 2^nd June 1919 and passed away on 25^th November 2011. Constance Patricia Williamson (1919–2011)
5. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Mona Cecilia was born on 29^th December 1921 and passed away on 27^th June 2001. Mona Cecilia Williamson (1921–2001)
6. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Eva Veronica was born on 15^th January 1924 and passed away on 29^th January 2011. Eva Veronica Williamson (1924–2011)
7. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Joyce Magdalene was born on 1^st June 1926 and passed away on 17^th July 2002. Joyce Magdalene Williamson (1926–2002)
8. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Lorna Maria was born on 13^th August 1929 and passed away on 26^th December 1992. Lorna Maria Williamson (1929–1992)
9. Birth of Daughter: Her daughter Lucia Anastacia was born on 28^th October 1931 and passed away on 11^th July 1999. Lucia Anastacia Williamson (1931–1999)

Residence

Reginald George Williamson lived with his wife Lucy Jane Cleary in Parramatta region of New South Wales, between 1912 and 1933. Locations include:

• 1916 – Galloway Street, Parramatta
• 1920 – Patonville Road, Merrylands / Isabella Street, Parramatta
• 1926 – Palmer Street, Parramatta
• 1930 – 8 Gilbert Street, Parramatta
• 1932 – 6 Trott Street, Parramatta

Death and Burial

Lucy Jane Cleary died on 8^th January 1933, in Coast Hospital Auxiliary, Randwick, New South Wales, when she was 39 years old. She had been suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and had been in the hospital for three months. Lucy was buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery Rookwood on 9^th January 1933. Her nine children were aged between six months and 19 years.

Family Tree Charts

The following Fan Chart show three generations of Lucy’s direct ancestors:

Fan chart showing Lucy Cleary’s ancestors

Lucy and Reg’s descendant chart lists all their children in birth order:

Family chart listing all children of Reg and Lucy’s marriage

Our direct relationship to Lucy Jane Cleary

1. Lucy Jane Cleary (1893 – 1933) Colleen’s paternal grandmother
2. → Norman Stewart Williamson (1915 – 1981) son of Lucy Jane Cleary