AUS-SAGEN-L Archives

From: Peter Hooper <>
Subject: Where to from here?
Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 20:56:55 +1000
References: <200508040400.j744031a022621@lists2.rootsweb.com>
In-Reply-To: <200508040400.j744031a022621@lists2.rootsweb.com>

*GILES / HOOPER / DOWNER*

My father was Geoffrey Neil HOOPER, DOB 30-10-1917. His mother was
Harriet Matilda GILES who married Cyril HOOPER, 3 Apr 1920. Her age at
m. was given as 27y. It would seem reasonable to conclude that Dad was
a Giles, not Hooper. I am unable to find any birth record under either
surname.

However I believe that finally I have traced his birth: Geoffrey Neil,
b. 30-10-1917, Medindie, father not stated, mother Harriet Matilda
COURTNEY, 23y, b. Blackwood. Apart from the surname everything is
consistent with what we know about Dad and his mother. I speculate that
Grandma was unmarried when he was born and stayed with a family member
at Medindie for the birth, before returning to Blackwood. Records
indicate that there were a number of Giles in the Medindie area,
including the birth of one Geoffrey Neale Giles about 7 years earlier.
(I received a copy of the above entry today, but the only additional
information is that he was b. at Salvation Army Hospital, Briar
A...??.... , Medindie. The informant was the Matron of the McBride
Hosp., Medindie)

We are curious about the surname Courtney. I am wondering if any Giles
researchers have that name popping up in their database, particularly in
the Blackwood or Medindie area, or - as a reallyyy long shot - working
for or connected with Sir & Lady Downer. (I can't recall their Christian
names at the moment) I would think that in all probability the name is
without any connection to either Giles or the father. Accordingly I
think that I've reached a dead end on tracing Dad's father, but would
appreciate any suggestions on directions to look from here.

Thanks

Peter H.

This thread:

• Where to from here? by Peter Hooper <>