My great great grandfather’s name was Fortunato Alfredo Corsano, who was born on the island of Mali Losinj (in Croatia) in about 1846, possibly born in the town of Mali. The island of Losinj is in the northern Adriatic Sea and was at that time part of the Austrian Empire. His father was a trader or merchant and possibly not from Losinj - perhaps from Italy? His mother was probably a native Losinj. He also had a brother who migrated to Canada. I also have a feeling there is a link between the Corsano and Martinolich families at Mali Losinj. Some people with the Corsano name continue to live in Mali Losinj today.
In about 1867 he migrated to Australia onboard the ship “Ninevehâ€. He changed his name to Alfred Carson. He worked in gold mines at various locations and later was an overseer involved in street construction. Towns of residence in Australia were all in the State of NSW, being in Grafton, Wellingrove, Sydney (Leichhardt), Bathurst and Wyalong.
He married a Scottish woman Agnes Smith in 1874 in Grafton. They had the following children: Alfred (also named Fortunate), Frank (also named Francis), Archibald, Agnes (also named Rosa), Islay (also named Peter), Clarence, Wesley, Margaret and Victor. He adopted the Presbyterian religion.
He was naturalized in 1881 and died on 9 November 1929 in Sydney. He is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Rookwood, Sydney.
I am a descendant of his third son Archibald. Only recently did I discover that my great great grandfather was actually from present day Croatia. Until this time my entire family believed that he was from Ireland. This was an incredible discovery for the family. It seems that over the years he just 'blended' into Australian society and many people didn't know he actually had Austrian/Croatian heritage.
I have hit a brick wall in attempting to find any further information on this person than what is written above. If there are any distant kin out there or perhaps any people with any tips I would be keen to hear from you.
Joel Carson
Sydney, Australia