I noticed an earlier enquiry regarding the Bush Inn at Ravenswood and wondered if anyone had come across the location of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, in the same old gold mining town. My great grandparents Frank (William Francis Marion) Steen and Ann Gane were married in that hotel on 12th december, 1871 and I believe that Ann's brother, John Thomas Gane, may have been the licencee of another hotel there. John Thomas Gane's daughter, Sophia, married Josiah Keeble at the Cosmopolitan Hotel on the same day as Frank and Ann wed. I have been to Ravenswood a couple of times over the years as Frank Steen is buried in the old cemetery at Ravenswood, and know that a couple of the old hotels are still standing but not the Cosmopolitan, unless it had a change of name.
Obviously churches were in short supply at Ravenswood dduring that period but I read somewhere that, at one time, hotels abounded!

Hi, I was interested in reading your post. I have quite a few ancesters from Ravenswood and the Charters Towers region. While I was visiting there about a year ago, I collected a booklet about the history of Ravenswood (by Jill Mather & Jim Cox) I was unable to find any trace of the hotel that you were seeking information on. They could have changed it's name at some point which could explain the lack of info. Anyway, if you haven't seen the magazine and would like a copy, I would be happy to copy it for you and send it on. Just let me know a mailing address and I will share my copy with you. Best regards
Jane Cairns (nee Kippin) (mob: 0402295668)

Hi Jane

That would be great. I was born and raised in Townsville (now live in Toowoomba) and am headed that way shortly for a few weeks to visit my mum. We'll be staying in West End.

Why I asked you to email me directly is that I grew up knowing people named Kippin so zipped quickly through your first few pages of pages and, voila, there was Dot (Dorothy) Devine, formerly Kruger nee Kippin. I knew her when I was young as my Sunday School teacher but my husband knew both Dot and Shelley through tenpin and we didn't even realise it until we all met at an airport one day years ago.

What a small world. I'd love to know your connection:)

Gloria Sheehan

Hi Gloria, It is truly a small world isn't it. I grew up in West End. In fact my Mother Joan Kippin (nee Hitchcock) lived in the same house in Stagpole Street since she was 4 years old. She passed away at the age of 63 and had only just moved less than 6 months previously. Dorothy is my 1st cousin once removed. Her father was my great uncle.
Would love to catch you while you are in Townsville. If you would like to also please give me a ring anytime. Regards
Jane Cairns
0402295668

My goodness, Jane

Your mother was Joan Kippin, the pianist! The house at which I will be staying is my sister's, (she is living temporarily in Melbourne)and it is No 46 Stagpole which I believe is next door to your mum's former home. On the other side were my aunt's (by marriage) family, the Whebells. :) :)
Lindsay and Margaret were in the same congregation as my mum at St Andrews Presbyterian and still visit her (she is 91) from time to time at the RSL.

While we're in Townsville we'll be going to St Andrews on Sundays.I've written your phone number in my computer book that travels everywhere with me for genealogy research.

Regards
Gloria

In all of that I forgot to mention that it's been many years since I've been to Ravenswood myself. My great grandfather, William Francis Marion Steen, is buried in the old pioneer cemetery there and up until 1987 his grave was overgrown and the headstone broken. After dad passed away, mum had it repaired to I went up during the 90's to photograph it as part of my genealogy research.

In the intervening years I've slowly put together much of the history of my family in Ravenswood and the Towers but there are still gaps missing. In between my wider research for all family lines (as well as those of others who ask), I still keep my eyes open for the missing pieces. It's amazing how, every now and then, something just pops up out of nowhere:)

Regards
Gloria

Hi Gloria,
I seriously have to meet you now! How amazing! Is your sister's house for sale? We always keep check on what is going on in Stagpole Street. My brother and sister and I always wanted to buy back Mum's old house as the guy who purchased it never did take it back to it's former glory like he said he would. Oh well...one day maybe. Please, yes, ring me when you are here and I will arrange to meet with you. Lindsay and Margaret only live 1 block away from us now but we have lived here in Currajong for over 35 years.
Just amazing all of this!
Best regards
Jane

Hi again Jane

Yes, that's the one, directly opposite the old bus depot...they had a fire there this time last year and we went up to house-sit while the repairs were being done. Planned to be there for two weeks and ended up staying for seven!

Not that I mind as I always feel at home in that area even though we moved from North Ward to Gulliver in 1963...that house only sold in 2004 when mum went into care.

I agree about your mum's home....one of my other sisters remembers it as it was years ago and we've often said what unrealised potential it has. The former Whebell home on the other side sold earlier this year again and had been beautifully renovated and the former family home of another of my brothers-in-law, a place in Ralston Street,has also been restored by subsequent owners and is also on the market.

However many of the lovely old homes in West End, Belgian Gardens and North Ward that we knew growing up, being the homes of rellies, have gone forever and units are proliferating in their places. Progress can be very sad at times.

We lived in Landsborough St, when Yarrawonga was just 'the hill' and a little bridge spanned the gully for access to Warburton St. When there were fires on Castle Hill, animals used to come down into the paddock across the road where the Cootheringa Home was later built (and now where multi-units now stand) to the safety of the gully.

Howe things have changed! Progress, I guess, but that doesn't mean I don't miss those more serene days.

Regards
Gloria

Can anyone help me. I am looking for John O'Grady and/or Lucy - either a blacksmith or someone who ran a boarding house in Ravenswood (or Townsville perhaps?). My great grandmother Bessie O'Grady lists her birthplace as ravenswood in 1892 (on her death certificate - and townsville on her marriage certificate).

She listed him as a blacksmith in 1910 when she married and there is a thought that she met her husband Major Faulkner in her parents boarding house too. We think she had a sister Molly M. Spence from Paddington NSW and Jack O'Grady too.

Any help would be appreciated. She totally disappears.
Carolyn