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Hello Frank - hopefully. Rec'd yrs re files to check W A Nicholls Scottish Horse - (WO100/WO127 - Pietermaritzberg 1901 ties in with mystery 'photo taken that city, woman and kids - possible 2nd bigamous marriage Nicholls.
Am a beginner 71 yr old, simply cannot access those files, got hopelessly lost, ended up trying to email researcher but no Java script. Would you be a british gentleman, try & find next of kin for this fella - shld be William and Lavinia Nicholls New Caledonia. I simply cannot do it and I believe this is my GGF. Hopefully yours, Vernette

Hello,
Are you saying that you have already spoken to a researcher on this matter?
Frank

No - ended up on a researche3r's home page. V

Frank, thanks for your email - I did know that a farrier was more MUCH than that, from my own reading. GGF abandoned a young wife and three little girls in Aus - does not loom large in family history/legend/myth. It has always been 'known' that he did go to Boer War. He is not known in Aust records, I became excited when W A Nicholls was in Pietermaritzberg because of the 'photo. disappointed that William Alfred rather than Andrew was the man.
There is no known reason WHY this was sent to my Grmother, first of his daughters (except to say - give up, he's made another life).
I am contacting researchers of National Archives, S A as I feel I can't progress without professional help. You have been patient, I appreciate your time and knowledge! Vernette

Hello Vernette,
If you are suggesting that a civil court in Australia convicted your great grandfather of theft, moreover, actually gave him a choice of joining the army or prison, in 1899, I am very confident that he would not have been given parole to just leave the country, is this actual documented fact or a just family myth?
Regards Frank Kelley

Hello Frank - I have no hard evidence of his theft - but he WAS a solicitor's clerk, and he defrauded employer. He may not have been charged, have been a minor? amount - I guessed they wanted to get rid of him. I'm sure he/they lived in Melbourne in 1892 as he wasn't around when third daughter was born that year, that girl last saw her father 1895 ish.

The idea of trying to find facts in criminal law records when I don't know when theft occurred or consequences is intimidating. ps William came from a 'good family'(mining) tall, good physique, good looking, articulate. I think all his life he talked himself into and out of situations. I wanted to avoid second researcher but think no other way.
I will go for pro researcher in SA...regards, Vernette