New South Wales couple Larraine and Ken Boyden came to Collie on Monday, September 4 for the Collie Retired Miners’ Annual General Meeting, bringing representatives from Retired Miners groups together from around Australia.
Larraine utilised the chance to learn more about her great-grandfather Robert Remmington’s history.
Mrs Boyden had been compiling information for her family tree when the opportunity arose.
“They eloped from England together, she was a Mrs Banks and he was a Robert Remmington, and they were charged on the docks in England for stealing…they were found with her possessions and bags filled with linen, crockery and cutlery and they were making it off to Australia,” she said.
“Her husband charged her with elopement, anyway the court dismissed it and they did come to Australia.”
Mrs Boyden said the couple had come to Newcastle before travelling to Collie for Robert to work in the coal mines. She also revealed, after Robert was injured, the wife left him for a friend of his.
The wife had Robert charged with stealing, landing Robert in prison while she and his friend moved to NSW together.
The couple visited the Collie Mail office and Collie Public Library to find out more about the area.
The Perth Library also assisted Mrs Boyden with information on her great-grandfather’s life in Western Australia.
She said the outlets were instrumental in providing information on her ancestor, the old Police Station premises, the old Commercial Hotel in town and the town’s mining history.
“I have had so much help, it’s a lovely, friendly town, meeting the retired mine workers was really good,” she said.
Mrs Boyden has been working on the family tree over the past 30 years, using the internet and newspapers to gather information.
Mr Boyden has served as president of the Swansea Retired Miners group in their home town of Newcastle.
Do you think you can help the Boydens with their search? Email thomas.munday@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
