Do you have the new PRENTICE eBook?
    John Prentice of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, England
    By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
    Winter 2003 and Revised 12 Jun 2011
    Update of 12 Jun 2011: . Thomas Prentice is #23.2 in our Spring 2001 article entitled Prentices of Linslade, Tilsworth, etc. . See that article for Thomas' ancestral roots.

    We are tracing the roots of Thomas Prentice of Sharnbrook, Bedofrdshire with the much appreciated help of Sue and Ron Terwijn, John Graeme Jennings, Renee Taylor, Mellissa Eklom, Tony Eklom, Bethney McLennan, Donna Parker and Helen Brockman. Here is what we have so far:

    1. Thomas Prentice, b. c. 1822 and probably in, or near, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, England and d. at Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia 25 Oct 1896. By email of 5 Oct 2004, Leanne Kovach relates that Thomas was chr. 17 Jul 1825, Sharnbrook, Bedford, England. A labourer,

    He is likely the son of John Prentice, discussed in "Who are Thomas Prentice's Parents?" at the end of this article, but we do not yet have confirming documentation for such relationship.

    Thomas m. Ann Westley at Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, on 4 May 1843. Ann was b. in Odell, Bedfordshire on 23 Jul 1820 and d. 1894 in Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia. She was the daughter of John Westley (Wesley) and Mary Ann Misseldine.

      Note: Other children of John Westley and Mary Ann Misseldine were:

      1. John Westley. He m Hannah Cooper 20 Nov 1818 Odell, Bedfordshire, England.
      2. George Westley, b 25 Jul 1819, Odell.
      3. Mary Westley, b 27 Jul 1823, Odell.
      4. William Westley, b. 3 Jun 1825, Odell.
      5. Robert Westley, b. 26 Aug 1827,Odell

    Thomas and Ann emigrated to Australia aboard the "Six Sisters." arriving in Geelong, Victoria, on 13 Jun 1853 as "assisted immigrants". The "Six Sisters" is probably that same ship described on an earlier 1852 voyage in the website at http://www.geocities.com/fryfamilyaustralia/firstgenerationinberkshire.html . From that article one can determine the size of the ship, passenger capacity, and probable duration of the voyage::

      "Richard [Pierce], Patience, and the girls were among the passengers who departed from the Port of London on September 27, 1852, aboard the Dutch ship of 657 tons Zes Gesusters (=Six Sisters), whose Master was Captain G. H. Riehaak, bound for Port Phillip. There were 277 passengers, 153 adults, 114 children under 14 years and 10 children under 12 months. At the beginning of the voyage, supplies were provided for 210 adults.

      The passenger manifest lists Richard’s occupation as Laborer, and the family’s respective ages were recorded in the Names and Descriptions of Passengers as Richard 30, Patience 29, Susannah 12, Jane 9, Anne 5 and Eliza 2.

      The ship’s log was signed by the Master and by Mr. Hanna, Surgeon. All the passengers were English save for 4 "Scotch". It looks like Richard decided to elevate his age in preparation for their new life in Australia.

      The ship arrived at Geelong where they disembarked on January 15, 1853, a voyage of 15 weeks and 6 days (a voyage usually took about 10 weeks). The ship’s arrival was reported in The Argus on January 18...."

    Thomas Prentice and his wife, Ann, had 15 children:

    1. John Prentice (1843-1919) m. Jane Russell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
    2. Jacob Prentice (died as a baby)
    3. Esau Prentice (died as a baby)
    4. Charlotte Prentice, b. 13 Jul 1845, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
    5. George Prentice, b. 31 Dec 1848, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire and d. 1908. He m. Selina Harriet White White in 1891. She was b. 1856,Somersetshire, England and d. 1947 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. He was 6 years of age when his parents emigrated to Australia.
    6. Elizabeth Prentice, b. 31 Jul 1849, Filmersham, Bedfordshire and d. 1928, Geelong. . . . . . . . . . [4]
    7. Thomas Prentice, b. 21 Mar 1852, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire.
    8. Rhoda/Rhonda Jane Prentice, b. 1853 at sea aboard the 6 Sisters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]
    9. William Prentice, b. 1855, Indented Head, Victoria, Australia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [6]
    10. Mary Anne Prentice (1856-1931) m. Henry Eklom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [7]
    11. Sarah Prentice, b. 1858, Indented Head, Victoria and d. 1858, 1 day old, in Bellerine, Victoria.
    12. Elizabeth Prentice, b. 1859, Indented Head, Victoria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [8]
    13. Harriet Prentice, b. 1861, Indented Head, Victoria and d. 1937. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [9]
    14. Maria Prentice, b. cc. 1861-63 and d. as a baby.
    15. Louisa Prentice, b. 1863, Ballarat, Victor and d. 1940. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [10]

    2. John Prentice, b. 1843, England and d. 1919 in Rocky Lead, Victoria. He arrived in Victoria on the 6 Sisters when he was 13 years of age.

    He m. Jane Russell. Children per correspondents and Ancestry.com :

    1. Prentice, John Wesley, b. 2 Dec 1860, Bellarine/Geelong, Victoria, Australia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.1]
    2. Prentice, William, b. c. 1864 and d. 1933, Bendigo, Victoria.
    3. Prentice, George, b. 29 Aug 1866, Dean/Bungaree, Victoria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.3]
    4. Prentice, Josiah, b. c. 1870 and d. 1948, Daylesford, Victoria
    5. Prentice, Margaret Caroline, b. c. 1880 and d. 1925, Hamilton, Victoria.
    6. Prentice, Alfred
    7. Prentice, Jane
    8. Prentice, John
    9. Prentice, Mary Miseldine

    John had the following grandchildren, but it is not yet known by which sons:

    1. Prentice, Arthur
    2. Prentice, Cecilia Werner
    3. Prentice, Frank Clifford
    4. Prentice, Helen Vera Ruby
    5. Prentice, James Josiah Cornwall George
    6. Prentice, Jessie Margaret
    7. Prentice, Mabel Lillian
    8. Prentice, Ruth Hannah
    9. Prentice, William John Richmond

    John had the following great-grandchildren, but it is not yet known by which sons and grandsons:

    1. Prentice, Evelyn May
    2. Prentice, Hazel Brenda. We received an email of 30 Jun 2008 from Michelle, a granddaughter of Hazel, and have hope to have more information about relationship of John's descendants.
    3. Prentice, Marjorie Ada
    4. Prentice, Maxwell George
    5. Prentice, William James

    2.1 Prentice, John Wesley, b. 2 Dec 1860, Bellarine/Geelong, Victoria, Australia, and d. 1930, Creswick, Victoria.

    He m. 1st Louisa Hawken (1857 – 1886).
    He m. 2nd Harriet Emma Pickering (1880 – 1915) on 3 May 1911 at Christ Church, Maryborough, Victoria (she was earlier m. to his brother, George, below). An Ancestor Chart for Harriet can be found at Ancestry.com . Children:

    1. Charlie Prentice, b. 1912 at Mount Prospect, Victoria.
    2. Arthur Prentice, b. 1912, at Mount Prospect, Victoria.
    3. Charlotte Prentice, b. 1913, at Mount Prospect, Victoria.
    4. Harriet Prentice, b. 1915, at Mount Prospect, Victoria. She m. John Samuel Lawson.

    2.3 Prentice, George, b. 29 Aug 1866, Dean/Bungaree, Victoria, and d. 1906, Talbot, Victoria.

    He m. as her 1st husband Harriet Emma Pickering (see John Wesley Prentice, #2.1, above). Children:

    1. George Prentice, b. 1900 at Elmhurst, Victoria
    2. Margaret Emma Violet Prentice, b 1902 at Elmhurst, Victoria
    3. Florence M Prentice, b. 1904, Avoca, Victoria, and d. 1922, Maldon, Victoria.
    4. William John Prentice, b. 1906, Smeaton, Victoria, and d. 1912 at Kingston, Victoria.

    3. Charlotte Prentice, b. 13 Jul 1845, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. Arrived in Victoria on the Zes Gesusters (6 Sisters) when she was 8 years of age. She m. William Frederick Lines. They had 7 children, incluiding:

    1. William Henry Lines, b. 1861, Bellraine, Victoria, Australia. . . . . . . [11]
    2. Ann Elizabeth Lines, b. 1864, Indented Head, Victoria, Australia.
    3. Sarah Lines, b. 1866, Creswick, Victoria, Australia; d. 1943, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
    4. Charlotte Millicent Lines, b. 1868, Dean, Victoria, Australia. . . . . . . [12]
    5. Mary Ann Lines, b. 1869, Kingston, Victoria, Australia.
    6. Charles Lines, b. 1872; d. 1896, Blue Mtn.
    7. Frederick Woodward Lines, b. 1874, Bungaree, Victoria, Australia.
    8. Margaret Ellen Lines, b. 1880, Dean, Victoria, Australia; d. 1882, Dean, Victoria, Australia.
    9. Mary Emma Lines, b. 16 Mar 1883, Dean, Victoria, Australia.

    4. Elizabeth Prentice, b. 31 Jul 1849, Filmersham, Bedfordshire, England, and d. 1928, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. She m. lst William Wiffen in 1865. He was b. 1842 in Essex, England and d. 1886 in Victoria, Australia. Elize and William's children were:

    1. Elizabeth Wiffen, b. 1866, Bullarook Victoria, Australia. . . . . . . . [13]
    2. Emma Wiffen, b. 1868, Mt Prospect, Victoria, Australia
    3. Ann Wiffen, b. 1870, Mt Prospect, Victoria Australia
    4. Susan Wiffen, b. 1872, Dean, Victoria, Australia
    5. William Thomas Wiffen, b. 1875, Bellarine, Australia
    6. Charles Henry Wiffen, b. 1877, Bellarine, Victoria, Australia
    7. Robert John Wiffen, b. 2 Nov 1879, Bellarine. . . . . . . [14]
    8. Mary Jane Wiffen, b. 1881, Bellarine, Australia
    9. George Alfred Wiffen, b. 1883, Bellarine, Australia

    When William died, Eliza m. 2nd Jonathon Jennings who was a brother of another of John Jennings' great grandfathers, George Jennings.

    5. Rhoda/Rhonda Jane Prentice, b. 1853 at sea aboard the 6 Sisters, and d. 1921 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. She married Frederick William Whiting in 1872. Children:

    1. Ethel Ann Whiting, b. 1882, Dean, Victoria, Australia; d. 1910, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia.
    2. Gordon Albert Whiting, b. 1885, Dean, Victoria, Australia.
    3. James Wright Whiting, b. 1872, Dean, Victoria, Australia.
    4. Susan Jane Whiting, b. 1874, Bungaree, Victoria, Australia; d. 1904, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. She m. Mr. Jones.
    5. Frederick William Whiting, b. 1878, Bungaree, Victoria, Australia; d. 1880, Dean, Victoria, Australia.
    6. Percy Thurlow Whiting, b. 1887, Dean or Waterloo, Victoria, Australia. He m. Emily Louise Kitchen in 1910 in Waterloo. She was b. 1884 in Waterloo, dau. of Robert John Barrett Kitchen and Mary Ann Harding. An Ancestor Chart for Percy can be found at Ancestry.com . Children:
      1. Robert Whiting, b. c. 1911.
      2. Joyce Whiting, b. c. 1913.
    7. Frederick William Whiting, b. 1880, Dean, Victoria, Australia.
    8. Edwin Emanuel Whiting, b. 1891, Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia.
    9. Ruby May Whiting, b. 1894, Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia.
    10. Victor George Arnold Whiting, b. 1889, Dean, Victoria, Australia.

    6. William Prentice, b. 1855, Indented Head, Victoria, Australia and d. 1901 in Rockylead, Victoria, Australia.

    He married Selina Burton in 1889. She was born 1867 in Mt. Prospect, Victoria, Australia, and died 1954 in Werribee when hit by a car. Children:

    1. Minnie Prentice, b. 1890, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    2. Mary Jane Prentice, b. 1891, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    3. Sarah Ann Prentice, 1893, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    4. William Prentice, b. 1895, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    5. Florence Hazel Prentice, b. 1897, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    6. Thomas Edward Prentice, b. 1899, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia, and d. 1966 in Heidelberg, Victoria. He married Marion Louisa Morrish in 1923 in Auburn, Victoria. She was born 1896 in Newbury, Victoria, and died 1965 Heidelberg, Victoria. Children:
      1. Shirley Marion, b. 1924, Auburn, Victoria
      2. Clifford Edward Hulse, b. 1929, Camberwell, Victoria.
      3. Maxwell Kenneth Lathbury, b. 1934, Ivanhoe, Victoria.
      4. Ruth Winsome, b. 1935, Ivanhoe, Victoria.
    7. Emily Mary Prentice, 1901, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.

    7. Mary Ann Prentice, b. 1856, Indented Head, Victoria, Australia and d. 14 Mar 1931, Colac, Victoria and bur. there.

    She m. Henry Eklom. He was b. 1853 and d. 1935, Melbourne W, Victoria, Australia. Children (per Renee Taylor, John Jennings and Donna Parker):

    1. Henry Eklom, b. 13 Feb 1874, Deans Marsh, Victoris and d. that same day at Deans Marsh, Victoria, Australia.
    2. Louisa Maria Eklom, b. 8 Jan 1876 at Barkstead Victoria and d. 16 Aug 1958, Geelong, Victoria. She m. 1st William Cole 13 Jan 1895 at Ballarat. She m. 2nd Thomas Herrod. For Louisa's children, see Appendix 1 .
    3. Mary Anne Eklom, b. 1878, Barkstead and d. after 1940. She m. John Henry Smith (b. c. 1879) on 26 Apr 1899 at Christ Church, Daylesford. She was called "of Lyonsville and Blackwood" and he was called "of Bullarto (Splitter), born at Bullarook. (Ref: Helen Brockman, email, 12 Dec 2009, and Leanne Kovach, email of 5 Oct 2004.) Children of Mary Anne and John Henry (and for additional descendants, see Donna Parker email of 23 Jan 2005):
      1. Percival John Smith, b. c. 1900. He m. Rose Louisa Dillon. They are Leanne Kovach's great grandparents. Children per Helen Brockman, email, 12 Dec 2009):
        1. Keith Smith. He may have drowned in the Merri Creek as a teenager.
        2. Percy "Val" Valentine Smith. He m. Thelma(?).
      2. Vera Olive Ann Smith, b. c. 1903. She had 1 or more children, including:
        1. Alma who had a daughter, Iris.
      3. Mabel Cecelia Smith, b. 4 Nov 1905. She m. Harry Crawford. They had 1 or more children, including:
        1. Judith Crawford. She m. Mr. Green(?).
      4. Annie Smith, b. c. 1906 and d. by 1910.
      5. Sabina "Bina" Mary Smith, b. 20 Sep 1908. She m. Vic. Owen They had 1 or more children, including:
        1. Barbara Owen. She m. Fred.
      6. Arthur Henry Smith, b.14 Oct 1910, Northcote, bap. 4 Dec 1911, St. Aidans Church of England at Apollo Bay, and d. 16 Jun 1998. He m. Thelma McDonald. They had 1 or more children, including:
        1. Helen Smith. She m. Frank Brockman. No children. (Ref: Helen Brockman, email, 12 Dec 2009)

    4. Adelaide Anne Eklom, b. 1880 and d. 1882.
    5. Victoria Eklom, b. 16 Sep 1881 and d. 4 Jul 1942, Colac, Victoria. She m. Thomas Gilbert.
    6. Henry Eklom, b. 1883 and d. 1902 when a tree fell on him while he was working.
    7. Thomas Arnold Eklom, b. 1886 at Apollo Bay and d. 1 Jan 1964. He m. Winifred Ellen Brockfield in 1906. They had a daughter (for additional descendants, see Donna Parker email of 23 Jan 2005):
      1. Jean Irene Eklom, born 27 Aug 1919
    8. Ruben William Eklom, b. 1887 and d. 1969. He m. Leith Tulloch. She was b. 1896. They had 1 or more children, including (per Anja van Steel, email, 17 Oct 2003) (for additional descendants, see Donna Parker email of 23 Jan 2005):
      1. Douglas Eklom, b. 16 Apr 1922 and d. 7 Jan 2004. . . . . . . . . . . [15]
      2. Clive Eklom. He m. Evelyn Lynagh. Clive d. 2002 and Evelyn d. 2001. The had 6 children (per Mellissa Eklom, email, 21 Feb 2004 and 7 Mar 2004 and Tony Eklom, email, 14 Nov 2004):
        1. (dau.) Eklom. Died at birth.
        2. Bruce Eklom m, 1st Deslie. Children:
          1. Michael Eklom
          2. Sharon Eklom. She m. Jason and had 2 daughters.
          Bruce m. 2nd Patricia Brucehad.
        3. Karen Eklom m. Phillip. Children:
          1. Ross
          2. Derick
          3. Luke
        4. Tony Eklom m. 1st Tina and had:
          1. Bonnie Eklom
          Tony m. 2nd Cheryl and had:
          1. Sam Eklom.
          2. Cassie Eklom.
        5. Paul Eklom m. Leonie and had 4 sons:
          1. Mathew Eklom.
          2. Scott Eklom.
          3. Thomas Eklom
          4. Benjamin Eklom
        6. Debbie Eklom m. Garry (no children).
      3. Mary Eklom.
      4. Lindsay Eklom (mellissa Eklom, email, 7 Mar 2004)
    9. Lucy Olive Eklom, b. 1890 and d. 14 May 1954, Parki. She m. William Fisk.
    10. Cecelia Violet Eklom, b. 1891 and d. 1970. She m. 1st Ernest Richardson and m. 2nd Clifford Hocking.
    11. Clarence Richard Eklom, b. 1894 and d. 1919.
    12. Sydney Lambert Eklom, b. 15 Feb 1896. . . . . . . . . [18]
    13. Elsie Eliza Eklom, b. 10 May 1899 and d. 21 Mar 1985. She m. Thomas Baird.

    8. Elizabeth Prentice, b. 1859, Indented Head, Victoria, and died 1936 in Nathalia, Victoria, Australia.

    She married Thomas Heron in 1879. He was born 1853 in Dumfrieshire, England, and died 1928 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Children:

    1. Charles Frederick Heron, b. 1879, Yeil, Victoria, Australia; d. 1959, Moor.
    2. Robert Heron, b. 1881, Yeil, Victoria, Australia.
    3. Agnes Heron, b. 1883, Yeil, Victoria, Australia.
    4. Harriet Ellen Heron, b. 1887, Yeil, Victoria, Australia.

    9. Harriet Prentice, b. 1861, Indented Head, Victoria and d. 1937 in Rocklyn, Victoria, Australia.

    She m. John Steward Bell in 1882. He was born in Melbourne, victoria, Australia. Children:

    1. John Steward Bell, b. 1881, Rocklyn, Victoria, Australia.
    2. Daisy Naomi Bell, b. 1886; d. 1955, Creswick, Victoria, Australia.

    10. Louisa Maria Prentice, b. 1863, Ballarat, Victor and d. 1940 in Boxhill, Victoria, Australia.

    She married John Thomas Wear in 1888. He was born 1863 in Steiglitz, Victoria, Australia, and died 1933 in Creswick, Victoria, Australia. Children:

    1. Herbert William Newton Wear, b. 1890, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    2. Margaret Alice Wear, b. 1892, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    3. Valentine Thomas Wear, b. 1894, Mt Prospect, Victoria, Australia.
    4. Jessie Wear, b. 1896, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    5. Montgomery John Wear, b. 1899, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia; d. 1970, Heal.
    6. Pauline Frances Wear, b. 1901, Rocky Lead, Victoria, Australia.
    7. John Wesley Wear, b. 1881; d. 1963, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

    11. William Henry Lines, b. 1861, Bellraine, Victoria, Australia, and died 1951 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

    He married Elizabeth Wiffen in 1887 in Rockylead, Victoria, Australia, daughter of William Wiffen and Elizabeth Prentice (#4i, above and #13, below). She was born 1866 in Bullarook, Victoria, Australia, and died 11 May 1919 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Children:

    1. Vera Annie Ruby Lines, b. 1889, Bellarine, Victoria, Australia.
    2. Francis Charles Henry Lines, b. b. 1891, Bellarine, Victoria, Australia.
    3. George Sydney Lines, b. 1893, Bellarine, Victoria, Australia.
    4. Alice Eileen Lines, b. 1895, Yonga, Victoria, Australia.

    12. Charlotte Millicent Lines, b. 1868, Dean, Victoria, Australia and died 25 October 1909 in Beachforest, Victoria, Australia. She married John Thomas Suckling on 30 May 1887 in Ballarat Registry Office, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of Thomas Suckling and Elizabeth Millington. He was born 20 August 1865 in Dean, Victoria, Australia and d. 2 Jul 1919 in Beachforest, Victoria, Australia. Bur. in Colac Cemetery, Victoria, Australia. Occupation, Labourer. Children (for additional descendants, see Donna Parker email of 23 Jan 2005):

    1. Elizabeth Anna Suckling, b. 27 Feb 1888, Barkstead, Victoria, Australia; d. 1946, Colac, Victoria, Australia.
    2. Emma Margaret Suckling, b. 1889, Barkstead, Victoria, Australia; d. 1977, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
    3. Charlotte Jane Millicent Suckling, b. b. 1891, Bullarto, Victoria, Australia; d. 1958, Colac, Victoria, Australia.
    4. Selina Mary Suckling, b. 4 Mar 1893, Barkstead, Victoria, Australia. . . . . . . . . . [12.1]
    5. Frederick Pedrcival Suckling, b. 1896, Beech Forest, Victoria, Australia. He m. Nita O'Sullivan.
    6. Leslie Charles Herbert Suckling. b. 1897, Bolwarrah, Victoria, Australia. He m. Christina Daphne McLean in 1936.
    7. Jane Olive Suckling, b. 1899, Bolwarrah, Victoria, Australia; d. 26 April 1987, Colac, Victoria, Australia.
    8. Henton Suckling, b. 1909, Beech Forest, Victoria, Australia5; d. 1910, Beech Forest, Victoria, Australia6.

    12.1. Selina Mary Suckling, b. 4 Mar 1893, Barkstead, Victoria, Australia; d. 1964, Colac, Victorka, Australia.

    She m. George Andrew Jacob Cooper in 1912 at Beech Forest, Victoria. He was b, Daylesford, Victoria, the son of John Robert Cooper (b. c. 1844 and d. 16 Mar 1907, Dayelsford,Victoria) and Mary Campbell (dau. of James Campbell and Mary Millar of Glasgow, Scotland) (per Elizabeth Finn, email, 1 Mar 2007). For an Ancestor Chart for Mary Campbell, see Ancestry.com . Children (per Ancestry.com ) where additional descendants can be found:

    1. George Andrew Cooper, b. 1912 in Beech Forrest, Victoria, Australia
    2. Mary Unita Cooper, b. 1915 in Beech Forrest, Victoria, Australia
    3. John Robert Cooper, b. 1917 in Colac, Victoria, Australia
    4. Kathleen Merle Cooper, b. 1918 in Colac, Victoria, Australia
    5. Alan Campbell Cooper, b. 1927
    6. Archibald Cooper
    7. Stanley Leo Cooper

    13. Elizabeth Wiffen, b. 1866, Bullarook Victoria, Australia. See #11, above.

    14. Robert John Wiffen, b. 2 Nov 1879, Bellarine, and d. 1958, Dunedin, New Zealand (per email, 20 Oct 2003 and 6 Nov 2003). Bethney McLennan who is Roberts' granddaughter. Her email of 6 Nov 2003 tells about Robert:

      "Grandad Wiffen (Robert John, known to us kids as Pop). Pop was a darling man who sadly lost touch with his Australian family. We all loved him dearly. He was a gardener and worked very hard - I can recall as a little girl going with him to his work and he used to take me out to his home garden often (They lived nearby when I was a child and I stayed with them a lot - several months before m brother Murdoch was born. He had cornflower blue eyes and I always try to have cornflowers in my garden each year still). Pop and Nana came to stay with us during his last illness (he had renal failure having lost one kidney in his youth in an accident) and he died in my bed which I thought was very special.

      The evening before he died I was weeding in my little garden and suddenly though "We're getting visitors. No. It's the angels coming for Grandad." The adults had all been taking turns sitting up with him, but everyone dozed off and he just slipped away. All these years on I am still truly grateful for having him.

    Robert John Wiffen moved to New Zealand in the early 1900s. He m. Elizabeth Jane Brown, dau. of William Brown and Eliza Ballantyne. William was b. Oldcastle, Co. Meath, Ireland c. 1851 and was a Hotelkeeper. Eliza was b. Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire, Scotland c. 1864 and d. 1966. Bethney relates:

      "...we buried her ashes in 1996. She died six months after her darling brother, Len. Len too was a gentle, loving family man and we cousins spent a lot of our time together as children.

      Mum was pretty, fiery, charming and like Len and Pop, a fervent gardener. She moved to a rest home in her last few years and when I once asked her (aged 80-plus) what she did all day, she said "I help them look after the old people, darling!" (She had been a nurse). She also took over a chunk of the rest home garden and carried right on collecting plants and bossing the gardeners about."

    Children:

    1. Gladys May Wiffen, b. 19 Jun 1909, Christchurch and d. 5 Dec 1995. She m. Duncan Milford McLennan Oct 1930. He was b. 24 Nov 1903 at Hawea Flat, Central Otago. Children:
      1. Bethney Cairns McLennan, b. Dec 1944 at Dunedin. She m. 1st Bruce Devlin Anderson in Wellington on 10 Mar 1970. She m. 2nd Gyles Beckford in Wellington on 11 Nov 1995.
      2. Murdoch John McLennan, b. 11 Mar 1950, Dunedin.
    2. Leonard Robert Wiffen, b. 2 Feb 1911, Christchurch, and d. 21 Apr 1995 in Dunedin. He m. Florence Annie Watts who was b. 18 Jun 1920, Dunedin. In 2003 they lived in Dunedin. Children:
      1. Ronald Leonard Wiffen, b. 20 Jul 1943. In 2003 lives in Darwin, Australia. Children:
        1. Paul Wiffen. Killed on active service in Malaysia.
        2. Darryl Wiffen.
        3. Estelle Wiffen (li) (Unknown) Wiffen.
      2. Carole Fiona Wiffen, b. 2 Nov 1945, Dunedin. In 2003 lived in Dunedin. Son:
        1. Adam Alexander, b. 3 Oct 1983.
      3. Grant Raymond Wiffen, b. 1 Jan 1948, Dunedin. In 2003 they lived in Dunedin. He and Julie have 2 daughters, Emma and ?.
      4. David John Wiffen, b. 15 Sep 1950, Dunedin. He m. 1st (unknown) and had 3 daughters: Emma, Maree and Fleur (died as a baby). He m. 2nd Maree. In 2003 they live in Dunedin and have 3 sons: Andrew, Matthew and Michael.

    15. Douglas Tulloch Eklom, b. 16 Apr 1922 and d. 7 Jan 2005 (per Mellissa Eklom, email, 29 Jul 2005 & 20 May 2006)).

    He m. Valerie Patience Sanders. She was b. 29 Mar 1917 and d. 15 Sep 1992. Children (per Mellissa Eklom, email, 20 Feb 2004 and 19 Mar 2004):

    1. Douglas Wayne Eklom Jr., b. 15 Aug 1952. He m. Anja van Steel. They were div. c. 1995-7. Children:
      1. Mellissa Jayne Eklom, b. 7 Mar 1979. She m. Stephen Parsons on 27 Jun 2009. He was b. 31 Jan 1964. Daughter per Mellissa Eklom, email, 27 Apr 2008:
        1. Shaylee Janice Parsons, b. 21 Apr 2008, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
      2. Kylie Marie Eklom, b. 16 Aug 1981.
      3. Nicholas Wayne Eklom, b. 7 Dec 1983, and d. 9 Oct 2006 (per Mellissa Eklom, email, 12 Oct 2006).
    2. Paul Eklom, b. 29 Mar (year?). He m. Rosealie. She was b. 7 Jan (year?). Children:
      1. Matthew Eklom, b. 6 Apr 1980.
      2. Lauren Eklom, b. 21 Nov 1984.

    16 and 17. Omitted

    18. Sydney Lambert Eklom, b. 15 Feb 1896 and d. 5 Jun 1985, Melbourne. He m. Veronica Hannan. She died on 19 March 1951. They had 5 children:

    1. Henry Ernest Eklom, b. 16 Feb 1919 and d. 3 Dec 1984. He had 3 or more children, including:
      1. Desmond Patrick Eklom, b. 17 Aug 1950. He had 2 or more children, including:
        1. Renee Eklom, b. 19 Mar 1970. She m. Mr. Taylor and has a son and daughter. They live in Kyneton, Victoria, Australia.

    For additional descendant information, see Donna Parker email of 23 Jan 2006.

    .

    Who are Thomas Prentice's Parents?

    We have some conflicting thoughts as to the identity of Thomas Prentice's parents.

    1. Sue and Ron Terwijn are tracing the ancestry of John Prentice of the Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, England area. We do not have a birth date for him, but he was likely born about 1790-1798. John Prentis (the surname spelling in the British Vital Records Index) married Ruth Pugh in 30 Dec 1817 in Bromham, Bedfordshire. The Thomas Prentice who m. Ann Westley might be their son.

    2. By email of 16 Mar 2000, Ian Prentice reports finding a John Prentice and Lucy (surname unknown) who had a son, William Prentice, b. 1820 in Souldrop, Bedfordshire which lies only a couple miles north of Sharnbrook. He m. Jane Carr there in 1845. It might be that William is an older brother of Thomas Prentice, above.

      Ian also reports a John Prentice who m. Mary (surname unknown) and had two daughters who may be kin of an unknown degree:

      • Eliza Adelaide b. 1858 in Souldrop.
      • Emma Prentice, b. 1861 in Husbands Crawley

    3. Kim Schlotterbeck has suggested that Thomas might be the son of John Prentice and Lucy, #4 in our Summer 2000 article about John and William Prentice of Oakley and Sharnbrook. Note, however, that Kim gives the name of John's wife as Lucy, not Ruth Pugh.
    Appendix 1: Children of Louisa Maria Eklom, #7ii: 
    1 LOUISA MARIA EKLOM b: 08-JAN-1876 d: 16-AUG-1958
  + WILLIAM COLE b: 14-SEP-1871
    2 BERTHA LOUISA COLE b: 10-NOV-1896
      + CHARLES MATHEW FRANCIS SHILLITO
        3 DONALD FRANCIS SHILLITO b: 1916
        3 THELMA RUBY SHILLITO b: 27-JAN-1918
          + LESLIE HERBERT COULTER
            4 Living COULTER
            4 Living COULTER
            4 Living COULTER
            4 Living COULTER
        3 THOMAS CHARLES SHILLITO b: 15-FEB-1921
          + VERONICA MARY GRACE
            4 Living SHILLITO
            4 Living SHILLITO
            4 Living SHILLITO
        3 JOYCE MERLE SHILLITO b: 15-APR-1923
          + ROBERT TESAR
        3 MERNA LEONA SHILLITO b: 24-DEC-1924
          + GEOFFREY PRIORMAN HARRISON b: 1924
            4 Living FULFORD
            4 Living FULFORD
            4 Living FULFORD
            4 Living FULFORD
        3 SHIRLEY DAWN SHILLITO b: 13-AUG-1925
          + CLEMENT ERNEST HARRIS b: 13-APR-1924
            4 Living HARRIS
            4 Living HARRIS
    2 WILLIAM HENRY COLE b: 1898 d: 1898
    2 FRANIS REUBEN COLE b: 29-AUG-1900
      + MOLLY MCCABE
    2 THOMAS ARNOLD COLE b: 13-SEP-1902
      + ELLA RICHMOND b: 11-MAY-1905
        3 Living COLE
          + MARGARET FLORENCE KENDALL b: 23-DEC-1929
        3 Living COLE
          + JOHN ALBERT STANLEY HOWELL b: 13-SEP-1927
            4 Living HOWELL
              + Living WARNOCK
                5 Living WARNOCK
                5 Living WARNOCK
                5 Living WARNOCK
            4 Living HOWELL
              + Living GRAY
                5 Living GRAY
                5 Living GRAY
                5 Living GRAY
            4 Living HOWELL
              + Living COLES
                5 Living HOWELL
                5 Living HOWELL
                5 Living HOWELL
            4 Living HOWELL
              + Living MALESIC
                5 Living MALESIC
            4 Living
            4 Living HOWELL
        3 Living COLE
          + Living QUICK
            4 Living COLE
              + Living CANNAN
                5 Living COLE
                5 Living COLE
                5 Living COLE
            4 GEOFFREY COLE b: 1957 d: 1957
            4 Living COLE
              + GERARD LAWERENCE MORGAN b: 01-NOV-1957 d: 14-OCT-1990
                5 Living MORGAN
                5 Living MORGAN
            4 Living COLE
              + Living BLACK
                5 Living COLE
        3 Living COLE
          + Living BAKER
            4 Living COLE
              + Living DOHERTY
                5 Living COLE
                5 Living COLE
                5 Living COLE
                5 Living COLE
            4 Living COLE
              + Living CALDOW
                5 Living COLE
                5 Living COLE
            4 Living COLE
              + Living FORD
                5 Living COLE
            4 Living COLE
              + Living DAVIES
                5 Living DAVIES
                5 Living DAVIES
        3 Living COLE
          + Living WOODING
            4 Living COLE
            4 Living COLE
            4 Living COLE
    2 ALLEYN EDWARD LINDSAY COLE b: 08-AUG-1904 d: 01-FEB-1987
      + MARY AGNES GRACE GORMAN b: 21-FEB-1911
        3 Living COLE
          + Living WOOD
            4 Living WOOD
              + Living LASPADA
                5 Living WOOD
            4 Living WOOD
        3 Living COLE
          + Living WINTER
            4 Living WINTER
              + Living ROPOTAR
                5 Living WINTER
                5 Living WINTER
            4 Living WINTER
              + Living GUY
                5 Living WINTER
                5 Living WINTER

    If you have any information about the folks mentioned in this article, please send your information to us at the Prentice Newsletter. Be sure to give the full title and date of this article in the Subject line of the email.

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