Catherine Ford : Short Biography

Catherine Ford was born about 1824 in Armagh. She emigrated to Victoria, Australia, on the Westminster which arrived on 30 July 1841. She travelled with a Charles Ford but I have no further information on him.  She married Charles Rout, born about 1813 in London, in Geelong on 5 August 1844 and had 12 children. Charles was a convict who arrived in Tasmania in 1834 and had been granted a ticket of leave. Although on the ship's register, it states she could read and write, several certificates were marked with an "X" for a signature. Charles and Catherne lived at  Geelong, Saltwater River, Westernport and finally at Spring Grove. Charles died in 1866. Catherine became well known in the area as a midwife.

Catherine married James Meredith in 1880 and died on 22 March 1912 at the Yarra Hotel in Collingwood of which her daughter, Phyllis (my great grandmother) was licensee.On her death certificate her parents names were not listed but her father's occupation was given as Military Captain.  From some sources on Ancestry/My Heritage her parent have been listed as James Ford and Ann Macaulley but I have not yet confirmed tthis.

Catherine and Charles' children were: Charlotte Ann1846, Henry Charles 1846-1847, Charles 1847, Alfred Frederick 1849-1902, Sarah Ann 1850-1875, William James 1854-1923, Jonathan 1856-1914, Catherine 1857, Matthew 1859, Phillis b &d 1861, Phillis 1862-1945 (my great grandmother), Francis 1864-1923.

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Pictures below added by Annie O'Donnell