Catherine Helena Merrin
Catherine Helena Merrin - known as Lena - was the sister of my great-grandfather, Charles Merrin. Her parents were John Merrin and his wife Catherine, née Cavanagh.
Lena is not directly related to me however I am recording the information I've found out about her here in case it helps others and also because it adds to what I know of the Merrin family's story.
Lena was born in 1871 in Carcoar, NSW.
Lena is not directly related to me however I am recording the information I've found out about her here in case it helps others and also because it adds to what I know of the Merrin family's story.
Lena was born in 1871 in Carcoar, NSW.
Marriage and Child
Lena married George E Roberts in Sydney in 1899.
The couple had one child together, a son named John G C Roberts who was born and died in 1899 (NSWBDM 12005/1899).
The couple had one child together, a son named John G C Roberts who was born and died in 1899 (NSWBDM 12005/1899).
Death
Lena died on 10 August 1899. Her death was registered in the Annandale area of Sydney.
I do not have a copy of Lena's death certificate and have been unable to find a death notice for her so I don't know how she died. I have been unable to find a record of her son's burial, though his death was also registered in the Annandale area of Sydney.
As Lena married George, gave birth to a son and then died, all in the same year, I wonder if they married when she was pregnant, only to have Lena and her child die in childbirth or soon afterwards.
I do not have a copy of Lena's death certificate and have been unable to find a death notice for her so I don't know how she died. I have been unable to find a record of her son's burial, though his death was also registered in the Annandale area of Sydney.
As Lena married George, gave birth to a son and then died, all in the same year, I wonder if they married when she was pregnant, only to have Lena and her child die in childbirth or soon afterwards.
Burial
Lena was buried at Rookwood Cemetery on 12 August 1899 in an unmarked grave. She was buried as Lena Catherine Roberts.
Lena's younger brother, Charles, died in 1909 and was buried in the same grave. I think their grave is located where the bare patch of earth is in the first photo below.
The grave reference is SEC*M1*N**717. The GPS co-ordinates are -33.865207,151.052540.
These photos were taken by me on Saturday 15 May 2021.
Lena's younger brother, Charles, died in 1909 and was buried in the same grave. I think their grave is located where the bare patch of earth is in the first photo below.
The grave reference is SEC*M1*N**717. The GPS co-ordinates are -33.865207,151.052540.
These photos were taken by me on Saturday 15 May 2021.