New Family Home

Well were in our new family home.

We got the keys to 53 Tea Tree Way, Thornlie, Perth, WA, 6108 on the 5th of October and moved in the following day. Furniture for the bedrooms, fridge/freezer for the kitchen, TV's and accessories for the two lounges, furniture for my office and washer for the laundry room were delivered on the same day. The following Monday our own goods were delivered from the container storage that had travelled from England. It is so good to get the picture frames on the wall, to see family around us that we left in England but are now part of our home in Australia.

A very big thank you to Dean, Rachel, Charlotte and Jacob

for putting up with us for the last seven months.

 

Family: Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica? Where do they go? Wonder no more!!!

It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life. The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintain a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life.

If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into, and buried.

 

The male penguins then gather in a circle around the fresh grave and sing:

 

 

 

"Freeze a jolly good fellow."

"Freeze a jolly good fellow."

 

Then they kick him in the ice hole.

 

 

So, do you want a tour of our new home

NO,

well you are anyway so here goes.

 

This is the entrance to the front door

 

To the left as you enter is Ryan and Kye's lounge (Furniture now ordered)

The view from the window looking out onto the front garden.

 



Joining onto the boys lounge is my office (has to be a Stoke theme)

with my Stoke City wall. 

To the right of the boys lounge is our bedroom, the 'master bedroom'

 

with en suite attached.

Opposite my office is the boys games / computer room.

 

We then move into the 'Family Room' which is L shaped and includes the kitchen, lounge and dining area.

(Panoramic view) Kitchen is on the left with a small dining area and then the 'sunken' lounge with doors leading out to the outside living area.

 

Below shows the lounge and the main dining area beyond (not much furniture yet)

 

 

We then move to the rear of the house and firstly come to the spare bedroom,

 

then Ryan's 'Stoke City' bedroom (the first room to be painted),

then the boys shower/bathroom.

 

We then have the laundry room (with separate toilet). The door leads to the rear of the house and my workshop.

 

Then we have Kye's bedroom. 

That's the inside of the house done.

 

Family: I once sent ten puns to family, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did. 

 

 

We then move through the door from the family room to the outside living area (panoramic view).

To the left is the rear of the garage and in the far corner the most important area, the beer fridge and barbecue area!!!!

Another Stokie area!!!!!

 

To the right is the gate to the swimming pool,

just behind the umbrella's is a shady gazebo.

 

 

The view from the gazebo

 

and the gate that leads to my workshop.

 

That's our new home in Australia, hope you have found it interesting.

 

 

My next Blog will continue with the story of the first Nickisson's in my family tree to move to Australia, also, the story of vegetable growing here and back in England and any new updates to our home in Tea Tree Way.

 

And finally:  Two brooms were hanging in the closet and after a while they got to know each other so well, they decided to get married.

One broom was, of course, the bride broom, the other the groom broom.

The bride broom looked very beautiful in her white dress. The groom broom was handsome and suave in his tuxedo. The wedding was lovely.

After the wedding, at the wedding dinner, the bride-broom leaned over and said to the groom-broom, 'I think I am going to have a little whisk broom!' 'IMPOSSIBLE !' said the groom broom.

Are you ready for this?

Brace yourself; this is going to hurt!!!!!!













'WE HAVEN'T EVEN SWEPT TOGETHER!'

 

Speak to you soon



Doesn't time fly

Yes, doesn't time fly.

We have now been here in Australia for just over six months and lots of things have happened since we arrived in Perth but firstly, I would just like to thank everyone who sent cards, telephoned, text, emailed, facebooked recently to wish Ryan and myself a happy birthday.
Also thank you to everyone who wished Sue and myself a happy 17 years wedding anniversary, yes, doesn't time fly.


So what Blog news can I give you about the Nickisson family now?

1)  New Australian roots: We move into our new home in October.

2)  Old Australian roots: The first Nickisson's to arrive in Australia from my Family Tree. The story continues:

3)  Growing Australian roots: Including how the allotment is going in England

Doesn't time fly: When a clock is hungry does it go back four seconds???


1) New Australian Roots.

We have now bought our first home in Australia.

We will be moving into 53 Tea Tree Way around the 5th/6th of October and the shopping has begun. It is really exciting to start completely fresh and buy new furniture, electrical equipment, etc.

The time living with Dean & Rachel has been fantastic and really worked out very well but nine people living in one house!!!

I think it's time to give them back their home.

This link will give you a tour of our new home:
 For Sale : 53 Tea Tree Way Thornlie: Ideal Location: LJ Hooker Thornlie


Our individual lives have continued along the same pattern as I have mentioned in my previous Blogs. Sue has now completed her 3 months probation and is now a permanent employee.

We cannot wait to move into our new home.

Did you know?
Nearly all Australian houses do not have letter boxes in their front doors? As you can see from the above photo, the postboxes are usually situated somewhere in the front garden and the variety and styles of  the postboxes can be unusual.
                     

And the post is delivered by a motorbike rider.






More variety of  postboxes in the next Blog.

2)  Old Australian roots: The first Nickisson's to arrive in Australia from my Family Tree.

As I mentioned in my last Blog, my Great Great  Grandfather's brother, William Nickisson, died and his widow (Mary Ann Parkes) emigrated to Queensland, Australia with her children (Alfred Parkes Nickisson, Frederick Nickisson and Louisa Nickisson). Their other daughter (Elizabeth Nickisson) had already emigrated in 1873 along with her husband (Carl Casper Franklin).
Louisa Nickisson died shortly after arriving in Queensland and then Mary Ann and Frederick returned to England from Victoria in 1879.

So what happened to Elizabeth Nickisson, now Elizabeth Franklin, and Alfred Parkes Nickisson?

Elizabeth Nickisson (1847-1891):
Elizabeth was born in Birmingham in 1847 and continued to live there and married Carl Casper Franklin in 1871. They had a child, Carl Frederick Franklin in 1872 and then emigrated to Australia in 1873. They left London on the 1st of February on the clipper ship 'Storm King' and arrived at Moreton Bay, Queensland on the 3rd of May.
They had two other children whilst living in Queensland, Mary Louisa Franklin and William Edward Franklin, they then moved to Rockhampton, New South Wales sometime after 1876 where they had another daughter Ellen Elizabeth Franklin.
Elizabeth Franklin (nee Nickisson) died in 1891 in Woolahra, Sydney, NSW.
Carl Casper Franklin (c1847-?):
I have no information about Carl Casper in the earlier years, was he born in England or travelled back from Australia, in fact was his name Carl or Charles? On the Marriage Registration Doc. and the Birth/Christening Record of their first child, it shows the name as Carl Casper, but on the Birth Records for the children born in Australia, they show the name as Charles or Charles Casper?
After the birth of his children, I have not been able to find any more information about Carl (Charles) Casper Franklin.

Does anyone out there know any more?

Children:
Carl Frederick Franklin (1872-1936):
Born in Birmingham and emigrated to Queensland, Australia in 1873. Little more is known about Carl Frederick other than he lived in Old Farm Road, Helensburgh, New South Wales, around the 1930s, (Australian Electoral Rolls) where he worked as a miner until he died in 1936.

Does anyone out there know any more?

Mary Louisa Franklin (1874-1875):
Born and died in Queensland, Australia, just one year old.

William Edward Franklin (1876-1937):
William Edward followed very much in his older brother Carl Frederick's footsteps. Born in Queensland, Australia, little more is known until he appears living in Station Road, Helensburgh, New South Wales, around the 1930s, (Australia Electoral Rolls) where he also worked as a miner until his death in 1937.

Does anyone out there know any more?

Ellen Elizabeth Franklin (1878-1931):
Born in Rockhampton, New South Wales, she married William John Wise in Sydney, NSW in 1903. Sometime after that they moved to New Zealand where she lived in Masterton, Wellington, until she died in 1931.
William John Wise (1871-1960):
He was born in Chertsey, Surrey, England. Nothing else is known about William, when did he move to Australia, when did they move to New Zealand? He died in 1960 in Masterton, New Zealand.

Does anyone out there know any more?

I will look at Alfred Parkes Nickisson's life in Australia in the next Blog.

Doesn't time fly: My grandmother wanted to stay fit, she started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 today and we don't know were the hell she is.

3)  Growing Australian roots: Including how the allotment is going in England

Talking to my daughter Joanne and grandson Joseph, they have had a bumper crop of fruit, flowers and vegetables from the allotment in England. Although the weather has been very mixed, almost everything has been successful. It seems as though the only failure has again been the Broccoli, not to be tried again next year.

The grapes have again grown well in the greenhouse along with the Tomatoes, Peppers, Chilli plants and the Cucumber. They have also had a success with growing flowers (Sweet Peas) for the first time.

Most of the produce is now out of the ground and the beds are being prepared for winter. Some late potatoes have been planted, hopefully ready for Christmas.

What about Australia. Well, I have identified an area in our new home for a vegetable patch, I don't mean in the home, in the garden of our new home!!!! I will also attempt to grow Dwarf varieties of fruit trees around the garden. Looking forward to having a go at creating my version of an allotment, although on a smaller scale than in England.

And finally:

Doesn't Time Fly? Three tourists climbed up London's Big Ben tower and decided to throw their watches off the top, run down the stairs and try to catch them before they hit the ground. 

The first tourist threw his watch but heard it crash before he'd taken three steps. 

The second threw his watch and made only two steps before hearing his watch shatter.
 
The third tourist threw his watch off the tower, went down the stairs, bought a snack at a shop up the street
and walked slowly back to Big Ben in time to catch the watch.

"How the heck did you do that???" asked one of his friends.

"Easy," he replied.
.
.
.
.
"My watch is 30 minutes slow."


Speak to you soon.

Australian roots continued.

Sorry for being so long in producing my next Blog, time seems to be flying as life moves on in Australia.

So to update you:

1.  Australian roots: The first Nickisson's to arrive in Australia from my Family Tree?

More news in a moment.

2.  Australian roots: How are we doing after 5 months?

As I mentioned above, life is moving on very quickly, more news further in the Blog.

3.  Australian roots: What vegetable growing is going on?

Plenty of growing in the allotment in England, more about that later.

  
So to continue with the story;


1.  Australian roots: The first Nickisson's to arrive in Australia from my Family Tree?

As I mentioned in my last Blog, my Great Great Grandfather, Henry Nickisson (1809-1846), had a brother, William Nickisson, who married Mary Ann Parkes in 1842 and they lived in Birmingham, having six children, until William died in 1866.

After William died, one of his daughters, Elizabeth Nickisson, now married to Carl Casper Franklin, emigrated to Queensland, Australia in 1873. Mary Ann Nickisson (nee parkes), now a widow, also decided to move to Australia in 1875 along with her sons Alfred Parkes, Frederick and her daughter Louisa.

Tragedy struck not long after arriving in Queensland, Australia, when daughter Louisa Nickisson just twelve years old (1863-1875), died within a few months of being there.

Mary Anne Nickisson (nee Parkes):
Little more is known about the life of Mary Ann in Australia as in 1879 she returned to England along with her son Frederick Nickisson.
They left Victoria, New South Wales, Australia in the April of 1879 on the ship 'Durham" and arrived in London a few months later. Mary Ann returned to Birmingham and lived near to her daughter, Ellen Nickisson (1845-1921), now married to Edwin Willis (1842-?). She was  living with them by 1891, but by 1901 she had moved in with her son Frederick Nickisson (1857-1941) where she died in 1904.

Frederick Nickisson:
After Frederick returned to England, he also moved back to Birmingham and in 1883 he had a relationship with a Elizabeth Corbett and they had a daughter Louisa Nickisson Corbett (1883-?). I have not found any information on Elizabeth Corbett, but Louisa Nickisson Corbett lived with her father until at least 1901 and then the trail runs dry.

Does anyone out there know any more?

Frederick Nickisson continued to live in Birmingham, working as a 'Brown Saddler' (making leather products) and by 1911 he had moved in with his sister Ellen Willis (nee Nickisson). He died in 1941.

So what has happened to the remaining Nickisson's in Australia?

More about Elizabeth Nickisson and Alfred Parkes Nickisson in my next Blog.

Father/son roots: A  teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss the use of his car.

His  father said he'd make a deal with his son, "You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut. Then we'll talk about the car." 
The boy  thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the offer, and they agreed on it. 
After  about six weeks his father said, "Son, you've brought your grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I'm disappointed you haven't had your hair cut." 
The boy said, "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair, and there's even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair." 
(You're  going to love the Dad's reply!) 
 

"Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?"

2.  Australian roots: How are we doing after 5 months?

Life has moved on very quickly since my last update 2 months ago.

Ryan has now settled into his apprenticeship with a company 'Vitura Furnishings' making bespoke kitchen furniture/units. He has also started college (TAFE they call it) one day a week and he really enjoys what he's doing. He has just got his 'L plates' to start learning to drive, the process of passing your driving test here is so different in comparison to England. Ryan has now had is first driving lesson.
He is playing football (soccer they call it here) for Gosnells City (link: http://www.gosnellscityfc.org.au/) and his team (under 18s) is second in the league at the moment.

Kye has just had a two week term break from Thornlie Senior High School and is now back at school. His first report and teachers open evening gave us a better idea on how well he really is doing. He has also made many friends but he doesn't seem to see them outside school?????

Sue is really enjoying her job at 'Unitingcare West' (link: http://www.unitingcarewest.org.au/ ) and has completed her training now. She is really getting into the job and has moved to her office in Rockingham, taking her company car and company mobile phone with her!!!!!!!!!!

And then there is Me!!! I've given up applying for jobs although if something came along I would consider it. I have collected my tools from the storage facility and I have started working for myself and work is gradually coming in from family and friends contacts. I have registered as a business, Handyman/Painter/Gardener/General DIY, which makes it easier to get the type of work I want.

So how are things going as far as getting our own home? Well, we believe its getting closer. We have been to a broker about finance and she has submitted applications to a number of banks and there seems to be no problems. We then need to wait until Sue has completed her 3 months probation (6 weeks to go) in her job then the finance applications can go in after the 14th of September. The process of buying a house here is very different from England, it's certainly a lot quicker.

So what does that mean for us? We have found a house, put in a offer that has been accepted by the Sellers, paid the deposit and it is ours (subject to finance being sorted in September).

More news about the house in the next Blog.


Family Roots: A young boy says to his dad "Dad, how much does getting married cost?" "No idea son: I haven't finished paying for it yet".


Billy was having trouble with his mathematics homework so his mum thought how best to help him.
She said to him " If you went into the left pocket of your trousers and took out 40 pence then took another 35 pence out of your right trouser pocket, what do you think you would have". 
Billy replied " Someone elses trousers on. 

3.  Australian roots: What vegetable growing is going on?

Although the weather has been very mixed in England the allotment is doing really well, everything is growing and fruit and vegetables are now being picked. Joanne, Neil, Joseph and Izac (and helpers) have put a lot of work in the allotment and here are some of the results.

Onions, Late Potatoes.

Early Potatoes, Purple Broccoli and Cabbage.

In the small beds are French Beans, Peas and Cabbage (under the netting)

The Strawberry beds have been made bigger this year and there are plenty to be picked.

Other fruit and vegetables include,

Red Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, Swede, Beetroot, Courgettes, Rhubarb and Turnips.

In the greenhouse and 'conservatory' the Grape Vine has survived the winter.

Also, the Tomatoes are growing well,

and other plants include, Peppers, Chilli plants and Cucumber.

Whilst in the Australian allotment!!!!!!

Nothing has changed, yet.

It's good to see that the allotment is doing really well, I cannot wait to see if I have the same opportunity to do/grow something similar, when we have our own home here in Australia.

And Finally:

The larger Family Roots: One day, God was looking down at earth, and saw all the misbehaving that was going on. So he called one of his angels to go to Earth.
When he returned, the angel told God, 'Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving, and only 5% are not'.
God thought for a moment and said, 'Maybe I should send down another angel, to get a second opinion'! So, God called another angel, & sent him to Earth too.
When the angel returned, he went to God & said, 'Yes, it’s true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.'

God was not pleased. So he decided to e-mail, the 5% who were good, because, he wanted to encourage them, give them a little something, to help them keep going !

Do you  know what the e-mail said?







No  ?





Okay, just checking with you.    I d idn't get one either ... 


Speak to you soon

Australian roots

So what has happened since my last Blog?

We have now been living in Australia for just over 3 months and time really seems to be moving fast. In that time I have been thinking about our life at the moment and what point we have reached and wondered what made other Nickisson's move to this big country. I have also been thinking about what type of property and garden we will have and will there be an opportunity to grow vegetables????
So I thought I would look at what Australian roots have already been established and how others are now starting to growing.

1. Australian roots: The first Nickisson's to arrive in Australia from my Family Tree?
2. Australian roots: How are we doing after 3 months?
3. Australian roots: What vegetable growing is going on?

1. Australian roots: The first Nickisson's to arrive in Australia from my Family Tree?

My Great Great Grandfather, Henry Nickisson (1809-1846), had a brother, William Nickisson, who was born in 1816 in Stone, Staffordshire. William married Mary Ann Parkes in 1842 and they lived in Birmingham until William died in 1866.

They had six children; Alfred Parkes Nickisson (1840-?) - Caroline Nickisson (1842-1843) - Ellen Nickisson (1845-1921) - Elizabeth Nickisson (1847-1891) - Frederick Nickisson (1857-1941) - Louisa Nickisson (1863-1875).

After William died, Mary Ann Nickisson (nee Parkes) continued to live in Birmingham but her daughter Elizabeth Nickisson, now married to Carl Casper Franklin, emigrated to Queensland, Australia in 1873.

Was this the influence that made Mary uproot and move?

In 1875 Mary decided to emigrate to Australia taking three of her children, Alfred Parkes (now married to Hannah Francis Hancox), Frederick and Louisa. On the 4th of April, they sailed from London on the iron built ship 'Ramsey' and arrived in Brisbane, Queensland on the 8th of July.

What happened next?

More of the story in my next Blog

* There was a lady who immigrated to Australia and married an Australian gentleman. The poor lady was not very proficient in English, but anyhow managed to communicate with her husband. The real problem arose whenever she had to shop for groceries.

One day, she went to the butcher and wanted to buy pork legs. She didn't know how to put forward her request, and in desperation, lifted up her skirt to show her thighs. The butcher got the message and the lady went home with pork legs.

The next day, she needed to get chicken breasts. Again, she didn't know how to say, and so unbuttoned her blouse to show the butcher her breast. The lady got her chicken breasts.

The third day, the poor lady needed to buy sausages. So, she brought her husband to the store........................ because he spoke English.

2. Australian roots: How are we doing after 3 months?

After 3 months we have moved forward quite a bit, establishing routines, making friends and getting used to the weather. I boasted a few Blogs ago that the weather was 30°+ but now were into winter and the temperature changes from 20°+ in the daytime to 4-5° at night, quite a noticeable change. We have had heavy rain and thunderstorms, the swimming pool is not as inviting now!!!!!!

Ryan has moved to a new job as an Apprentice Cabinet Maker. His previous job was supposed to be as an apprentice but it became just a casual factory hand job. He seems to have more of a future with this new company.
Kye is really settled in at school and seems to have made some good friends. He is in the school basketball team and they have a competition this week against other schools.

Sue has now got a full time permanent job as a Family Care Worker with 'UnitingCare West' and starts this week. The job is very similar to what she did in England, working with children and families and helping them to get back into family life. She is very excited about the job.
Me, I'm now ready to start work. Finally the container of our belongings has arrived and it is now in a storage unit until we have our own place. I have been able to collect all my tools so painting work, bathroom replacements etc. for friends and family are now to be arranged and started. Plenty of work for me to do and I'm looking forward to it.


* A man was given the job of painting the white lines down the middle of a motorway. On the first day he painted six miles; the next day three miles; the following day less than a mile. When the foreman asked the man why he kept painting less each day, he replied "I just can't do any better. Each day I keep getting farther away from the paint can."


* Employer to applicant: "In this job we need someone who is responsible."
Applicant: "I'm the one you want. On my last job, every time anything went wrong, they said I was responsible."

3. Australian roots: What vegetable growing is going on?

So what's growing?

I have heard that there has been very mixed weather in England but things are growing well in the allotment. More information when I have it.

Here in Australia, we have started the allotment.

*
*
*
*

*

Yes................................we have started the allotment !!!!!!

*
*
*
*
*

Well, it's a start !!!!!!!

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

Classic culinary Thyme with small highly fragrant, grey-green leaves and small pale purplish flowers. Used to flavour soups, fish, meat, vegetables, vinegars and stuffing.

Basil - Red Rubin (Ocimum Basilicum Rubin)

 Large, nearly pure purple leaves with lighter coloured flowers. Great flavour and aroma. Use leaves fresh or dried in the same way as other Basil. Excellent in herb vinegars or simply as a garnish.

Cress - Upland (Barbarea Vulgaris)

Cress forms a rosette of lobed, shiny leaves, which can be used to add a mustard flavour to leafy salads, cheese spreads, sandwiches and other salads.

Don't I sound clever.

It's surprising what information you can find on the plant label.

* A friend of mine was cutting dried herbs last week and some of it went into his eye..... be careful when doing the same as it left him 'Parsley' sighted...

* I was doing the same when I got a bit stuck on my arm. Now I can tell the thyme.

And finally

* Two senior couples are walking along, wives in front, husbands behind.

Herb says to Sam, "Gee, we went to a new restaurant last night and had the best meal ever. Good prices too".

Sam replied. "Well, we like to eat out too. What was the name of the restaurant?"

Herb says, "You are going to have to help me out here a little. What's the name of that pretty flower, smells sweet, grows on a thorny bush?"

Sam answers. "How about rose?"

"Yes, yes that's it!" cries Herb, then calls his wife. "Rose, Hey, Rose. What was the name of that restaurant we ate at last night?"

Speak to you soon

Do you Know????

Do you know: If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

My previous Blogs have looked at the Nickisson Family Tree and also what was growing in the allotment in England. Now we are living in Perth, Western Australia, I will also be looking at what can be grown in the Australian soil.
So:

Do you know:

• How many Nickisson's live in Australia?
• How the vegetables are growing in England, and Australia?
• How are we settling in now were living in Australia?

Do you know: If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Do you know:

• How many Nickisson's live in Australia?

The Nickisson Family Tree is not moving on at the moment as my computer and family tree files are still in a container, although it has just arrived from England, docking in Freemantle just 25 km from where we live. Whilst awaiting the container, I have been looking at Australian websites to find possible information and connections to the Nickisson family.

What I did find gave me some glimpses of possible connections, although a little vague:

As of April 2012, the estimated population of Australia is 22,872, 499, Western Australia: 2,296,411. Of those, I found links to the following Nickisson's

• FamilyLink website: 44 Nickisson's
• WorldVitalRecords: 871 (although I think many of these Nickisson's are repeated in the information)
• Mundia: 23
• Ancestry.com.au: 178 (again, many repeated, Births/Marriages/Deaths)
• Personlookup: 30

I am sure that there are quite a few more and I cannot wait to get going again in searching for those elusive Nickisson's. Do you know any good Australian websites? Do you know any other Nickisson's living in Australia? Are they connected to my Nickisson Tree? Let me know, it would me most appreciated. You can view my Nickisson Family Tree by going on http://www.ancestry.co.uk/ and request access to view.


Do you know: If someone with a split personality threatens to commit suicide, is it a hostage situation?


Do you know:

• How the vegetables are growing in England, and Australia?

Hot News from the Allotment in England:

Joanne, Neil and the boys have now planted lots of seeds and plants and the vegetables are now starting to grow. There are still some vegetables that were planted in the ground late last year, these being Leeks and various varieties of Onions.

This is how the allotment and the greenhouse looked at the beginning of March.

We will be getting some more information and photographs very shortly about
the progress in the allotment and I will let you know in my next Blog.

Joanne is getting plenty of help from my grandchildren, Joseph and Izac and although they have had plenty of rain this last week in England, earlier on they needed some help to water the newly planted vegetables.

Where's this water coming from mum?

Do you know: If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

What about Australian vegetables?

I have been looking at books and magazines about what to grow in the garden when we have our own home. Australia is such a large country that some vegetables are not recommended depending on where you live. The month of May is quite cool as we are approaching the autumn/winter months. Some examples of seeds you can sow or plant for the area where we live are; Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Spinach, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Radish, Strawberries and Shallots. You can also grow many variety of Herbs. It certainly is a different process of growing fruit and vegetables but I'm really looking forward to having a go.

Do you know: What level of importance must a person have, before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? 

Do you know:

• How are we settling in now were living in Australia?

Life is getting to be more of a routine now in the extended Nickisson household.

Ryan has got used to getting up at 5.45am for me to take him to the station to catch the train to Bayswater, where he works. He is getting more involved with the cabinetmaking process and now goes out to customers to help remove/ replace kitchen units. He is now playing for the under 18's football team at Gosnells City FC ( http://www.gosnellscityfc.org.au/ ), training two nights a week and playing Saturday mornings.

Kye has now gone back to school following the three week Easter holiday break.

What about myself and Sue?
Were still job hunting.
Sue has got herself a casual job working in child protection. She will be attending a four day training course and then will be part of a pool of workers who will be called, when required, to work at a centre for looking after vulnerable children. Although this is the first step in employment in Australia, Sue wishes to get a full time position/job as soon as possible.
Me. Well it seems as though they do not employ the 'older person' (just my thoughts). I have applied for part time/casual jobs but have not been able to get one yet. I have registered for my own business so that if friends/contacts want any work doing (painting/gardening etc.), I'm ready.



And finally,
Do you know:
How much deeper would oceans be if sponges didn't live there?
A scientist crossed a skunk with an owl. He's got a bird that smells but doesn't give a hoot.
Two's company, three's a crowd but what is four and five? ...............Nine.
Ten animals from Africa? ...............................Nine elephants and a giraffe
How do you keep a person in suspense???
..............
..............
..............
..............
..............
Speak to you soon

Were here, where? Over there, in Australia.

We have now arrived in Australia, 5th March 2012, and getting used to life in Thornlie, Perth.

38-40deg's for the first two weeks but now its cooler, a mere 28deg's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a sad and exciting experience leaving England,

lots of family and friends at the airport, very mixed feelings.

We are living with my son Dean, Rachel and my two grandchildren, Charlotte and Jacob.

The weather: A husband and his wife were sound asleep when suddenly the phone rang. The husband picked up the phone and said, "Hello? How the heck do I know? What do I look like, a weatherman?" He then slammed the phone down and settled into bed.

"Who was that?" asked his wife.

"I don't know. It was some guy who wanted to know if the coast was clear."

Its also job hunting time for myself, Sue and Ryan whilst Kye needs to start school, although I don't think he see's it that way!! A long process that will lead to us moving into our own home.

Firstly though, we need transport. Cars to buy.

My car, the family car;

Holden Commodore Executive (Vauxhall)

Sue's car, the run around;

Ford Fiesta

already with Blackburn Rovers stickers!!!!

Not saying anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!

So life has moved on for the four of us:

Kye has started Thornlie Senior High School, just completing his first week. He walks to and from school, about 20mins away and has joined the school basketball club.

He looks happy in his school uniform!!!!!!!!!

One down, three to go;

Ryan started looking for work that would involve apprentice/training jobs, possibly in the building industry. First application, first interview, got a job. He is a Junior cabinetmaker, working with a family run company making kitchen furniture.
Ryan started his job this week, travelling to and from work by train, and he is enjoying it. He's also very happy now he can say he has his own money in his pocket.
He has joined the local football club and is training and playing for the under 18s team.

Two down, two to go;

That leaves me and Sue. Job hunting, joining agencies, completing applications, applying for jobs.
Plenty to look at and apply for, awaiting application closing dates then hopefully, interviews to be arranged.

In the meantime, 28 deg's sunshine to sit out in............

Need to take the cover off the pool,

It's still cooler though!!!!!

The weather: The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the Australian desert. After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep. Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says, “Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see?”

The Lone Ranger replies, “I see millions of stars.”

“What that tell you?” asked Tonto.

The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says,

“Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.

Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.

Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning.

Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant.

Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.

What's it tell you, Tonto?”

“You dumber than I thought. It means someone stole the tent.”

Speak to you soon

Au revoir but not goodbye

Missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will.


As I have mentioned in my Blog, we will be leaving Stoke for a new life in Australia on the 4th of March. This will be my last Blog for a few weeks but I will be in touch as soon as possible to keep you up to date on the growing of the Nickisson Family Tree and those Australian vegetables!!!!

Goodbyes are not forever.

Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean we will miss you

Until we meet again!

I will be in touch

Parents have Parents and Grandparents - Next Chapter continued, with Vegetables?

My Blog has been looking at the Nickisson Family Tree and how it is growing and also what is growing in the Allotment in England. We will be moving to Australia in March so the Blog will continue to look at what is happening to the TREE and where it's MOVED to.

As far as the allotment is concerned, how is it growing?

There are a few Leeks that were planted last year and Onions

that were sown for this year in the allotment. It's all prepared now for spring planting.

The greenhouse is empty except for the Grape Vine and a couple of bags of Onions remaining from last years produce.

The allotment is now ready for my daughter Joanne and grandson Joseph to take over in the spring, with help from Neil and my other grandchild, Izac .

I have really enjoyed the allotment in England.

I will keep you updated on the 'Australian Vegetables'.

*Growing old - An elderly couple was attending church services, about halfway through she leans over and says, " I just let out a silent trump what do you think I should do?"
He replies " Put a new battery in your hearing aid."

As far as the Nickisson Family Tree, how is that growing?

In my last few blogs I have been looking at the Direct Line from myself to the oldest Nickisson, John Nickisson born abt 1690, my 5xGreat Grandfather.

Since my last Blog I have made a couple of visits to Staffordshire Record Office and to  some degree, I discovered a little more about my Nickisson family. Due to this new information, you will see below I have updated the chart I posted in the December Blog (Parents have Parents, and Grandparents!!)

*Growing old - Growing old is a question of mind over matter. Provided you don't mind it really doesn't matter.

In my last blog I looked at my Grandparents, Ernest Nickisson and Florence Ada Smallman, today I want to look at Ernest Nickisson's father and mother, William Nickisson and Rachel Lunt, my Great Grandparents. They had fourteen children, ten boys and four girls between the years 1865 to 1888. So lets start with William Nickisson, my Great Grandfather.

*William Nickisson was born on the 3rd of December 1842 in Wood Street, Lane End (now named Longton), Stoke on Trent. He was baptised on the 28th of December at St John's Parish Church, Lane End

Following the death of his parents, William and his brothers George Latimore and Thomas and his sister Elizabeth lived in Caroline Street, Longton. The 1851 Census entry showed them as 'Orphaned'. The head of the household was Ralph Steele, a wine merchant and his wife Sarah. Ralph Steele had six daughters and one son.

By 1861 William had moved back to Wood Street, Lane End and was working as a barman, but by 1865 he had moved to Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent.

I have not found any iinformation on a marriage to Rachel Lunt although Census Records from 1881 onwards show them as being married, the 1911 Census shows Rachel as widowed. Do you know when they married, if so, let me know?

Their first child was born in 1865 and during the period of the births of the other children, they continued living in Kidsgrove living in Chapel Street, Sims Bank, Atwood Street, Gilbert Street, but mainly in Napier Street (No.3 - 14 - 20 - 21). Whilst living in Kidsgrove, William worked in the steel industry as a Forgeman, Puddler and a Gas Stoker.
William Nickisson died on the 7th of November, 1901

*Rachel Lunt was born about 1842 in Willenhall, Staffordshire (information from Census records). By 1861 she was living in Caroline Street, at the same house as William was in 1851 (Ralph Steele, see above). Rachel was working as a Servant at the house.

After William had died in 1901, Rachel moved in with her son Ernest Nickisson (1911 Census) in Peel Street, Kidsgrove.

Rachel Nickisson died on the 21st November, 1914

Do you know any information about when Rachel Lunt was born? Let me know

*Growing old - You know your growing old when the candles cost more than the cake

As I mentioned above, William Nickisson (1842-1901) and Rachel Lunt (Abt 1842-1914) had fourteen children:

1 Edwin (Edward) Nickisson (1865-1866), born in Chapel Street, Kidsgrove and only lived for 22 days. Birth Certificate and Registration Document and ukbmd.org.uk show name as Edwin Nickisson. The Death Certificate and Death Registration Document shows as Edward Nickisson.

2 Ralph Nickisson (1867-1870), born in Sims Bank, Kidsgrove but lived for only 3 years.

3 Martha Ann Nickisson (1868-1936) was also born in Kidsgrove and had a child in 1887, father not named. She worked as a Domestic Servant before she married Moses Chadwick (1868-1954) in 1889 at the Weslyan Chapel, Wolstanton. They continued to live in Kidsgrove and had twelve children, seven of them were girls. Moses worked as a Coal Miner at the local pit.

4 Mary Nickisson (1870-1870), she lived for just 6 months, born in Kidsgrove.

5 William Nickisson (1871-1951) married Sarah Ann Colclough (1876-1946) at St Thomas Church in Kidsgrove in 1893. They had thirteen children, eight girls and five boys.  He then met Annie Dobson(nee McDermott) (1883-1951) and they had three more sons before they married in 1946, following the death of Williams first wife.
Sarah Ann ColcloughGoldenhill, Stoke on Trent and Annie Dobson was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire where she worked in the Silk Industry as a Weaver/Winder (winding silk on the bobbins ready for the weaving process)
William was born in Kidsgrove and later worked as a House Painter and Journeyman, then around 1904 he moved to Wolstanton. He then moved to Stockport around 1921 with Annie Dobson, living there until their deaths.

6 Rachel Nickisson (1873-1937) was born in Kidsgrove but moved to Mount Pleasant, Fenton, Stoke on Trent after she married Charles Fryer (1872-1936) in 1892 at St Thomas Church, Kidsgrove. I believed they had four children, two sons and two daughters, but according to the 1911 Census, two more children had been born. Some more research??? Charles Fryer was born in Audley, Stoke on Trent and worked as a Fitter and Millwright Foreman at the local locomotive works. Before she got married, Rachel worked as a Fustian Cutter, want to know more?, follow the link  http://www.mowcop.info/htm/industry/fustian.htm

7 John Thomas Nickisson (1875-1973) was born in Kidsgrove and married Lilly (Lily) Knapper (1879-1951) in St Thomas Church, Kidsgrove in 1902. During his life John Thomas worked as a General Labourer, Journeyman and also a Boiler Maker/Rivetter at the locomotive works. Lilly was also born in Kidsgrove and worked as a Wash Laundress until she married after which, they also moved to Mount Pleasant, Fenton, where they had three sons and one daughter.

8 Arthur Nickisson (1876-1877) Arthur was born in Kidsgrove but only lived for 9 months.

9 Henry Nickisson (1878-1885) born in Kidsgrove and lived for just 7 years.

10 Edwin Nickisson (1879-1880) again, born in Kidsgrove but only lived for just over 7 months.

11 George Allen Nickisson (1881-1882)  lived for just over a year in Kidsgrove.

12 Hannah Nickisson (1883-1960) lived all her life in Kidsgrove during which she had a daughter, father not named. At this time Hannah worked as a dressmaker and then married William Hayward Davies (1880-?) in 1912 in St Peter's Church, Stoke, Stoke on Trent. They had one son and two Daughters. William Hayward worked as a Chemical Distiller in Wolverton, Buckinghamshire where he was born in 1880. No information yet on his death, anyone know?? More research

13 Ernest Nickisson (1883-1945) This is my Grandfather, please see my last Blog - Parents have Parents, and Grandparents - Next Chapter (with Australian Vegetables) -  for his family information.

14 Henry Frederick Nickisson (1888-1897) lived for just over 9 years. He was born in Kidsgrove.

As I mentioned earlier, William Nickisson and Rachel Lunt had fourteen children.

Five died before they reached the age of two.

Three before the age of ten.

What must life have been like for the children and their parents?

See you soon

*And finally: When you get old, your secrets are safe with your friends. They'll never share them because they can't remember them.