William Sykes’ coffin was provided by the Government at a cost of two Pounds and fifteen Shillings. His dog was sold to help towards funeral expenses. His old clothes were given to the natives. His gun was kept at police office and sold nine months later for a pound which was also contributed towards his funeral expenses.

Myra received notice of his death in February 1891

The kangaroo fur pouch containing the letters was placed on a shelf and was accidentally dropped down into a crevice behind shelves where it lay undiscovered for forty years.

New Police HQ were built in Toodyay in 1920. The old buildings became disused and dilapidated and in 1931 it was decided to pull down the old police station. During the demolition, the old kangaroo pouch, now black and unrecognisable was dislodged from behind the old shelving. It was picked up by one of the workman who decided to look inside the pouch instead of just throwing it on the fire with all the other papers which were scattered about. He realised that the letters inside may just have some historical importance and had the good sense to pass them on to someone in the local historical society for preservation. This led to the eventual publication of a book titled ‘The Unwilling Emigrants’ by authoress, Alexandra Hasluck which told the story of William Sykes and the Toodyay letters. Without reference to this wonderful book this story of William Sykes life and that of his family would never have been written.

Following William’s death on 4th January 1891, his widow, Myra, married Charles Mitchell of Greasbrough on 19th November 1892. 
She died two years later and was buried as Myra Mitchell on 20th December 1894.

Thirza Sykes married Joseph Outram in 1879.
They had four children – Anne, Myra, Joseph and Alfred  

Photograph of Thirza, Joseph and his family

Myra Outram married Josh Machon in c1907
They had five children Ida, Eva, Horace, Alfred and Myra

Ida Machon married Dennis Taylor in 1932
They had two children Dennis b1940 and Dorothy b1944  

Descendants of William Sykes

  Dennis Taylor is the author of this book and

William Sykes was his Great Great Grandfather.

  Where are all the other descendants of William Sykes?  

Joseph Outram married Elsie Carnell
They had one son, Clive (aka Rick) b 1926 

Clive married Jean Halliday in 1951 (This family live in New Zealand)

   Where was William Lilley buried?
Although William Lilley and his family lived in Wickersley, near Rotherham he had been brought up at Cantley, near Doncaster, where his father and mother still lived. 
He was buried in the churchyard at St. Wilfred's Church, Cantley, Doncaster. 
Although the local records prove that, unfortunately, the headstone is no longer readable or no longer there. 

 Where are all the descendants of the other Poachers?

                      John Teale
                      Henry Bone
                                    John Bentcliffe  

If you want to know more about Thrybergh, Ravenfield and Dalton have a look at John Doxey's website -  Thrybergh    

Foundation Day Celebrations - Western Australia

held on Monday 5th June 2000 at Fremantle Prison

From 'The West Australian' dated 6th June 2000

Descendants of the first convicts to arrive in WA celebrated Foundation day at a ceremony of Honour at Fremantle Prison yesterday.
Ninety four descendants, mostly elderly, received certificates in recognition of their convict heritage.  They are  80,000 West Australians estimated to have descended from the convicts.
Each year the Fremantle Prison Guardians hold the ceremony for applicants who have traced their family history back to the arrival of the convicts.
Since the ceremonies began in 1992, more than 1500 West Australians have received Certificates.
This year marked the 150th Anniversary of the first convicts to arrive in 1850.
Fremantle Prison Guardians director Elizabeth Hogg said the ceremony was always emotional because it dealt with family history which helped to define who a person was.
In yesterdays ceremony, Clive Outram, the great grandson of convict William Sykes came from New Zealand to receive his certificate. Letters to Mr. Sykes from his wife, Myra were found in Toodyay in 1931 and these letters are now held in the private archives of the JS Battye Library of West Australian History.
__________________________________________________________________

One of the Certificates was received by Laurin Lang on behalf of Mrs. Ida Taylor, the 94 year great grand daughter of William Sykes.

Mrs. Taylor is the mother of the Author, Dennis Taylor 

Acknowledgements

To Clive and Jean Outram in New Zealand for initiating the questions about the family in general and William Sykes in particular and for obtaining a copy of  the book, ‘The Unwilling Immigrants’ by Alexander Hasluck.

To Laurin Lang in Perth, Western Australia for copies of the Toodyay letters, photographs and all the other information she provided.

To the Staff at Rotherham Library Archives section for all their assistance in researching the information.  

To the Staff at Doncaster Archives, Balby, Doncaster for their help.

 

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