Francis william (Frank) Blackman ... m......1893 ... Elizabeth ann Harris
   |
   |                            Children born in Stawell
   |============|===========|============|============|============|==========||
   Ida          Amy         George       George       Reginald     Frank
   gertrude                 clifford     william                   laurence
   b......1894  b......1895 b......1897  b......1899  b......1901  b......1907

Francis William BLACKMAN, known as Frank, was born in Stawell in early 1869 (Vic BMD 4056/1869), the first child of George BLACKMAN and Mary Jane COX. He married Elizabeth Ann HARRIS in 1893 (Vic BMD 1342/1893). Elizabeth was born in 1872, possibly the daughter of Thomas HARRIS and Mary HOLLOW of Pleasant Creek, either the settlement renamed Stawell, or the modern settlement 5km south of Stawell.

The Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1977, available on Ancestry, records their homes and occupations in 1903 with Frances William a single man, though married, as:

• 38, Blackman, Francis William, line repairer, in Jung Jung a sub-district of Wannon

with his wife living in the district of Dooen, 21km from Jung Jung Reserve.

• 4, Blackman, Elizabeth Ann, home duties, in Jung Jung a sub-district of Wannon

In 1909, still recorded as a single man, he is recorded as living in Minyip with is wife living in Jung Jung

• 38, Blackman, Francis William, railway employee, in Minyip a sub-district of Wimmera
• 234, Blackman, Elizabeth Ann, home duties, in Jung Jung a sub-district of Wannon

In 1912, they were together:

• 37, Blackman, Elizabeth Ann, home duties, in Minyip a sub-district of Wimmera
• 38, Blackman, Francis William, railway employee, in Minyip a sub-district of Wimmera

Two years later in 1914, whilst still a railway employee, the couple had moved into Melbourne.

• 663, Blackman, Elizabeth Ann, 85 Alexander st., home duties, in Footscray a sub- district of Melbourne Ports
• 664, Blackman, Francis William, 85 Alexander st., railway employee, in Footscray a sub-district of Melbourne Ports

In the 1916 Roll they were living at the same address but had been joined by their daughter Ida Gertrude, born 1894 (Vic BMD 15842/1894) perhaps involved in war work.

• 635, Blackman, Ida Gertrude, 85 Alexander st., machinist, in Footscray a sub- district of Melbourne Ports

By 1922, the family had moved and children eligible to vote had increased in size:

• 655, Blackman, Amy, 179 Geelong rd., tailoress, in Footscray a sub-district of Maribyrnong
• 656, Blackman, Elizabeth Ann, 179 Geelong rd., home duties, in Footscray a sub-district of Maribyrnong
• 657, Blackman, Francis William, 179 Geelong rd., rlway. empl., in Footscray a sub- district of Melbourne Ports
• 658, Blackman, Ida Gertrude, 179 Geelong rd., machinist, in Footscray a sub-district of Melbourne Ports
• 659, Blackman, Reginald, 179 Geelong rd., labourer, in Footscray a sub-district of Maribyrnong

By 1925, Amy had left Alexander Street. In 1928:

• 298, Blackman, Frank Lawrence, 21 Windsor st., cabinet maker, in Footscray a sub-district of Maribyrnong

1931 the family had moved, still within Footscray, and whilst the girls had moved, another child eligible to vote, had joined Reginald.

The 1934 Roll shows only Francis and Elizabeth living at 21 Windsor Street, through to 1954 - now redeveloped.

Frank died on 12 October 1959 in Footscray, Melbourne (Vic BMD 13422/1959) aged 90 years. Elizabeth Ann died in Essendon, Melbourne in 1967 aged 95 (Vic BMD 22003/1967).

This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass			Version A2 Updated 18 June 2023