Birch Family Correspondence

Handwritten transcript of a letter written by Augustus Birch of the British Commissariat in Lisbon, Portugal to his wife Rosa Manuela, in Amsterdam. Copy only.

Photocopy of original letter written by Rosa Manuela Birch in Sydney to her sister-in-law Eunice, in London. The letter has been cross-overwritten by her husband Augustus Birch, also to his sister.

Includes two handwritten transcripts.

Letter written by Augustus Birch, Sydney to his sister in England. Rosa Birch has included several lines on the bottom of the same letter.

Charles Birch, Sydney writes to his uncle Jonathan Birch in London, giving family news and describing the imminent expedition to Port Essington by Thomas Mitchell.

Includes a transcript supplied by the family, which has explanatory footnotes.

Jonathan Birch, now in Berlin writes to his nephew Charles Birch, of the Surveyor General's Office, Sydney. He writes from their new residence, in response to Charles's request for information about his father's family, who came to England under the Normans from the province of Perche, taking the name de Perche, then de Berche, and then Birch.

Includes a transcript supplied by the family, which includes footnotes.

Field Marshall Lieutenant (F.M.L.) Jochmus, Vienna writes to Charles Birch that he is honoured to be advised by their mutual friend Doctor Von Mueller, that his name was to be given to the extensive lake recently discovered by Birch in Queensland. Lake Jochmus, now known as Lake Galilee, is located 76 km north-east of Aramac, Central Queensland. Baron Jochmus visited Australia briefly in 1870.

Includes notes by the family written on an envelope.

Charles Birch, Alice River writes to his sister Dora (Dorothy) Gibbes in Sydney. Charles is concerned for his brother Gustavus's health, and hopes they can make up for any previous ill feelings, he asks after other family members and gives the seasons greetings.

Charles Birch, Alice River writes to his sister Dora in Sydney. He writes to thank his nephews for attending the funeral of their late brother Gustavus, describing his as a hermit, who was venerated by the Aboriginals on the island he lived for so long. The last page includes an ode to their brother.

Charles Birch, Alice River via Bogantungan, writes to his sister Dora (Dorothy Gibbes). He writes of his solitary life and correspondence with Baron Mueller of the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, and promises to secure some gems for her [pages missing].

Charles Birch, Alice River via Bogantungan, writes to his nephew Hamilton Gibbes suggesting some ideas for study such as insects and shells.

Charles Birch, Alice River via Bogantungan, writes to his sister Dora (Dorothy Gibbes) he was grieved to hear of her son Hamilton's accident, and praises his quick action. He also provides a detailed description of the family crest, a Fleur de Lys entwined by a snake, and their heritage which can be traced to a daughter of Charlemagne.

Charles Birch, Alice River via Bogantungan, writes to his sister Dora (Dorothy Gibbes). He asks after her son Hamilton and encourages his interest in entomology

Charles Birch, Alice River via Bogantungan, writes to his sister Charlotte Lumsdaine regarding Jennie Von Pirch's husband being consul at Sumatra, he also provides an account of his experiences with hostile Aboriginals in the 1870s.

A partial typed transcript is included, it has been entitled "Giving an account of his experience with hostile blacks".

Charles Birch, Alice River via Bogantungan, writes to his sister ? Dora advising of all the great variety of reptiles and insects he has come across, suggesting he sends her some samples.

Charles Birch, Bowen, writes to his sister Dolly (Dorothy Gibbes). He writes of his intention to travel to New Guinea and Timor, however while coming to Bowen was swept off his feet while crossing a river and lost all is belongings. He also asks that he buried under a she oak.

Charles Birch, Pretty Bend, Bowen, writes to his sister [Dorothy Gibbes?]. He writes in detail of his discovery and observations of how a kangaroo is born and nurtured; the last page contains a verse written on the subject of exclusion of pictures [nudes] from the Queensland Exhibition.

Charles Birch, Bowen, writes to his sister Dolly (Dorothy Gibbes). He enquires about an Agnes De Mestre who died in the Dunwich Benevolent asylum and the activities of his nephews.

A typed transcript and a partial hand-written transcript is included.

Charles Birch, Proserpine River, Bowen writes to his sister Dolly (Dorothy Gibbes). He expresses his condolences on the death of her son, his nephew Horace ; and insists he now spells his middle name (Welldon) with two lls.

A typed transcript is included.

Partial letter from Charles Birch, Queensland to his sister [Dorothy Gibbes]. He describes the children he is tutoring, and the parents "he a Dane, she a German" with an estate of about 3000 acres, with cattle, horses and maize. He also mentions that "Neilson" has built a separate school house which he has decorated with lilies and ferns.

Charles Birch, Proserpine River, Bowen writes to his sister Dolly (Dorothy Gibbes). He is expecting to leave Prosperine very soon with the Emerson family, to go north to the Herberton area, where he will be employed as a tutor for their children.

Charles Birch, California Creek, Cairns writes to his niece Rosa Gibbes. Birch enquires about family and friends, and writes that he has discovered a new lilly which he sent to Baron von Muller the director of the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.

Charles Birch, California Creek, Cairns writes to his niece Rosa Gibbes. He complains of neuralgia but otherwise is in good health, he intends to go to the coast at Xmas time to collection shells and orchids.

Charles Birch, California Creek, Cairns, writes to his sister Dolly (Doroth Gibbes) having read that his uncle CB Birch had passed away, and discusses the remaining family line.

Charles Birch, California Creek, Cairns, writes to his sister Dolly (Dorothy Gibbes) giving his love to family, he is very unwell and is unable to sleep ; he has been surprised by the beauty of parrots he was shown that came from Croydon near the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Charles Birch, California Creek, Cairns writes to his sister Dolly (Dorothy Gibbes) advising her that he has had a shock [stroke] and was very grateful to be cared for by the Denfords.

Dr Alexander Jack, Walsh District Hospital, writes to Dorothy Gibbes, Marrickville, advising of the death of her brother Charles on the 5th of that month, having suffered a seizure and who was buried in the hospital cemetery.

Statement of account from the Walsh District Hospital to the Executor in the estate of the late Charles Birch detailing costs for his care and burial.

Letter to Mrs P.L.S. Finch, Tooraweenah from the Secretary, Queensland Place Names Board advising they had forward her query to the University of Queensland. Includes envelope relating to original letter sent by Mrs Finch.

Letter to Mrs P.L.S. Finch, Tooraweenah from the Secretary, Queensland Place Names Board advising they had identified the signature of Jochmus and the place name is an alternative for Lake Galilee, north of Aramac.

Colour print of an image of Rosa Manuella Birch, nee Zelling 1787-1854, mother to Charles Birch.

Carte de viste studio portrait of Charles Weldon Birch, date unknown

Dorothy Gibbes nee Birch, sister of Charles Weldon Birch. Black and white photograph mounted on card. On reverse is a newspaper clipping giving Junior Exam results for Horace F.W. Gibbes.

Certificate recording the baptism of Charlotte Hannah Jane Birch, born to Augustus and Rosa Manuela Birch, 1 October 1826. It includes a hand-written English transcription.

Certificate recording the baptism of Rosa Caroline Margaret Birch, born to Augustus and Rosa Manuela Birch, 3 April 1835. It includes a hand-written English transcription.

Loose pages from the title "Memorials of Captain Hedley Vicars, Ninety-Seventh Regiment" by Catherine Marsh, published in 1856. The first page has been inscribed "To Charles Weldon Birch a remembrance from his Aunt Esme Bagster from England".