It was then that I discovered that Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Edward Mitchell and Hannah Buckler, hadn't disappeared into thin air but had remained in Australia after her half-siblings had returned back to England following the death of their father.
The hints showed an:
- Elizabeth Mitchell marrying a Frederick Mathews in Victoria in 1858.
- Elizabeth Matthews dying on 19 Jun 1919 in Ballarat, Ballarat City, Victoria, Australia.
I searched the Victoria births marriages and deaths to see if the father's names were mentioned but sadly they were missing.
Then I remembered that Australian death certificates mention parents names so I went back to search for the death of Elizabeth Matthews 1919.
MATTHEWS Elizth
Death
Elizth BUCKLER
Mitchell Edw
Hawth
82
1919
7262/1919
It was 'our' Elizabeth. But this was just the start of an exciting discovery.
Now I was convinced that it was our Elizabeth, I looked at some of the family tree hints. It was then that I noticed a death notice attached to one of Elizabeth and Frederick's children.
It read:
FORMER AUSTRALIAN ACTRESS DIES
Collapsing in Gleneira rd Caulfield
yesterday Mrs Florence Isabel
Duprez, former Australian actress
widow of the late Fred Duprez, the
English comedian, and mother of
the Hollywood film artist, June
Duprez, died before medical aid
could be summoned. Mrs Duprez
who was about 60, returned recently
to Australia to see her relatives after
many years absence.
Before her marriage 30 years ago
Mrs. Duprez was Miss Florence
Mathews, niece of the late Julia
Mathews actress. Born at Ballarat
she was always interested in the
stage and one of her last appearances
was in Sweet Lavender produced
by the late Gregan McMahon.
Mrs Duprez was married in London,
where she lived for many years.
Her late husband wrote the play
"My Wife s Family" which ran for
many years in London. Returning to
Australia via America, Mrs Duprez
stayed in Hollywood for many
months with her daughter. While
there she witnessed the premiere of
"The Thief of Bagdad" in which
film June Duprez was seen here
recently. The film was made in
London but the final scenes were taken
in America and June Duprez
remained in Hollywood under contract
to Alexander Korda.
Since her return Mrs. Duprez had
been living in Glenferrie rd Kew.
The funeral will be private.
Original Source: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Fri 16 Jan 1942 Page 5
Wow! Wow! Wow!
So I off I went to search for the children of Elizabeth Mitchell and Frederick Matthews. After a bit of trial and effort and realising it was mainly Mathews not Matthews I came up with the following possible children and the youngest child was named Florence Isabel.
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick
BALL
1860
2179/1860
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geo.
BALLARAT
1861
7287/1861
Julia Louisa MATTHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1862
12310/1862
Thomas Edward MATHEWS
Elizabet MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1864
620/1864
Adolphus Augustus MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & George Frederic
F'ROY
1866
14086/1866
Elizabeth Ada MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geo.
BALLARAT
1869
6480/1869
Sarah Ann Adelaide MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1871
13924/1871
James Henry MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Georg
BALL'T
1874
13640/1874
Elizabeth MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Georg
BALL
1876
480/1876
James Ernest MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1878
20594/1878
Florence Isabel MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1881
328/1881
I then tried to find a marriage for Florence to Mr Duprez. FreeBMD came up with the goods:
Marriages June Quarter 1916
St. Giles 1b 1204
Duprez Frederick A
Mathews Florence I
Refine the search from marriages to births – change the name to Matthew and you get – June Duprez
Births June Quarter 1918
Kingston 2a 744
Duprez June A R Mother's maiden name: Matthews
To type this up I recreated all the searches again and noticed a little envelope next to her entry. Clicking on it leads to this message:
Postems for this entry:
|
31/08/2014 |
Film actress June Duprez who appeared in a number of successful British films, particularly the 1940 Thief of Baghdad. Died in 1984. |
I searched Trove to see what other evidence I could find to support the above. Here are all the entries I have found and noted so far starting from Frederick Matthews' death in 1900:
-----------------------26 Jan 1900-----------------------
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Fri 26 Jan 1900 Page 3 Advertising
JUDICIAL AND LAW NOTICES.
AFTER 14 days from the publication hereof
application will be made to the Supreme
Court of the Colony of Victoria, in its Probate
jurisdiction, that PROBATE of the WILL of
FREDERICK GEORGE MATHEWS, formerly of
Ballarat, but lately of Burwood road, Hawthorn,
in the said colony, engineer, deceased, maybe
granted to Elizabeth Mathews, of Burwood road
Hawthorn aforesaid, the widow of the said
deceased and the sole executrix named in and
appointed by the said will
Dated this 25th day of January, 1900
RICHARD LAWSON CROSS, 457 Little Collins
street, Melbourne, proctor for the said executrix.
-----------------------24 Dec 1903-----------------------
Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925) / Thu 24 Dec 1903 / Page 25
The Misses Mathews' juvenile ball was held at
Hawthorn on Wednesday, [?]2nd December, and
was a great success. The hall was prettily decorated
for the occasion. The fancy costumes
worn by the children were very handsome and
much admired. During the evening Mr. A. G.
Lumsden, on behalf of the pupils, presented
Miss Sadie Mathews with a gold chain and medallion
in appreciation of their esteem.
[Note: I think Sadie Mathews might be Sarah Ann Adelaide Mathews]
-----------------------12 Jun 1907-----------------------
Sydney Sportsman (Surry Hills, NSW : 1900 - 1954) / Wed 12 Jun 1907 / Page 3 / THEATRICAL TITBITS.
Our then mechanist in the Academy of
Music, Ballarat, was 'Old Mathews,'
a brother to the famous Julia Mathews, and our
scenic artist was 'Young Mathews,' old M.'s
son, and we had a daughter of old M.'s
playing small parts with us. I remember,
years after, I wanted a photo of Julia
Matthews for press purposes, and I journeyed
all the way to Ballarat for it, and I got it.
Dear old Bill gave it to me.
[Note: I believe 'Old Mathews' is Frederick George Mathews – he seems to have been in scenery design which might explain why the children were dancers and actresses]
-----------------------28 Apr 1910-----------------------
Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925) / Thu 28 Apr 1910 / Page 28 / Advertising
ELOCUTION
MISS SADIE MATHEWS. Teacher of Elocution,
Theory, and Voice Cultivation. The first prizewinners
in the Open Scene, A.N.A. Competition
("The Man Who Stole the Castle"), Dagmar Thake
and Gladys Daniels, are pupils of Miss Sadie
Mathews. Miss Florence Mathews intends forming
a class for dramatic work-scenes and dialogues.
For particulars apply "Killala," Liddiard-street,
Glenferri .. and Glen's.
-----------------------08 Jun 1916-----------------------
Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925) / Thu 8 Jun 1916 / Page 42 / GREENROOM GOSSIP
Miss Florrie Mathews, a young: stage
aspirant who left Melbourne for London
two or three years ago, has ' achieved
some success in touring companies in
the English provinces. Miss Mathews has also
acquired a husband in the person of Mr.- Fred
Duprez, a clever young artist who is well •••and.
popularly known in vaudeville circles in
England. Mrs. Duprez is a niece of the late/Julia -
Mathews, and a cousin of Mr. T. Mathews
who manages several theatres in London.
-----------------------18 Apr 1923-----------------------
The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950) / Wed 18 Apr 1923 / Page 5 / Mainly About People.
A most enjoyable afternoon was spent
at the residence of Mrs. W. Barnes, of'Killala,' Bruce-street, Nedlands Park,
last, -week, to bid bon voyage to
London. The rooms were tastefully
decorated with autumn flowers, and a very
dainty afternoon tea was served to over
30 guests. Musical items were rendered
by Miss Coultas in her usual artistic
manner, songs by Mrs. Rogers, and
orchestral pieces led by the Misses Du Boulay,
while the recitative portion was represented
by Mrs. McClintock, Miss Hallet, and
little Miss Mathews.
[Note I believe Mrs. W. Barnes to be Elizabeth Mathews]
-----------------------10 Nov 1923-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Sat 10 Nov 1923 / Page 1 / Family Notices
BARNS. —On October 28, to Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Barns, of 36 Perth-Fremantle-road, Nedlands —a son.
-----------------------17 Oct 1926-----------------------
Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) / Sun 17 Oct 1926 / Page 28 / Motoring and Motoring
-----------------------06 Sep 1931-----------------------
AN AFTERNOON was held
at Temple Court last week
to bid bon voyage to Miss
Ada Matthews, who leaves
by the Ballarat for Europe
after an enjoyable-holiday
with her sister, Mrs. W. Barnes.
of Nedlands.
Amongst the guests were Mesdames
Barnes, McRostie, Harris, Darling,
Robinson, Bentley, Atkinson, Cunninghame,
Brown, Mcclintock and Faulkner,
and Misses S. Matthews, Gundill,
Pengelly, and .Burton
-----------------------26 Nov 1932-----------------------
The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950) / Sat 26 Nov 1932 / Page 3 / NEWS IN BRIEF
NEWS IN BRIEF
Adolphus Augustus Mathews, of 50
Bruce-street, Nedlands Park, who died
on September 24 last, left estate valued
at £2904. The sole legatee is his sister,
Miss Sarah Mathews.
-----------------------15 Sep 1932-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Thu 15 Sep 1932 / Page 1 / Family Notices
MATHEWS. — On September 14, 1932, at St.
John of God Hospital, Subiaco,James Mathews (of Albany),
Florence Dupres (of London).
-----------------------02 Nov 1936-----------------------
Young English Film
Star's Link With Perth
Miss June Duprez, regarded
as one of the most promising
of Britain's dramatic
actresses, who is now appearing
in 'The Crimson Circle' at
Hoyts Regent Theatre, is- a
niece of Mrs. W. E. Barnes,
of Bruce-street, Nedlands, and
a sister of Mr. Charles
Manhattan Duprez, an
announcer at Station 6PR.
The 17-year-old actress, who was
married in September of last year
to Dr. Guy Beauchamp, a Harley
street physician, is the daughter of
Mr. Fred Duprez, the famous
English comedian. Mrs. Barnes is Mrs.
Duprez's sister.
'Even as a small child June
showed undoubted talent,' said Mr.
Charles Duprez, when discussing his
actress sister. Mr. Duprez has been
out from England for only three
months. 'She was originally
destined for a musical career, and at
the age of 15 gave recitals at the
Wigmore Hall, London. She also did
some work for the British Broad
casting Commission,' he added.
Stage Experience
June, however, was hankering
after a stage career, and in spite of
the opposition of her father, joined
the Croydon Repertory Theatre and
played all sorts of parts, from old
women to 'Tondeleyo' in 'White
Cargo.'
It was while site was playing with
this company that she met Dr.
Beauchamp, then practising in
Nuneaton, and became his wife.
When she returned from her
honeymoon she appeared in a small
part in 'The Amateur Gentleman.'
The attention she attracted resulted
in her being cast for the lead in
'The Cardinal,' opposite Matheson
Lang.
Emotional Gifts
Speaking of the filming of one scene
in this picture, a prominent English
film critic writes: 'June Duprez has
that gift, so seldom found in younger
British actresses, of letting herself go
completely and sweeping right; into
the deepest emotions on demand.
Each time she finished the scene
her lashes were wet with tears—
and they were real tears.'
With her leading role in 'The
Crimson Circle,' with Hugh Wakefield
definitely achieves front rank stardom
'Besides her really startling
beauty, and, a rare thing in a
woman, a deep and beautifully
'So many young English girls have
not only too much restraint for really
dramatic acting, but also those
dreadfully 'naice' voices.'
carry on with her film career in
spite of her marriage,' said her
brother, 'She loves her work so much
and has just begun to be definitely
established Her husband realises
this, and realises, too, that she is
very young, and has raised no
objections to her acting.
-----------------------02 Aug 1941-----------------------
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956) / Sat 2 Aug 1941 / Page 16 / Of Interest To Ladies
Mrs. G. V. Purdue entertained an
old school friend Mrs. FlorenceDuprez, mother of film star June
Duprez, at dinner at the Adelphi this
week.
-----------------------03 Jul 1941-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Thu 3 Jul 1941 / Page 8 / American Visitor Welcomed.
American Visitor Welcomed.
Mills. W. FAUCKNER was thehostess at an enjoyable afternoon
at the Hotel Adelphi on Tuesday
to welcome Mrs. Florence Duprez,
who has just arrived from America
on .a visit to her sister, Mrs. W.
Barnes, of Nedlands. Mrs. Duprez
is the mother of June Duprez, who
is appearing in "The Thief of Bagdad.
roses and Iceland poppies. Among
those invited to welcome the guest
of honour were Lady Wittenoom,
Mesdames Harry Graham, Darling,
G. Purdie. W. McCrostie, E. Smyth,
Maurice Buck, Allen, H. Baker,
Ida Geddes and Ada and Sadie
Matthews.
-----------------------05 Jul 1941-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Sat 5 Jul 1941 / Page 8 / MOTHER OF FILM STAR.
MOTHER OF FILM STAR.
Mrs. Duprez in Perth.
WHEN June Duprez, who is known
to Perth picturegoeers by her
work in the Technicolour films, "Four
Feathers" and "The Thief of Bag
dad," went in search of her first
screen role, she took her own test
with her and walked out with a
contract. This story was told
yesterday by her mother.
Mrs. W. Barnes, of Nedlands.
In private life Mrs. Guy Beauchamp,
wife of a Harley-street
specialist. Miss Duprez belies her
French-sounding name. Her mother
was born in Australia, but became
a citizen of the United States when
she married the American comedian,
Fred Duprez. Both June and her
brother Hatton (whose voice, by the
way, was heard over local radio
stations about five years ago) were born
in England. Her first big part was
in "Four Feathers," for which she
was selected by Alexander Korda
from 200 applicants. Her latest
picture, "The Thief of Bagdad," was
started at the Denham Studios,
interrupted by the war, and finished
in Hollywood, where Miss Duprez
is now living.
"Now-or-Never" Ship.
Mrs. Duprez left England on June
3, 1940, on the "now-or-never" ship.
President Roosevelt, which was sent
to Galway by the United States
Government to bring home American
citizens stranded by the war. She
carried nearly 800 passengers, many
of whom had to sleep in the dining
saloons. Mrs. Duprez sailed at two
days' notice.
Discussing the film colony's war
work, Mrs. Duprez said that
Her own daughter spent her spare
time sewing and knitting for the
Red Cross Society and, with many
other stars, had taken part in a
three-week benefit season of Noel
Coward plays.
-----------------------17 Jan 1942-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Sat 17 Jan 1942 / Page 1 / Family Notices
DUPREZ (Florence).--On January 15
1942, suddenly, at Melbourne, sister ofAda, Sadie, James, Julia, Elizabeth (Mrs.
W. E. Barnes) and W. E. Barnes,
mother of Hatton and June (Mrs.
Beauchamp) and Dr. Guy Beauchamp.
-----------------------22 Jan 1942-----------------------
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) / Thu 22 Jan 1942 / Page 25 / AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFIC
Mrs. Florence Isabel Duprez,
former Australian actress, widowof Fred Duprez, the English
comedian, and mother of the
Hollywood film artist June Duprez,
collapsed and died at Caulfield
(Vic.) last week. Mrs. Duprez, who
was about 60, returned recently to -
Australia to see her relatives after
many years' absence.
-----------------------13 Mar 1950-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Mon 13 Mar 1950 / Page 30 / Family Notices
MATHEWS: On March 11. 1950, at Perth. James Ernest. the beloved husband of Mary Mathews, devoted father of Jean (Mrs. Merrifield, Albany) and Ada (Victoria Park)- and father-in-law of Lance; aged 69 years.
-----------------------14 Mar 1950-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Tue 14 Mar 1950 / Page 25 / Family Notices
MATHEWS: On March 11. passed away at St. Margaret's Hospital. James. loved brother of Elizabeth Barnes, Ada and Sadie Mathews.
-----------------------14 Mar 1950-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Tue 14 Mar 1950 / Page 25 / Family Notices
MATHEWS: A Presbyterian Cremation Service for the late Mr. James Ernest Mathews, of 15 Cardiff-street, Victoria Park. and formerly of the W.A.G.R., will be held in the Karrakatta Crematorium Chapel at 11 o'clock THIS (Tuesday) MORNING. The Funeral Cortege is appointed to leave our Service Chapel. 664 New castle-street, Leederville, at 10.45 o'clock. ARTHUR J. PURSLOWE AND CO. Tel. B2649.
-----------------------14 Mar 1950-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Tue 14 Mar 1950 / Page 25 / Family Notices
MATHEWS: On March 11. passed away at St. Margaret's Hospital. James, loved brother of Elizabeth Barnes, Ada and Sadie Mathews.
-----------------------03 Sep 1952-----------------------
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Wed 3 Sep 1952 / Page 20 / Family Notices
THE RELATIVES of the Late
MRS. W. BARNES and the lateSADIE MATHEWS THANK all
kind friends for their floral
tributes and expressions of
sympathy in their recent sad
bereavements. Their heartfelt
thanks to Mrs. Callcott, Mrs.
Ralph, Mrs. Purdue, Mrs. Allen,
Mrs. Radford; also
Presbyterian Ladies' Guild. Will all
please accept this as a personal
expression of gratitude.
I think it is clear from the above newspaper articles that this family structure is correct. That means that June Duprez is my 3 cousin 3 times removed. I am beyond excited given that one of my favourite things is 1940s movies. She knew Nigel Bruce and his wife, was in a film with Cary Grant and starred in a movie with Sabu!!!
I can't explain how much I LOVE Trove and thank you to those people on Ancestry who, by growing their family trees at Ancestry, have caused a hint to pop up and has allowed me to discover this exciting branch of my family.
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