Hughes Family - Araluen Valley History

William Hughes Snr (1836-1906) was born in Parramatta in 1836, the son of John Hughes and Margaret Connelly.

William Hughes Snr married Catherine Mackey (1836-1903) on 7 February 1859 at the Roman Catholic Church in Braidwood,¹ with his occupation given as a farmer, while Catherine’s occupation is given as a servant. William Hughes Snr is at rest in the Upper Picton Cemetery.²

Catherine Mackey was born in Limerick, Ireland, the daughter of William Mackey and Bridget O’Flaharty. Catherine arrived in NSW on 21 December 1858 on the ship the Forest Monarch, with her occupation given as a house servant aged 18.³

The list of passengers showing Catherine Mackey who arrived in NSW on the 21 December 1858, on the ship the Forest Monarch aged 18. — Catherine arrived in NSW on the 21 December 1858 on the ship the Forest Monarch, aged 18.

The headstone for Catherine Hughes nee Mackey (1836 – 1903) and her daughter Theresa Hughes (1862 – 1910) at rest at Araluen's Catholic Cemetery. — Catherine Hughes nee Mackey (1836-1903) and her daughter Theresa Hughes (1862-1910) at rest at Araluen’s Catholic Cemetery.

Catherine died in October 1903, ⁴ and is at rest in the Araluen Catholic Cemetery. The incorrect 1893 date was mistakenly engraved on her headstone when it was put in place by the family some years after her death.

William was a farmer, as detailed on the marriage certificate for his daughter Agnes to Charles O’Keefe in January 1901.

William and Catherine had ten children. John (1859-1862), Mary A (1861- ), Theresa (1862-1910), William (1863-1937), Bridget (1865- ), Joseph (1867-1926), Charles (1869-1939), Agnes (1871-1946), Anastasia Veronica “Vera” (1875- 1946) and Winnifred (1877- ).

1 John (18 November 1859-18 August 1862)⁵

A newspaper notice informing of the death of John Hughes aged 2 years and 9 months. — John Hughes (18 November 1859 – 18 August 1862)

In August 1862 a notice was placed in the Braidwood Observer stating ‘On Monday, the 18th instant, at the residence of its parents, Clear Hills, Crown Flat, Araluen, of inflammation of the lungs, John, eldest son of Mr. William Hughes, [died] aged 2 years and 9 months.’ ⁶ John is at rest in Araluen.

2 Mary A (16 February 1861- )⁷

Mary is detailed as aged 42 in 1903, as noted on the death certificate for her mother Catherine.

A newspaper notice informing of the death of Miss Theresa Hughes aged 46 years. — Theresa Hughes (27 August 1862 – 23 June 1910)

3 Theresa (Teresa) (27 August 1862-23 June 1910)⁸

In June 1910 the Braidwood Dispatch published an Obituary stating ‘Miss Theresa Hughes, daughter of the late Mr. William Hughes, of Araluen, died at Gundary on Thursday last at the age of 46. She had been under an operation in St.Vincents Private Hospital in Sydney about nine months since and was treated in that institution up to five weeks back, when she returned to Moruya she placed herself under the care of Mrs. M. Donovan, of Gundary, where she quietly passed away as above stated. She was a sister of Mr. Charles Hughes, of Moodong, Araluen. Her body was removed to Araluen for burial on Friday last.’⁹
Theresa is at rest in the Araluen Roman Catholic Cemetery.

4 William (13 December 1863-29 April 1937)

A studio portrait of William Hughes (1863 – 1937) in his WWI uniform. — William Hughes (1863-1937)

William is detailed as aged 38 [40] in 1903, as listed on the death certificate for his mother Catherine.
William enlisted on 5 June 1915, at the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, in New South Wales, and embarked from Melbourne on 17 July 1915, serving in the Siege Artillery Brigade with the rank of gunner. William gave his age as 44 year and 4 months at enlistment but was actually 52.
William married Elsie Ornetta Esdill (1886-1972) on 24 February 1918 in Taunton, Somerset, England, and was the loving father of Lillie, William and Gilbert.
The 1930 electoral roll shows William as a dairyman and Elsie, residing in Glenholme Dairy, in Caringbah, Sydney.
William’s funeral notice was published in the Sydney Morning Herald advising that ‘The Relatives and Friends of Mrs. ELSIE HUGHES and FAMILY are Invited to attend the Funeral of her dearly loved HUSBAND and their dear FATHER William Hughes, late of Australian Siege Brigade, which will take place THIS FRIDAY, at 10.45 a.m., in the Catholic Cemetery, Woronora.’¹⁰

5 Bridget (10 June 1865- )¹¹.

Bridget is detailed as aged 36 [38] in 1903, as noted on the death certificate for her mother Catherine.

6 Joseph (1867-23 June 1926)¹²

The 1903 Electoral roll¹³ shows Joseph Hughes, a stockman at Back Creek. Joseph is aged 34 [36] in 1903, as noted on the death certificate for his mother Catherine.

7 Charles (1869-10 June 1939) ¹⁴

A map showing Charles Hughes' Land Portions 188, 189, 193 and 194 at Moodong Creek. — Charles Hughes’ Land Portions 188, 189, 193 and 194 at Moodong Creek.

Charles is detailed as a labourer at Back Creek on the 1903 Electoral roll. In October 1903, Charles is detailed as the informant, residing at Back Creek Araluen, and aged 32 [34], on the death certificate for his mother Catherine.
Charles is detailed at Moodong Creek, in the parish of Merricumbene, Araluen on the 1910 Land Grant.
Historical Maps ¹⁵ indicate the Land Portions in the Parish of Bettowynd, County of St. Vincent, allocated to Charles Hughes were 188, 189, 193 and 194.
In June 1939 the Sydney Morning Herald published ‘HUGHES. –June 10, 1939, at his residence, Appin Lodge, Appin, Charles, beloved husband of Pollina Agnes, and loving father of Winifred (Mrs. Rutter), Mina (Mrs. Smith), Catherine, Mary, Charles, and grandfather of Joan and Keith Smith, [died] age 69 years.’¹⁶
Charles had eight daughters and one son and is at rest at Appin, NSW.

8 Agnes (1871-22 June 1946)¹⁷

On the 15 January 1900, Agnes, with her occupation given as a servant married Charles O’Keefe, a labourer, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.
Agnes is detailed as aged 30 [32] in 1903, as noted on the death certificate for her mother Catherine.
Agnes published a public notice in December 1945 in the Blue Mountains Advertiser stating ‘I, Agnes O’Keefe, of ‘Araluen,’ Wilson Street, Lawson, have not at any time authorised an agent to sell my property, and said property is not for sale‘. ¹⁸
In June 1946 the Sydney Morning Herald published ‘June 22, 1946, at hospital, Katoomba, Agnes O’Keefe, relict of the late Charles O’Keefe, beloved mother of Jack, Mary, Joe, Agnes, Winnie, and Ted, [died] aged 73 years. R.I.P.’ ¹⁹

9 Anastasia Veronica “Vera” (17 September 1875-1946)²⁰

Anastasia is detailed as aged 28 in 1903, as noted on the death certificate for her mother Catherine.
Anastasia married John Charles Penny (1886-1960) in 1904. ²¹
In May 1946 the Sydney Morning Herald published ‘May 6. 1946, at hospital, Auburn, Anastasia Veronica Penny, of Starr Street, Picton, late of Araluen, beloved wife of John Charles Edward and loving mother of Jack. Joe (deceased). James, Vera (deceased). Leo, Hugh, and William, [died] aged 74 years. R.l.P.’ ²² Anastasia is at rest at Upper Picton cemetery

10 Winnifred (3 January 1877- )

Winnifred is detailed as aged 26 in 1903, as noted on the death certificate for her mother Catherine.

References

1
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Marriage – 1498/1859 William Hughes and Catherine Mackay Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 June 2026. ↩︎
2
Finda Grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/294285495/william-hughes Accessed 10 September 2026. ↩︎
3
Museums of History NSW Forest Monarch 21 Dec 1858. Assisted immigrants (digital) shipping lists Item No: [4/4795] | Ship: Forest Monarch | Series: NRS-5316 | Reel No: Reel 2138 Accessed 5 September 2026. ↩︎
4
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Death – 13192/1903 Catherine Parents William and Bridget Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026 ↩︎
5
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 5460/1860 John. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
6
Braidwood Observer and Miner’s Advocate (NSW : 1859- 1862) Wednesday 20 August 1862 p 2. Family Notices and NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Death – 3122/1862 John. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
7
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 5736/1861 Mary A. Parents William and Katherine. Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
8
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 6076/1862 Theresa. Parents William and Catherine. Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
9
The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888-1889; 1895; 1897-1954) Wednesday 29 June 1910 p 2. LOCAL NEWS ↩︎
10
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) Friday 30 April 1937 p 9. Family Notices ↩︎
11
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 6927/1865 Bridget. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026 ↩︎
12
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 7417/1867 Joseph. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026 and NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Death – 6896/1926 Joseph. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Petersham. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
13
https://www.ihr.com.au/ Eden Monaro Electoral Roll 1903, Araluen Polling Place Accessed 8 July 2026 ↩︎
14
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 7640/1869 Charles. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026 ↩︎
15
Historical Maps NSW Land Registry Service, Parish and Historical Maps. Historical Land Records Viewer, https://www.nswlrs.com.au/Parish-and-Historical-Maps. Accessed 10 September 2026 ↩︎
16
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Tuesday 13 June 1939, p 10 and NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Death – 18227/1939 Charles. Parents William and Katherine Registered in Campbelltown, NSW. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
17
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 7918/1871 Agnes. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
18
The Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940-1954) Friday 7 December 1945 p 4 Advertising ↩︎
19
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Monday 24 June 1946, p 16. ↩︎
20
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 8597/1875 Anastasia. Parents William and Catherine Registered in Braidwood. Accessed 23 August 2026. ↩︎
21
NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Marriage – 3694/1904 John C.E Penny and Anastasia V. Hughes Registered in Coonamble. Accessed 23 June 2026. ↩︎
22
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842-1954), Tuesday 7 May 1946, p 16 and The Picton Post (NSW : 1907-1954) Thursday 9 May 1946 p 5 MRS. ANASTACIA PENNY. ↩︎