The family bible indicates that brothers John & George arrived in Australia on 6 Nov 1860 on the ship 'True Blue', probably working their passage (there's no other information to support this). Brothers Edward and Alfred William emigrated to Adelaide in 1871/1872, with Alfred getting married in 1882. Edward died in Norwood in 1882.

The first sighting of the Erreys is an article showing that John Errey is working as a bailiff's officer in Nov 1866. There are also indications that a 'Mr. Errey' (presumably John Errey) was working as a miner at Jupiter Creek (Mylor) in late 1868, and is one of the ringleaders calling for changes to the mining regulations. George Errey pops up writing a letter to the Register opposing claims of nepotism in the bailiff's office (this doesn't presumably directly relate to his brother). In 1873, it appears that John Errey is living at Freeling and is involved in litigation against a bailiff's officer. Around the same time, George is cited as accompanying a seriously wounded man from Freeling to Adelaide by train.

In his marriage certificate, George gives his occupation as an hydrographer, and there are indications that he may have studied in this area in England (his death certificate says marine surveyor). His children's birth certificates list him as a clerk in Adelaide and North Adelaide. John was apparently willing to do anything which was necessary, and at various times was a blacksmith (his father's trade), agent, bailiff's officer, ironworker and mechanic (and possibly miner).

Springsure, Qld

Around 1874, John, George and family moved to Springsure in Queensland. Springsure was a mining and farming centre about 60km south of Emerald and 300km west of Rockhampton. In 1874 the discovery of a gemstones in the area - typically sapphires, rubies and opals - attracted prospectors from all over Australia, and this is the most likely reason for the move.

Alfred Richard Errey was born in Aug 1875. His birth registration hasn't been found despite comprehensive searches, and it may not have been registered. The family register (started by his wife Adeline) states that he was born in Rockhampton on 26 Oct 1875.

George Errey died in Apr 1876 of consumption, the DC indicating that he had had the condition for 8 months. From about Oct 1875 for 3 months or so, an advertisement was run in the Australian Town and Country Journal as follows: "SPRINGSURE, QUEENSLAND.ERREY BROS. and CO.STOCK AND STATION AUCTION AND GENERAL COMMISSION AGENTS,SPRINGSURE". At this stage John, recognising that George was not capable of prospecting, was apparently setting them up as agents.

Back to Adelaide

John returned to Adelaide and eventually married George's widow Elizabeth in Nov 1878, producing 3 children over the next 5 years. He was recorded as living in Adelaide (South Terrace), Mitcham, Summertown, Mount Barker, Adelaide, Broken Hill, a socialist settlement in Lyrup and back to Adelaide in various locations including Norwood, Unley, Carrington St, Whitmore Sq. and Chancery Lane. This paints the picture of John being a rather restless character, always looking for a better chance.

John and sons John Wood and Alfred Richard worked as ironmongers and plumbers after theirreturn from Lyrup in early 1896.

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Elizabeth was an illegitimate child of John Newman. Her mother was probably one of Newman's housekeepers - he had several illegitimate children with at least 2 others, both before and after his wife Josephine returned to England, presumably in a justified huff.

Because of the lack of a birth record or other information, her mother is unknown, but suspected to be Jane Wood, primarily based on the fact that Elizabeth's first child was called John Wood Errey (there appears to be no other reason for using the unusual forename 'Wood'), and her second child was Jane. Jane Wood died single in 1855 aged 26, indicating that she was about 17 when Elizabeth was born. Her common name and lack of other information makes tracing her immigration and parentage difficult.

In her marriage to George Errey, she was shown as the daughter of John Newman, and married in Newman's family church in Woodville.

Elizabeth Catherine Newman's marriage to John Errey was illegal at the time but such marriages were relatively common, although sometimes kept semi-secret. This appears to be one of those 'silly laws' which were often ignored and where breaches went unprosecuted.

The English law allowed such marriages before 1835, although they were relatively easily annulled at the request of either party. From 1835 they were prohibited under English law, until marriage to a deceased wife's sister was legislated in 1907. Generally the Australian states followed English law, the main difference being the permitting of marriage to a deceased wife's sister from the 1870s (1893 in Victoria).

However, it wasn't until 1921 that marriage to a deceased husband's brother became legal in England. and 1925 in South Australia. It's interesting to note that the law was retrospective, making legal such marriages prior to this date.

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