Newly Found Early Family Group

At the back- Flora Ensor, Bert McC, Mac Mc, Little Jessie and ?

Middle Annie Ensor, Isabella, Lilias Mc.

Front Jessie Ensor and Florence Mc.

***Many thanks to Sue Rutherford ( descendent of Alexander of the fourteen) for this moving family image.****

Great grandmother is seated here surrounded by three of her children and several grand children. Her sons Robert (Bert) and Alexander are with her eldest daughter Annie Ensor ( nee McClymont).

Annie' s children Jessie and Flora are present as well as Jessie McClymont who is sitting on the shoulders of her father, Alexander (Mac).

Leaning on her grandmother's knee is Florence McClymont who was later to marry a Kelman (she was the daughter of Thomas,the first born). I believe she is incorrectly identified in caption on the back of the photo( pictured) as Flora Kelman. Alexander's wife Lilias( nee McCreedie) sits at Isabella's right.

It may all seem as clear as mud but... when you are able to look at the family tree - we hope it will 'gel'.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

ALBERT TRAEGER VISITS MANUKA.

The written story on the back of the photograph says it all!

We thought this was worth recording in the family archives.
Not sure who sent these to us but.. many thanks anyway!

AUNT JESSIE McCLYMONT

'Us girls' ( Lesley,Judith and Penny) who are organising this gathering of the clan have a very great admiration and gratitude for this fine lady Jessie McClymont who valued the family enough to hand write out the family tree which has been the guide as Lesley and Penny set out to find many of the family and... update her tree to the present.

It was she, who hosted the second last reunion in Brisbane in her garden.

There are now 400 names entered on the present version of the family tree -and that is really not accounting for all the youngestmembers of the present generation.

Jessie was born the daughter of Alexander the 9th born of the Manuka clan. She saw war service enlisting in the army 20.12 1942 and was a lieutenant who was discharged 5.8.1946.

In a previous blog there was an account of her other devotion to family when she took responsibility for a cousin Gordon Mills who had a long term stay in hospital. Many of her neices and a nephew spent time staying with her in Brisbane.

We have posted two photographs of Jessie. One is obviously her in her uniform during the war and the other is a delightful image of her as a small child - being spun in the air! The explanation for the picture says she is with Alex (her father) and Bert (her uncle Robert McClymon10th born Manuka McClymont.)

Thanks to Sue Rutherford (daughter of Jim, grand daughter of Alexander also called Mac, of the original 14) for the photo of Jessie. Its excellent that Sue and ALL her siblings (descendants of Alexander of the 14) are coming to be with us at the reunion.

Unfortunately Auntie Jesie isn't around to see to celebrate this reunion with us.

HERE'S TO YOU AUNTY JESSIE!

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

THE FAMILY SEAL AND WATCH.

Here is a photograph of the family seal and watch that belonged to our forefather Alexander Cumingham McClymont that has been passed down in the family. Tim McClymont (grandson of Norman whose father was the first born Thomas of Manuka ) is the present custodian of these precious relics. Lots of the family didn't know they existed and Tim has been kind enough to arranged for them to be at the reunion for all to see - even though he can't come himself. We do so appreciate his generousity. Robert McClymont( grandson of Robert the tenth born at Manuka) is bring a photograph of Isabella's wooden writing compendium. How exciting this all is!

WHO ARE THESE FAMILY MEMBERS???

These unnamed photos have been found in the large leather bound family photo album from Manuka. Do you have any idea who any of them may be? If so, we would be delighted to hear from you to identify any or all of them.

Does A P Smith ring a bell with anyone? He is the person in the photo on the right and we do not have any idea where he fits into the McClymont family.

REUNION DETAILS UP DATE.

NEWS FLASH!

SEVENTY FIVE McCLYMONTS CONFIRMED TO BE DESCENDING ON THE BEEF CAPITAL!

It is very rewarding to have had such an interest and we are all very excited about being together.

If you haven't committed to coming and are reconsidering - please don't hesitate to contact us.

If anyone needs to party on after the day time action we are able to descend on The Great Western Hotel that is not too far away for a delicious steak and real country atmosphere. That's if you haven't had enough by that time! We have arranged that we won't have to book before hand and they assure us they will be open - Sunday it is!

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL ON SUNDAY 13th June FOR A GREAT DAY IN THE GARDEN!

ROLL CALL OF THE "MANUKA" FOURTEEN - Portraits are in the order of their birth

Thomas and Samuel

James (Jim) , George and Annie ( m. Ensor)

Flora (m. Mills), Isabella ( Isa) and Mary Jane ( Ginny) (m. McKenzie)



Alexander (Mac), Robert ( Bert) and Hugh


Agnes , Achibald and Norman.