With the family spread far and wide it was rare for the children of Thomas Patrick and Lillian Keady to gather together. However, Lillian’s Eightieth Birthday in February 1961 was one exception. While most of Lillian’s children, their spouses and many grandchildren were there, a couple of exceptions were son Thomas and daughter, Mollie who lived in Western Australia at this time.
The photos below are a great reminder of the day, and with the collective help of a few cousins, everyone has been identified.
In 1961 Lillian was still living at the family house, 51 Cameron Street, Wonthaggi where she had raised her family with Thomas Patrick Keady. Thomas had passed away some 15 years earlier on 14 June 1946 at the age of 71.
Interestingly, the house still survives at 51a Cameron Street, although the large veggie patch which the boys toiled in under their father’s strict supervision has clearly been developed as another house many years ago.
The photos in the previous post had quite a few blemishes including dark patches, light patches and many fine scratches or dust spots.
Most of these have now been fixed with the help of Photoshop. While they can’t be returned to the original photo quality, the photos below are certainly an improvement.
Roy Keady(left), Thomas Keady,jnr (centre), Fred Keady Fred Keady(left), Thomas Patrick (Snr), probably John Dennis “Jack” Keady on right
Request: If anyone has the originals of these photos, or knows who has, it would be great to hear from you.
These two photos have popped up from various sources amongst the Keady cousins at different times. As with many photos, unfortunately there are no captions on the back, no date, no description, nor notes on the people in them.
Roy Keady on left, wearing footy jumper under jacket, right hand holding billy on top of swag. Fred on right, hand on bicycle crossbar. Person in middle possibly Thomas Keady holding handlebar of bike. Joan thinks it could also be Jack..
However, we can be sure of a couple of the people, and fairly certain that the photos were taken by Fred, who was an apparently an avid photographer, even doing his own developing. (Fred even took his camera when he was serving in the Army during WW II).
Fred Keady on left. Two others unknown. Joan thinks the person on right could be her father, Jack Keady. Man in centre looks a lot older than the other two. Could be Thomas Patrick Keady (snr).
What do we know for sure ?
Fred Keady is standing on the right, leaning on the bike in the first photo, and standing on the left in the second photo. This was confirmed by Fred’s daughter Veronica. Looking closely you can see he is wearing the same shirt and hat.
Roy’s son Michael confirms that it is Roy standing on the left in the first photo, wearing a footy jumper.
Identification of the other’s requires a bit of an educated guess as to when these photos might have been taken. They certainly look like they are on the road with their swags and billys. Realistically the only time they are likely to have had to hit the road was during the worst strike at the Wonthaggi Coal Mine in 1934. The strike lasted for 5 months from March to July, 1934. All accounts from the time suggest the miners had a terrible time just surviving.
In 1934, Thomas Patrick (senior), Jack and Roy were all working at the State Coal Mine. Thomas Patrick (jnr) had left the mine in 1929, Bob in 1933 and it is unclear what Fred was doing. (Fred’s employment record show he started in June, 1927, aged 14, but his termination date just says, “LEFT”. Sounds like he might have done a runner at some stage because all the other employment records for the Keady boys are very precise as to their termination dates.)
Unless someone has a marked up copy of this photo which will help with identification, let’s assume they are all members of the Keady family on the road trying to survive during the 1934 strike.
The middle person in the first photo is most likely Thomas Patrick (jnr) as he is a similar height to Roy and Fred and has a rounded face, as in the other few photos of Thomas. He looks a little older too. While not working at the mines, Thomas was still living at 51 Cameron Street, Wonthaggi, the family home.
In the second photo, the middle person is definitely quite a bit older than Fred, and may well be Thomas Patrick (Senior). Which leaves Jack on the right of the photo.
Note of Explanation. There a quite a few versions of these photos circulating amongst the cousins which caused a lot of head scratching. It turns out some of them are mirror images of the above photos. Fred must have been mucking around in his dark room as he developed them. The give away is the chain sprocket on the bike, it is always on the right side of the bike !
Happy to be corrected on anything above if someone is fortunate enough to have a marked up copy or the original of the above photos.
Irrespective of the accuracy of my detective work, it’s worth keeping in mind what a tough year, 1934 must have been for the Keady Family in Wonthaggi. All the older members of the family in all likelihood had no work, and at home Lillian was still looking after Kevin (16yo), Jimmy (15yo), Molly (12 yo) and George (10yo).
The Keady Family at Wonthaggi seemed to take great pride in the family car. The family Buick was a feature of some great photos. Without any knowledge of Buick’s of the time one can only imagine it was a fairly large car to fit the extended family of ten children.
One reliable source has reported that Thomas Keady used to keep his workplace, as the Engine Driver at the Wonthaggi Coal Mine meticulously clean. No doubt the Buick was pampered and polished with the same loving care.
Looks like the family has stopped on the side of the road for a picnic.
Thomas Patrick “Tommy” Keady and wife Lillian are sitting in the grass. Eldest son, John Dennis “Jack” sitting in grass by the front wheel with his younger brother Fred leaning on the bonnet.
Unfortunately there were no notes or captions with this photo so identification of the rest is an educated guess. Assuming the very small boy sitting on the bonnet next to Fred is George, born in 1924, this photo was probably taken about 1928.
This would suggest the other young boy on bonnet is Jimmy (b 1919) , and possibly Kevin (b 1918) standing on guard with his cricket bat next to Lillian. Roy (b 1915) is three years older than Kevin and would have been 13 years old at this time. (Perhaps Roy was taking the photo.)
Finally there is a small girl sitting in the grass behind Jack’s left arm, probably Molly. Molly would have been 6 years old. (You have to look hard to spot Molly)
Unclle Dan visits Wonthaggi
This classic photo with Thomas Patrick looking a bit like “Lurch” from the Addams Family is probably taken about the same time as the previous one, with younger boys of the family, Kevin, Jimmy and George missing.
The occasion is a catch up with Thomas’s younger brother, Daniel (2nd from left) and his wife Julia. Whether, the Keady family have travelled up to Tallangatta to Daniel’s farm or Daniel and Julia have travelled down to Wonthaggi is unknown.
Robert “Bob” spent many of his early years living with his Uncle Daniel and Auntie Julie, who had no children.
Again no notes came with this photo.
Going from left to right, Robert (or possibly Fred), Daniel, Julia, Francie, Roy, Jack, Molly, Lillian and Thomas Patrick.
There are also two mystery faces hidden in the shadows of the car. An adult is leaning out the driver’s window and there is a small boy leaning out the passenger window.
Three young boys on kickboard of Keady family car. Left, most likely Kevin Keady. Given the boys look to be of similar ages, others are likely to be Roy and Jimmy. Photo was probably taken about 1924-25 given the age of the boys.
Any feedback on identification mistakes or history of the car would be most welcome.
Update on the Family Car
The Family Car is confirmed as a General Motors, Buick Standard or Master Six model which were produced in America from 1925-1928. This was regarded as a luxury car of the time.
Sourced: Pinterest
It is pretty hard to pick the exact model without being able to see under the bonnet or the interior trim. However, Thomas’s car seems to have a soft-top which suggests it was the “Touring” model. There were quite a few variations on the standard model including a 5 seat and 7 seat version. I guess we can surmise that he went for the 7 seat model if he could afford it, given the size of the family.
For the motoring enthusiasts, this model had a straight six engine with either 4.2 or 4.5 litre capacity. The brochures of the time claimed it was capable of 70 miles per hour !
The photo below is the only known family portrait which includes the whole family. Given the youngest member of the family George, (standing centre front) looks like he is in his early teens, the photo was probably taken about 1935.
Keady family about 1935. Left to right back, Roy, Francie, Thomas, Jack, Lillian Crawford. Middle row left to right, Robert, Molly, Kevin, Fred, Jimmy, Thomas Patrick Keady. George standing centre, front. (Source: Brian, Molly’s son)
Neither the occasion or location are noted on the photo, although it sure looks like the front verandah of 51 Cameron Street, Wonthaggi.
The quality of the photo is not bad after some repair work to remove small scratches and dust, unfortunately it looks like Thomas and Jack in the back row have moved slightly when the photo was being taken. Their faces are a little blurred and this can’t be fixed.
Get in touch if you would like a high quality copy.
The following photo of a very young Roy Keady was taken about 1918. Roy was the sixth in the family of Thomas and Lillian Keady.
Roy Keady about 1918, source: son Michael
About the time the above photo of Roy was taken, James Kevin “Kevin” Keady was arriving in June, 1918. In quick succession, James “Jim” was born in November, 1919. (I’m sure there must be a story about how two boys in succession ended up with the same name, “James” ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.)
Following a long run of boys, a second daughter, Mary Margaret “Molly” Keady was born on 30 June, 1922.
The photo below of Kevin and Molly (about 1928) was taken and then developed by their older brother Fred who would have been 14-15 years. Unfortunately no photos have surfaced of young Fred.
Kevin Keady with younger sister Molly Keady. c. 1928.
Hectic Home Life for Lillian
Life at home must have been pretty hectic. About the time of the above photo, Molly and Kevin’s eldest brothers Jack and Thomas were 20 and 18 years old respectively, and had been working in the State Coal Mine for a few years. Their father Thomas Patric Keady had started at the State Coal Mine in 1912.
The older boys, Jack and Thomas had both started working at the State Coal Mine in 1923, Jack was 15 and Thomas 14 years old. A couple of years later in 1927, Fred started in June as a 14 year old and Robert shortly after in October, 1927 as a 16 year old.
This period in the early to mid 1920s must have been a crazy time for poor Lillian. Lillian was pregnant a lot of the time, there were todlers underfoot and the older boys and her husband were possibly coming and going at all hours according to the shifts they worked at the Coal Mine. Well done Lillian !
The following photos are from the early days in Wonthaggi, in the period from about 1912 as the family of Thomas Patrick Keady “Tommy” and Lillian Catherine Keady(nee Crawford) started to grow.
Francie, Tom and Jack, about 1912Thomas and Lillian’s children about 1913- Francie, Jack, Thomas and Robert
Birth dates
John Dennis “Jack”, born in Albury, NSW on 30 December 1907
Thomas Patrick “Tom” Keady, born in Powlett River, Vic on 2 June 1909
Frances Lillian “Francie” Keady, born in Powlett River, Vic on 13 July 1910
Robert William “Bob” Keady, born in Wonthaggi, Vic on 20 August, 1911
Note: The area surrounding the State Coal Mine was officially known as Powlett River until the township of Wonthaggi was proclaimed in August, 1910.
What’s the story behind the frilly collars on the boys ?
You might be wondering why the boys, other than baby Robert, are wearing such frilly collars. Initial thoughts turned to some formal occasion such as a first communion. This may well be the reason for the formal photography session, however it seems that this particular fashion style was common for boy’s school uniforms in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The uniform typically included a formal jacket and a frilly collar. It is most obvious on Jack in the first photo. This fashion was following trends in both England and America at the time.
John Dennis “Jack” Keady with Foxie about 1910, probably taken at Powlett River (Wonthaggi) because Jack looks to be about 2-3 years old. Jack was the first child of Thomas and Lillian Keady, born in Albury on 30 December, 1907.
This photo is on a postcard, undated, from Lillian Keady (nee Crawford) to her mother-in-law Margaret Keady (nee O’Leary) who was living at Koetong, near Corryong .
The original postcard was in the personal collection of Molly Keady.
Interesting to note that Lillian refers to herself as “Lilly” when signing off the postcard, and refers to her husband, Thomas Patrick Keady as “Tommy”.
Blogging has been a bit quiet lately. But expect a bit more action over the coming months, with a focus on the Keady Family at Wonthaggi. Some of you may well have seen these before, but it seemed like a good idea to share them around to the wider family.
Thomas Patrick Keady(1874-1946) and Lillian Crawford (1881-1962) moved from Albury to Wonthaggi or Powlett River as it was then called in 1908 or early 1909. Wonthaggi was not proclaimed as a town until 1 August 1910.
This family portrait of Tom and Lillian’s young family was taken about 1915 based on the age of Fred Keady who is the youngest, born in 1913. Fred is sitting on the tall table, 2nd from the left, next to his eldest brother Jack.
Left to right. John Dennis “Jack” born 1907, Frederick Ivan “Fred” born 1913, Robert William “Bob” born 1911, Thomas Patrick “Tom” born 1909, and Frances Lillian “Francie” born 1910 sitting at the front.
Keady Family in Victoria 