My English ancestors who emigrated to Australia appear to have been,most inconsiderately, either only children or people who cut all ties with their relatives back home, leaving me brick walls in my genealogical research. Can you help?
In the late 18th century, one John HELYAR (?bc.1770-80) worked as a shoemaker/ cordwainer in Yeovil, Somerset. He and his wife Elizabeth had at least one son, Elias.
* Elias HELYAR (1804-1870)
Elias, in keeping with the main industry of the town, became a foreman in a kid glove factory in Yeovil. He was born 1/5/1804 near Yeovil, Somerset and died on 7/9/1870 Geelong, Victoria. On 25/12/1826 at St John the Baptist Parish Church, Yeovil he married Martha Doling, witnessed by Elizabeth Doling and Jonathan Crocker, ceremony performed by
Curate David Jones. Martha, born 4/5/1805, died 1840 on board "Ferguson", was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (nee PARKER) of Maperton, Dorset, ENG who married 15/1/1801 at the local parish church in Netherbury, about 5 km away.
