Trove Tuesday - Timeline for Frederick

1883

Some more about my lovely old 3x great grandfather I wrote about in my most recent post – Frederick ROWDEN.

Although the birth / baptism record I found for him has him as Frederick Artis Rowden, he called himself Frederick Augustus Rowden in Australia.

I wonder if it was a mis-print in the earlier records, or if he just liked the sound of it, or even if it was somehow inspired by his son-in-law Frederick Augustus PEARSON.

1882

I found some good information on Frederick Rowden’s occupations, and premises, in the advertising sections of the digitised newspapers in Trove, as well as various other sources. 

All good to build a timeline.

1863  managing Chapman's business

1856, there are three ads in the one newspaper. Two of these are for a wide variety of instruments for sale and a third offering tuning and repair of pianos.

1863 he was engaged to “superintend the [music and musical instrument] business” of a Mr G Chapman.

1864 - 1865 Sands directories (Melbourne), he was listed as a pianoforte maker in Stephen street.

1869 - 1870 Sands directories (Melbourne) he was listed as a piano tuner in Mackenzie street.

1882, his music warehouse at 117 Swanston street, offers “Zither lessons (easy method)”.

1883, he has a much larger ad, offering a wide range of musical instruments and “music by every steamer”.

1884, in the probate of his son there is an affidavit sworn as a surety stating, "that I am residing in George Street Fitzroy and have my place of business in Swanston Street Melbourne aforesaid". There is a mention earlier in the same document regarding No 117 Swanston St.

As he lived until 1919, I still have more work to do.

Many of the ads in the Trove newspapers are not well OCRd and so it is a difficult process to find what you are looking for. 

Just another challenge.