Research Notes

Clara Hartigan

1874 - 1957

Born 1874 at Indigo to Daniel Hartigan & Catherine Cleary. The youngest of 6 children. Went to school at Middle Creek West State School.

HARTIGAN – At his residence, Upper Indigo, on 4th inst., Daniel Hartigan, formerly of Cratlow, County Clare, Ireland, native of City of Limerick, aged 62. years. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on him. Immaculate Heart of Mary and Holy St. Joseph intercede for him.

Advocate, Melbourne 29 Jul 1893.

Obituary — It is with extreme regret that we have to record the death of a very old and respected resident, viz., Mr Daniel Hartigan, of Upper Indigo, who passed away on Monday morning. Mr Hartigan has not been well for some time, and he was cognisant of the fact that his system was gradually breaking up. It was only during the last fortnight that serious symptoms asserted themselves, so that despite medical attendance he died as above stated. Deceased was 62 years of age, and he came to the district in 1856, being a resident of Indigo Creek for 20 years. He was esteemed by all who knew him, being recognised as a thoroughly conscientious man and one who was particularly upright in all his dealings. He leaves a sorrowing widow and three sons and two daughters (all grown up). There are also two brothers, John and Michael who live on the creek. The funeral took place on Wednesday and was largely attended, the funeral service being read by the Rev. Father Fitzgerald, Messrs Ramsay and Michelsen being the undertakers. Yackandandah Times, 8 July 1893.

Daniel’s real and personal estate totalled almost £1,000. His will (12 September 1892) left all his lands and everything thereon to his sons Michael and Daniel Hartigan on the condition that they give their mother £25 and keep her while she lives as in a weekly payment of 8 shillings.

Also, that they give £50 to their brother John and £100 to each to their sisters Catherine Mary (two years after Daniel’s death) and Clara (four years after Daniel’s death) and John (five years after his death).

This means Clara was entitled to her £100 in July 1898.

Quite a gloom was cast over Upper Indigo on Tuesday, when it became known that Miss Kate Hartigan had passed away. The deceased who was 38 years of age had been a long and patient sufferer from consumption but by her genial disposition she had made many friends. The remains were interred in the Yackandandah Cemetery on Wednesday, the last rites being performed by Father Delaney.

Yackandandah Times, 13 November 1903.

From the ODH House Committee report 15 October 1906 – Miss Hartigan [aged 32] of Barnawartha had been engaged …

From the ODH House Committee report 7 January 1907 – Nurse Hartigan had passed the doctor’s examination at the end of her three months on trial and her agreement was ready for signature.

UNA Journal – October 1906, OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL. … Nurses Clemens, Rockett. and Hartigan having completed three months’ probation, have entered on a three years’ course of training.

M. WINNING, Matron.

From the ODH House Committee report 19 August 1907 – … the Junior Nurses Examinations in Anatomy and Physiology was held on 12th inst. Nurse Hartigan passed with credit and Nurses Milne, Clemens and Rockett passed.

From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April 1925. Admitted as a patient with typhoid fever on 12 June 1908. Discharged to her mother, Mrs. D. Hartigan at Upper Indigo on 30 July 1908.

From 1909 June Una Journal - Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association. FINAL EXAMINATIONS. The following candidates were successful at the examinations

held on the 8th and 9th June:— … Clemens, Hartigan, Kerr, Rockett (Ovens District Hospital)

From the minutes of the ODH board meeting 7 December 1909 - The seal of the hospital was affixed to the nursing certificate of Nurse Hartigan …

Date of qualification November 1909.

UNA Journal – March 1910 – General Register, Hartigan, Clara, “St. Ives,” Vale-st., East Melbourne—Cert. Ovens Hospital, 1909.

1912 – 1916 is boarding at a guest house at 46 Drummond Street, Carlton.

UNA Journal – July 1916 – Special Register, Hartigan Clara, 600 St. Kilda- rd., Melbourne—Cert Women ’s Hospital, Melbourne (Midwifery), August, 1913 (6 months).

Appears to have been at the Royal Melbourne trained Nurses’ Home (600 St Kilda Road) from July 1916 to 1919. First registered as a midwife in May 1917.

By the P. and O. liner "Narkunda," leaving Melbourne to-day, Matron Campbell, of Kelvin Grove private hospital, Bacchus Marsh, will journey home to the "old land” visiting Scotland and Ireland, returning home via America. During her absence (nine months at least) the hospital will be carried on as usual, under the charge of Sister Hartigan. Melton Express, 11 March 1922.

1922 ER has Clara is at ‘Linden’, (most likely a private Hospital) Williams Road, Windsor but by March of that year she is in Bacchus Marsh.

1926 to 1935 is living at ‘Westcott’ Ballan. Think ‘Westcott’ was a private residence. It was a stone cottage located 188 Inglis Street, Ballan and was built about 1864. It’s possible that during this time she worked, ‘Kelvin Grove, a private hospital in Bacchus Marsh and was at times acting matron.

An advertisement in the Melton Express suggests that Clara left Ballan circa April 1935. The 1937 to 1954 ER lists Clara as a grazier at Upper Indigo.

AFTER 14 days herefrom application will be made to the Supreme Court of the State of Victoria, In Its Probate Jurisdiction that PROBATE or the WILL dated the sixth day of February 1935 of MICHAEL HARTIGAN [Clara’s paternal uncle] late of Indigo Upper near Barnawartha In the said State fanner, deceased be granted to Clara Hartigan formerly of Ballan in the said State nurse but now or Indigo Upper aforesaid farmer the sole executrix named therein.

Dated the 31st day of May 1937

M P RYAN A. RYAN Beechworth _ Myrtleford

Argus 2 June 1937.

Died Yackandandah 11 June 1957 aged 83 – buried at Yackandandah Cemetery. Left a will. Probate granted 26 Aug 1957.