Research Notes

Edith Nancy Horsfall

1875 - 1956

HORSFALL – On the 22nd January, at Bagdad, Mrs Henry Horsfall, of a daughter. The Mercury, Hobart, 23 Jan 1875.

Born 22 January 1875 at Bagdad in Tasmania where her father was a farmer. Oldest child of Henry Horsfall and Jane Reynolds.

Mary’s two youngest siblings, Elsie February 24 1887 & Rupert 1889, were born at Port Fairy. Mildred 1879 and Clarence 1880 were born in Tasmania. However, by 1898 the family were living in Ballarat.

From the ODH House Committee report 23 February 1903 - … he [the Superintendent] had therefore engaged the next probationer on the list, Miss Horsfall.

From the ODH House Committee report 1 June 1903 – It was recommended that the seal of the hospital be placed on Nurse Horsfall’s agreement.

A long article extolling the virtues of Matron Winning and her staff was published in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 31 December 1904.

From January 1906, Una Journal - OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL. Nurses Alice Griffiths, Edith Horsfall, and Maude Humphrey, passed the recent final examinations. As these three were the only candidates from here, the results were very gratifying to us all.

From the minutes of ODH board meeting 20 Feb 1906 - On the motion of Mr. Zwar and Mr. Carnsew, the seal of the hospital was affixed to the certificate of Nurse E N Horsfall, who then attended and received the certificate from the hands of the President who wished her every success in her future concerns.

Date of qualification 28 February 1906.

From the ODH House Committee report 5 March 1906 – The Superintendent reported that he had asked Nurse Horsfall to stay on for a few weeks as the wards were busy and she had consented.

From the ODH House Committee report 19 March 1906 – The report [Superintendent’s] stated that Nurse Christiansen was resigning her position as staff nurse at the end of the month. Nurse Horsfall was appointed to the vacancy.

From the ODH House Committee report 10 December 1906 -. that the resignation of Nurse Horsfall and of … had been received;

1909 ER Edith is a nurse and is living at 24 Windermere Street, Ballarat with parents and sister Elsie. Henry’s occupation is listed as ‘Agent’.

Father Henry died at Ballarat 10 August 1913.

DEATH OF MR. H. HORSFALL.

Mr. Henry Horsfall died at his residence, Raglan Street north, yesterday, after an illness of six weeks’ duration. His death will leave a great gap in church circles and Christian movements. He possessed a cheery and kindly disposition, which gained for him a large circle of friends during his 15 years' residence in this city, and by them he will be sadly missed. Mr Horsfall, who was 62 years of age, was born in Yorkshire, and came to Australia when a boy of 12 years. Prior to coming to Ballarat, the deceased was manager of the Merino Downs Estates, Henty. About eight years ago he was appointed secretary of the Ballarat General Cemetery Trust, a position which he held till his death. He was an active and zealous churchman. He took a keen interest in the affairs of the Baptist Church, Dawson Street, and was lately appointed secretary of that body, dying in harness. He was also a whole-hearted supporter of any movement for the benefit of the young people. He was a foundation member of the Y.M.C.A., and a member of the Board of Directors; and also, a member of the committee of the Council of Churches. He leaves a widow, four sons, and three daughters. The funeral will leave the late residence of deceased at 4 o’clock this afternoon for the old cemetery. Ballarat Star, 11 August 1913.

Obit. does not refer to Henry Horsfall’s parents which seems rather odd – there is a possibility that his father John Horsfall was a convict.

1912-1914 Edith is living at Raglan Street, Ballarat.

HORSFALL —On the 14th December, at 3 Norman Avenue, Hawksburn Road, Melbourne, Jane, relict of the late Henry Horsfall of Ballarat; aged 67 years. By request, no flowers.

Ballarat Star, 15 December 1919.

Jane buried Ballarat Cemetery.

Unable to locate Edith’s whereabouts between 1915 & 1928.

Edith married widower Adrian Deneys Vanrenren 1928. Adrian was a sheep grazier near Meredith. Adrian’s first wife, Kathleen Selina Reddy, died aged 39 at Wonthaggi, 2 March 1927. From the death notice, it appears that Adrian and Kathleen had no children.

VANRENEN-HORSFALL – On the 10th March, at Presbyterian Church, Canterbury, Adrian Deneys Vanrenen of Glenetive, Meredith, to Edith Nancy, eldest daughter of the late Henry and Jane Horsfall of Ballarat. The Argus, 14 April 1928.

Edith and Adrian lived at ‘Glenetive’ until around 1934 when they relocated to 414 Ryrie Street, Geelong where they lived until Edith’s death on 26 December 1956. She was aged 81.

VANRENEN.—On December 26, at a private hospital, Geelong, Edith Nancy, dearly beloved wife of Adrian D Vanrenen of 414 Ryrie street, Geelong, and loving sister of Mildred (Mrs. Brown), Clarence (deceased), Con, Bert (deceased), Elsie (Mrs. Chancellor), and Rupe, aged 81 years. The Argus, 27 December 1956.

Cremated at Fawkner.

Adrian died 23 May 1963.