George Christian BERTHELSEN

George Christian Berthelsen 1885-1944

Introducing George Christian

When George Christian Berthelsen was born on 5 October 1885, in Bundaberg, Queensland, his father was 45 years old and his mother, Ellen, 34. George was named after his father, Jørgen, and his uncle Christian, the only known brother of Jørgen. George was only seven years of age when his mother died and he was raised by his elder sisters. After finishing primary school he moved out of home to Toowoomba where he found hotel work. It was there that he met his future wife, Margaret Madden who also worked as a hotel domestic.

Siblings

• • Alfred Magnus Waldemar was born on 30 May 1876, in the Hervey Bay township of Pialba, Queensland.

  • Thyra Eleanora, 11 December 1877, Pialba.

  • Olga Sophie, 24 May 1881, Pialba.

  • Ida Matilda, 14 February 1883, Pialba.

  • Nellie Katrina, 21 March 1887, Bundaberg.

  • Sissa Elizabeth, 14 September 1889, Bundaberg.

  • An un-named son, 15 January 1892, Bundaberg.

  • Arthur, 23 January 1893, Bundaberg.

Death of Mother

Ellen’s sudden demise at age 41, on 25 January 1893, only two days after giving birth to Arthur, her ninth child, was a devastating blow to Jørgen and his young family. Ellen and Jørgen had only been married 19 years. Prior to her demise, George’s mother had lost her last three born—Sissa, named in memory of her sister, an un-named son, and Arthur.

Marriage

Wednesday, 18th December 1907 was the day chosen by George, age 22 and Margaret, age 19 to celebrate their nuptials. Father Denis Fouhy was the officiating priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral—a very fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture. The bride and groom’s chief witnesses were Margaret’s brother, Bill, and her mother, Nora.

Children

• • Edna May was born on 4 February 1908, in Toowoomba.

  • Olga Margaret, 25 July 1909, Toowoomba.

  • George Charles, 13 March 1911, Toowoomba.

  • Trafalgar Edith, 21 October 1913, Toowoomba.

  • Clarance, 3 January 1916, Bundaberg.

  • Cecil William, 22 February 1918, Brisbane.

  • Ruby, 4 June 1920, Brisbane.

  • Violet, 9 September 1922, Brisbane.

  • Bernice Mary, 30 May 1924, Brisbane.

  • Roy, 19 February 1926, Brisbane.

Death of Father

Jørgen Berthelsen, formerly a tailor, lived out his twilight years at Kinagin, on the Kolan River, west of Bundaberg and died at Bundaberg on 30 September 1917 aged 77 years. His remains lie in an unmarked grave in the local cemetery.

Death of George

Retirement came relatively early for George who was suffering a heart condition. He died in Brisbane on 27 June 1944, aged 58.

Death of his beloved Wife, Margaret

Margaret, also known as “Peg” and widowed for 23 years died after being hospitalised in Brisbane on 6 February 1967. Both George and Margaret were buried in Toowong Cemetery.

Part 2

Back