Clara Victoria Rogers
Clara was born on February 15, 1871 in Brisbane, Australia. When she was four years old, her mother died shortly after childbirth, and so did her baby brother. Her father was so distraught that he took her older brother, Alfred, and they set sail for America, leaving Clara with a Mr. and Mrs. William Hogg, presumably for a temporary time. However, this separation from her father and brother became permanent. Her father evidently kept in touch with the Hoggs for some years, but the contact became more infrequent as the years passed by until they lost touch entirely.
In 1891, Clara married Richard Skimin, a sailor who was born in County Down, Ireland. Soon after their marriage, her brother Alfred contacted her through the parish priest in Brisbane. They were both delighted in having found each other and carried on lengthy correspondance over the next seven or eight years, perhaps longer. Clara kept seven of Alfred's letters and one from her father, and they were eventually passed down to her children and grandchildren, thereby allowing us to know something of their lives in the last decade of the 19th century. They both longed to see each other and much was written in the letters about Alfred going to Australia, but that never happened.
Meanwhile, Clara became a very busy wife and mother, giving birth to nine children over the next 23 years in various locations in Australia. They are:
Arthur Horace Skimin, born in 1892
Irene Skimin, born in 1895
Winifred Victoria Skimin, born in 1898
Ethel May Skimin, born in 1901
Ernest Edward Skimin, born in 1905
Lilian Maude Skimin, born in 1907
Edna Elizabeth Skimin, born in 1910
John Skimin, born in 1912
Inez Laurel Skimin, born in 1915
Clara is remembered by her grandchildren as being a kind, gentle caring lady, the backbone of the family, an oasis of calm in the midst of her energetic family. She insisted that each of her children learn to play a musical instrument, consequently, there were many family sing-songs over the years. Her husband, Richard, was also a pillar of strength and a much adored 'Papa". Clara died in 1937 at the age of 66. Her husband died in 1940.
In 1891, Clara married Richard Skimin, a sailor who was born in County Down, Ireland. Soon after their marriage, her brother Alfred contacted her through the parish priest in Brisbane. They were both delighted in having found each other and carried on lengthy correspondance over the next seven or eight years, perhaps longer. Clara kept seven of Alfred's letters and one from her father, and they were eventually passed down to her children and grandchildren, thereby allowing us to know something of their lives in the last decade of the 19th century. They both longed to see each other and much was written in the letters about Alfred going to Australia, but that never happened.
Meanwhile, Clara became a very busy wife and mother, giving birth to nine children over the next 23 years in various locations in Australia. They are:
Arthur Horace Skimin, born in 1892
Irene Skimin, born in 1895
Winifred Victoria Skimin, born in 1898
Ethel May Skimin, born in 1901
Ernest Edward Skimin, born in 1905
Lilian Maude Skimin, born in 1907
Edna Elizabeth Skimin, born in 1910
John Skimin, born in 1912
Inez Laurel Skimin, born in 1915
Clara is remembered by her grandchildren as being a kind, gentle caring lady, the backbone of the family, an oasis of calm in the midst of her energetic family. She insisted that each of her children learn to play a musical instrument, consequently, there were many family sing-songs over the years. Her husband, Richard, was also a pillar of strength and a much adored 'Papa". Clara died in 1937 at the age of 66. Her husband died in 1940.