Hi,
I do not have access to my records at the moment but based on my recollection I have these observations:
2. The family came back before 1881, They hadn't stayed long (which I put down to the lull in demand for steel). John was gone by 1881, Martha followed with they boys, 1881 was an awful winter in S Wales. The economy stalled & people in other industries struggled. I can't imagine John would have put up with his skills not being in use when they were in demand elsewhere in the world. My father told me he had an offer to help set production up in Parramatta somewhere & left because the money was good.
Dave,
I see it was you who picked up the Graig(garw) reference in the 1881 in a post on 31 May 2014. I was wrong, John IS still in Wales on the census day 3 April 1881,
1881
RG11 Piece 5353 Folio 112 Page 76
Civil Parish: Clase
County: Glamorgan
Country: Wales
Registration District: Swansea
Sub-RD: Llangyfelach
Address: Graig
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Occupation Birthplace Disability
John HARRIS Head Mar M 37 Iron Worker (Baller) Skewen, Glamorgan, Wales
Martha HARRIS Wife Mar F 32 Britton Ferry, Glamorgan, Wales
John HARRIS Son M 14 (Iron Worker) Britton Ferry, Glamorgan, Wales
Evan HARRIS Son M 12 (Iron Worker) Britton Ferry, Glamorgan, Wales
Bertie HARRIS Son M 6 Scholar America
Arrived in Sydney:
HARRIS Martha 35 and son North 1883 2142
HARRIS Bertie 8 and mother North 1883 2142
HARRIS John 17 North 1883 2142
HARRIS Evan 15 North 1883 2142
Departed Plymouth 22 Sep 1883 Arrived 24 Dec 1883
Single Women
Martha 35 Domestic Servant Glamorgan CofEng Yes
Bertie 8 School America No
Martha is married but for some reason is listed under 'Single Women' and not under 'Family with spouse in colony' or under other headings.