St Barnabas Church c. 1930 Norfolk Island – Pearce Owen (right) – Mum’s family
St Barnabas Church c. 1930 Norfolk Island – Pearce Owen (top right) – Mum’s family
Shaw Family Overview
An Overview of My Family History Research
My research into our family history began with questions about our heritage, prompted by several people contacting us to explore possible connections. The goal was to validate and clarify our family line on the Shaw side, due to ongoing confusion and frustration.
Challenges in Research
Researching family history is prone to error. Assumptions are made too quickly. Early excitement may lead to jumping to conclusions. However, as more information came to light, I found inconsistencies that forced me to focus on accuracy and learn more about the dynamics of research. Over several months, I developed a more stable and reliable framework for our lineage backed up by various sources including Government documents.
On the personal side, we also speculate. For example, George Shaw (senior) looked gaunt and skinny, not fitting properly in his clothes for the 1902 English/Colonial rifle competition. Was this due to months of dangerous travel across the ocean?
It took a while to work out why George told the National Australian Rifle Association in 1906 (for membership) that he was “English-born”. This threw a spanner in the works. It would mean we were not related to William Shaw who founded Shaw & Sons in Bribane. We learnt that Northern Ireland was postal listed as the United Kingdom, and with the “troubles” of Ireland and UK, it made sense to say you were English born. There may have been other things going on we don’t know, causing him to say this. After downloading George’s marriage certificate, we then knew we were related to William – not to promote pride in our past, but it helps put a little more perspective on who we are today.
Key Findings
Despite limited records, I was able to:
1. Confirm our Shaw family lineage back to William Shaw c.1841-1913, and on trust (via Geni website) back to another William Shaw, born 1771.
2. Document elements of the family’s two-pronged retail businesses in Brisbane, Shaw & Sons Ltd. and George Shaw & Co, later George Shaw Sports Store.
3. Uncover details about my great-grandfather’s involvement in rifle shooting and his connection to training in shooting skills for the post 1901 Federation Australian army.
This information is now publicly available through my web pages, for my grandfather Harold, great-grandfather George, and great-great-grandfather William Shaw. Most other family information is via protected access for now.
Research Methods and Sources
While formal records such as Brisbane births, deaths & marriage registrations, marriage certificates and Trove records formed the backbone of my research, I also used hearsay, original photographs, and handwritten notes. It’s important to note that many historical documents – whether newspapers or legal records – contain errors. After pieces of the family tree puzzle were verified, I added it to the Geni family tree website, adding to the reliability.
Limited History of Shops, Sons and Daughters, Speculations
The history of the family’s retail shops continued to expand as more information emerged. Prior to this my writing was less clear. Much is not known. For instance, we do not know the background of various events such as a legal matter with Shaw & Sons name registration and Henry Shaw, or anything happening in Edward Street. We do not know who worked in the store or co-owned the shop with William before and after his death, or what all his sons and daughters did. We do not know the various aspects of shop leasing, ownership, or shared ownership of buildings and business rights. We do know my father fully owned his business by buying out private shares, and the building when sold in 1979, now valued at over $20 million. We do not have a full list what properties were owned in locations such as Currumbin Beach.
In a wider context, Brisbane was energetically busy, but also had its own poverty, lack of privacy, and public housing in places such as hotels, and seedy activities. There was a rush on the banks in the depression, but apparently George Shaw chose to assist NAB Bank by not withdrawing his money. There would also have been reasons for relocations of shops, of interest.
As a best “guess” William had ten children. Children could be listed with different names between sources, such as Robert for Albert, or Minnie for Mary. BCC (Brisbane City Council) could misspell registrations, such as Evelina instead of Eveline. It is too costly to download original certificate at $25 each. In a way it does not matter for the purposes of this project.
What is a surprise, is that we never knew we had a great Aunt, Florence Eveline Shaw, sister of my grandfather Harold. She likely married William Weston. Weston was a part of the George Shaw shop history. How could we never know her? Was there an extreme family incident? Families can be crazy and make absurd assumptions, taking incredibly reactionary, damaging and ignorant actions.
It’s likely that more data exists online or in archives not yet accessed. It is easier to find information about Shaw, from having had large retail businesses, shooting and fishing competitions reported in newspapers, than my mother’s side of the family that was domestic and trades work. The firearms store Dad owned also met the news with firearms registration and cooling off periods.
Maternal Side
Information about my mother’s side is very limited. Original records would be in Northern Ireland and Wales. It would therefore be too expensive and time-consuming to pursue.
One notable story—based on oral history—tells of my maternal grandmother being one of 16 children, on (or two) of whom was allegedly killed by the IRA, prompting her to be sent to Australia under her parent’s instruction for safety, (was she on a hit list- but what about the other children?) to live with two of her brothers. I don’t know who the brothers are or why we never knew them. En route to Brisbane, my Grandma met and married Pearce, a Welsh builder and opera singer too. Pearce had to fulfill a contract on Norfolk Island. I assume this is (at least) the St Barnabas Chapel roof. He built a small cabin/house now under heritage and did banana farming. A disease across the island destroyed the crops so they moved to East Brisbane, where Pearce died of pneumonia following building work.
If I get more information on Mum’s family I will update my notes.
While extraordinary, parts of this story are somewhat plausible. Irish families with 16 or more children were not uncommon due to high mortality rates and even two families living under one roof. One article I read confirmed of parents with twenty children. It is not surprising that William and Mary had ten kids. About half were born in Ireland, and half in Brisbane.
The Shaw Family in Australia
William Shaw immigrated to Brisbane with his Irish family, eventually having a total of ten children, including my great-grandfather George. Reasons for choosing Brisbane may relate to State Government immigration incentives.
William’s retail business evolved from ironmongery in South Brisbane, into a larger city department store over time, which I liken to a mini-Harrods, with at least sons Thomas and Henry involved in management and ownership. George, however, opened a separate firearms and fishing merchant shop, (some sports) apparently with strong arguments against his father’s wishes. We note the final living arrangements between William at Clayfield and George at Kangaroo Point. Prior to this, the Ironmongery and housing was in South Brisbane around Melbourne Street area(s).
During research I was surprised at the extent of retail activity and number of people in the city. Building relocations, demolitions, refurbishments and new constructions were numerous. Perhaps the great fire of 1864 playing a role in this activity. Early Brisbane architecture was distinct. As such, a number of interesting offshoots opened up during research.
I have provided further information on the retail stores for William – Shaw & Sons Ltd, and George’s firearms/fishing/sports – George Shaw & Co. There was cross-over in retail items between the stores, but a specific focus for George due to his love of rifle shooting and background in the army.
What did people do in the early 1900s? It was normal to shoot and fish. When Dad refurbished or “modernised” the store in 1966, the name changed to George Shaw Sports Store. The competing store further down Queen Street was Robinson’s Sports Store. Dad’s shop had always had rifle repairs. The world quickly changed after the 1970s, so no surprise the business concluded.
The Shaw Family Houses
William Shaw lived in South Brisbane, then Clayfield, and was buried in Dutton Park cemetery with his eldest child Thomas who died young, and wife Mary. George resided at South Brisbane (I assume with his father), and later Kangaroo Point in Silverwell House until his death. The family branch of George/Harold/George Robert (my father) then relocated due to Main Road’s Story Bridge noise and security concerns. My mother recalls from photographs in realestate.com both dwellings’ exteriors and interiors, and has photos of both houses.
After George Shaw passed away, Mum and Dad moved from his Kangaroo Point home (where Harold grew up) to William’s Clayfield house, then to Coorparoo, Camp Hill, Pinjarra Hills, Moggill, a stint in Kenmore, then Chapel Hill’s two houses. At retirement Mum and Dad move to Enogerra as a temporary stay. With some financial stress they decided to manage the Belladoo apartments in Maroochydore. Afterwards they lived in a house with an internal atrium in Buderim. Dad passed away from an aneurysm while an apartment was being built for a second residence in Buderim. Mum, again under financial stress, moved to Maleny, and from there to age care. It is said they moved from Camp Hill due to the questionable character of the area.
Wikipedia says the Kangaroo Point duplex called Silverwell House (a very old building) was rented, but we strongly suspect George would never have leased a house. Harold had funds to move to Clontarf, later to Woody Point in Redcliffe (where people saw the Bee Gees kids) and had owned a holiday house in Currumbin where he fished, and Bribie Island again with fishing, where Dad bought a holiday house beside his. Mum did not like the damage friends caused to their house when they had holidays there.
The family members had various friends of course, some shown in who witnessed marriages, wedding photos, names mentioned in the future shop co-ownerships and shooting or fishing competitions.
As kids, we saw how many people Dad knew in the rifle and lite sports fishing industries on a one-to-one basis, even spending time together once a year on the then Fraser Island – we saw a photo of beer cans stacked up as a huge pyramid on the kitchen table. Dad was not an accomplished shooter but was trained in subsequently having a high degree of detailed knowledge, and was on the board of commerce in Brisbane.
Family Dynamics and Inheritance
With many children, harsh living conditions, and limited education, in my view, family dysfunction and emotional distance were common. I observed traits such as pride and arrogance in a newspaper article interview with William Shaw boasting of his extensive store. Early deaths were not unusual—Thomas died at 34 – while reaching 70 was exceptional. Past generations endured much: dirt floors, army life, war, frugality. As in Mum’s father’s case, no medicine for pneumonia.
Inheritance played a crucial role. My grandfather Harold Shaw threatened to disinherit my father if he married a Mormon woman—he complied. My father was also expected to care for Harold in old age, and our names had to follow family naming traditions. Although my mother eventually broke this pattern, some descendants still use historic names.
I have not researched my father’s role in the Kangaroo Point St Mary’s Anglican Church, (apparently a warden), his role in the Scout Movement, Eprapah environmental reserve in Brisbane, Rostrum, or work in charities with Mum, such as raising funds for the first Cystic Fibrosis Children’s facility in the Princess Alexandra (PA) hospital.
Mum had apparently a number of miscarriages (I have no details) and afterwards, as mentioned, our immediate family moved from Camp Hill to the general Kenmore/Moggill area, then Chapel Hill with newly built homes. I went to Camp Hill state school for half of Grade One, Kenmore State School, Moggill State School in Grade 6, then Brisbane Boys’ College. At age eight I was confirmed in the Anglican Church as the youngest person to do so (I gather in Brisbane) apart from one archbishop. My tertiary education was quite broken and distressing, as were my jobs. When moving to Sydney my jobs were underpaid, but I wanted to move out of Brisbane to help with my life experience.
Growing up as kids, we knew Grandma (on Mum’s side), our step-father who we did not want to know (bad vibes there), Grandpop (Harold Shaw) and Nana (Florence Minnie). We never knew Harold had a living sister, or Grandma’s brothers in Brisbane – if that was the case.
When I finally met my mother’s brother shortly before his death, the genetic and behavioural similarities were impacting, illustrating the power of both heredity and upbringing.
Inherited Traits and Talent
Traits clearly passed down include:
• Frugality and resourcefulness, especially after WWII.
• Building and construction skills (like Pearce and my younger brother).
• Musical talent (Mum’s piano lessons were cut short as there was not enough money, but I play piano).
• Retail and leadership ability, shared across many family members. I was eventually an IT Solutions Architect with IBM and Salmat Australia Ltd.
• We have a capacity for foresight and innovation, but such traits have their own implications.
Financial Rise and Fall
Despite its early success, the Shaw family’s legacy includes repeated gross financial losses. William’s business was a cornerstone of early Brisbane retail, but some years after his death, the store’s stock was sold to Woolworths and the business closed.
George’s firearms store moved to Albert Street in the early 1930s, later run by Harold, though he had little interest in it. My father eventually bought out shared ownership at great personal cost, only to be let down by a lack of business acumen, education, and bad actors.
Dad’s store was not showing good profits, subsequently learning and identifying store theft and improper discounting by some staff. In those days, customers continuously asked for discounts – this was bad business practice. However, we remember with fondness and genuine appreciation various staff members.
In 1979, the George Shaw Sport’s Store was sold for $355,000—a fraction of its current value of over $20 million. Worse, my father was cheated out of his superannuation, he was maligned, he was not paid for the stock he sold, and the Government passed retrospective legislation for the “Bottom of the Harbour Scheme” which destroyed the sale of the family business, causing severe depression. This was due to government action against a large firm that as casualty affected small businesses who were following their accountants, like Dad’s.
Family Legacy and Final Reflections
It’s unclear why Harold had only one child. There are rumours of infidelity – including George’s wife who was painted out of a 1907 photo—and stories of alcoholism and an exposure death, and affairs, but these remain speculative and not worth exploring in detail here.
This journey began with the aim to clarify the family tree, but it has grown into something deeper: a personal and historical exploration. The story reflects not just names and dates, but the complex legacy of genetics, choices, cultural shifts, and the rise and fall of a family’s fortune.
Rifle Shooting, Family Migration, and the Shaw Legacy in Business and Faith
Rifle Shooting and Military Significance
In the early 1900s, rifle shooting was a common and respected activity among members of the Australian army. International competitions, particularly at Bisley in the UK, revealed that Australian marksmen were on par with their British counterparts. This surprised many and highlighted the importance of formal rifle training in the face of rising global tensions that culminated in World War I in 1914.
George Shaw (senior) was involved in this push toward better training, having participated in and having won Colonial-era rifle competitions. These competitions were often self-funded or supported by donations. However, by 1902, the newly federated Australian Government began funding competition travel, and military training, with rifle skills becoming a central focus. From then on, Australian soldiers earned a strong reputation for excellence in marksmanship. (Refer to Bisley history)
Migration and Irish Heritage
The Shaw family originated in Northern Ireland, (William and his father) then part of the United Kingdom. Ongoing political unrest between the Irish and the English, combined with immigration incentives offered by Queensland’s State Government, may have prompted William Shaw (George’s father) to relocate his family to Brisbane, where more children were born.
In the 1901 Northern Ireland census, there were approximately 1.4 million people and around 3,500 individuals with the surname Shaw. This made genealogical research difficult, especially with limited digital records. Boat passenger lists were not complete or published by all companies. Family history research requires a combination of sources – documents, photographs, hearsay, church records, passenger lists, DNA evidence, and more. Without solid evidence, assumptions can easily be made, but they often fall apart when tested against facts. When facts settle in, these various sources have agreement.
Shaw Family Business: From Ironmongery to Department Stores
Upon arriving in Brisbane, William Shaw established a retail shop at South Bank, focusing on ironmongery and general hardware – a term that covered a wide range of goods at the time including tradesman materials and sewing machines.
There were other ironmongers, but a major figure Albert (there were many of the same names) moved to be with a Church in Perth.
William’s son George (no middle name) worked alongside him as an ironmongery assistant. This early business model explains how hardware stores today might also stock items like irons and ironing boards. George appears to have been an army quartermaster, later a captain and lieutenant. He had the skills to run a store.
Shooting was once more popular than cricket – but not for long. We have no Brisbane service records as they are located in Canberra and not digitised. George was part of a small competition team with a quota from each State. Shooters also participated in individual shooting competitions.
George received local and English trophies, prize moneys (e.g. 250 Guineas in 1907) and numerous medals. The trophy for the 1902 Kolapore competition was actually post made in 1907 as a genuine silver souvenir bowl. Champions may have received ownership of their competition rifle. George also competed in local fishing with his son Harold. All the medals were lost in the 1990s.
After William’s South Bank store was destroyed in the 1893 flood, with no insurance, William relocated the business multiple times across Brisbane:
• Near Allan and Stark (now Myers)
• By Town Hall
• Later to the Royal Arcade
• Eventually to Queen Street, (for a while remaining in the arcade as well) beside the Commonwealth Bank and near the post office, in the Granite Buildings (now demolished).
At its peak, the store resembled a mini-Harrods, offering a wide array of goods – tradesmen goods, white goods, dinner and glassware, horticulture, haberdashery, tobacco, sports, and of course firearms and fishing, spread across a large area, at one stage three stories high. The Courier building was the largest height building at five stories. Eventually, when Woolworths entered Brisbane, they purchased William’s stock, but never used it. The business was shut down, with the stated rationale being that competition would make the store unviable. (Unfortunately, the news article reference for this has been lost.)
George Shaw’s Firearms & Fishing Store
George, William’s son, opened his firearms, fishing, and sports merchant store. George’s store was well-aligned with his skills and passion. I am not sure of the first store location. It did however move to 194 Albert Street and run by Harold in a co-ownership structure with non-family names in the early 1930’s. My Dad had a temporary store in Woolloongabba mid-1960’s, while the Albert Street store was “modernised”.
The business, Shaw & Sons Limited, eventually closed. Historical traces of the store and family mostly survive through Trove newspaper articles.
When Kmart arrived in Australia in the 1970s, offering firearms and fishing tackle, the family store could no longer compete. My father George Robert, Harold’s son, eventually closed the business, though he later regretted the decision, saying he could have kept it going had he known what he later learned. We think this would not have happened due to Dad’s firearms repair accident, and again I would point out, bad actors and limited education or business contacts to support Dad in such issues while the 1970’s changed the world.
Challenges Faced by My Father
Dad had a serious accident while testing a rifle repaired in his gunsmith workshop on the upper 2nd level of the building, which severely impacted his health. We knew as kids this was a dangerous area, but adults don’t seem to get it, just as we knew who were bad actors. He also lacked formal education and had no access to management consultants – uncommon at the time. Despite being highly trained in firearms and light fishing, the circumstances were too difficult to overcome. Dad was noted for bringing archery into the business. We were not involved in ocean fishing and none of us kids were interested in shooting or fishing. We did however have exposure to retail, and were and still are able to tell what is quality or not.
Although we had new homes, cars, food, and education, the financial situation was far more difficult than it seemed. By the time my father passed away, my mother was left with only a modest amount of money, having generated a significant portion herself by building and selling a few houses over the years. Mum had some non-typical constructions such as open planning influenced by her seeing photos of buildings in Athens, a cathedral like roof in one house, and an award-winning house.
Religious Life and Education
The Shaw family had longstanding connections with Congregational, Presbyterian and Anglican churches, and were involved in public service and charitable activities. I’m particularly grateful for our engagement with the Anglican Church, and for the values instilled at our school, Brisbane Boys’ College, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ was openly part of our education. I used to play the hymns at assembly for the Junior and Senior School in my final two years, and played the Adieu song on Senior’s night in Town Hall. (It is also called Brisbane City Hall, as compared to Sydney’s Town Hall.) I studied music, architecture, and computing science at QLD and QUT Universities.
Maternal Records and Satisfaction in Discovery
On my mother’s side, I found it particularly rewarding to locate original ink-pen records of her parents’ marriage at St Barnabas Chapel Rectory, as well as her birth certificate, stored in a vault at a government building on Norfolk Island. These discoveries provided satisfying, concrete links to her history.
Rifle shooting was a common activity among army members in the early 1900s. The British were surprised to see Australian competitors at Bisley being of equal status. With the threat of War, eventuating in 1914, the rifle competitions were evidence that the Australian army needed to train soldiers in the use of rifles.
George Shaw (snr.) was part of this push to the Federation (1901) by having participated in Colonial competition wins. Prior to Federation competitions were self-funded or by donation. By 1902, the Government committed funding and army rifle training. Australian soldiers, it is safe to say, were highly regarded from then on. Cancel
The Shaw family was from Northern Ireland, part of the “United Kingdom”. The Irish/English “troubles” and offers from Queensland’s State Government to immigrate may have been why George’s father William Shaw moved to Brisbane with his whole family – further children born in Australia.
The census of 1901 in Northern Ireland showed about 1.4 million people living there, and approx. 3,500 Shaw’s. There were many Shaw’s and limited ancestry digital records available. There are principles of research that include documents, hearsay, objects, photographs, newspaper records, passenger lists, DNA, Church records and so on. Without an evidential basis it is easy to make lineage mistakes. These mistakes underlie assumptions that at first seem right, usually showing problems at a later date that do not add up. My research is documented and supported by multiple sources. We have not had any insight into why George Bernard Shaw had correspondence with the Shaw’s in Brisbane, particularity as GB Shaw was born in Dublin, down the East coast from Northern Ireland. Maybe one day we will know something.
William Shaw (George’s father) set up a retail store at South Bank focusing on ironmongery & hardware (hardware was anything) with his son George as an ironmongery assistant. It is therefore no surprise today that hardware shops sell household appliances like irons and ironing boards. The shop moved to another South Brisbane location and was flooded in the 1893 flood. Shaw had no insurance. He then moved to various locations in the city, eventually beside the now known Commonwealth Bank building in Queen Street, near the post office, in the Granite buildings (demolished). By that stage, the shop was like a mini-Harrods. When Woolworth’s came to Brisbane, they purchased his stock, but did not use the stock, and the business closed on the basis competition would end the business. (I have lost the news article reference.)
Briefly, William Shaw’ son George opened a firearms, fishing, and sports store as firearms and fishing were his love and skills. William did not want him to do this. George’s medals and prize wins supported this direction as being right. Shaw & Sons Limited eventually closed. We have little history apart from newspaper articles via Trove. For instance, one son Henry was involved in ownership. George passed his store to his son Harold, but it was in conjunction with other share holders whose family lines we knew right through the 1970s. Harold had decreasing interest in the store. Harold’s son George Robert Shaw (my father) took over the store and renamed it George Shaw Sports Store. Dad bought out the shares at great cost. Combined with our University educations and interests, none of us wanted to continue Dad’s store.
When Kmart moved to Australia in the 1970’s it also sold firearms and fishing tackle. My father closed his store on the basis of this competition. Years later, Dad said he could have continued the store f he knew what he later learnt. However, Dad’s health was severely impacted from an accident when testing a rifle after having been repaired by his gunsmith workshop. He had minimal education, and no assistance from management consultants. Those days were different. Dad had been expertly trained in detailed knowledge of firearms and light fishing.
In these earlier days, families demanded inheritance rights such as using the same family names, helping the parents when too old, the youngest born being the next inheritor, and passing along the same skills. My mother had a harsh upbringing and poverty. She wanted us to have education. Dad’s shop brought in enough money to do this. My parents had huge financial stresses and challenges. Looking back, we took for granted our new homes and cars, food on the table, education and clothing, but it was not as financial or wealthy as one may think. I believe there was a family ancestral pattern of loss. By the time Dad passed away, Mum had a very modest amount of money based on her building and selling a few homes since her marriage.
The Shaw’s had various connections to the early Congregational and Anglican Churches, public activities and charities. I am grateful for our involvement in the Anglican Church for many reasons. Our private school, Brisbane Boy’s College, preached the Gospel and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. (I need to say these backgrounds still had diverse problems, as did family members from various stories mentioned.)
It has been a considerable journey to find out who George Shaw’s parents were, to confirm by registration records and hand written notes. We have no photos of his father William Shaw. Official records confirm Finlay Shaw was William’ father. There has been speculation this is not the case, but there is no known evidence to say otherwise.
Mum’s side of the family stops with her mother from Northern Ireland and father from Wales. There are so many original records (not digitised) of families that it would be too time consuming and costly to find and research. It was however satisfying for me to see original ink pen records for Mum’s parent’s marriage at the St Barnabas Chapel rectory, and her birth record from a vault in the government building on Norfolk Island.
Thomas Shaw
b. Killyleagh, Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, 21 Aug 1872
m. ?
d. 24/11/1906 1906/B/7409 34years
December 1 1906: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/25972536
“December 3. Mr. Thomas Shaw, one of the partners of Messrs. Shaw and Sons, Limited, died on Saturday”
Married 28? either Annie Pinchbeck or Jane Colquhoun or none
James Shaw
b. 17/05/1870 – Killyleagh, Down, Nth Ireland, myheritage.com
m. ?
d. 15/11/1909 1909/B/11740
Mary Charlotte
b.
m. ?
d. 10/05/1945 1945/B/1714
William jnr.
b. ?
m. ?
d. 31/07/1944 Ref. 1944/B/67224
Jane (Mrs S Lamont – “S” would be for husband Samuel) – See section on Samuel Lamont.
Albert Charles
b. 01/03/1887 Ref. 1887/B/38216
m. ?
d. 28/09/1932 Ref. 1932/B/18613
Likely called Robert – hence the entry in https://www.myheritage.com/matchingresult-1af190c8bd5765672bd7b1f606d7d25b?auth=1385f4380002f218754d94115fd9d607&callback_token=cIcraCCgmQnOBtBTlcqKolKXTjikH0NpMWBqilMj&trn=partner_Geni&trp=match_button_tree#smart_matches
Annie Elizabeth
b. 23/09/1884 Ref. 1884/B/33040
m. ?
d. 15/07/1954 Ref. 1954/B/2984
Minnie – Was This Florence, Mary, Amelia, Wilhelmina?
Frederick Robert
b.
m.
d. 26/08/1956 Ref. 1956/B/15805
George
great grandfather
b. Killyleagh, Down, Ireland
m. 6/07/1896 21 years of age to Eveline Hobbs (marriage certificate) (Evelina must be a spelling mistake in other BCC records)
d. 30/06/1953 1953/B/44046
Daughter: Florence Eveline Shaw 14/7/1898 when George was 23 years of age –> We Never Knew this daughter – why? Ref. 1898/B/62770 BCC records saying Mother: Evelina Hobbs, but this is a spelling mistake. Should be Eveline.
m. ? Event date: 14/07/1919
Event type: Marriage registration
Registration details: 1919/C/1885 to William Weston – we know references to Westons. What about links to Bill Ward?
To confirm if this is correct.
d. 23/12/1973 Ref. 1974/B/47109
Son: Harold 1901 when George was 26 years of age
Henry
Born: Ireland?
Marriage: ?
Death: 28/06/1936 1936/B/32011
BCC often does not provide Marriage parents, so it is $25 to download a certificate showing the original and the parents.
One could only estimate time frame for marriage around 20 to 28 years or a bit less from BCC to guess.
Jane Shaw and Samuel Lamont
Summary:
Marriage of Samuel Lamont aged 28 to Jane Shaw aged 22, at the Presbyterian Park Church, South Brisbane – 09/10/1889 Ref. 1889/B/13597
Samuel: Grocer and Produce Merchant – father was a farmer
Father: John Lamont. Mother: Matilda McAulley.
Residence: Hawthorne Estate, Sth Brisbane
Born: Eden, county Antrim, Ireland (East coast north of Belfast on the ocean inlet area)
Samuel:
Death: 04/07/1936 Ref. 1936/B/32100
Jane: Confirmed as daughter of William and Mary Shaw
Residence: Melbourne Street, Sth Brisbane
Born: Killyleagh, Down, Ireland (1867 as she was 22 years of age)
Witnesses: William Shaw jnr. and Mary McDarnell (spelling?)
Jane:
Death: 13/07/1947 Reference 1947/B/12423 (Brisbane City Council)
References such as 1913/B/17227 are from QLD Gov Family Records.
References shown here will tie in family members to each other, even if slight spelling mistakes.
“ref?” means I had notes on the data but don’t know where I got it from. Some may be from Trove searches.
Summary of known children of William and Mary Shaw – some born in Ireland, some in Brisbane:
Thomas, Mary, William Jnr., Jane (Mrs S Lamont – “S” would be for husband Samuel), Albert Charles, Annie Elizabeth, Minnie, Frederick Robert ( (perhaps this is the “Robert” mentioned elsewhere) , George, Henry – 10 kids from what I can find!
We have inconsistencies with Finlay’s Birth Date, so this section is not yet researched further.
Finlay Shaw (Ireland) (b. 21 Aug 1872) (d. 1894)
Ref: The record: https://www.rosdavies.com/SURNAMES/S/ShawKW.htm
Ref: https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~rosdavies/genealogy/SURNAMES/S/ShawAJ.htm
Ref: https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~rosdavies/genealogy/SURNAMES/S/ShawKW.htm
Ref: https://www.geni.com/people/Finlay-Shaw/6000000006775242887
Ref: https://www.geni.com/people/William-Shaw/6000000184996662906)
Marriage to: Mary Blaney (Ireland) (1913/B/17227 – spelling error – “findlay”)
Ref: https://www.geni.com/people/Mary-Ann-Shaw/6000000184983136827
Finlay and son William lived in Northern Ireland, Killyleagh, with reference to Cross Street, and Shore Street:
https://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/down/griffiths-valuation/parish-of-killyleagh.php
The rosdavies website links William Shaw and Mary McCurry to a Finlay Shaw, but obviously not the one from 1872.
This may be Findlay Shaw (1814-1894) on the Manora ship (Mother: Mary Ann Blaney (1816-1888)) as he would need to have been born between 1810 and 1820 to be a father to William. I need to research more.
This is also supported lineage from: https://en.geneanet.org/fonds/individus/?go=1&nom=BLANEY&page=2&prenom=Mary&size=100
and https://gw.geneanet.org/camillaf?n=blaney&oc=1&p=mary+ann&type=fiche
and https://gw.geneanet.org/camillaf?lang=en&n=shaw&oc=1&p=william
The question is why William Shaw referenced his Clayfield house to Armagh, Ireland, midland of Northern Ireland. There are many records kept in Ireland that are not digitised, and sifting manually through records would be out of scope with time and money.
Northern Ireland could well be regarded as English at the time of “troubles”. Northern would also be where Jeannie Nicholson (married to Pearce Owen) on Mum’s side lived, even possibly in the same area(s) – who knows.
William Shaw (Ireland – Killyleagh ) (b. 1841) (m. c.1861 ref?) (to Australia c. 1883 ref?) (d. 22 Feb 1913 Australia, Brisbane 1913/B/17227 ) (https://www.rosdavies.com/SURNAMES/Mc/McCu.htm)
The UK National Archives may have some discovery yet to see: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Shop: Shaw & Sons Limited
Married to: Mary McCurry (d. 26th Dec 1897 1897/B/30244 – father: Henry McCurry – mother: Charlotte Skendridge)
Son: Thomas Shaw (Ireland) (b. 21 Aug 1872) (d. c.1906, ref?)
Son: William Shaw (d. 31 July 1944) (1944/B/67224)
(In same graveyard plot as William & Mary, and Thomas. Dutton Park Cemetery – Plot 3B Memorial ID 48732198 or now called South Brisbane Cemetery.)
Son: George Shaw (my great grandfather) (Copy of Marriage Certificate) (more details below)
(George stated “English-born” Nationa Rifle Association of Australia, 1906 membership, but marriage certificate says Ireland.)
Son: Frederick Robert Shaw (d. 26th Aug 1956) (In line with George’s death in 1963)
Son: Albert Charles Shaw (b. 1st Mar 1887 1887/B/3821) (d. 29th Sep 1932 1932/B/18613)
Son: Henry – as per Trove articles – one on legal issues with the store’s name and a location in Edward Street. (b. d. c.1862-1936 ref?)
Daughter: Mary Charlotte Shaw (d. 10th May 1945 1945/B/1714 – however, her name is not listed below in Trove records)
(William Shaw named his Brisbane house “Shrigley”, Armagh-street, Clayfield, the name of a village out of Killyleagh where the family were all married.)
References in Trove:
Mr. William Shaw, sen. (Shaw and Sons, Ltd.), passed away at his residence, Shrigley, Armagh-street, Clayfield, a few days ago, in his 71st year. He was born at Killyleagh, county Down, Ireland, and arrived in Brisbane over 30 years ago, and started business, under the name of Shaw and Sons, in Melbourne-street, near the Victoria Bridge, as ironmongers. The firm remained there for two years, and afterwards removed to premises erected by themselves in Melbourne-street, near Manning-street, where they remained, until the big flood of 1893, when the whole of the stock was completely covered by water, the height of the flood water in the store reaching 19ft. The firm then removed to Queen-street, taking premises now occupied by Messrs. Allan and Stark, where they remained for some years. After wards they removed to premises, next to the Town Hall, whence they removed to their present premises, the Royal Arcade. This building became too small for their requirements, and new premises (the Granite Buildings) were erected in 1904. The firm now occupies both premises, the Royal Arcade and the Granite Buildings. Although the firm was one of the heaviest losers in the 1893 flood, the whole of the stock being practically destroyed, the de-ceased, with characteristic North of Ireland pluck and perseverance, helped to surmount all obstacles and bring the firm into the position it now enjoys. The deceased leaves five sons and three daughters — Henry, William, George, Fredk. R., Albert C, Mrs S. Lamont, Misses Minnie and Annie Shaw. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon to the South Bris bane Cemetery.
(Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 – 1939), Saturday 8 March 1913, page 38)
Are there other children? Robert b. c1880 / Annie Elizabeth b. 1884 / Jane c.1867-1947 ref?
As we go back into Brisbane history, it is difficult to locate where our retail shops were occupied. There was much movement between buildings, the historic 1864 fire, and lots – I mean lots of renovation, demolition, and construction works.
George Shaw (born Killyleagh, Down, Ireland) (m. 6th July 1896 – marriage certificate + data shown below)
Married to: Eveline Hobbs (died 1939)
(At marriage, residence: Melbourne St. South Brisbane. Jame Mollineaux Bayley,
Congregational Church Minister, South Brisbane with residential ceremony at Mr. Alfred James Stickler of Baynes St, South Brisbane.
21 years of age, Ironmonger Asssitant to William – Ironmonger. Witnesses: Alfred James Stickler, Frederick Roland Hobbs)
(Alfred James Stickler (1893/B/16260) – spouse Sarah Agnes Hobbs (death 1948?) Married 23/05/1893 1893/B/16260)(b. Born 15th 18th? March 1875 ref?)
(m. 1896/B/18127 – omits parents. Original shows the parents.)
(d. 30th June 1953 1953/B/44046 – confirms William and Mary McCury as parents. Aged 78)(Andrew J. Kilsby, ‘THE RIFLEMEN: A History of the National Rifle Association of Australia 1888-1988’, pages 97, 304
“A new delegate at the meeting was George Shaw. English-born Shaw was one of Queensland’s best rifle shots –
he represented Queensland several times in Federal and Commonwealth Match teams, had won the State associations’ ‘Queen’s’ and ‘King’s’ three times
in succession from 1899, and represented Australia at Bisley in 1902 and 1907.”) * English-born is incorrect *
(Child born 11th Feb 1901 (Harold William) aged 26
Governor’s Cup 1901 aged 26
Bisley Cup 1902 aged 27 (min 6 months travel to/from England ? Later RMS Rome ship)
National Rifle Association of Australia, membership 1906 age 31
Bisley Cup 1907 aged 32. 250 Guineas prize – Lee Metford Rifle (note written on photo by Dad)
A.F.A. Club Champion Fishing Cup (2 times) (on a photo)
King’s Prize Winner, shot with .303 rifle.
Approximately 24 medals (we owned them – photo of framing. Now missing)
Opened the business in Edward Street, 1908 aged 33 “George Shaw & Co.” firearms and fishing.
Records also show Queen Street
Transferred business to Harold c. 1930/31.)
Marriage to: Eveline Hobbs (brother Frederick Roland Hobbs at wedding) (Eveline’s Mother: Jane Austin and Father: William Hobbs – Stone Cutter)
(birth place: Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire, England)
(d. 3rd June 1939 1939/B/43822 – married at 20, hence c. 63 yrs of age)
(20 years of age at marriage, Grey St, South Brisbane)
Father of Harold William Shaw (my grandfather) – only son
Harold William Shaw (my grandfather – called Grandpop)
Marriage to: Minnie – Florence Minnie Home
Harold: (b. 11th February 1901 1901/B/2111) (m. 21st June 1924 1924/B/35023 – confirms parent George and Eveline (spelling Evelina))
(d. 29th Jan 1971 1971/B/21111) (dates match Dad’s handwritten notes)
Florence Minnie Home (Nana)
(b. 9th Dec 1900 1901/B/2111. Mother: Annie Isabella Home) (d. 5th May 1972 1972/B/31833)
Marriage article (Harold): https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20755186?searchTerm=shaw%20%26%20sons
Harold: Metropolitan Miniature Rifle Club Union Team – Brisbane (Queensland) 1922 aged 21 (photo)
Only George Robert Shaw – my Dad) c.1928 aged 27
(Tue 24 Aug 1937, p24, ‘Worker (Brisbane, Qld:1890=1955’
Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71270482?searchTerm=george%20shaw%20and%20co )
Business (shared with others) c. 1933 aged 32:
(Dates inferred from ‘Gold and Sports Equipment News, October 1973’:
George Shaw opened the business in 1908, in Edward Street, and nearly 40 years ago he bought and transferred to the existing shop in Albert Street,
just around the corner from Queen Street.
And there still is a George Shaw running it. A grandson of the founder, he began working for the company 28 years ago at the age of 17,
and took over the management when his father, who in turn had occupied the chair, retired 18 years back.
A sports department was put in when the firm was acquired by the Robinson group in 1971 and it has proved highly successful,
but over the years Shaws has been known best as a specialist firearms store.)
A.F.A. Club Champion Fishing Cup (3 times) inc. 1916, 1917 aged 15 and 16
Notes on George Robert Shaw further below.
William Shaw’s gravestone showing wife Mary and one of their children Thomas Shaw, a brother of George Shaw – Dutton Park cemetery.
Acknowledgement: Image obtained from one of the public family tree websites. When I see it again I’ll reference the details as I do not recall which one.
BCC records – included on the grave site: Mary Shaw died age 53, Albert Charles Shaw d.45, Annie Elizabeth Shaw d.69.
Reference: https://brisbane.discovereverafter.com/profile/32043550
The “Harrods” of Brisbane
William Shaw’s Shop Locations
Mr. William Shaw, sen. (Shaw and Sons, Ltd.), passed away at his residence, Shrigley, Armagh-street, Clayfield, a few days ago, in his 71st year. He was born at Killyleagh, county Down, Ireland, and arrived in Brisbane over 30 years ago, and started business, under the name of Shaw and Sons, in Melbourne-street, near the Victoria Bridge, as ironmongers. The firm remained there for two years, and afterwards removed to premises erected by themselves in Melbourne-street, near Manning-street, where they remained, until the big flood of 1893, when the whole of the stock was completely covered by water, the height of the flood water in the store reaching 19ft. The firm then removed to Queen-street, taking premises now occupied by Messrs. Allan and Stark, where they remained for some years. After wards they removed to premises, next to the Town Hall, whence they removed to their present premises, the Royal Arcade. This building became too small for their requirements, and new premises (the Granite Buildings) were erected in 1904. The firm now occupies both premises, the Royal Arcade and the Granite Buildings. Although the firm was one of the heaviest losers in the 1893 flood, the whole of the stock being practically destroyed, the de-ceased, with characteristic North of Ire-land pluck and perseverance, helped to sur-mount all obstacles and bring the firm into the position it now enjoys. The de ceased leaves five sons and three daugh ters—Henry, William, George, Fredk. R., Albert C, Mrs S. Lamont, Misses Minnie and Annie Shaw. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon to the South Bris bane Cemetery.
From Shaw’s obituary. Shaw had other children – e.g. Mary, Thomas, not listed above – total of 10 children known. Mrs S Lamont would be Jane married to Samuel.
Valuation of 194 Albert Street
From realestate.com
2020
Sold
$20,500,000
Sold November 17, 2020
2007
Sold
$3,700,000
Sold May 24, 2007
1979
Sold
$355,000
Sold April 2, 1979 This was Dad’s building, sold 1979.
ChatGPT: Throughout its history, Shaw & Sons played a significant role in Brisbane’s retail landscape, offering a diverse range of products and services to the community.
Keeping things in perspective, there were other retail stores in the 1900’s. Finney Isles & Co is an example.
1915 Photo of Shaw & Sons in Granite Buildings.
Originally three buildings and three stories high. Moved from one building when 4 year lease finished and then occupied by CBA.
Private > Sergeant > Lieutenant (and Quartermaster) George Shaw
Shaw was a Pte (a Private in 1902’s Bisley competition – refer historic nra.org.uk: https://nra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/k1900-1949.pdf)
Later he was a Sergeant (sgt), and in Bisley’s Mackinnon 1907 competition he was listed as Lieutenant (Lt). Refer: https://nra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/M1900-1949.pdf. He was also at some point a Quartermaster – supplies.
Shaw was in two matches in 1902, and one in 1907. 1902: Match 12, Match 32. 1907: Match 17.
1875 – 1953 Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Bisley (Kolapore) Cup – Still runs today
The Bisley Cup 1902 was a team competition. It was previously held in Wimbledon, England, and moved to Bisley for a couple of years or so prior to this trophy seen above. It would have been a three-month trip in a ship to get there. It was quite normal in the early 1900’s for men to strap their huge rifles over their shoulders, to be in public on their bicycles to wherever they were going to. Women sports also had rifle competitions.
QRA Governor’s Cup
The Queensland Rifle Association Governor’s Cup, is shown here from 1901. QRA was run by the army. Many from the army were shooters. Being a Sergeant and a champion shooter was a big thing in those days, more popular than cricket and well regarded.
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