Mary Barnard Russen
Mary Barnard Russen
Date of Birth 11 November 1851
Place of Residence Wellington Road Launceston Tasmania Australia
Spouses Name Charles Russen
Childrens Names Mary Beatrice, Robert Oakley, Emily Amelia, Maude Wareham, Gertrude, Mary Barnard, Charles Walter Stuttered, Charles Gordon & Harold Edward

Mrs Mary Barnard Russen was born in Launceston on 11 Nov 1851, the only daughter of James, a draper, and Mary Long of Wellington Street, Launceston. Mary Barnard was a school teacher before her marriage to Charles Russen, a baker, on 5 May 1874 at her father's residence. The couple had nine children, but at least four died as children. Mary Beatrice, 1875-75; Emily Amelia, born 1876; Robert Oakley, 1877-1952; Maude, 1878-79; Gertrude, 1880; Mary Barnard, 1881-81; Charles Walter, 1882-83; Charles Gordon, 1886-1969 and Harold Edward, 1894-1954.

Mary was appointed to the suburban telephone office in Wellington Street on 1 Oct 1885. Mrs C Russen was listed as an alto in the Exhibition Choir in 1891-92. She was vice-president of the Australian Exhibition of Women's Work held in Melbourne during Oct and Nov 1907. Her photo appeared in The Weekly Courier on 22 Jun 1907. Mary died aged 56 on 11 Mar 1908 at her residence 'Cairn Brae', St John Street. She was buried at the Carr Villa Cemetery in Section C No. 301.

Mary's husband Charles, daughter Gertrude, son Charles Gordon and future son-in-law Arthur Wright are also in the Family Album.

Marion Sargent Sep 2011