Emily Josephine Nicholas (Josie) was the eldest daughter of Collan Nicholas (1837-1909), a photographer, and his wife Emily Caroline Harry (1849-1920). Josie was born in New Zealand on 13 Feb 1874 and came to Tasmania with her family in 1888. She often helped her father in his photographic studio and was reported to be a good hand colourist. She also enjoyed painting and drawing. Miss J Nicholas was an alto in the Exhibition Choir in 1891-92.
Josie married Thomas Seymour Sharman on 27 Nov 1901 in Launceston. Thomas was a jeweller, watchmaker and optician at 145 Charles Street and played the cornet with the Launceston City Band. The couple moved to Sydney where their son Philip was born in 1903. They then moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, where their daughter Marjorie was born in 1907. In about 1910 the family moved to Melbourne, Victoria, where Thomas was a builder, then watchmaker. Josie's mother was staying with them when she died in Jun 1920. After that time Josie and Thomas moved back to North Strathfield, NSW, where Thomas worked as an instrument maker. Thomas died in 1946 and Josie passed away in 1965. Their daughter Marjorie, who never married, remained in the family home until a few years before her death in 2003. Their son Philip married Barbara King in 1930 and they had four children. Philip died in1980.
Marion Sargent Jun 2009 & Virginia Niven Aug 2009