Looking for family of Tom Ferry artist 1920. Think he was born in Wanganui New Zealand but went to Sydney Australia
granjo
I have some of his earlier sketches signed and dated 1907. I think they could be of his extended family in New Zealand. My father John Charles Ferry would have been his first cousin. I think Toms parents were John and Irene but cannot confirm this. The only other male member of that family who survived was a William Beach Ferry who also could possibly be Toms Father. If anyone can fill in the gaps for me I would be so grateful.
Comments
ngairedith on 2011-10-08 02:44:23I don't know what year you have for the birth of the above Thomas Ferry
There was a Ferry family in Wanganui but the only Thomas Ferry I have found so far, born 1882 to Thomas Watson FERRY & Sarah Marion NORTHOVER was a twin with Sarah Ferry and unfortunately, the twins died within 5 days
you will see at that link that William Beach Ferry moved to Australia so, as you say, it is possible he was the father of Thomas
hopng someone can help
granjo on 2011-10-08 03:24:49I am now sure that John Christopher Ferry and Irene Hourn were the parents of Tom Ferry (full name Thomas Charles) and he had a sister Irene. The family came from Wanganui(where I was born in 1932) John and Irene were married in. st. Silas Church Waterloo Sydney 19th February, 1891. On that fact I would guess Tom Ferrys birth date would be late 1891 or early 1892.
I don't think Tom Ferry married and his death notice was recorded in the Sydney Morning Herald on the 8 Dec 1954 but his date of death was 5 Dec 1954.
I'm finding it difficult to uncover his life. I know he was an illustrator, commercial artist , author and had an interest in the theatre.
His father John predeceased his wife Irene, dying in Marrackville New South Wales. Irene died after her son Thomas in Petersham NSW. I am sure these facts are correct. Would appreciate more accurate information on Tom.
granjo on 2011-10-08 17:24:00I can confirm Tom Ferry was born in Waterloo NSW Australia in 1891 and died in Liverpool NSW on Dec 5 1954.
He had two known siblings Irene Lear and Sylvia Ferry.
ngairedith on 2011-10-08 18:54:44a book: TOM FERRY Art & Artist Files (Australia and New Zealand)]
in the pdf file, on page 9, is Tom Ferry's original graphic sketch of Henry Lawson, drawn, or dated, in 1918. It also reads: Bold, confident a striking portrait of Henry Lawson, widely acclaimed as Australia's greatest bush poet. This fine artwork is by Tom Ferry, who worked as an illustrator, commercial artist and caricaturist in Australia during the 1920's. Little is known of Ferry's life, nonetheless between June to August 1919 he exhibited in Sydney and Melbourne with other members of the Australian Arts Club including Lionel and Norman Lindsay, Lloyd Rees and Elioth Gruner(also born in NZ & moved to Autralia). Ferry's style, especially the confident use of graphite hatching to create depth and deail, is reminiscent of commercial illustration of the era. It is known that he illustrated and signed several Early Australian film posters including The Breaking of the Drought (1920). Ferry also worked as a caricaturist for populare newspapers such as the Sportsman - interestingly the National Library holds a caricature by Ferry of the Australian flyweight boxer George Mendies
... (of interest, the sketch of Henry Lawson done by Tom Ferry is for sale at $3500)
There was a Tom C Ferry who married Essie Wood in Sydney in 1924 that may be worth researching
granjo on 2011-10-08 19:15:39Thank you so much. I already had the information regarding graphite portrait of Henry Lawson. If you google Hordern House and scroll down to no. 10 you can actually view the drawing. I have learnt that it was subsequently purchased by the State library of New Sth. Wales. Tom Ferry also ciollaberated with author Don Delaney doing 5 full page illustrations for the book, For Turon Gold. He also illustrated Earth Spiritual Verses by Lala Fisher.
Living in new Zealand I am finding I come against a brick wall trying to access marriage registrations. His death notice doesn't mention wife or children., however I shall keep ferreting away.
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Tomdf on 2012-01-18 04:13:36Very Interesting. My name is Tom Ferry. My family is from Wanganui and yes I can trace the family back. Thomas Watson Ferry was indeed the grandfather of Tom Ferry the Sydney artist and Tom's father was John who moved from Wanganui to NSW. Thomas Watson Ferry was the son of a John Ferry who was born in Lamesley Durham County, England and he in turn was the son of Robert Ferry who married Dorothy Wright in Lamesley 19 July 1802. I am the son of Wilfrid Lewis Ferry, the son of Charles Evans Ferry, the son of Thomas Watson Ferry etc etc. I have a lot more information.
granjo on 2012-01-18 04:58:23Hi Tom,you are actually my first cousin. My dad was Jack who married Trixie and I am Josie. Would love to share information as I have early sketches done by Tom of his family. The women look a particularly grumpy lot.. I also have photos taken of the Ferry boys when they were members of the union boat club and involved with the guy who was the first person to put a skiff on the Wanganui river,his name escapes me. I briefly made contact with Janet when Roger died but she didn't follow it up and I know nothing of uncle Bens family. I can't believe I'm 80 this year. Are you still with Natalie, I think the last I heard you were in USA.
My email is. granjonz@gmail.com if so inclined would love to hear from you to catch up and exchange information.
Tomdf on 2012-01-18 06:51:15Small world Josie. I guess that is what these websites are all about.
granjo on 2012-01-18 09:54:48Have you another wesite other than tom ferry@aapt,au. All photos and messages sent have been returned marked undelivered. Bummer
granjo on 2012-01-18 12:15:36Have you another wesite other than tom ferry@aapt,au. All photos and messages sent have been returned marked undelivered. Bummer
jeffersonblues on 2012-11-02 07:34:17Hi there,
I just purchased a large graphite sketch from auction today which has the name Tom Ferry in the corner? I'm assuming it's a self portrait or another artists rendition of Tom Ferry. It's a fantastic drawing. Is his work catalogued anywhere? Sorry to barge in!
Cheers, PJ
ruthflet55 on 2013-10-29 00:08:51Hi, I am also butting in. I have a caricature of my grandfather, David Kydd, b. Scotland 1883, who came to Australia in 1912 which has the Tom Ferry signature and the date "34" on it. Until now I had no idea who Tom Ferry was and found out by googling his name today! My grandfather was apparently in Sydney at the time and must have met Tom in a hotel bar. It is a wonderful likeness and he has written "To the Bar steward from the bush". (We live at Sawtell, NSW, Australia). Now my grandfather was a baker, not a bar steward, so one can only guess at what he got up to with Tom in that bar......
Kind regards, Ruth.
ngairedith on 2013-10-29 00:39:51Turning off annoying italics