BEST SYDNEY Male 92 THOMAS ELLEN J PERTH 2160 1954
The West Australian, Friday 3 September 1954
DEATHS
BEST: On Sept. 2, 1954. at Subiaco.
Sydney, the dearly loved husband of the late
Elizabeth Best, fond father of William and John.
father-in-law of Amy and Betty, and fond grandfather of John, Nola,
David, Susan and Jacqueline: aged 92 years
FUNERAL
BEST: The Funeral of the late
Mr. Sydney Best of 65 Grand
promenade, Bedford Park, formerly
of the W.A.G.R.. Midland Junction., leaves our
ChapeL 20 Angove-street, North Perth. at 10:45 o'clock THIS
(Friday) MORNING. arriving at the Congregational Cemetery, Karrakatta,
at 11.10 o'clock
A. J. PURSLOWE & CO.

Western Australia Railway Staff Records
Check Rolls for Sydney Best's address and occupation in Perth,(1903 to 1906) Coolgardie(1906 to 1926) then Fremantle and Subiaco.

Thankyou for the response. Sydney was my grandfather and lived with us up to his death. Where he was born, who his parents were and where they originated from is the immediate mystery.

Sydney's parents are Thomas Best and Ellen Hawke
They were married on the 28th March 1865 at the Residence of Brides Father (William Hawke) Unley Park, South Australia.
Thomas's father is named as John Best
Reg. Place: Adelaide, South Australia
Page Number: 299
Volume Number: 61

MARRIAGES.
BEST — HAWKE.-On the 28th March, by licence, at the residence of the bride's father, by
John Ridclift, Bible Christian minister, Thomas Best, Bible Christian minister, Gawler, to Ellen,second daughter of William Hawke, Esq., of Uley Park, late of Gawler Plains.
Adelaide Observer 8th April 1865

Rev. Sydney Thomas Charles BEST was the rector of St. George, Gawler till 1926, died in 1949 as a Canon. I don't know how old he was. I just have a feeling his father was the Rev.Thomas Best. But then it may have been his grandfather.

Here you go Canon Best

It would have been nice if they had mentioned his parents.
There are 3 BEST boys on this absolutely beautiful site for the Gawler WW1Roll of Honour
Here's another BEST Family

Thanks for the responses, fantastic.
I can see that I erred by not putting up enough info, I am new to this!
We have some family folklore that relates us to the Hawke clan, hence I am researching that link. Sydney James death notice (placed by my mother) nominates mother of SJ as Ellen J. Haven't been able to verify if the Ellen Hawke who married Thomas Best was Ellen J Hawke. Was it an error in the death notice?
I don't have any evidence to tie Thomas and Ellen to Sydney James (parents/offspring). Thomas and Ellen married in 1865. Sydney died in 1954 aged 92 which means if all is correct, he was born in 1862. Would a minister of the cloth have an illegitimate child for 3 years? Or, was he Ellen's stepson?
Thomas was a Bible Christian missionary (offshoot of Methodists) sent out from England to reform the lost souls in Sth Australia. This was mentioned in an article in The South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1867), Saturday 23 February 1867, page 3 National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91262181.
I cannot find Thomas or Sydney on any passenger list arriving in Adelaide direct from England but have found passengers J.Best, Jane Best, Thomas Best, A.Best and William Best from Melb to Adelaide on Steamer Balclutha arriving January 1861.
The Bible Christian movement originated in Cornwall and of course, there were lots of Cornishmen who migrated to SA, including Best's from Cornwall. It also appears that Ellen was a reasonably popular name in the mid 1800's so possible that the Best - Hawke connection may be via an uncle.
Still looking, and thanks again.

After the death of Thomas Best, Ellen remarried;
Matthew Elsegood on the 9th April 1876

Try an Obituary search for Ellen Elsegood

Morgan2409 - In your reply 2015-02-23 19:09:32 you mention
Reg. Place: Adelaide, South Australia
Page Number: 299
Volume Number: 61
What is the origin of this? Thanks.

That is reference to the South Australian Birth, Deaths and Marriages

OK. Is the reference you quote for Sydney James, for Thomas or for John Best? I am under the belief that the SA BDM register is not on line (I haven't been able to find it) so if it is, could you give a hyperlink to it?

You can go to ancestry .com and put in Australian and then it should take you to the link that will help you with your search for him

If Ellen re-married in 1876
this might be her Thomas
On the 20th July, 1874 at the Sturt Post Office, Thomas Best, aged 39 years
I found it in TROVE and didn't think it was relevant but saved it just in case, can't remember which paper now.

If Ellen re-married in 1876
this might be her Thomas
On the 20th July, 1874 at the Sturt Post Office, Thomas Best, aged 39 years
I found it in TROVE and didn't think it was relevant but saved it just in case, can't remember which paper now.

Now I'm repeating myself
Perth Metropolitan Cemeteries Board

Nrthhusk2: Yet to try them yet but will take your advice. Thanks.

janilye: I found that awhile back and never gave it another thought as I was pursuing Rev. Thomas Best. So many leads!!

Put Surname BEST in the search bar above and click on the names for more detail.
Sydney Harold Thomas BEST son of Sydney Thomas Charles Best is also buried in Karrakatta.

well maybe the canon's son unless they annoyingly all have the same names as in a lot of old families.
The Thomas Best buried there in 1914 was married to a 'May'

Matthew Elsegood was a storekeeper at the Sturt store in 1877 he married the widow who kept the store.
Coroners Inquest

Have researched the Best's in Perth i.e. those not known to me, and am convinced (can you be convinced in these matters?) that there is no immediate past connection to them. Sydney James (again family folklore) came to WA from Sth Australia. There is no birth record or listing on passenger ships arriving in Fremantle for him.

The Register (Adelaide, SA ) Friday 28 July 1922
DEATH
ELSEGOOD. On the 27th July, at North Adelaide, Ellen Jane Elsegood, of Sturt, aged 79 years.
The Register (Adelaide, SA)Saturday 29 July 1922
FUNERAL
ELSEGOOD. The Friends of the late Mrs. E. J. ELSEGOOD (of Sturt Post Office),
are respectfully informed that her Remains will be In
terred on SATURDAY, 29th. inst, at 3.30 p.m., in the West Terrace Cemetery. .
D. SPENCER & SON, Undertaker
Adelaide Cemeteries

Thomas Best 1831..1874 is at West Terrace too. Same site also a Lydia Brunt. I wonder what happened to Matthew Elsegood
Name: Best, Thomas
Date of Death: 20 July 1874
Age: 39 Years
Last Abode: STURT, SA
Service Type: Burial
Cemetery: West Terrace Cemetery
Section: Road 1 South
Path Number: 16
E/W/-Count: W
Site Number: 4

Mrs. E. J. Elsegood, who died recently at the Sturt, was a highly respected resident. She was born at Ridley's,at Tam o' Shanter Belt, 78 years ago, and soon afterwards went with her parents to their farm between Smitffield and Gawler. In 1864 she married at Unley Park the Rev. Thomas Best, who died 46 years ago. He labored in the Clarendon, Robe, and other church circuits.
Two years later Mrs, Best married Mr. Elsegood, a son of Mr. and Mr. T. Elsegood, of the Coromandel Valley district.
She settled at Sturt, where she was post mistress for nearly 50 years, and also kept
a general store. She was a special favorite with children on account of her kindheartedness and lovable nature. She was ever ready to assist anyone in need and she was very fond of her church. She was a daughter of Mr. William Hawke. one of the early pioneers, who after farming successfully between Smithfield and Gawler, purchased Whistler's Reserve, Unley Park, where he lived until some time before his death, which occurred while on a visit to his birthplace in England. Four sons survive Mrs. Elsegood, namely, Messrs'. A. O. Best, Sidney Best (W.A.), W. H. Best (Sturt), and C. Elsegood (Sturt). There are two daughters Mrs. Harrison (wife of the Rev. G. Harrison, Tasmania) and Miss E. Elsegood (Sturt).
Chronicle (Adelaide)12th August 1922 p.33

BIRTH OF SYDNEY JAMES BEST
Name: Sydney Best
Birth Date: 7th April 1868
Father: Thomas Best
Mother: Ellen Hawke
Birth Place: Unley Park, South Australia
page 181
Volume 55
Births, Deaths, Marriages South Australia

THE MISSING LINK!! Brilliant. Thanks Morgan2409 and janilye. Beautiful bit of Detective work. I have had 2 goes at this over a couple of years and really did not have any idea who Sydney was - now do.
Who am I? I am a grandson of Sydney James. I have 2 older siblings and 1 younger sibling. They will all share this good news. Thanks again.

Is it possible to add photos to this journal? I have a pic of Thomas Best's house at Unley Park with the family on the verandah.

Sorry, getting ahead of myself! William Hawke's house.

BIRTH OF ELLEN HAWKE
Born: 26th August 1844 Ridley's Farm Port Road
Father: William Hawke
Mother: Susan Benney
p.81/v1

Death Notice for Parents
HAWKE. —On the 5th July, at the residence of Mr. William Wasley, Redruth, Cornwall, after a severe illness, William Hawke, late of Unley Park, aged 61 years, deeply regretted by a large circle of relations and friends. A colonist of 33 years.
South Australian Register 7th October 1872

HAWKE.—On the 29th May, suddenly, Susan Hawke,of Gilles-street, relict of the late William Hawke, of Unley Park, aged 73 years. A colonist of 47 years.

Someone got their facts wrong in Launceston. Mrs E.J. Elsegood was b Ellen Jane Hawke; m1 - Ellen Best when she married Thomas Best; m2 - Ellen Elsegood when she married Matthew. William Best is a furphy!

The Adelaide Chronicle 9/3/1929
HARRISON.— On the 4th March, at Hobart, Tasmania, after short illness, Beatrice (Cls), beloved wife of Rev. G. E. Harrison. Oatlands, Tasmania, and daugher of the late Mrs. E. J. Elsegood, of Sturt, and the late Rev. Thomas Best. 'A life well spent.'
The Examiner Launceston 6/3/1929
HARRISON.--On the 4th March, at Bellerive, Hobart, Beatrice, beloved wife of Rev. George E. Harrison, the Manse, Oatlands, daughter of the late Rev. William Best (South Australia), and careful stepmother from childhood of George W. Harrison, Eudamulah (W.A.), Nurse Margaret (Kew, Vic.), Bryan. U. (Malay States), and Rhys P. (Launceston). Asleep in Jesus.