NAA: A1, 1917/13680
von Stranz, Emily
Digital copy - 36153
| Occupation as written | Gentlewoman |
| Standardised occupation | RE00: Rentier - Miscellaneous status |
| Application received | 20 Apr 1917 |
| Application status |
Already a Subject |
| Official | |
| Date of approval or denial | None |
| If rejected, why? | |
| Birthplace as written | Yeadon, Yorkshire, England |
| Modern country | United Kingdom |
| Age on application | 65 |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 17 |
| Port of Departure | England |
| Port of Arrival | Sandridge (Port Melbourne) |
| Date of arrival | 19 Jul 1869 |
| Name of ship | Norfolk |
| Voyage | Norfolk (1869-07-19) |
| Address in Australia | "Theena", Merris Street, Williamstown |
| Address State | Victoria |
| Time at address | 4 months |
| Previous address 1 | Richmond |
| Address State | Victoria |
| Time at address | 7 years |
| Previous address 2 | Echuca and Moama |
| Address State | Victoria |
| Time at address | 23 years |
| Previous address 3 | Hay |
| Address State | New South Wales |
| Time at address | 18 years |
| Married | No |
| Children | Yes |
'one child which died at six months old.' |
| Name of reference | Arthur George Starston |
| Occupation of reference | Justice of the Peace, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Marginalia description | |
| Police report attached | Yes |
| Link to other applicant | |
| Literate | Yes |
| Reason | other |
| Other information | Harold F. Hoad, Solicitor, to Sect., H&T, 17 April 1917: 'She now desires to cast off the. German nationality she acquired by her marriage. Her sentiments are entirely British'.
Police Report, Sergt Stevens, Melbourne, 28 April 1917: Her doubt over whether he was alive or dead stopped her applying sooner... Sale of property now... it is because of feelings of patriotism that she wishes to become naturalized' |
Harold F. Hoad, Solicitor, to Sect., H&T, 17 April 1917: 'My client's case is a particularly hard one - born of British parents, at an early age she became enamoured of and married a German who after. a few months deserted her - for the last forty-seven years she has had no knowledge of him - she has reason to believe that von Stranz was already married when he went. through the form of marriage with her, and she has instructed me to have her marriage set aside if possible, which owing to the present war, (all evidence of a former marriage being in Germany) is. difficult... Her sentiments are entirely British, she has contributed over £100 to relief funds and has invested in the War Loan.'
Goes by maiden name, Claughton.
Statuatory Declaration, 16 April 1917, included: married on 20 Jan 1870 at St Stevens Church, Richmond, Victoria, 'Believing him to be bachelor'. Some of his friends, upon returning to Germany, wrote to their relatives 'by the name of Glassbreuner' in Daylesford to 'advise me not to marrey Otto von Stranz as he was already married and had a wife and family living in Germany. Letter presented to her, her father, and neighbour in July 1870. Wrote to husband in Sydney asking him to return home so she could discuss 'something important'. He arrived on 8 July 1870 at her parents, where she was staying. 'He would make no explanation but left me then and there Since that time although many inquiries have been made as to his whereabouts I have had no tidings of him... If he is living he will now be over ninety three years of age'
Police Report, Sergt Stevens, Melbourne, 28 April 1917: interviewed her at her home. No proof of bigamy beyond what was mentioned but also he never proved he was a bachelor. 'one child which died at six months old.' Only association with Germans to ask for information about her 'husband'. She owns 'a Station named 'Yeadon" near Hay and that it is in the agents hands for sale. She expects that it will realize between ten or twelve thousand pounds.' GIven £100 to the Red Cross fund at Hay. 'fit and proper'.
Handwritten notes: 'Approved', signed NUUG?, 11/5/17, but below that 'Application withdrawn', 2/8/17.
Harold Hoad, to Sect, H&T Dept, 2 August 1917: she obtained a Decrea Nisi so marriage anulled due to his bigamy, so he is withdrawing the application.
-- determined that marriage bigamous so does not need to apply.