This page and those following are extracts of the book "A Starritt
Family History" by John D. Starritt - 1982 with permission of same.
For family photographs of the people in this book go to
Starritt/Gregg in the picture gallery.
Introduction
This attempt to write a family history has not been
undertaken because it is unique in any way from thousands of similar families in
Australia, but because I wanted to set down all the collected information which
different people within the Starritt family had, and which is stored in places
like the Public Record Office in Melbourne, so that future generations of
Starritt's will have some reference when inquiring about their past and their
ancestors.
Not having been a very prominent family in any way in the
past it is very hard to gather exact information especially of their origins in
Ireland so with the help of Starritt families in Ireland, U.S.A. and New Zealand
we have pieced together what is a most likely early origin.
The chapter on early origins, especially the background
history, will to some seem unnecessary as I cannot say for sure that that is
their early origins. However, I have included this because it is the most likely
origin and shows the chain of events which led to Robert's immigration. I am
sure also that it would be the same origins of thousands of Irish Protestants in
Australia so I thought it may be interesting to some.
(Since this book has been written I have been lucky enough to
come across further evidence which suggests that their origin was not French,
but Lowland Scot, and I have included the extract from the book "The
Surnames of Scotland"
which is relevant, at the back of this book).
The first thing you will notice which is inconsistent is the
spelling of the name Starritt. The further you look into old records however,
the more you realise that with limited education spelling was never consistent.
The marriage certificate of Robert and Catherine, for instance, shows Starritt
spelt this way and as Sterrett. The witnesses spelt their names Richard Gregg
and Margaret Greeg, one directly under the other and so it can be assumed that
Starritt and Sterrett are still the same family.
Thanks must go to all who helped with information, especially
Gretta Sterritt and her family in Ireland, James Sterritt in U.S.A. and Uncle
Ray and Auntie Norma for their help especially in setting up the book.
JOHN STARRITT
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