William "Bill" DONALDSON ~ 1871 - 1919
married ~ 1902
Elizabeth RAINEY ~ 1879 - 1950
"Mountain Retreat" Family
Growing Up - Bill
William 'Bill' Donaldson was born 28 November 1871 in Heathcote in Victoria to William Donaldson and Mary Ann (nee Hayes).
When Bill was born, he had a big brother John who was 3 years old and two big sisters: Maria Jane who was 2 and Margaret Esther who was one. When Bill was one, Mark Edward was born in 1873 and when he was 2 Mary Ann was born in 1874. Then his mother Mary Ann had a little break from being pregnant until the end of 1875 when Elizabeth arrived. Mary Ann continued to have children about every two years rather than every year: Annie Eliza arrived in 1877; Sarah Louise in 1879; David Henry in 1881; Joseph Albert in 1883; and finally George Hayes Donaldson in 1885. With the arrival of George, Bill had 5 brothers and 6 sisters to grow up with. |
Growing Up - Elizabeth
Elizabeth 'Bessie' Rainey was born 7 June 1879 in Pyalong in Victoria to William Rainey and Jane (nee Lawther).
Mountain Retreat was on the Tooborac-Bayton Road approximately 8 kms south-west of Mimosa Glen.
William and Mary Donaldson settled here.
William and Mary Donaldson settled here.