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The story behind one headstone in the Ballarat New Cemetery, 1869
Grave Location - Church of England "A", Section 13, Grave 12 Rod Smith in New Zealand provides some insight into the story behind one of the headstones in the Ballarat New Cemetery. Michael John BURKE provides the source of the name Burkes Pass which is a feature of the geography of Canterbury near Christchurch. His wife was Maria Frederica MINCHIN. Burke died in Ballarat on his way back from a journey to Ireland and the family were staying with Maria's sister, Mrs. Ellen NICHOLLS, wife of HR NICHOLLS who was I think quite a well known editor in Ballarat. Then there was another MINCHIN, Mr Corker Wright MINCHIN who was a magistrate in Ballarat. There was another well known MINCHIN, Richard, a brother of Maria, Ellen, and Corker, who was founder of the Adelaide Zoo. Rod Smith is researching information for a website whose real purpose is to try and save old buildings at Burkes Pass which is losing its importance as a stopping place along the highway and falling prey to those who wish to take away the old buildings. So there is now a society to rescue the village as it were, and I'm going to do them a piece on the man after which it is named. Burke's Pass Information Web Links
Rod Smith, New Zealand rodsmith@clear.net.nz
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