Ada Martha Voelkel 1875 to 1920

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Writing about my great grandmother, Ada Martha Vöelkel was always going to be a challenge as she left a very tiny foot print for me to follow.  I do know that she was born on 25 January 1875 in Langenbielau in Silesia in Germany to Reinhold Vöelkel and Christiana Pietsch.  According to the record, the birth occurred "in the evening at half twelve o'clock has born a child female sex and which has received the forenames Ada Martha" FHL Number 1191998.

Langenbielau, Germany 1898

Langenbielau is now known as Bielawa in Lower Silesia, Poland.  This was renamed when the border changed after the end of WW2.

When Ada was two years old, the family immigrated to Rockhampton, Queensland from Hamburg on the ship "Fritz Reuter" arriving on 4 October, 1877 and casting anchor at Keppel Bay near Rockhampton.  Ada came with both her parents, Reinhold Vöelkel aged 42 and Christiana Pietsch aged 41, Herrman aged 9 and Alwine aged 3.  From family stories, Reinhold Vöelkel had been in the Prussian army.  His sword was handed down to a family member.  Christane Vöelkel died in Rockhampton Hospital on 25 March, 1902 aged 66.  According to the death of Christane Vöelkel, she had seven children but only three immigrated to Australia.  Reinhold Vöelkel died at Dalma Farm, Alton Downs, near Rockhampton on 17 February, 1919 aged 85.  It is not known what happened to the children who did not immigrate.

Ada Martha Vöelkel married Albert Clarke Smith on 26 November 1894 in Rockhampton settling on a small farm at Limestone Creek, Dalma just west of Rockhampton where she had seven children.  It was here that they raised dairy cows which would have provided their income.

Nothing remarkable happened to Eda until 1917 when she separated from her husband, Albert.  An article in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin shows that she was seeking financial support from Albert for her youngest child, Frederick.

Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton-Qld Sat 8 September 1917, page 4

A story in the family was that Frederick Smith, was not a son of Albert Clarke Smith which could have been the reason for the family splitting up.  This has not been proved. The family photo shows Frederick (smallest boy in the front) looking very unhappy and quite different to look at from the other children.  Perhaps there was some substance in this story.

Smith Family showing Albert Clarke Smith and Ada Smith (nee Vöelkel)
My grandmother, Agnes Martha Smith (back left)

Ada Martha Smith nee Vöelkel died in Rockhampton on 24 October 1941.

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