Mary MCKINNEY was born on 3 November 1888 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Her parents were Matilda GILMORE and Charles MCKINNEY who had a large family. Mary’s maternal grandparents had emigrated from Ireland shortly before Mary’s mother, Matilda was born in Brisbane. Mary’s mother Matilda was also from a large family and although she was not the first born, she was the eldest child in her family as her eldest sister Annie had died before she was born. This was the same for Mary whose elder brother had died shortly before she was born.
Mary’s parents, Matilda GILMORE and Charles MCKINNEY married on 4 August 1886. Alexander, Mary’s brother was born soon after on 16 July 1887 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He died in January 1888.
Mary MCKINNEY, known as Minnie was born a little over a year later on 3 November 1888 followed by a sister, Agnes May MCKINNEY on 14 May 1890 and a brother Robert MCKINNEY on 11 February 1892. Two more sisters followed: Annabella Nichol MCKINNEY known as Belle on 17 May 1896 and Marjorie Emma MCKINNEY on 23 March 1906.
Mary would have remembered the wedding of her Uncle, John Alexander GILMORE who married Emma Mary COSTAR on 18 October 1899. Mary would have been eight years old at that time. Mary’s Aunt, Agnes GILMORE married Herbert BARNES a month later on 9 November 1899. Mary’s Aunt, Rose GILMORE married James BOTHWELL on 6 November 1901 and her Uncle, Hugh GILMORE married May Victoria CHARLESWORTH on 29 March 1911. Hugh GILMORE was married at the Presbyterian Church, Norman Park, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It’s likely that the other family weddings also took place there.
Mary’s mother Matilda was from a large family who all resided in Brisbane so Mary or Minnie as she was known would have celebrated the births of the babies that followed the weddings. Some of the babies died.
On 9 April 1912, Mary’s maternal grandmother Anabella GILMORE previously Anabella NICHOLS died of chronic nephritis and Uraemia. She was buried on 9 April 1912 at Toowong Cemetery, Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Mary’s maternal grandfather Adam GILMORE died on 9 January 1914. Quite a large number of mourners were listed in the Brisbane Courier Mail on Saturday 10 January 1914. The funeral service was at Norman Park Presbyterian Church, Brisbane which was where Mary’s Uncle, Hugh GILMORE and his wife May were married. Adam GILMORE, grandfather of Mary MCKINNEY was buried on 10 January 1914 at Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane, Australia.
In 1924 Charles MCKINNEY, Mary’s father died. It seems that Charles’ ancestry was from Forfarshire, Scotland. There are records of a Charles MCKINNEY coming out to Queensland on the ship Anglo Indian which departed from Glasgow Scotland.
On 20 April 1926 Mary’s uncle, John Alexander GILMORE died and her Aunt, Agnes GILMORE died in 1930.
Mary got married to Alexander Anderson BROWN on 17 December 1927 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Mary was 39 at that time. Alexander Anderson BROWN was born on 16 July 1880 Queensland Australia. He was the son of James BROWN and Margaret RITCHIE.
Alexander Anderson BROWN had previously married to Isabel White MACMINN on 22 December 1914. and the couple had resided at Beaudesert which is now absorbed into the city of Brisbane. The couple were already known to Mary as she is pictured at their wedding. It looks as if she might have been a bridesmaid. Isabel White MCMINN, first wife of Alexander Anderson BROWN died on 14 November 1924 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was buried at Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Alexander Anderson BROWN who later married Mary MCKINNEY known as Minnie had had three children with his first wife. Margaret Anderson BROWN had been born on 24 April 1918 in Queensland, Australia. Her death record also has the date of 24 April 1918. She was stillborn. Alexander Ross BROWN born 16 January 1917 at New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Thomas Graham BROWN was born 6 February 1921 at New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
On 20 April 1926, Mary’s Uncle, John Alexander GILMORE died. He had lived and raised his family close by in Brisbane and had worked as a photographer. John Alexander GILMORE was buried at South Brisbane Cemetery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Mary MCKINNEY and her husband, Alexander Anderson BROWN had a baby of their own. A boy who was still born and unnamed. He was born on 3 February 1932 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Mary’s brother Robert MCKINNEY Enlisted in World War I in 1914. He was 23.
Alexander Anderson BROWN, husband of Mary MCKINNEY died on 27 February 1940 at Logan Village, just outside of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Mary maintained a relationship with her two step-sons and she is listed as next of kin on some of their war. Mary’s stepson Alexander Ross BROWN enlisted for World War II and served in the Army from 1940 to 1947. Youngest stepson, Thomas Graham BROWN was listed as a sergeant and is listed on the World War II Nominal Roll for his Royal Australian Airforce service.
Thomas Graham BROWN married Joan GITTOES during war time on 15 September 1945. At Prahan, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Joan GITTOES was born 16 January 1924 at Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
Matilda MCKINNEY, Mary’s mother, previously Matilda GILMORE died on 31 October 1946 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Mary’s mother, Matilda was buried at Holland Park West, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
On 7 May 1948 Mary’s brother Robert MCKINNEY died in Queensland, Australia.
When the war was over, Mary’s stepson Alexander Ross BROWN married Hilary Margaret DAVEY 20 November 1948. Hilary Margaret DAVEY was born 14 December 1918 at Toowong, Brisbane. She died on 25 July 2003 at Roma, Queensland, Australia.
On 31 July 1956, Mary’s Aunt, Rose BOTHWELL previously Rose GILMORE died. Mary’s Aunt Emma GILMORE had never married but had worked and lived in different parts of Brisbane. She was the Matron at General Hospital. Emma GILMORE died in 1966 at Balmoral, Brisbane, Australia.
Mary’s step-son Alexander Ross BROWN died 8 November 1968 at Murgon, Queensland, Australia. He was buried at Albany Cree, Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematorium.
Mary’s step-son Thomas Graham BROWN died on 23 September 1971 at Beechmont, Queensland, Australia.
Mary’s sister Agnes MCKINNEY died on 10 August 1979 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Agnes and worked as a Clerk and had lived all of her life close by in Brisbane. Agnes MCKINNEY was buried at Albany Creek Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematorium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Mary BROWN previously Mary MCKINNEY who was known by the name of Minnie died on 9 March 1980 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was buried at Albany Creek Memorial Park Cemetery, and Crematorium.