Grace Catherine Ferguson was born in Hobart on 16 February 1854 to Margaret Hayes. The baby was registered in the Tasmanian BDM records as Catherine Hayes. Margaret, a plain laundress, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland about 1822. The father's name was not recorded. Grace Catherine later gave her father's name as John Hughes, a carpenter in Hobart.
Margaret Hayes married William McQuillen in Hobart on 3 December 1855. She had three daughters with him, the middle one named Sarah Helen.
Grace Catherine moved to Melbourne, Victoria. She was a tailoress. She married William Ferguson, a 20 year old watchmaker and later clothing manufacturer born in Dundee, Scotland, at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne on 5 February 1871. According to the Victorian BDM records, Margaret provided a letter giving permission as Grace Catherine was 17 years old.
Grace Catherine and William Ferguson had eleven children, one of whom died in infancy.
Grace Catherine Ferguson donated most of the funds to build the Fitzroy Free Creche and Free Kindergarten in 1913. She continued fund raising for some decades.
Grace Catherine Ferguson was widowed in 1918. She outlived seven of her children. Three of her sons fought and suffered wounds and illnesses on the Western Front during World War I. Although they returned home, they did not live to old age. Grace Catherine died at home in Caulfield, Melbourne on 6 May 1943.
Margaret Hayes married William McQuillen in Hobart on 3 December 1855. She had three daughters with him, the middle one named Sarah Helen.
Grace Catherine moved to Melbourne, Victoria. She was a tailoress. She married William Ferguson, a 20 year old watchmaker and later clothing manufacturer born in Dundee, Scotland, at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne on 5 February 1871. According to the Victorian BDM records, Margaret provided a letter giving permission as Grace Catherine was 17 years old.
Grace Catherine and William Ferguson had eleven children, one of whom died in infancy.
Grace Catherine Ferguson donated most of the funds to build the Fitzroy Free Creche and Free Kindergarten in 1913. She continued fund raising for some decades.
Grace Catherine Ferguson was widowed in 1918. She outlived seven of her children. Three of her sons fought and suffered wounds and illnesses on the Western Front during World War I. Although they returned home, they did not live to old age. Grace Catherine died at home in Caulfield, Melbourne on 6 May 1943.
