The personal name Sivyer Rootes occurs a number of times in history both English and Australian. You may be thinking as you read this post how can a person with the name Sivyer Rootes be connected to the ancestral Sivyer (and all spelling derivatives) line? It has been common or a family practice over time to use the maiden name of the maternal line to ensure that the name is not lost. The name Sivyer has been used as a middle name many times over the last few hundred years. In this particular case and it is only in this specific family that Sivyer has been used as a christian or first name.
Were there more than one Sivyer Rootes? The answer is yes because the name Sivyer Rootes has been used through a number of generations of Rootes families. In Australian registered births to the year 1922 there are the following Sivyer Rootes entries.
NAME: Sivyer J Rootes (Sivyer John Rootes)
BIRTH DATE: 1858
BIRTH PLACE: New South Wales
REGISTRATION YEAR: 1858
REGISTRATION PLACE: Camden, New South Wales, Australia
FATHER: James Rootes
MOTHER: Jane Rootes
REGISTRATION NUMBER: 6070
NAME: Sivyer H Rootes (Sivyer Henry Rootes)
BIRTH DATE: 1869
BIRTH PLACE: New South Wales
REGISTRATION YEAR: 1869
REGISTRATION PLACE: Camden, New South Wales, Australia
FATHER: William Rootes
MOTHER: Sophia Rootes
REGISTRATION NUMBER: 9272
NAME: Sivyer Rootes
BIRTH DATE: 1900
BIRTH PLACE: New South Wales
REGISTRATION YEAR: 1900
REGISTRATION PLACE: Hay, New South Wales, Australia
FATHER: John J Rootes
MOTHER: Frances E Rootes
REGISTRATION NUMBER: 22564
Where does the Sivyer and Rootes connection start?
The information provided in the following family records is sourced from a number of ancestral trees published on the internet. As to the authenticity and accuracy I have cross referenced a number of these sources to provided what could be assumed to be an accurate record as possible.
The first person christened or baptised with the name Sivyer Rootes was born August 3, 1746 in Nothiam, Sussex. This is where the Sivyer connection starts. This Sivyer Rootes had a grandmother Mary Sivier, born 1698 in Beckley Sussex. Mary Sivier married James Rootes in 1720. Who was Mary Sivier and does she have any family connection to the John Sivyer and Elizabeth York of Dallington is unknown. The marriage between Thomas Rootes and Mary Sivier is where the name Sivyer Rootes is descended from.
The Google map below shows the close proximity of the village of Beckley to other well documented villages where our Sivyer / Sivier ancestors were born or inhabited over the centuries.
One could make an assumption that there may have been Australian Sivyer family connections to Mary Sivier who was the reference in the name Sivyer Rootes.
The people with the name Sivyer Rootes who were born and died in England prior to colonial migration are listed below.
Sivyer Rootes B: August 3, 1746 married Ann Avery February 8, 1769, Newnden Kent.
Sivyer Rootes (son of Sivyer and Ann Rootes) B: April 12 1772 married Mary Playford (2d marriage) January 25, 1798 Beckley, Sussex.
Sivyer Rootes (son of Sivyer and Mary Rootes) B: July 14 1799 married Mary Field July 19, 1823 at Northiam.
The Australian Sivyer Rootes
Sivyer Rootes and Mary Field became assisted immigrants when they left England on the ship "Palmyra" and landed in Sydney on the 26th. September 1838. Their children were born in the villages and towns of Cowpastures, Cobbity, Cawdor and they lived in these areas around Camden. They were Wesleyan Methodists and their story forms the basis for the book "Certain Lives" written by Margaret Reeson.
The most well known and documented Australian Sivyer Rootes was Superintedent Sivyer John Rootes. To confuse those researching family history he was not the son of the Sivyer Rootes and Mary Field who were on the "Palmyra". He was the grandson of James Rootes and Anna Hicks whose brother was Sivyer Rootes on the "Palmyra". James Rootes and Anna Hicks also emigrated to New South Wales but came first in October 1837 on the ship "Augusta Jessie".
The father of Sivyer John Rootes was James Rootes born 1833 in Rye, Sussex. He married Jane Hassell and they had seven children with the oldest being Sivyer John Rootes. Sivyer John Rootes was born in the Camden District in 1858.
James Rootes father to Sivyer John died in 1920.
Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW : 1911 - 1954), Monday 13 September 1920, page 2
OBITUARY.
MR. JAMES ROOTES
The death took place on Saturday afternoon of Mr. James Rootes, one of the very early pioneers of the Camden district, at the age of 87 years, at the residence of his son, ex-superintendent S. J. Rootes of the New South Wales police force, Kent Cottage, Edward street, Wagga. He followed farming pursuits in the early days, and also carrying. He arrived in Australia at the age of four years. He left Camden about 11 years ago, and has resided with his son since then. His wife pre deceased him by about 50 years. He was born in Sussex, England. He leaves family of two sons and two daughters living. He was very highly respected by the early pioneers for his assistance to those in distress. The funeral is appointed to leave his son's residence in Edward street to-day at 11 a.m. for the Church of England portion of the Wagga Cemetery.
James Rootes Senior
The grandfather of Sivyer John Rootes was also a James Rootes as previously stated. What is of interest to the Australian Sivyer family ancestry is his obituary. This is the James Rootes who with wife Anna Hicks emigrated to New South Wales in 1837 a year before the first emigrating Sivyer Rootes on the "Palmyra" in 1838.
Camden News (NSW : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 8 September 1898, page 1
Obituary.
MR. JAMES ROOTES, Senr. At 94.
With regret we have to announce the demise of the late Mr. James Rootes, senr., of Razorback, at the ripe old age of 94 summers. The deceased, the oldest resident in the district, passed away to his eternal home early on the morning of the 5th inst., Monday, at his residence, beloved and esteemed by all. Mr. Rootes was born in Sussex, England, on December 14, 1804, leaving the old country for his future home in New South Wales in the ship Augusta Jessie, landing in Sydney on October 14, 1837, the deceased remained only a short time in Sydney on his arrival, thence proceeding to South Creek, in March of the following year he went to Matavia, Cobbitty, a farm then occupied by the late Mr. James Hassell, remaining in the employ of that gentleman for some eight years as overseer, these were the days of penal servitude. Mr. Rootes, an old pioneer, naturally passed through these stirring times of opening up the country, and witnessed the rise and progress as few men have done, he having been a resident of the district for over 60 years. Mr. Rootes landed in Sydney with his wife and four children, and leaves behind him children, grand children and great grand children to the number of 109, 7 children, 46 grand children, 56 great grand children. He was interred in the Cawdor Wesleyan Cemetery, by the side of his wife on Tuesday the 6th inst., the Rev. R. Caldwell officiating. Mr. Rootes outlived his wife for nearly 10 years, her death having taken place on Sept. 22, 1888. The funeral was largely attended by the whole of his family, the remains were carried by four of his grandsons to the grave side. Mr. Rootes, as a man gained the esteem, and respect of all who knew him, and one marvellous fact of his life that though he lived to such an advanced age he had never buried a descendant that had reached the age of five years. Mr. J. D. Rankin, Camden, conducted the funeral arrangements.
Superintendent Sivyer John Rootes
Who was Superintendent Sivyer John Rootes? He left a legacy in the south western disticts of New South Wales as a distinguished policeman of the colonial and early federation period of Australia's history. When he died in 1951 the obituaries published were quite extensive as he had served the public in a number of places.
Gundagai Independent (NSW : 1928 - 1954), Thursday 31 May 1951, page 2
FORMER POLICE SUPERINTENDENT S. J. ROOTES DEAD
The death occurred at Lewisham Private Hospital Wagga, on Monday, of Sivyer John Rootes, ex-superintendent of Police, at the age of 92 years. Many years ago deceased was stationed at Gundagai. He wag born on October 27. 1858, at Cobbity, near Camden. At the age of 20 Mr Rootes joined the NSW Police Force. He was first stationed at Adelong, arriving there two days after the Kelly gang shot the police. For the following four months he was engaged in pursuit of the Kelly gang. From Adelong, he was sent to Jugiong, and from there to Urana. While in charge of that •district he distinguished himself in the handling of the Brookong Riot. After 13 years in charge of the Tumut district, he was promoted to inspector at Wilcannia. He remained there for two years, and was then placed in charge of the Gundagai sub-district. In May, 1914, Mr Rootes was promoted to Deliniquin as superintendent in charge of the South-Western district. Four years later he retired. He was presented with the King's Medal for meritorious service. On his retirement he settled in Wagga. Always interested in land and stock, he bought a small property and engaged in dealing and cattle raising.
He is survived by two sisters, Jane (Mrs Moore, of Enfield)-and Amy (Wagga)
Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW : 1911 - 1954), Thursday 31 May 1951, page 2
FUNERALS
EX-SUPT. S. J. ROOTES
The funeral of the late Ex-Police Superintendent Sivyer John Rootes, of 87 Fox Street, who died at Wagga on Monday, (28 May 1951) took place yesterday afternoon, The cortege under police escort moved from St. John's Church of England, Wagga, after a service conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon West, Mrs. Sutherland officiated at the organ during the singing of 'Rock of Ages.' Interment took place in the Wagga cemetery, cemetery, where the Ven. Archdeacon West again officiated. Relatives and friends were present from Rannock, Wyalong, Illabo and Wagga and surrounding districts. Wagga police were represented by Superintendent J. D. McAuley, Inspector L. L. Calne, Sergeants G. Lithgow and J. Walsh, Senior Constable J. Wilkins, First-class Constable Sowerby and Constables J. Hobbs, A. Mclntyre, B. Groundwater and E. Grebert. The police formed a guard of honor at the cemetery, and Constables J. Hobbs, A. Mclntyre, B. Groundwater and E. Grebert acted as pall-bearers at the church and at the cemetery. The funeral arrangements were conducted by Alan Harris, of Wagga.
Sivyer John Rootes was involved in two of Australia's historic events whilst serving as a policeman. In his duties he was involved in the tracking of the Kelly Gang and the Brookong Riot. No explanation would be needed for the tracking of the Kelly Gang but the Brookong Riot does need further investigation. The Shearers' Strike of 1891 is one of Australia's earliest and important industrial disputes. The Brookong Woolshed Riot of August 1888 preceeded this well documented strike and saw a standoff between the shearers and pastoralists. The unionised shearers abducted the non unionised shearers and held them captive for up to a week in their camp on a reserve across the creek from the Brookong woolshed. Nine shearers were arrested and sent to goal. At the time of the Brookong riot in 1888 Sivyer Rootes was a sergeant of police based at Urana which was and still is the nearest town.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Monday 20 August 1888, page 5
The Strike at Brookong.
THE RIOT ACT TO BE READ. THREATENING ASPECT OF AFFAIRS.
Wagga, Saturday. — Mr. Henry Baylis, police magistrate of Wagga, has proceeded to Brookong. for the purpose of reading the Riot Act to the shearers, if necessary. Inspector Harrison is already there. Reinforcements for the Wagga police have arrived there today. The feeling in Wagga is very strong against the aggressive attitude of the Shearers' Uuion men. A number of residents have volunteered to give assistance to quell the disturbance. Many of these belong to the local Cavalry Infantry companies, while others belong to the Members' Rifle clubs. The majority of them are proficient in the use of the rifle. A telegram has been received from Brookong, thanking the volunteers tor their proffered assistance, but stating that such was not required np to the present. Brookong is 52 miles from here, on the Urana road, within easy travelling distance, if necessity arose. Albury.
Sunday. — The shearing difficulty remains unsettled, and in all probability a more serious development. On Friday it was arranged that a number of non-union men should start shearing ; but when the time arrived the men refused to make a start, stating that they feared they would be ill-treated by the mob of union men congregated round the homestead. On Saturday morning, however, twenty-eight men were permitted to start work, and continued shearing throughout the day without molestation. Reports to hand today, however, indicate further disturbance as probable. At noon today a telegram was received by the Superintendent of Police to say that an attack was threatened last night, and Mr. Baylis, the police magistrate from Wagga, and Inspector Harrison, with the posse of police, remained on the alert all night. The onion men have men picketed day and night, intercepting all men who approach the station to search for employment in any capacity. The present staff of police, the latest advices state, is quite inadequate for the proper protection of the station servants, who are standing up for the owners, and. to patrol the road for the protection of travellers desiring to reach the station. . In the course of the afternoon the following telegram was received by Captain Battye from Mr. Harry Baylis, police magistrate : — ' Things still unsettled. Union men have increased in numbers. They are waylaying all shearers and taking them to the union camp. Information was received last night that the station would be rushed, probably in the nighttime. The twentyeight non-union men are in great fear, and it is believed would not help to fight the union men. The shearers' huts being on the plains, the police have to keep a portion of their force away from tbe station, and the present strength (fifteen men) is quite inadequate, as the huts might be rushed from several points. It is expected there will be one during tonight. The police have had no sleep, and were under arms from 8 o'clock last night till daylight this morning. If the place is rushed the police officer in charge considers there will be no alternative but to fire to take life. This course will be unavoidable, as the union men muster between 200 and 300 strong and are armed.' Inspector Harrison has applied to Captain Battye to send more men at once. In consequence of this appeal, Captain Battye has wired to Sydney, and six mounted men leave Goulburn tomorrow. A number of foot constables will also be sent from Sydney, and two mounted men left Albury by mail train this afternoon, and should reach Brookong early tomorrow morning. It is thought that should the unionist mob attack the station tonight and the reinforcements arrive promptly, the rioters will be discouraged and compelled to discontinue their aggressive tactics. Urana, Monday. — There are tiiirty-eight shearers on this morning. The place is still beseiged by about three hundred men. Everything is quiet.
What is the Australian Sivyer and Sivyer Rootes family connection if any?
There is no evidence of any direct family connection to the Australian Sivyer families but the circumstantial evidence of similar family lives cannot be denied. The emigration of agricultural laboureres from Kent and Sussex under the first Government schemes strarting in 1837 is the same start for the Sivyer emigration from the same area where the first Sivyer and Rootes connection was made. All families have an undeniable connection to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, were agricultural labourers, and emigrated in family groups to start their Australian lives. The Camden and Picton district, the Wesleyan Methodist Church do occur in Sivyer ancestry in Australia.
For those who wish to read further of life in those first formative years of Australia's modern development as a country then the book "Certain Lives" by Margaret Reason is well worth the effort of tracking down a copy. Whilst it is a novel based on the historical facts of the Rootes, Playford, Nash and Hassell families it provides an insight into the same lives our Australian Sivyer ancestors experienced.
The early chapters desribe the life in East Sussex and the reasons why emigration ocurred and the decisions to be made by our ancestors. These chapters provide a real insight into those social factors that shaped the reasons for emigration and the roles played by emigration agents and the governments of the day.
In conclusion the name Sivyer Rootes is one that I came across in research many years ago and at that time I also had had a chance to peruse the book "Certain Lives". It appeared to be then a complex web of names and family connections. I finally decided to stop and ask myself how did the name Sivyer Rootes occur. The emigration of those families of Kent and Sussex in the period of 1837 to 1840 were the foundation of modern Australia's family life. It is not coincidental then that the descendants of Sivyer Rootes and Mary Playford from Sussex have the same historical Australian stories as the descendants of John Sivyer and Elizabeth York of Dallington, Sussex.
