Heirloom Teapot
Mission
To learn about the origin of the teapot and find out how it came to be in the family.
Background
This teapot is part of a family’s heirloom collection. The family wants to know its story- where it was made and how it came to be in the family. Initially, the only information the family had was that their mother had received the teapot as a wedding present from her mother.
As the grandmother has passed away more than thirty years ago, they contacted My Family History Australia to see if we could help.
Process
Research included:
- Historical Birth, Death and Marriage records
- Locating addresses of family members who had owned it
- Speaking with relatives who had some knowledge of the teapot
- Collecting photos of the teapot from extended family members for scanning
- Checking hallmarks
- Researching the silversmith that made it
- Old newspaper articles
Outcome
The teapot hallmark tells us that it was made in London, England in 1863 by Robert Harper. We learnt that Robert Harper, silversmith, established his business in England in 1853 and the partnership with his son was dissolved in 1880.
Newspaper articles provided valuable evidence and information and through those, we have been able to learn when the teapot arrived in Australia, who brought it here and why. The teapot, passed down through four generations, was originally purchased in England from Joseph Cairns, by the great-grandfather who brought it to Australia in 1938 and gave it to his daughter as a wedding present.
We were able to purchase quality photos from 1938 newspapers that include photos of the teapot and its proud new owner. Newspaper articles have also provided a wealth of information about siblings, parents and other descendants connected to the bride and her teapot. Passenger lists also support the travel of the great-grandfather to and from Australia in 1938.
Research provided eleven different addresses, across three states of Australia, as we followed the family through historical records.
While the research was being carried out, the family has begun the slow process of polishing it by hand. The teapot will be ready to be passed on next time with a researched and documented story that the family is extremely proud of.