Soulsby's History in Victoria.

George was the forth child of George Soulsby born about 1791 died on 12th June 1831 in England and was buried on the day his fifth child William was baptised 14th June 1831. He was married to Margaret Curry any other information about Margaret is at this time unknown.

Between 1834 and 1851, 2,400,000 people left the United Kingdom, 200,000  came to Australia and 90,000 of these of these people came to Port Phillip this number would have been much less had it not been for the financial assistance provided by the government. The rest most likely went to North America.
The Gold rush immigrants of 1850s had a more difficult voyage to Australia than those of the 1840s, A large proportion of these people came unassisted and thus the ship board conditions, were less supervised and heir was a high death rate aboard the vessels.

George Soulsby came to Australia from the village of Hetton-Le-Hole in County Durham in England. His father was a Stone Mason in this village which became better established when coal was discovered.
Jane Moroney came from Cone in County Clare, Ireland, with her parents and at least one sister.

Both George and Jane were living at Jones Creek - Loddon at the time of their marriage. Jones Creek id the creek that runs through the Township now know as Waanyarra. It is situated about half way between Dunolly and Tarnagulla in central Victoria. Waanyarra today is mainly State Forest and farming property, but it was at one time a thriving township. George and Jane owned a one acre block in the township of Waanyarra just near the recreational reserve and the title was dated 8 June 1864. Six of their seven children were born in this area. Alice the seventh child was born at Stuart Mill.

The first records of the Shire of Kara Kara - 1884 state George Soulsby's occupation was a Herdsman, he owned a hut and garden. he retained ownership of this property until he died in 1893 - when his occupation is stated as farmer. The Net Annual Value NAV was £6 and the rate was six shillings, the property was sold in 1893. Today the house site and surroundings is tree covered a few kilometres South of the township of Stuart Mill.

At the time of their marriage George was working as a Carrier but, when he died his occupation was a miner according to his death certificate possibly working at mine opposite his home. Statements given by his wife Jane ( who was illiterate) and his daughter Alice to an Inquiry after his death, stated he had spinal problems for five years and suffered from blindness for two years prior to his death of natural causes in 1893.

Jane moved sometime after Georges death, probably in 1896, to be with her son Robert and Jane nee Leisk at Rheola, who the Post Office and Hotel/Store.

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