Sarah Hope was the first child born to Thomas and Alice Hope, on 31 March 1833 at Southdean, Roxburgh, Scotland, at the home of her maternal grandparents.

According to Scottish Naming Tradition, the first-born daughter was named after her maternal Grandmother and according to our Family History records, this was the case for Sarah - she was named after Sarah Wilkinson.

The 1841 Census Return noted that Sarah was living with her family at East Lodge, Traquair, Peeblesshire, Scotland - which is the Gamekeepers Lodge, at Kailzie House, Peeblesshire.

The 1851 Census Return, recorded Sarah's occupation as Dressmaker. and living with her family at 83 Castle Street (AKA Castlegate), Jedburgh.

On the Immigration Form, when the family arrived in Australia, it indicated that Sarah went with her friend, Mrs Redden. At this time, Sarah was about 22 years of age and could have found a posting with or via Mrs Redden. Her name never appeared on any documents or papers that have been held with the various branches of the family, until her mother's death in 1890, where Sarah is listed as "Deceased". Although I have checked the Death and Marriage records in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales for the period 1856 to 1890, I haven't been able to locate anything that confirms this. She virtually disappeared.

UPDATE: In 2007 a family member found notification of Sarah's death as being in 1856 - the year of emigration - no specific date, nor location or reason, other than in Victoria, Australia. Maybe further research might give more details of the how, why, when and where?

Editor's Note: I've left the "where is she" part in to show how searching for one's family history is almost like a game of chance! I looked in all the places aforementioned and nothing came up and yet a few decades later someone else looked in the same places and 'bingo', found something - not the whole story, but found something!!! I am exceedingly grateful for what she found because at least we know in which direction to turn future efforts.

LINK to Home Page

Link to Thomas Hope (father)