Lived at Lyons Street, Ballarat in 1873.

Probate:
85/365 Margaret B. CHRISTIE Armadale married 16 Nov 1902 P 21 Jan 1903.

Margaret Brown Christie’s Will dated 28th August 1900.
Living at 14 Mercer Road, Armadale, Victoria with her husband Lyell Symers Christie. Son William was mentoned as an umbrella manufacturer.

The following is from Gavin Christie and public information:

Birth/christening is recorded on the IGI.

L. S. Christie arrived in Victoria on Nov 1853 on the “East Lothian”. He was 28 years old. Code B Fiche 056 Page 004. “East Lothian” from Leith, Scotland on 11th August 1853. Arrived Melbourne on 26th November 1853. It left Melbourne on 19th January 1854 to Singapore. Reference is the “Argus” newspaper. 9 passengers, 7 steerage, merchandise, -b (bales/bags).

“East Lothian” barque 320 tons. She left from Leith Scotland on the 11th August 1853 and arrived in Melbourne on 26th November 1853.

Mr Christie came to Hobart from Melbourne on 5th August 1854 on "Tasmania" as cabin pasenger, MB2/39/18 p198.

Applied for grant of 200 acres in Summerleas, SC/285, p559, 14th December 1855. He bought this off Henry Robert Norman, (Norman’s father may have advertised this on 14th December 1852 in the “Hobart Town Gazette”). The land change may have been advertised in the “Hobart Town Gazette” on 28th August 1855. The land is in Queenborough, Buckingham area at Summerleas. A very rough piece of land and apparently Chrisite put his eldest sister (Ann Chrstie Cooper) and her husband on when they arrived in Hobart. Ownership was later transferred to this couple.

He had other land at Summerleas. Two 10 acre blocks (C1/42) surveyed by J. Mathieson.

1856 Victorian Electoral Roll:
148 Flinders Lane, salary £100, Langlands and Co., St James Melbourne Division.

According to Garryowen in Chronicles of Early Melbourne, Langlands and
Fultons Foundry was a famous firm in Flinders Street West.
Details on p959 (I'm paraphrasing):

Early in 1842 two enterprising Scotchmen, Robert Langlands and Thomas Fulton arrived in Melb and set up the first iron foundry. They secured an allotment running from Flinders Street to Flinders Lane, where some small rough shops were hastily thrown together and business begun. They were employed to install the steam engine for the first milling firm (Allison and Knight) in Collins Street. Their greatest stumbling block in the early days was a lack of suitable equipment.

After 4 years the partnership was dissolved but each continued in the foundry business (does not say for how long). In September 1847, Langlands new firm produced a machine capable of making
40 bricks per minute, 2400 per hour or a daily average of 30,000. I'd suggest getting hold of a copy as there are plenty of mentions of Langlands. Try the State Library.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bill Fleming, [email protected]

He is mentioned in Professor Bates “Story of Ballaret” by a letter dated 1866 to a John Webster that Christie had been with Langland and Co., Melbourne and in Ballarat for four years.
The “Creswick Clunes Advertiser” index has mention of a Christie and Thompson, BDRB of Ballarat on 14th Deceber 1860 (page 4) and of L. S. and Margaret with a Mining Prospectus in Ballarat on 21st and 24th October 1862 (page3).

Letter from L. Reynolds FGSV 25/6/1991 describes Christie as “Fairly tall, medium build with a distincly decided walk and was a distincly commercial man, thia description of L. S. Christie is taken from a book “Some Ballarat Ioneers”, by Phil gay.

In 1865 he was given an illuminating address by his employees wishing him “a safe and pleasant voyage to the land of (his) birth”

In full it states:

to L. S. Christie Ballarat 26th March 1865

We the undersigned Employees of the Hall of Commerce Ballarat and others connected with its Branch Establishments take this opporttunity on the eve of your departure for Europe to testify our high appreciation of your character as an Employer and a man of business, and one whose great aim has been to forward in life those amongst us who have gained your confidence and approval.

We congradulate you on the prosperous position you have attained in the World and regard it as a stimulate to follow your example, so that by the exercise of the same eneergy and industry which have raised you to fortune we must at least in some way measure emulate your success.

We sincerely trust you will have a safe and pleasant voyage to the land of your birth. That the object of your visit may exceed your expectations and when accomplished you will return in health to your adopted country, to the home of your wife and children and that you live long to enjoy the respect and esteem of your fellow Colinists is our sincere and heartfelt wish.

We remain Dear Sir very faithfully Yours

It is signed by some 42 employees, including one John Scott Cooper, his eldest sisters son from Summerleas in Hobart, Tasmania.

1868-70 P.O. Directory has him listed as a Silkmercer of Lyons Street, Ballarat. He lived in 19 Lyons Street in a home mentioned in a letter of William his son, as being “just across from the school” from 1869 to 1877.

Notes made at National Library, Canberra from “Ballarat Star” 1870 Ref mfm NX515
The Paper was laid out in a vey different manner to todays, devoid of pictures, not many headlines or paragraph divies and the front page given over to large advertisments.

September 4th, 1869 and the Star advertises that Christie had purchased the Drapery business of Donald Macraes. All of Chrisites ads appear as close as possible to those of David Jones and Co. - apparently the largest merchant at that time operating from Criterion House.

October 6th, 1869 a news item mentions that David Jones has expanded the business with a Carpet warehouse, the very same day Christies Hall of Commerce announces a New Carpet and Furnishing Department in its ads. The paper also had much coverage of a drought breaking flood that inundated Ballarat the same week.

December 15th, 1869 and the Hall of Commerce states “LS Christie confesses to having made money enough - and their business will take the position of a Co-operative Store with all goods being offered at manufacturing cost”

April 9th , 1870 LS has a “Gigantic Retiring Sale” with the business sold. The Hall of Commerce was in Stuart Street and still standing and trashing as Cash Converters.

The book “Lucky City” by Weston Bates mentions all of the above in various pages “L.S. Chrisite, the draper, announced in 1870 that, having made his fortune, he was happy to turn his shop into a co-operative, offering goods at cost. (page 117) Christie nevertheless bought out David Jones, his largest competitor, in the same year.”

“Factories in the dress industry as a whole emerged in the late 1860’s, although large drapers like Christie and David Jones had their own workshops long before that.” (page 129).

“Westwards in Sturt Street, on opposite corners of Armsting Street North Ballarat the drapers David Jones and L. S. Chrisite had the most impressive shops inthe whole colony in early 1860’s.” (page 178).

L.S. was a member of the first School of Mines Council in 1870 and in May 1870 he is reported in the Star as putting up a “New Mining Scheme” - a way of shareholders subscribing capital for the working of gold mines. There follows a flurry of lettres, most of them agreeing with L.S., and giving a wonderful picture of the times. See Ballarat Times.

By August 30, 1870 David Jones and Co having closed and on September 10, L. S. Christie announces the reopening of Criterion House inder his banner with “!96,700 Pounds worth of magnificent stock”. It was reported that David Jones had sold his business for 103,000 pounds. Christie had apparently bought the business with partners.

1865 - 6 P.O. Directory:
L. S. Christie and Co., drapers, Sturt Street and Armstrong Street, Ballarat.

1868 - 70 P.O. Directories:
Silkmercer, Lyons Street, Ballarat.

1880 - 1 P.O. Directory:
L. S. Christie and Co., drapers, 46 Elizabeth Street, 11 & 15 Lonsdale Street, West Melbourne.

1891 - 4 P.O. Directories:
Victorian Hosiery Factory, 23 Stewart Street, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria.

1897 - 8 P.O. Directories:
30 Darling Street, South Yarra.

1899 Victorian Electoral Roll:
30 Darling Street, South Yarra.

1903 Victorian Electoral Roll:
grazier Loch & orchardist Nyora.

Lived at Lyons Street, Ballarat, Victoria in 1873 and 1877.

Lived at 28 Darling Street, South Yarra in 1884 - 5

Lived at 30 Darling Street, South Yarra in 1899. Listed as gentleman.

The following is from the 1865/6 Ballarat Directory:

L. S. Christie & Co.

Hall of Commerce

Wholesale & Retail

Drapers, Clothiers, Silkmercer

Hosier, Haberdashers

&

Boot & Shoe importers

Invitate attention to their complete and extensive stock, purchased with all advantages which Cash, buying on the largest scale, command - and offered at rates so extremely moderate as to defy competition on the part of any Colonial house fixed ready money prices marked in plain figures.

L. S. Christie & Co.
Hall of Commerce, Ballarat.

"CHRISTIE","L S",,,,"PPH & ARGUS PASS"
SURNAME NAME TITLE_REM VESSEL FROM TO
CHRISTIE L S MR GEELONG ARGUS: 1 APR 1868 MARSEILLES

"CHRISTIE","L S",,,"RE JOHN CAMERON","M/FRIENDS 1854-55". The actual date is 13th March 1854.


From Argus Missing Friends:
CHRISTIE Mr 9th December 1853 “East Lothian” from Edinbourgh and on the 10th December 1853 “East Lothian”.


The following are from the Creswick Clunes Advertiser index 1859 - 1862.

Christie & Thompson BDRB Ballarat 14 Dec 1860 page 4
Christie, Lyell Symers Mining Comp Prosp Ballarat 21 Oct 1862 page 3
Christie, Lyell Symers Mining Prospectus Ballarat 24 Oct 1862 page 3
Christie, Margaret Mining Comp Prosp Ballarat 21 Oct 1862 page 3
Christie, Margaret Mining Prospectus Ballarat 24 Oct 1862 page 3

Christie, James Ploughing Match Ballarat 12 Jun 1863 page 2

The following is from the book “Lucky City: The first generation at Ballarat 1851 - 1901” by Weston Bates:

L. S. Christie, the draper, announced in 1870 that, having made his fortune, he was happy to turn his shop into a co-operative, offering goods at cost. (page 117)

Note to this on page 283
Star, 1 January 1870, page 1:
Christie nevertheless bought out David Jones, his largest competitor, in the same year, Star, 4th October 1870, page 1.

Factories in the dress industry as a whole emerged in the late sixties, (1860’s), although larger drapers like Christie and David Jones had their own workshops long before that. (page 129)

Westwards in Sturt Street, on opposite corners of Armstrong Street North, the drapers David Jones and L. S. Christie had the most impressive shops in the whole colony in the early sixties, (1860’s). (page 178)

Probate:
U 102.340 Lyell S CHRISTIE Armadale Gent. 24 Sep 1906 P 5 Mar 1907.

CHRISTIE 1700’s Menmuir, Angus, Scotland is being researched by (but not Lyell Symers Christie):
Mrs K. Christie,
R.S.D. Pinchgut Lane,
Shelbourne East, Victoria, 3174.

A L. S. Christie was in the Victorian Crown Land Grantees for the following:

Eurambeen 30th March 1875 Source: A, B Map reference: CC
Jeetho 7th August 1900 A Z
Scarsdale 10th September 1866 B Q



Surname Given names Age Month Year Ship Code Fiche Page
CHRISTIE ---- MR 23 DEC 1874 ST OSYTH B 331 008
CHRISTIE ---- MRS 27 DEC 1874 ST OSYTH B 331 008
CHRISTIE LYAL S 48 DEC 1874 ST OSYTH B 331 005
CHRISTIE MARGARET 46 DEC 1874 ST OSYTH B 331 005

Registered as follows:
1906 Plantagenet (marine), No 3 in Western Australia.

In the book called “Lonely Graves of Western Australian and burials at sea” by Yvonne and Kevin Coate, published by Hespenrian Press of Fremantle.

CHRISTIE Lyall Summers, died 24th September 1906 aged 82 years - passenger on board the “Runic” sailing from Liverpool to Albany when he died from cardia syncope ans was buried at sea. Occupation landowner.

Title
Name
Christie, L & Co.
Given Name
Document Type
Advertisement
Category
Business
Reference Year
1864
Area 1
Ballarat, Victoria.
Area 2
Date 2
Publication
Talbot Leader, page # 4
Publication Date
September 30, 1864
Publication Area
Talbot, Victoria.
Comments
Proprietors Hall of Commerce

Title
Name
Christie, L.S. & Co.
Given Name
Document Type
Advertisement
Category
Business
Reference Year
1866
Area 1
Ballarat, Victoria.
Area 2
Date 2
Publication
Clunes Gazette, page # 1
Publication Date
July 6, 1866
Publication Area
Clunes, Victoria.
Comments
Dark copy. Damaged page.


Title
Name
Christie, L.S. & Co.
Given Name
Document Type
Advertisement
Category
Business
Reference Year
1875
Area 1
Ballarat, Victoria.
Area 2
Date 2
Publication
Avoca mail, page # 2
Publication Date
September 17. 1875
Publication Area
Avoca, Victoria.

Title
Name
Christie, L.S. & Co.
Given Name
Document Type
Advertisement
Category
Business
Reference Year
1874
Area 1
Ballarat, Victoria.
Area 2
Date 2
Publication
Avoca mail, page # 2
Publication Date
July 14, 1874
Publication Area
Avoca, Victoria.

Title
Name
Christie, L.S. & Co.
Given Name
Document Type
Advertisement
Category
Business
Reference Year
1874
Area 1
Ballarat, Victoria.
Area 2
Date 2
Publication
Avoca mail, page # 2
Publication Date
July 14, 1874
Publication Area
Avoca, Victoria.

Title
Name
Christie, L.S. & Co.
Given Name
Document Type
Advertisement
Category
Business
Reference Year
1874
Area 1
Ballarat, Victoria.
Area 2
Date 2
Publication
Avoca mail, page # 2
Publication Date
October 20, 1874
Publication Area
Avoca, Victoria.

Name
Christie, L.S. & Co.
Given Name
Document Type
Advertisement
Category
Business
Reference Year
1875
Area 1
Ballarat, Victoria.
Area 2
Date 2
Publication
Avoca mail, page # 1
Publication Date
April 20, 1875
Publication Area
Avoca, Victoria.

A reply from the following query:
L. S. Christie & Co - drapers in Elizabeth & Lonsdale Streets approx 1880-81 at least, info please
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 09:11:58 +1000

Look on information about the following:
46 Elizabeth Street and 11 & 15 Lonsdale Strret West Melbourne in 1880 or 81 according to P.O. Directory. Lyell Symers CHRISTIE was the owner I think.

The following is from Joy KAICA, letter, August 2004:
Came to Tasmania to secure a land grant. He didn’t stay long and sort of set up home for his eldest sister.

Margaret Brown Christie’s Will dated 28th August 1900.
Living at 14 Mercer Road, Armadale, Victoria with her husband Lyell Symers Christie. Son William was mentoned as an umbrella manufacturer.

Given Name Lyell S
Surname Christie
Alternative Name
Title
File number 102/340
Death Date 24 Sep 1906
Death Date notes
Grant Date 5 Mar 1907
Grant Date notes
Nature of Grant P
General Notes
Occupation Gent
Residence Armadale
Country of Residence
State of Residence
Residence notes
To whom committed