The Hissem-Montague Family

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Robert Thornton Heysham settled in Australia in the 1850's after his India service, and after gaining his inheritance. However, he had no children.

There is a Haysom family that settled in Melbourne, Victoria and another in Perth, in western Australia. They are probably descendents of the Haysom/Hysom family of Dorset and Somerset, and so probably not related to our family.

The following are descendents of the Heesom family of the East Riding, Yorkshire. As such, they are relatives of the Heesom family of East Yorkshire and the Hissem family of America. They should be haplogroup G2a.

Of East Riding. John Underwood Heesom was christened on 17 December 1837 at Elloughton With Brough, Yorkshire, England, the son of Jacob Heesom and Sarah Underwood.

In the 1841 census of Elloughton, Yorkshire as John Easom, 3. In the 1851 census of Elloughton, Yorkshire as John Heesom, 13, of Elloughton.

John married Mary Jane Sherwood in 1858 at Welton, Yorkshire - from Helen Heesom in "The Story of the Heesoms" of Australia, by Ruth Place. Mary was born in Welton, Yorkshire in 1839, the daughter of John and Rebecca Sherwood. Soon after they emigrated to Australia, arriving at Geelong, Australia on 24 February 1859 onboard the JESSIE MUNN. Geelong harbor, to the right, is the shipping and rail hub for the Melbourne area.

A rather prettier view of the city, a painting of the bay from the nearby mountains, is below. It looks to me rather like San Diego.

John did odd jobs in Geelong, including road work, running a merry-go-round, and driving a carriage.

Mary Jane died on 27 April 1869 at the age of 29 and was buried in the Geelong Western Public cemetery. John then married Mary Blake, a dressmaker at Geelong.

In 1876 land became available for settlement in Hazelwood and John settled in what is now Hazelwood Pondage. "They built a wattle and daub home and separate kitchen, as was the fashion in those days and so began to settle into farm life . . . Water was obtained from Eel Hole Creek about [sic] quarter of a mile away and in the beginning it was the children's job to carry the water to the house." - from Helen Heesom in "The Story of the Heesoms" of Australia, by Ruth Place.

John settled in the Boolarra district, in the Latrobe valley of Victoria, Australia.

". . . family; details of early life at Scrubby Forest; Hazelwood run, Bennett's creek; list of early settlers and settlement of the Boolarra district; particular reference to Nicol Brown, William Hillier, John Heesom, John Shields and John McMillan; . . ." - from "Sources of Victoria's Heritage"

In a local man's rememberance of the early settlement of Morwell, also in the Latrobe Valley, mention is made of "Gooding's Post Office which was situted on the farm known as Heesom's."

John was listed in the electoral rolls from 1909 to 1919.

- 1909 for Balaclava district, Victoria, Australia.
- 1914 & 1919 for Henty district, Victoria - Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936

When better land with a river frontage became available, the family moved to Middle Creek, Yinnar. Later John and Mary retired to Black Rock where they bought a property. This property was later left to Martha while the Middle Creek farm went to Edmund.

Mary died on 16 January 1912 at the age of 80. John U. Heesom died in Sandringham, Victoria, Australia on 11 May 1923 and buried in the Cheltenham cemetery, next to Mary.

There are two records for John in the Probate Register. The first lists a John U. Heesom, a Gentleman late of Black Rock, who died on 11 May 1923 and whose will was probated on 26 June 1923. A second entry is similar, but this will was probated on 27 August 1930. Under the "nature of the grant" was listed as "P.Succes.Grant" which probably means per successors grant. Note that John's son, Edmund, died in April 1930 and his will was probated in May.

For more, see "The Story of the Heesoms" by Ruth Place.

John's children with Mary Jane Sherwood were,
(25) Sarah Rebecca Heesom (1862), died at 21
(25) Ann Heesom (c1862), died young
(25) Jessie Heesom (c1864), died young
(25) Thomas Heesom (1864), died at 21
(25) Edmund Heesom (1865)

John's children with Mary Blake were,
(25) Martha Heesom (1871)

She was born in 1862. She died on 26 January 1883 in Hazelwood, Latrobe City, Victoria at the age of 21, from TB. She was buried in the Hazelwood cemetery. Her tombstone lists her as the daughter of J.U. and M.J. Heesom.

1909 in Balaclava - Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936. However, according to another family researcher in Australia, she died young.

According to another family researcher in Australia, she [he?] died young.

Thomas was born in 1864. He died on 12 February 1885 in Hazelwood, Latrobe City, Victoria at the age of 22, from TB. He was buried in the Hazelwood cemetery. His tombstone shows him as the son of J.U. and M.J. Heesom and the brother of Sarah Rebecca Heesom.

Edmund, the son of John Underwood Heesom and Mary J. Sherwood, was born on 8 August 1865 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Edmund bought "about 150 acres 5 miles south of Yinnar along Whitelaw's track, at the foot of the Budgeree Hills." - from Helen Heesom in "The Story of the Heesoms" of Australia, by Ruth Place. There, after clearing the land, he started a dairy herd.

He married Jessie Irvine in November 1894 in Willow Grove, Victoria. She was born in 1870.

Edmund was listed in the Electoral Rolls for 1909, 1914, 1919, 1924 in Gippsland - Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936. Jessie Heesom was listed in the electoral rolls for 1909 and 1914, in Gippsland - Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936.

Edmund had inherited his father's farm at Middle Creek when the old man died in 1923.

Jessie Irvine Heesom died on 7 June 1919 in Sandringham, Bayside City, Victoria.

"HEESOM.-On the 7th June, at Sandringham
Jessie, dearly beloved wife of Edmund Heesom of Pine Grove, Yinnar, South Gippsland, and loving mother of Mary, Edith Thomas, John, and Ethel, aged 49 years.

Nearer, my God, to Thee." - from the Melbourne Argus of 9 June 1919

The following is the caption to the photograph below. Edmund was the elected representative of Morwell, a town in Gippsland.

"GIPPSLAND COUNCILLORS WAIT ON STATE MINISTERS.
Representatives of shires and boroughs of Gippsland formed a deputation which waited yesterday on most of the State Ministers with various requests. In tho group are, from left to right:
-First Row-Councillors T. W. Murphy (Bairnsdale), J. R. Coate (Lakes Entrance); T. Hodgd (Tambo), W. Wilson (Berwick), A. Inglis (Mirboo), E. S. Whittakers (Traralgon), and W. C. Kingston (Warragul).
Second Row-J. S. Lister (Rosedalo), R. Stockdale (Narracan), W. Grose (Omeo), and J. Allan (Toora).
Back Row-S. Purdy (Maffra), E. Heesom (Morwell), J. Arohibald (Bruthen), Mr. Lind, M.L.A., Councillor A. E. Rodwell (Orbost), Mr. S. Langslow (Health department), and Mr. C. S. Ogllvy (Warragul)." - from the Melbourne Argus of 5 August 1926

Edmund Heesom died on 26 April 1930 in Boolarra, Latrobe City, Victoria. He was buried in the Hazelwood cemetery. According to the Probate Register, Edmund Heesom, a farmer late of Yinnar, died on 26 April 1930 and his will was probated on 23 May 1930.

Edmund's children were,
(26) Mary Jane Sherwood Heesom (1895)
(26) Edith Myra Heesom (1898)
(26) Thomas Edmund Heesom (1899)
(26) John "Jack" William Heesom (1900)
(26) Jessie Ethel Heesom (1901), a teacher, unmarried
(26) Robert Heesom (1903), he died young

Mary Jane Sherwood, the daughter of Edmund Heesom and Jessie Irvine, was born on 10 February 1895 in Yinnar, Victoria. She married William Earl. She died on 12 December 1966 in Geelong, Victoria.

Edith Myra, the daughter of Edmund Heesom and Jessie Irvine, was born on 1 June 1898 in Yinnar, Victoria. 1919 in Gippsland - Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936. A housekeeper, she did not marry. Edith died on 6 December 1978 in Geelong [Traralgon], Victoria.

Thomas Edmund, the son of Edmund Heesom and Jessie Irvine, was born on 8 December 1899 in Morwell, Victoria. He became a teacher, then later an accountant. At the end of his life he was working at the Mint.

Thomas married Maud Agnes Tracy on 1 December 1924 in Ascot Valley, Victoria. Another researcher shows a marriage to Ada Lauretta Harwood. "The Story of the Heesoms" says he married three times.

Electoral Rolls of Victoria:

1924 in Euroa, Echuca
1931 in Sandringham, Henty
1936 in Kyabram, Echuca
1937 in Ferntree Gully, Flinders 1942 in Elsternwick, Balaclava
1963 in Ferntree Gully, La Trobe
1968 in Knox, La Trobe
1972 in Croyden, La Trobe

Thomas died on 21 September 1976 in Croyden, Victoria. According to the Probate Record, Thomas Edmund Heesom, of Croyden, Gentleman, had his will probated on 18 Janaury 1977. His children were,
(27) Irvine Edmund Heesom (1926)
(27) Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ian Heesom (1936)

Irvine was born on 14 June 1926, the son of Thomas Edmund Heesom and Jessie Irvine. He married Nola Fay Addison. He died on 21 January 2014 and was buried in Byron [Rookwood], New South Wales, Australia. Thomas Ian Heesom, below, was also buried in Rookwood; a brother? Father to Garry, Clive, Terry and Maureen. Rookwood is a suburb of Sydney.

Garry Owen Heesom was born in 1947 to Irvine Edmund Heesom and Nola Fay Addison. Garry passed away on 3 August 1978 at the age of 30. He was buried in Matraville, New South Wales, Australia.

He married Kathy. His children were, Terry Jr., Paul Dean, and Amber.

"HEESOM (Geakie) Paul Dean 28th October 2018 of Five Dock [a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, New South Wales] Wonderful son of Terry (deceased) and Kathy. Devoted father to Joshua. Loved brother to Terry and Amber. Nephew to Garry (deceased), Clive (deceased) and Maureen. Aged 48 years. Always in our hearts - from "The Sydney Morning Herald"

His middle name may be Owen.

Thomas Ian Heesom was born in Kyabram, Victoria, Australia on 20 June 1936. Thomas Edmund Heesom resided in Kyabram in 1936. I suspect that Thomas is the son of Thomas Edmund Heesom of Croyden, Victoria, Australia, above. Thomas Ian Heesom married Clare Elizabeth Randall, the daughter of Albert Lewis Randall and Barbara Clare Allnutt.

Thomas Ian Heesom was in the Australian Army Apprentices Association Graduation List, graduating in 1955, as a vehicle mechanic. He was also in the Officer Cadet School list, graduating in December 1957, as RAEME (Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). Col. Sgt [Color Sergeant] T. I. Heesom won the Governor General's Medal for his performance as well as the Field/Tactics prize. Color Sergeant is roughly equivalent to the U.S. Navy's Chief Petty Officer, the seventh step in enlisted ranks.

Thomas Ian Heesom was in the Electoral Rolls for 1963, of Liverpool, Werria, New South Wales, Australia. In the 1968 rolls, of Sandringham, Isaacs, Victoria. In the 1977 and 1980 rolls, of Fraser, Australian Capital Territory.

"Thomas I. Heesom, born in 1936 in Victoria, Australia and in 1957 was commissioned in to the Corps of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). In 1965, as a captain, he was posted to Vietnam as senior EME on HQ AAFV and concurrently commanded the Australian Workshop at Bien Hoa in supoort of IRAR attached to 173rd Abn. Bde.

After staff appointments with RAEME HQ he attended the Royal Military College of Science, UK during 1969-70 and was subsequently posted to lieutenant colonel management positions in computing, material and logistics with Department of Defense. Tom resigned from the Regular Army in 1978 but continued service with the Reserve until 1986 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. During 1983-89 he worked as logistics and project programming manager with Plessy/Siemens. In 1987 he introduced the International Society of Logistics Engineers (SOLE) to Australia and served as director until 1990.

He holds the Vietnam Medal, National Medal w/clasp, Defense Force Service Medal w/clasp, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and from July 4, 1991, the Emblem of the US Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Tom currently runs his own logistics consultancy and resides with his wife, Clare, in Coffs Harbor, a coastal town in northern New South Wales." - from "173rd Airborne Brigade: Sky Soldiers" by Jame R. Bradley

Tom's wife, Clare, works at Southern Cross University in the Learning Assistance and Academic Support office in Coffs Harbor. Clare Elizabeth Heesom was a graduate of the University of New England in 2009. "Application will be made after 14 davs from the publication hereof that Administration of the Estate of the abovenamed Thomas Ian Heesom Widower of the said deceased and all notices mav be served at the undermentioned address." - from "The Sydney Morning Herald of 20 January 1966.

Below is a photograph of Tom, in the center, in later life.

Thomas died on 5 February 2022 and was buried in Rookwood, New South Wales, Australia.

John William, the son of Edmund Heesom and Jessie Irvine, was born on 14 August 1900 in Morwell, Victoria, Australia. A local Councilor. He became a teacher like his elder brother, but also farmed.

John married Freda Heinrich of Madalya, near Yarram.

In the Morwell, Gippsland district, Victoria Electoral Rolls, of 1931, 1936, 1937, 1954. Heesom Crescent in Churchill was named for John.

John William Heesom died on 7 July 1958, at the age of 58, in Yinnar South, Latrobe City, Victoria, Australia. Per the Probate Record, John W. Heesom, of Yinnar, a farmer, had his will probated on 17 July 1959. Freda died on 24 October 2002 at the age of 93. Both were buried in the Hazelwood cemetery.

John's children were,
(27) John "Jack" Edmond Heesom (1934)
(27) Margaret Heesom (c1935)
(27) William "Bill" Frederick Heesom (1938)
(27) Edmund "Ted" Heesom (c1942)

Jack Heesom was born on 17 April 1934, married Helen Jean Whitelaw in 1955. Jack died on 22 December 2001. Helen was born on 25 October 1936 and died on 6 April 2013.
- (28) Heather Heesom (1956)
- (28) Lynne Heesom (1957)
- (28) Jenny Heesom (1959)
- (28) Ian [Sam?] A. Heesom (1967), of Yinnar. His wife is Michelle A. Fairbrother. A carpenter by trade, Ian works with one of the local builders at Dinner Plain. He is an overnight supervisor at the Alpine School. He likes motor bike riding, Golf and Fishing. A member of the Mid Gippsland Football League. Michelle Heesom works for Crystal Creek and they have the catering contract at the school so she cooks lunches, 4 days a week as well as doing overnight supervision. Trent Heesom is their son.
-- (29) Trent Heesom (1994)

(27) Margaret Heesom (c1935)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810) (24) John Underwood Heesom (1837) (25) Edmund Heesom (1865) (26) John "Jack" William Heesom (1900)

Margaret Heesom married Geoff Whitelaw in 1955. I'm assuming this was the brother of Jack's wife, above.

William Frederick Heesom was born on 15 April 1938. He married Beth Hoghton [or Edith?]. Father of Leanne, Janet, Craig and Robyn. "Adopted Pop" of Beau, Alice, Kaesha, Dylan, Thomas, Connor, and Jade. He died on 26 November 2006 and was buried in the Hazelwood cemetery in Hazelwood, Victoria.

"E.M HEESOM & The Trustee for William Frederick Heesom Estate is a Family Partnership based in or near Jumbuk, Yinnar & Yinnar South in Victoria, Australia. E.M HEESOM & The Trustee for William Frederick Heesom Estate is a registered Australian Business . . ."

Conor Declan Heesom

Of Yallourn. Jack Heesom married Christine Renshaw. Member of the Mebourne Football Club and Yallourn Football Club.

"18-year-old centreman recruited in 1960. Named on the supplementary list and given three match permits by Yallourn he played in Seconds games only. He remained with the side in 1961 but suffered a knee injury in a practice match. At Sale in 1964, remaining there through 1969 and making their team of the century." - from "The history of the Melbourne Football Club"

"1. Ted Heesom was cleared from Yinnar FC (MGFL) to Yallourn in the period when Vic Lawrence was coaching the club.

2. Ted made an immediate immpression on debut with YFC. It was not only his shock of blonde hair that stood out... Ted was seen to be a courageous and highly skilled young footballer. Most observers realized that he was a player of immense potential.

3. Ted gained a reputation as a daring and forceful player for Yallourn. He played in the First Semi Final against Bairnsdale FC at Sale in September 1960. After leading every change Yallourn failed to score in the last term, Bairnsdale kicked 6 goals to swamp the Blues and win by 29 points. Ted Heesom kicked two goals and was named as one of the best players of YFC that year.

4. Ted signed and was cleared to the Melbourne Football Club. He wore the number 36 guernsey and was mentioned in match reports for the MFC reserves team. Ted's listing with Melbourne generated a lot [of] discussion in Yallourn and his progress in the VFL ranks was followed with keen interest. Ted made the news in 1961 when 'The Age' newspaper reported that... "Ted Heesom, a wingman, had received a minor injury" ...in a full scale trial-game with the Demons.

5. Ted was attending the Victorian Poluce Academy in this period and he was later transferred to the Sale Police Station.

6. Ted played with Sales FC between 1964 and 1969. Tassie Deacon, a former team mate of Ted's and also the historian at Sale FC, estimates that Ted played 105 senior games with Sales FC. Considering Ted's matches with Yallourn and those at Sale, he played 135 (approx) senior games of LVFL football.

7. Ted finished equal-third in the LVFL Trood/Rodda Medal in 1964.

8. He also won two Best & Fairest awards at Sale FC in 1964 and 1967.

9. In 1967 Ted represented LVFL against the Alberton Football League. The game was played at Yarran on June 10th. According to the VCFL archives, the LVFL 22.23.155 defeated the Alberton FL 9.10.64.

10. Ted Heesom was named on the half back flank in the Sale FC's 'Team of the Century.' The star-studded team included such country champions as [a bunch of people I don't know]. Ted's selection in such company gives some measure of his brilliance in major league football.

11. Ted was an indentity in LVFL football circles and he was a 'big favorite' within the Sale FC. It is believed that Ted was transferred to the Bairnsdale Police Station in 1970.

12. When discussing great Yallourn footballers the exploits of Ted Heesom should never be overlooked. Most would agree that, in the context of Gippsland football, Ted rates as 'one of the true greats of Gippsland football." - from "Virtul Yallourn" by Roger Spaull, July 2013

Groundskeeper of the Bairnsdale Tennis Club in 2019 (I think this is a volunteer position). He also seems to be involved in the local Cricket club.

Ted's children were,
- (28) Katherine Heesom
- (28) Peter Heesom, an Outward Bound instructor
- (28) Paul Heesom, Property Investment Manager at LJ Hooker in Sydney

Robert, the son of Edmund Heesom and Jessie Irvine, was born and died in 1903 in Yinnar South, Victoria.

Bernard was born on 24 June 1925 in Warrington, Cheshire, England. He should fit in with the Heesoms of the Midlands, but I haven't yet placed him. His mother was a Holan. Berard [sic] A. Heesom married Mary Littlewood in 1950 in Warrington. She was born on 11 April 1929 in Warrington, Cheshire.

Bernard A. Heesom, a 24 year old clerk, emigrated to Fremantle, Western Australia on 17 March 1950. Mary, a 21 year old housewife, emigrated to Fremantle on 26 June 1950.

Mary died on 19 July 1994 in Campbelltown City, South Australia. Bernard died on 24 June 2000. He was buried in Enfield Memorial Park in Adelaide, South Australia.

Mr Greg Heesom, National Manager, International Humanitarian Law, Australian Red Cross. Legal Counsel for the Asia Pacific Forum Secretariat, Level 8 Piccadilly Tower, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Of Gippsland. She may work at the Shire Council.

Of New South Wales.

The Haysom's of this part of England are of a different DNA haplogroup, R2, than those of East Yorkshire and therefore not related.

Henry Haysome was baptized on 3 May 1752 in Ramsbury, Wiltshire. He married Hannah. He died on 31 March 1808 in Burghclere, Hampshire. Their children were Elizabeth, Richard, Susannah, Henry, John, and William.

William was born on 8 June 1785 and baptized on 27 May 1787 in Burghclere, Hampshire. He married Ruth Chalice in about 1808. Ruth was born on 4 August 1789 in Turnham Green, Middlesex, England. Ruth died in August 1856 in East Woodhay, Hampshire, England. William died in April 1858 in East Woodhay, Hampshire, England.

His children were Henry, Charles, John, William, Thomas, George, Edward, Maria, and Elizabeth. Those that emigrated to Australia were,
(23) Henry Haysom (1809)
(23) William Haysom (1816)
(23) George Haysom (1822)
(23) Edward Haysom (1825)

Henry was born on 8 October 1809 in East Woodhay, Hampshire, England. He married Jane Langfield on 11 November 1832 in Chieveley, Berkshire, England. Jane was born on 10 March 1811 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. They emigrated to Australia. Henry died on 26 May 1872 in Fitzroy [Melbourne], Victoria, Australia. Jane died on 22 February 1896 in North Carlton, Victoria.

William, the son of Henry Haysom and Jane Langfield, was born in 1834 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Harriet, the daughter of Henry Haysom and Jane Langfield, was born in 1835 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Ruth, the daughter of Henry Haysom and Jane Langfield, was born in 1837 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Mary Jane, the daughter of Henry Haysom and Jane Langfield, was born in 1840 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Henry, the son of Henry Haysom and Jane Langfield, was born in 1842 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry and Jane Haysom, was born on 27 September 1846 in St. James, Melbourne, New South Wales.

William was born on 14 July 1816 in East Woodhay, Hampshire, England. He married Jane Crocker on 23 March 1842 in East Woodhay. He died on 12 May 1869 in Undalya, South Australia. They had no known children.

William was born on 8 September 1822 in East Woodhay, Hampshire, England. He married Harriet Smith on 23 April 1842 in East Woodhay. He died on 19 May 1868 in Perth, Western Australia. They had no known children.

Edward Haysome was born on 10 April 1825 in East Woodhay, Hampshire, England. He married Elizabeth Iles on 23 March 1847 in England. They emigrated and had a family in Perth, Australia. He died on 14 May 1864 in Guildford, Western Australia. Their children were Charles, Henry, Ruth Maria, Ellen H., Elizabeth, George B., Harriet and Edward.

Steve Hissem
San Diego, California