Anastasia White is my 3x great-grandmother. I’ve struggled with discovering much about her, and as a result she’s been rather overlooked in my research. She was born in Kilkenny, Ireland about 1836. I’ve found only a few official records about her, all in Australia.

I’ve been unable to confirm when or where Anastasia arrived in Australia. However, I do know she found her way to country Victoria. Anastasia married English-born boot and shoemaker Henry Steed in Kyneton on 24 August 1857. Her parents were recorded as Bridget Healy and James White, a shoemaker.

The only other official records I’ve found mentioning Anastasia are birth registrations for her four children – Elizabeth, Selina, Louisa and George – and death registrations for her husband, her daughter Selina, and herself. Anastasia’s death certificate says her parents are unknown, perhaps because the informant was her fifteen-year-old son. Sadly, Anastasia was only in her mid-40s when she she died in 1882, just a year after Henry.

I also have a photo I think is of Anastasia and Henry. It’s in poor condition and is from an album belonging to their daughter Louisa. A fleeting glimpse of the past.

Do you know anything more about Anastasia? Please get in touch if you do.

Selected references

Marriage registration of Anastasia White and Henry Steed, 24 August 1857, Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria, 2874/1857.

Death registration of Anastasia Steed, 1882, Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria, 12021/1882.

Death registration of Henry Steed, 1882, Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria, 4689/1881.