Bronwyn Chambers mother (nee Noakes) descendant of Mathews Sophie Newman

Bronwyn Chambers’ mother (nee Noakes) is a descendant of Mathews’ Sophie Newman. Recorded at Wollombi as Sophia Johnson, Sophia is married in Wollombi in 1867 to Englishman Edward Newman. They leave the inland ranges at that time to reside on the coast, join the local Aboriginal fishing community (Tuggerah Lakes) and rear their family. 1889 Sophia is widowed and stays with family on the Hawkesbury River where Mathews records her as Sophie Newman. Sophia has 10 children born between 1868 and 1883. Her granddaughter, Edna Gertrude Newman is born 1907 and marries Darcy Sales. Edna is the “Nana” who keeps an open house for Aboriginal people at Wyong. Some of her descendants are associated with Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, including Bronwyn Chambers (Ford p305-6).