Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Dingle family

Dingle family

1873
Glass photonegative

Mrs Dingle had three children by her first husband, before marrying miner William Dingle and having at least six more children. Their three daughters died before 12 months, but three boys survived. William Dingle was injured in a mine accident at Carroll & Beard’s mine in 1873 and his ‘recovery was uncertain’ but he went on to live to 1904, when he was thrown from his horse and killed, as was the eldest daughter two years earlier in a similar accident.

From The Argus, 9 February 1870

“...it would be found, upon inquiry, that for one healthy child living, there were half-a-dozen children that passed through the gates of the cemetery." And it is the children of working men among whom the greatest mortality occurs, because persons in easier circumstances can remove to airy and healthy neighbourhoods, can provide their offspring with nourishing and varied diet, with well-ventilated sleeping rooms, regular bathing, suitable clothing, and all the means and appliances for promoting health and warding off sickness. Sanitary reform is essentially a working man's question, and its advocates are the working man's best friends. [The Argus, 9 February 1870, p4]