The handwriting of the Skilbeck inscription suggests that it is of 19th century origin so the first owner of the book may have been Richard Skilbeck, a pioneer of the Koroit district who was at Yangery Grange farm from 1866 to 1916. The name on the printed label would be that of a Skilbeck descendant. This book is of antiquarian interest and is also kept because of its connection to the Skilbeck families from the Koroit area This is a hard cover book of 357 pages. It has a green cover with black and gold decorative panels and scrolls and gold lettering. The cover is somewhat stained and the spine is a little faded. The book has 33 chapters and advertisements at the back of the book for other books by the same author. There are decorative borders and scrolls at the beginning and end of each chapter. There are several black and white full-page illustrations, all protected by tissue paper. The inscription is handwritten in black ink and a piece of paper containing a printed name and address is affixed to the first page with adhesive tape. This label appears to come from an address on a parcel or newspaper. ‘Skilbeck Yangery’ ‘18 Mr Skilbeck Southern Cross Store Warrnambool’ richard skilbeck, yangery grange, yet not i

The Davidson brothers, James and John, were pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool district, with John establishing th property of Rosebrook in Woodford and James establishing the homestead of Woodend in West Warrnambool. Another brother William was an early storekeeper in Woolsthorpe. He died in 1904 and may be the W. Davidson who was the recipient of this book. The Midgleys came to the Yangery Creek area in 1852 and established the property of Yangery Grange. Mrs Midgley presumably belonged to one of these families from pioneer times. Ethel Davidson would be a descendant of one of the Davidson families but there were several women with this name born in the 19th century though one born to a William Davidson in 1887 may be the later owner of this book. This book is of interest because of its connection to members of the Davidson families – pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool area.This is a hard cover book of 461 pages. The cover is dark red with some ornamental borders and gold lettering. The book has two black and white full page illustrations, with the first one protected with tissue paper. The inscriptions are handwritten in blue and black ink. ‘To W. Davidson from Mrs Midgley’ ‘Ethel M. Davidson’ william davidson, ethel davidson, history of warrnambool.