Historical information

This certificate has been designed and drawn by James McKain Meek, one of several produced by him to sell to local families in Warrnambool and district as a means of raising money to support his family. James Meek (1815-1899) was a fish canner, fisherman, fishmonger, storekeeper, café proprietor, explorer, gold digger, accountant, writer, librarian and above all an outstanding calligrapher. After being a pioneer settler in the Ballarat area and residing also in Port Melbourne he came to Warrnambool and lived in the area in the 1850s and 60s. He explored much of the Terang area and the Otway Ranges, speaking and writing of the great potential of the latter area. One of Meek’s calligraphy works won an award in the International Exhibition of Melbourne in 1861 and some of his works are in various art galleries and museums today. Thomas Fidler was a Warrnambool butcher who married Fanny Cockman in 1849 in London.

Significance

This certificate is of great significance as one of the calligraphy works of James Meek, a 19th century resident of Warrnambool, celebrated today as a talented calligrapher. The certificate was displayed in 2015 in a James Meek exhibition at Ballarat Art Gallery. The item is also of social significance showing how the more affluent 19th century families recorded and preserved their family history.

Physical description

This is a certificate hand drawn by James Meek. It is a template that enables the owner to insert the details of a family tree, in this case the 19th century family of Thomas Fidler and Fanny Cockman. The certificate is in grey and black shadings with highly ornamental scrolls and patterns. The document has been produced in black ink. It has a central column with spaces for names and side tablets to include more information. The side tablets are star-shaped and the central column has attachments of various shapes – circles, rectangles etc. The base of the column has further ornamental scrolls, swirls and lacework and features sketches of three emus on one side and three kangaroos on the other side. The certificate is mounted on white cardboard. Some of the Fidler family names have been produced in printed letters and some names have been added later by a family member.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Th. os Fidler’s Family Register 1865’
‘The Family Keepsake’
‘A Present For Home’