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Introduction to the Matriarch and her sons

Johanne Elizabeth Arnold’s (Matriach) Memory Plaque.

Born: 1 March 1797.

Died: 22 October 1875.

The Arnold Family came to Australia from Silesia (now Poland) in the mid 1800s.

They settled in the Barossa Valley, South Australia and their descendants, as of 2003 numbered in excess of 5000 people and scattered throughout Australia.

The two Arnold History books were produced by the Arnold Family History Committee and launched in 1993 and 2003 and seek to commemorate the life in Australia of Johanne Elisabeth Arnold and her five sons and their descendants

Johanne Elisabeth Anders was born 1 March 1797 at Gorisseiffen, near Lowenberg, Silesia and married Johann Gottfried Arnold in 1819 at Neundorf, Silesia. Their marriage produced five sons. Elisabeth’s husband Johann Gottfried Arnold died in Silesia in 1850 after a long illness. At the age of 58 years Elisabeth along with her third son Ehrenfried, bid farewell to her eldest son Gottlieb and his young family and journeyed to Australia on the Steinwarder vessel arriving in Port Adelaide on 19 December 1855.

Johann Gottlob, the second son, was the first to come to South Australia travelling on board the ‘Alfred’ which arrived on 6 December 1848. Carl Friedrich the youngest son and Johann Wilhelm the fourth son sailed together, on board the ‘Reihersteig’, arriving in South Australia on 27 October 1854.

Gottlieb, their eldest son travelled with his wife Johanne Christiane (nee Bachmann) and their four children on the ‘Wandrahm’ arriving April 1867.

They came in search of freedom to live their lives according to their own aspirations and beliefs. This story of the emigration to Australia of this Arnold family is one of noble adventure.

Link : Arnold Family History Time Chart 1819 – 1918  

If you wish to contribute family information about the first four Arnold generations, please email [email protected]

The matriarch, Johanna Elisabeth Arnold (nee Anders) lived with her son Ehrenfried at Bethal in South Australia. The five brothers had 34 children and 125 grandchildren. (ref ‘Changing Pastures Arnolds in Australia 1848 – 1993 pp25)