My 7th cousin, Margaret Alexandria Cramp, was tormented by her father, Karl Reginal Cramp and committed suicide by gassing herself in an oven at a friends place. Her tragic story story made it into news papers From Perth to Cairns. Karl was a writer a major person in the NSW state school system.
GLOOMY HOME LIFE LEADS TO GIRL’S SUICIDE. (1942, April 11). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 3. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8241528
Margaret Alexandria Cramp, 22, of Bellevue Hill, de- scribed as a brilliant university librarian, was found dead in front of a gas-stove at a friend’s home on March 27, and Mr Orain, city coroner, found today that she had committed suicide.
“HORROR OF HOME ENVIRONMENT“. (1942, April 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), p. 13. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17809828
Dr. John McGeorge, psychiatrist, of Macquarie Street, gave evidence by letter that when he first saw the girl at her home, in Birriga Road, Bellevue Hill, in May, 1941, she had made a half-hearted attempt at suicide. Her home surroundings were unbelievably gloomy, more like a scene from a Bronte novel than real life.
Her mother had died, and her father insisted on displaying pictures of her all round the house, including an Illuminated one, which he kept alight all night.
Girl Ends Life In Gloomy Home. (1942, April 13). Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888-1954), p. 2 Edition: LATEST EDITION. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48407405
“The girl was restricted in her activities and had to be home at a certain hour. The father waited up until she returned, and his attitude was continually one of unexpressed reproach. If she wanted to do any- thing, he looked reproachful, and said resignedly that it did not matter about him-she must do what she wanted to. As a result, the girl’s life was one of continual anxiety and, worry.”
MACABRE STORY. (1942, April 17). Cairns Post (Qld. : 1909-1954), p. 4. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42340487
MACABRE STORY. OF GIRL’S LIFE. WITH WIDOWED FATHER“She was a brilliant girl, who had graduated in arts with considerable distinction, and had been appointed to the university library. It was the librarian who first drew my attention to her case. Her sister supported me in my insistence that the girl should have a break from the home
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