"Ma Webb" - Josephine Webb Wagg (nee Clancy - 1878 to 1974)

Josephine Clancy, or "Ma Webb" to her very large family, was born on 19 March 1878 in Cumberland Street, Sydney.  The daughter of John Clancy and Catherine Flaven.  Ma died on 25 Apr 1974 at 96 years of age.  Here she is at the wedding of her great granddaughter, Suzanne.


Josephine Webb Wagg
On 26 March 1895, a 24 year old Hayden Webb Wagg (Pa Webb) married a 17 year old Josephine Clancy (Ma Webb) at St Thomas' Church of England, North Sydney.
Ma and Pa Webb and "Little Jackie" Lutge

This photo was probably taken in the mid 1920s as their grandson, "Little Jackie" Lutge, has sneaked in.  It looks like the island at Balmoral. Any thoughts?


Finally, some details from the marriage registration-

  • Albert Hayden Webb Wagg, bachelor of Blues Point Road North Sydney, records his occupation as a fireman and his father's occupation as a lighterman.  Parents are William Webb-Wagg and Sarah Turner.
  • Josephine Clancy, spinster of 104 Princes Street Sydney, records her occupation as home duties and her father's occupation as draper.  Parents are John Clancy and Kate Flaven.
  • The witnesses were Charles and Amy Webb Wagg (nee Clancy) who had married about two years before.
  • Josephine's age is shown as 18 but her 17th birthday was only a week before...unless my maths is out...Ma was born on 19 March 1878.....

A note on the transcript of the marriage registration reads-


"The consent of John Clancy, being the father of the bride, was given in writing to the marriage of his daughter, Josephine Clancy, with Albert Hayden Webb Wagg, the said Josephine Clancy being anther the age of 21 years."


Here is a photo of John Clancy, Ma's father, inscribed in Ma's unmistakable handwriting!


John Clancy (1845 to 1911)

Postscript - Was it Ma or Mar?  Josephine often signed off Mar Webb....maybe I should as well!

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