William Berry is a very common name, and at first glance we have very few clues as to his origin in Scotland. His death certificate says that he was born in Burse, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and that his father’s name was William. There is no origin on the immigration details. The marriage register entry suggests that he has a relative, John Berry, Wright in Durris.

William’s obituary¹ enlightens us little:

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), Tuesday 19 April 1887, page 2

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LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS It is with regret that we record the death of Mr. W. Berry, sen., who died very suddenly of appoplexy at his residence, Denmark Hill, at half-past 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. Berry had been ailing for some time past, and was rather feeble, being in his seventy-seventh year. Still, with the aid of walking sticks, he was able to walk a considerable distance, and his sudden decease was not expected by those who saw him in Brisbane-street a few days ago. However, yesterday afternoon, while sitting on his back steps he suddenly fell backwards, apparently in a fit. Mrs. Berry, who happened to be close by at the time, at once came to his aid, as did also a neighbour, who carried him inside the house. All present instinctively felt that the hour of death had come, and when Dr. Von Lossberg arrived, about five minutes later, he entered a home of mourning. Mr. Berry was a native of Aberdeenshire, in Scotland, and had been a colonist of forty years’ standing, having, during the whole of that time, been engaged in the grazing and dairying business, mostly in the vicinity of Ipswich. He and his good lady have brought up a large family, six of whom, with a widowed mother, are left to lament their loss, though, fortunately, they are all adults, and they are not sources of anxiety to their remaining parent. Mr. Berry’s funeral takes place to-day, and, being an old and respected resident, there will, doubtless, be a large gathering of sorrowing friends and acquaintances to assist at the last sad rites.

EXCEPT: The death of John Berry in Scotland² is reported in the Queensland Times,

DEATHS. On the 19th May, at Springburn, Kintore, Scotland, John Berry, formerly of Crossroads, Durris, only brother of the late William Berry, of Ipswich, Queensland, aged 79 years.

only six weeks after William’s death, and Williams obituary, with the addition of

We may add that Mr Berry was born at Mill of Blelack, Logie-Coldstone, and went to Australia on his marriage day over 40 years ago. It was his brother, Mr John Berry, late of Cross Roads, Durris, whose death was reported only six weeks ago.

is reported in the Aberdeenshire Aberdeen Press and Journal³. We now have a connection for William in Scotland. A search of ScotlandsPeople gives⁴:

May 20th 1810
Berry: William Berry in Mill of Blelack by his wife Jean Masson had a son baptized named William

and⁵

Oct 9th 1808
Berry: William Berry in Mill of Blelack, by his wife Jean Masson, had a son baptized & named John

and⁶

1807-8
William Berry in Mill of Blalack & Jean Masson in Collurdon both in this Parish having contracted in order for marriage & consigned pledges hereto were proclaimed on the 20th and 27th of Decr. 1807 & married after sermon.

and the following baptisms:

At this point I need some more definite information to be able to find birth or baptism information for William and Jean.

1. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS (1887, April 19). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 2. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122821257
2. Family Notices (1887, July 14). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 2. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122821669
3. “Death of Aberdeenshire Man in Australia,” 5 Jul 1887, Aberdeen Press and Journal, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
4. BERRY, WILLIAM (Old Parish Registers Births 217/ 10 98 Logie Coldstone) Page 98 of 120 20/05/1810
5. Scotland Old Parish Registers Births 217/ 10 96 Logie Coldstone Page 96 of 120
6. 1807 BERRY, WILLIAM (Old Parish Registers Marriages 217/ Logie Coldstone) Page 208 of 247