Eliza Louisa Emptage was born in Margate in April 1865 to single mother, Margaret Jane Emptage aged 20, daughter of Humphrey John Emptage, a Mariner and mother, Margaret (Brown). Eliza has an illegitimate sister, Margaret Jane aged two.

In November 1867, Margaret Jane gave birth to an illegitimate son, Humphrey George Emptage who sadly dies on the 12 August 1868 from severe malnutrition age 10 months.

On the 18 December 1870, Eliza’s mother, Margaret Jane age 26, married William Samuel Holmwood age 24 at St Lawrence in Thanet Church, Ramsgate, Kent, and Eliza’s surname was changed from Emptage to Holmwood.

By 1881 Eliza is working as a domestic servant for William George Osborne, an Architect age 45, at 72, High Street in Ramsgate.1867)

Five years later on the 29 April 1887, Eliza Louisa Holmwood, formerly Emptage age 22, married William Russell, a Butcher age 24, at Holy Trinity Church in Margate.

Settling down to married life, Eliza and William first lived at 43, Oxford Terrace in Ramsgate, and after raising their two daughters, Florence Kitty and Margaret Louisa they moved to 4, Phoenix Road in Bromley, Kent, where they had a son, William Charles.

Around 1905, Eliza and William decide to emigrate to Australia, and it must have been heartbreaking for Eliza as her son, William age 18 decided not to go with them.

After arriving in Australia they decide to settle in Taralgon, a mid size town situated in Victoria.

Unfortunately lack of records give us no clue to the interim years of the life of Eliza and William, and in 1938 Eliza passes away age 73. William outlived Eliza by 17 years and dies in 1955 age 93.