A bricklayer from Norfolk, England who helped build Victoria’s railways
This Family Line
William Barlee Linford was the base born child of Sarah Linford from Martham, Norfolk. He married Sarah Payne and sailed from Plymouth on the Fairlie in 1848 to Sydney. The family grew as they spent the decade moving to Williamstown, Victoria. William worked for nearly three decades for Victorian Railways along with some farming and gold prospecting before finally moving to Nagambie.
Sarah Linford lived. She married Henry Goose. This section investigates what happened to the Payne and Linford relatives that stayed in Norfolk.
○ In preparationWilliam Barlee Linford was baptised at Martham as the base born son of Sarah Linford. This chapter investigates who William’s father was.
○ In preparation Research ReportThe DNA evidence investigating the question of William Barlee Linford’s father - thirty-nine matches to the descendants of William Barley, all of them distant.
○ In preparation PhotographsMartham, Repps and the Norfolk places the Linford and Payne families came from - photographed on a visit in 2026.
○ Photographs coming soon Climbing from BoughsThe Linford and Payne families at Martham and Repps, from the Family Research.
● Available now Climbing from BoughsThe Australian years, from arrival in 1848 to Nagambie, from the Family Research.
● Available now Climbing from BoughsThe next generation, from the Family Research.
● Available now