Simeon and Kate were both born in London. They married in London in 1851 152 when Simeon was 25 and Kate was 18 years old. They lived for 8 years in South Australia, 11 years in New Zealand and 23 years in Victoria so they must have emigrated from London ca 1853. 153

They had children born in Victoria betweeen 1857 and 1862, a daughter Hannah born in Dunedin in 1865 and other children born in Victoria between 1869 and 1871. In 1871 their address in Melbourne was 45 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 152 On the birth certificate for his youngest child, Alfred, Simeon listed additional children who were already dead - Joseph George, Moss, Simeon and Elizabeth. These were not listed on either parents' death certs. Was this Moss the Moss RAPHAEL shown in the Vic death indexes as b Adelaide, died aged 1 in Victoria 1857 #592, parents Isaac and Catherine RAPHAEL? (Could get death cert as this would give the time they moved from South Australia to Victoria)

The Otago Witness published in its Shipping News a partial listing of the larger overseas vessels arriving at Port Chalmers and Dunedin in 1864. On Saturday December 10 1864 page 12 a Mr Raphael is listed with other passengers who arrived from Melbourne on December 6th on the 459 ton ship Gothenburg, with master Mackie. On Saturday December 17 1864 page 12, Mrs Raphael and child is listed with passengers on the Queen which arrived from Northern Ports on December 22nd. 154

James Simeon RAPHAEL was listed in the electoral rolls for Dunedin, New Zealand between 1866 and 1873, with residence at Bell Hill, Dunedin. His qualification to vote was a 14 year lease, from 1863, of premises in Princes St. He was not on the Dunedin electoral rolls after that year so presumably he gave up the lease and returned to Melbourne permanently, along with the various Levy families, possibly including his wife's family.

J.S. Raphael was listed in Butler & Brookes Directory of Victoria 1866-67 at 117 Flinders Lane in 1866-67

In 1880-81 James Simeon Raphael erected two townhouses at 146-148 Victoria Parade, on the corner of Morrison Place, in East Melbourne. Raphael occupied number146 and his family owned both premises at least until the 1930s. The terrace houses, built in the boom Classical style, occupy a prominent corner position framing Morrison Place and enhance the neighbouring houses in Victoria Parade. They are typical examples of a building type which is a distinctive feature of inner suburban Melbourne. They are constructed of brick with rendered facades, had two storey cast iron verandahs and incorporate similar details. Number146 has three storeys and number148 is two storey.s The third storey emphasises its corner position. The verandah is divided into three bays by very slender cast iron columns. Decorative cast iron spandrel panels form arches on both storeys of the verandah and there is a cast iron balustrade on the second storey. Decorative urns sit on top of the verandah party walls. The semi-circular window openings on the main facade are plain except for the top storey openings which have bracketed sills and moulded hoods with keystone decoration. There are blind windows on the return wall to Morrison Place. The deep cornice is bracketed and decorated with cement garlands. A plain parapet completes the composition. The terrace at 146 is an intact example of the residential work of the German immigrant architect Alfred Kursteiner who was particularly noted for his fine verandah designs. The verandah has been removed at number148. The original cast iron palisade fence remains. (See attached photo) 155

Usually his name was given as Simeon RAPHAEL in birth and death entries for their children and his death cert but the birth and death entries for Matilda in 1869 give his name as James Simeon RAPHAEL. In all cases the mother was given as Catherine LEVY.

•1 Melbourne directory of 1853
•2 Melbourne commercial, squatters and official directory of 1854
•3 Melbourne Directory 1855 -There is no listing for 95 Elizabeth Street..
•4 Melbourne Commercial, Professional and Legal Directory 1856
•5 Melbourne Commercial Directory 1853
•6 Butler & Brookes Directory of Victoria 1866-67
• 7 Death certificates (His cert #7467 for 1895, hers #7314 for 1895) The certificates name their parents but Catherine’s death certificate does not give her mother’s maiden name.
•8 Son Albert's birth cert