Brunette Downs (Australia)
John Rollo’s Collective Research of South Texas Pioneer Ranching
John Rollo, a citizen of Australia, donated his collection of digital files relating to the pioneer ranching families of South Texas. These include materials on the King Ranch in Australia, images of newspaper clippings, and publications concerning the activities of the King Ranch in the United States. Materials also cover Mr. Rollo’s genealogical work on important families of the South Texas region including the James Bryden Family, the King Family, the Kenedy Family, the Chamberlain Family, and the Chapman Family. Included in the collection is the background leading to the litigation of Chapman vs. King Ranch Inc. concerning the Rincón de Santa Gertrudis property which involved James Bryden. The genealogical timelines for the various family connections, though not complete, are their footprints from the past and add another dimension to the historical context of the area.John Rollo complied genealogical information of the James Bryden Family, the Chapman Family, and background of the Chapman vs. King Ranch Inc. ligation over the Rincón de Santa Gertrudis property which James Bryden had a part in. The collection also has some nonrelated series about Chet Downs estate sale that includes King Ranch items, Australian sales catalogs from the King Ranch, a King Ranch 1950’s era slideshow and other materials on the King Ranch in Australia.