Martha Telfer Cameron (1873–1964)

Born: 18 Apr 1873, Black Heath (Blackheath), Tungkillo SA | Died: 4 Aug 1964, Mount Gambier SA | Mother: Martha Allen | Father: John Telfer (1840–1913) | Spouse: Malcolm Duncan Cameron (m. 29 Mar 1899, Tantanoola SA) | Occupation: ? | Buried: Unknown

Family

| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Self | Martha Telfer Cameron |
| Father | John Telfer (1840–1913) |
| Mother | Martha Allen (m. 10 Jan 1865 — d. 9 May 1876) |
| Brother | James Telfer (1866–1946) — son of Martha Allen |
| Sister | Elizabeth Telfer Clarke (1868–1950) — daughter of Martha Allen |
| Sister | Susan Telfer Agnew (1871–1952) — daughter of Martha Allen |
| Spouse | Malcolm Duncan Cameron (m. 29 Mar 1899 at Tantanoola SA) |
| Son | Malcolm Murray Cameron (b. 2 Aug 1905, Mount Gambier SA) |

Life Summary

Martha Telfer was born on 18 April 1873 at Black Heath (also recorded as Blackheath), Tungkillo, South Australia, the fourth child and third daughter of John Telfer (1840–1913) by his first wife Martha Allen. The family lived at Honeysuckle Flat and Black Heath during her early years before moving to the Tantanoola district in the South East.

On 29 March 1899 at Tantanoola, SA, Martha married Malcolm Duncan Cameron (1873–1935), a farmer. They had at least one known child: a son, Malcolm Murray Cameron, born 2 August 1905 at Mount Gambier SA.

Martha died on 4 August 1964 at Mount Gambier, South Australia, aged 91, and was predeceased by her husband by 29 years. Her burial location has not been positively identified — no FindAGrave record has been found, and her 1964 death was too late for Trove newspaper death notices.

Timeline

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 18 Apr 1873 | Born at Black Heath (Blackheath), Tungkillo SA |
| 9 May 1876 | Mother Martha Allen died at German Flat, Mount Gambier |
| 28 Dec 1876 | Father remarried to Martha Clara Henstridge |
| 29 Mar 1899 | Married Malcolm Duncan Cameron at Tantanoola SA |
| 2 Aug 1905 | Son Malcolm Murray Cameron born at Mount Gambier SA |
| 5 Jan 1913 | Father John Telfer died at Tantanoola SA |
| ~1935 | Husband Malcolm Duncan Cameron died (date unconfirmed) |
| 4 Aug 1964 | Died at Mount Gambier, South Australia |

Notes

• Husband identity uncertainty: A Malcolm Duncan Cameron (1873–1935) was a federal politician for the Barker division of South Australia. It is unclear whether this is the same person as Martha's husband (recorded as a farmer). If they are the same, Martha was a politician's wife. If different, her husband was likely a Tantanoola district farmer. Needs independent verification.


• Burial not confirmed: No FindAGrave record found for Martha Cameron at Mount Gambier, Tantanoola, or any South Australian cemetery. She may be buried in an unindexed local cemetery plot or under a shared headstone.


• Death notice not found: 1964 is past Trove's newspaper coverage cutoff for most SA regional papers. The Ryerson Index also has no listing for a Martha Cameron in 1964. Her death notice may exist only in a local Mount Gambier paper (the Border Watch continued past 1964) but is not indexed online.


• Other possible children: Martha may have had additional children beyond Malcolm Murray Cameron who are not recorded in available sources. The RootsWeb entry and WikiTree lists only this son.


• Dates from: Father John Telfer's vault profile (WikiTree Telfer-549, SA BDM registrations) and RootsWeb transcription.

Sources

• John Telfer (1840–1913) — vault profile; cites WikiTree Telfer-549 (SA BDM registrations). Accessed: 31 May 2026


• RootsWeb transcription: "Martha Telfer b. 18 Apr 1873 Blackheath SA, m. 29 Mar 1899 Tantanoola SA to Malcolm Duncan Cameron, d. 4 Aug 1964 Mount Gambier SA" — Accessed: 31 May 2026 via ddgs search


• Clan Cameron Australia: Malcolm Murray Cameron b. 2 Aug 1905 Mount Gambier SA to Malcolm Duncan Cameron & Martha Telfer — Accessed: 31 May 2026 via ddgs search

Links

• John Telfer (1840–1913) (father)


• Martha Allen (mother)


• Mark Telfer (1877–1946) (half-brother)


• Marian Telfer Cornish (1896–1977) (half-sister)