Patti Newton opens up about the family secret that left her “feeling sick”
While appearing on Who Do You Think You Are?, Australian entertainer Patti Newton discovered that her great-grandmother faced trial for the death of her own illegitimate grandchild.
Patti’s grandmother, Eva Cripps, gave birth to her daughter Winifred, who suffered terribly in her short lifetime.
Eva’s mother and Patti’s great-grandmother, Thirza, was caring for the infant and was charged with manslaughter in a scandal that was reported across the country.
The dead baby would have been Patti’s aunt if she survived.
Patti’s discovery of her family’s history appears on an episode on Who Do You Think You Are?, airing on June 5.
Patti, who has a special relationship with her own grandchildren, was moved to hear that one of her ancestors was accused of death by neglect.
“I think all families have secrets," she said. “I have to say this is a doozy.”
Patti’s grandmother Eva was 20 and unmarried when she gave birth to Winifred in Melbourne on July 9, 1902.
She had difficulties breastfeeding and Winifred was given cow’s milk as Thirza took care of the child.
It is believed that Winifred may have been given spoilt milk which led to constant diarrhoea.
Winfred’s nappies were not changed frequently enough and ulcers formed on her lower body.
She died before she was even one month old on August 5.
Dr Mollison determined that Winifred’s death was due to exhaustion from blood poisoning, which was caused by her raw and deeply ulcerated skin.
In the episode, Patti is seen reading an article from The Age published in September 1903 with the headline “A Neglected Infant” above the subheading “Grandmother charged with manslaughter”.
After reading the article Patti said, “I just had a shiver run up me. It's quite a shocking feeling really. It made me feel quite sick.”
Patti continued, “Me having grandchildren and having children of my own, you think how could you possibly allow a little tiny baby girl to go through that agony, when it's your flesh and blood? It just sounds too horrific.”
After hearing the heartbreaking story of Winifred, Patti said she would never forget her.
“In my prayers at night I will always remember her and she'll always be part of my life because I think I'm probably the only person in the world that will ever think of her,” Patti said.
“I want her to know that she's in my heart.”