George Frederick Ramsey and Mary Ann Vale were married at Norwich, England 1846. Henry Isaac Ramsey was their first child, born on 13 August 1847. Henry was not yet two when he, with his parents and Vale grandparents and family, migrated to Australia, leaving from Plymouth in the barque 'Elizabeth' on 28 March 1849. A brother George Hubert was born on board ship but sadly died during the voyage. Another brother Frederick Charles was born in Adelaide but died, barely three years old in 1854. His only sister Katherine, who did not marry was born in 1855 and died in 1940. A much loved Aunt.

Little has been recorded of Henry's early years at Magill but it is known that George abandoned Mary Ann when the children were very young. Consequently she would have been considerably impoverished and would have needed support from her family.

In 1873 Henry married Sarah Abraham and from 1876 to 1898 they were blessed with 10 children: Frederick, Roland, Henry, Elizabeth, Catherine, Madge, Dorothy, Winifred, Cuthbert and Maxwell. Only baby Henry did not reach adulthood. Most married into local families (Dickson, McLauchlan, Emery, Hart, Dalton).

For some years Henry was a baker's assistant with Mr Howitt of Norwood and in 1888 purchased the Paradise 'arm' of the business. He became the proprietor of the bakery and general store 'H I Ramsey and Sons'. This store was a landmark at the terminus of the horse drawn tram from Adelaide.

Henry and Sarah died in 1927 and 1935 respectively, leaving 8 surviving children and 21 grandchildren. Sarah lived to see their first great grandchild.

Compiled from various family sources by great grandson Ken Manning on 10 April 2003.