
Edward, known as Ned, was the second son of Edward Francis Fanning and Bridget Anna Collins. he was born at his grandparents’ home in Northcote, Melbourne, on June 1 1887.
His mother died in childbirth when he was one year old. His father married her sister Sarah in 1890 and had five children with her, only three survived to adulthood.
He was educated at Xavier College in Melbourne and his education and that of his older brother William was paid for by his grandparents Patrick and Mary Collins of Northcote.
Edward was the informant on his grandfather, Patrick Collin’s death certificate in 1905.
He worked as a clerk and lived in Northcote, Essendon and Caulfield. He married Mathilda (Hillda) O’Connor and they had one child, Catherine Mary (Maisie).
He died on the 15th of October, 1968 in Caulfield. He is said to have kept a diary up until 1967.
The following genealogy report details the ancestry of Edward Francis Fanning.