Using ChatGPT - John Ross and Family IMPROBABLE FACTS

 I've popped all the research I've done so far on John Ross Snr, Ellen Ross and John Lees Ross in an attempt to find a fresh perspective. 

I've asked it to identify my research areas that seem improbable. This is what I've got so far.

List of Improbable or Questionable Facts

1. John Ross (Convict) as John Lees Ross’s Father:

   • Despite being a common assumption, there is no direct evidence connecting John Ross (convict) to Ellen Ross or John Lees Ross.
   • The convict John Ross’s reputation (criminal activities, brothel involvement) contrasts sharply with Ellen Ross’s apparent lawful lifestyle.

2. Joseph Ross Being Referred to as John Ross:

   • Multiple records and articles refer to Joseph Ross as "John Ross" in court proceedings and newspapers. It seems improbable that two brothers would intentionally share or interchange such a significant name without clear explanation.

3. Ellen Ross Marrying John Ross (Convict):

   • Ellen Ross is consistently listed as a spinster in records, including John Lees Ross’s baptism and her later marriage to John Seeley. This suggests no formal marriage to John Ross (convict), raising questions about whether they had a relationship at all.

4. Ellen Ross Being "Unknown" on John Lees Ross’s Death Certificate:

   • Ellen was alive and part of John Lees’s family for years, including during her marriage to John Seeley. For her to be listed as “unknown” suggests either a deliberate omission or an extraordinary lack of family knowledge, which seems improbable.

5. The Paternal Role of John Ross (Selector):

   • John Lees Ross’s father is listed as a "land selector" on his death record, a title not commonly associated with convicts. If John Ross (convict) had died by 1838, it seems improbable he could be referred to as a selector later in life.

6. Ellen Ross Being Aboriginal:

   • While the possibility of Aboriginal heritage is mentioned, Ellen is described as born in England in other records. If she were Aboriginal, it would seem improbable for her to successfully pass as English during her lifetime, given the significant racial prejudice and documentation of Aboriginal individuals during the period.

7. Sarah Bird’s Potential Relationship to Ellen Ross:

   • No direct evidence supports a familial relationship between Sarah Bird and Ellen Ross, despite their apparent connections to the Ross brothers. The connection seems speculative without further documentation.

8. No DNA Connections to the Ross Line:

   • If John Ross (convict or otherwise) were truly John Lees Ross’s father, DNA matches to his siblings or relatives in England (e.g., Sarah Ross/Francis Gray) should appear. The absence of these matches casts doubt on the paternal link to the Ross brothers.

9. John and Joseph Ross’s Shared Role in Crimes:

   • The apparent interchangeability of John and Joseph Ross in court records is unusual. If Joseph occasionally went by John, it’s improbable that this wouldn’t lead to confusion in official documents or among those familiar with them.

10. John Lees’s Middle Name “Lees”:

• The name "Lees" as a middle name could hint at paternal lineage, but no connection between the Ross family and the Lees name has been established. If John Ross (convict or selector) were the father, why include "Lees" instead of “Ross” as a middle name?

11. Ellen Ross’s “Spinster” Status on Marriage to John Seeley:

• If Ellen had a relationship or marriage with John Ross (convict), it seems improbable for her to still be listed as a spinster on her marriage record in 1847.

12. Ellen Ross Being a Free Migrant:

• If Ellen Ross arrived as a free migrant in 1833 aboard the Bussorah Merchant, it seems improbable she would have no supporting family or connections in Australia, especially as she was still young (17 years old). Who accompanied her, or why did she come alone?

13. John Ross (Convict) and Sarah Bird’s “Brother-in-Law” Relationship:

• Records refer to Sarah Bird as John Ross’s sister-in-law, but no direct evidence supports a marital link between John or Joseph Ross and Sarah Bird’s family. This connection remains speculative.

14. The Role of Prostitution in Ellen Ross’s Life:

• While it’s plausible that Ellen Ross could have worked in Sarah Bird’s brothel, no direct evidence links her to this lifestyle. Her later life as a married woman and mother suggests a lawful existence, making this connection improbable without further proof.

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Summary

The main improbabilities revolve around the lack of direct evidence for:

• The relationship between Ellen Ross and John Ross (convict or selector).
• The interchangeable use of "John" for both John and Joseph Ross.
• A DNA connection to the Ross brothers or their descendants.
• Ellen Ross’s potential Aboriginal heritage or connection to Sarah Bird.

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Next Steps to Address Improbabilities

1. Timeline Creation:

   • Build a comprehensive timeline for John Ross (convict), Joseph Ross, Ellen Ross, and Sarah Bird to clarify overlapping events and locations.

2. DNA Reanalysis:

   • Revisit shared matches on Ancestry and expand to other platforms like GEDmatch to explore broader connections.

3. Document Collaboration:

   • Compare notes with other researchers who’ve worked on the Ross or Bird families to uncover overlooked records or interpretations.

4. Historical Context:

   • Investigate the social and legal implications of spinster status, illegitimacy, and Aboriginal identity during the 1830s-1850s to better understand the gaps.