By Peter Cass. A year ago I wrote a cheerful 1200 words about the joys and mysteries and fun and learning of being a non-family historian travelling on life’s journey with a heavy hitter in the field. This year I’m thinking on somewhat more serious lines. The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has certainly had a huge impact on Australia, with nearly 72,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths, nearly all in New South Wales and Victoria, and huge social and economic disruption. … Continue reading
I was sorting through papers after my aunt, Lyn Young, died when suddenly a mysterious package fell out. It was a tiny, homemade book measuring only 6cm by 4.5cm tied with green string with the word ‘Pope’ on the spine. Since then, I have spent some time discovering who owned this tiny piece, why did they make it and why did my aunt have it? Sadly, as often happens she is not here to ask anymore, and no other members … Continue reading
Four-year old Catherine Irwin sat in a school room in a slab hut in Newcastle in May 1816. Nearby sat her seven-year-old brother, William and 15 other girls and boys aged from 3 to 13 years. The Irwin children were in Newcastle with their father Ormsby Irwin, a life-term Irish convict, who had been convicted in Sydney for the manslaughter of Sergeant Robert Morrow of the 73rd Regiment. Catherine and William’s mother, Eleanor Irwin who had been convicted of the … Continue reading
As many regular readers may know, I migrated to Australia in the 1970s and was convinced that I was the only family member to have made that long journey, apart from my sister and her family who migrated to Australia in the same year. As my family history research has progressed, I’ve discovered a number of connections to this great country, on both my paternal and maternal lines. Some of these have arisen by chance when working on another project … Continue reading
The chance discovery of a small book ‘The Settlers of West Pennant Hills Valley 1799 Onwards’ in a second-hand store at Leura New South Wales a couple of years ago was timely, as I’d just begun to research my husband’s Bellamy ancestors. It mentioned the family and it prompted me to find out more about them. William Bellamy, found guilty at the Old Bailey of stealing shoes, received a sentence of 7 years. He was transported on board Active, … Continue reading
