Dame Nellie Melba and the Boer War: Duke Bell

GSQ Blog Posted on March 18, 2019 by

What do Dame Nellie Melba and the Boer War have in common? I would have thought very little until I started researching the story of one of my relatives, Marmaduke Alexander Thomas (Duke) Bell. The name Marmaduke seems very quaint and unusual but as it was passed down for a few generations in my father’s family, it has become quite helpful in doing family research. I commenced researching Duke Bell because I knew he had gone to the Boer War … Continue reading

My Webster ancestors: Part two

GSQ Blog Posted on March 11, 2019 by

This story is a continuation of my blog of 28 January 2019 The Websters in ‘Oz – Sibling James Webster Travelling to New South Wales from their home in Fife was David & Euphemia Webster’s eldest son James, born in 1829. Shortly after he married Elisabeth Redpath in January 1853, the couple emigrated to Sydney onboard the ‘Empire’ arriving on 27 July 1853.[1] [2] Elisabeth had been given a tiny bible prior to her marriage, which was embossed ‘ER’ on … Continue reading

If only I had known

GSQ Blog Posted on March 4, 2019 by

Gold Coast – January 2019Recently my two older cousins and I were reminiscing about our paternal grandfather and the Sundays we spent at our grandparent’s house during the 1950s. We laughed about running through the house, remembering how we had to jump over the sills that lead onto the side veranda, making sudden noises and laughing and yelling as we went.These were activities that we cousins had been given strict instructions not to do.  None of the adults gave any … Continue reading

Family and house history discovered Under the Lino

GSQ Blog Posted on February 25, 2019 by

Stephanie Ryan and Bobbie Edes have both recently talked about the history that can be attached to houses. I was delighted to read Stephanie’s post last week about the history of the Ryan house at Kedron and the fabulous archive of house photos in the Corley Collection. This ties in very well with this week’s post. The GSQ Writing Group had its first meeting for 2019 on Sunday 17 February and we were delighted to welcome a guest speaker, Caylie … Continue reading

Our homes have history

GSQ Blog Posted on February 18, 2019 by

by Stephanie Ryan Where we live forms a rich context for our lives. The major events, celebrations and relationships often centre in our homes. We express ourselves in how we present them and use them to enhance our existence. Our memories and feelings are inextricably and powerfully tied to these places. A typical interwar porch and gable house: Sixth Avenue, Kedron, Frank Corley photo circa 1970See house styles: Your house has a history Our homes reflect not only ourselves but … Continue reading