Monthly Archives: March 2018

Sisters of Charity at the Female Factory, Parramatta

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They have been so sadly tormented by the mosquitoes, especially Mrs Cater, and Mrs O’Brien suffered no little. Yesterday was a most oppressive day on account of the heat. [1] Mrs Cator and Mrs O’Brien were two of five Irish Sisters of Charity who arrived in Sydney from Ireland on the last day of 1838 and After residing some weeks in Sydney, they established themselves in a house founded for them in Parramatta, that they might be able to attend … Continue reading

Photographs of Sarah

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Sarah’s photograph sits on my bedside table, and every day when I look at it, I think of what this picture of my much loved grandmother portrays.  What I see is that Sarah Sommer was a no nonsense lady, stylish at all times, determined and capable. This description fits Sarah to a ‘T’. Born into another era, Sarah made her entry into the life of Christian and Anna Louise Sommer (maiden surname Stephan) on 22 September 1887 with her birth … Continue reading

Writing my family story

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I entitled this post Writing my family story as that is what I’ve been doing over recent months. Regular readers may remember that around three years ago, I prepared a draft family history for my mum’s family. I gave this to her for her 90th birthday. At the time I knew what I had produced wasn’t particularly well-written, but didn’t have sufficient time or information to do a better job. My mum found the long list of citations/references rather daunting; the … Continue reading

Three red suitcases

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I have heard of family historians being gifted or inheriting documents, memorabilia or an entire family archive, precious as a result of age and sympathetic attachment.  I remember being pleased and disappointed at the same time.  Pleased for them, for the tangible connection they now had with those who had gone before.  Disappointed that, while I have appreciated very much the moments of genealogical serendipity that have come my way, pieces of information that have demonstrated the types of people … Continue reading