Monthly Archives: March 2021

Jane Maxwell: ‘methodical, trustworthy, and motherly.’

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So often the stories of the quiet and selfless achievers are never told. They are the silent, conscientious people who do not look for fame or praise. Jane (Jeannie/Jinnie) Maxwell was one of these people. Jeannie came from Kyle Park outside the small town of Borrisokane in County Tipperary, Ireland. When she left Ireland to come to Australia in 1859, Kyle Park was an estate owned by the Stoney family which included ‘ a new and commodious house’ and a … Continue reading

Francis Irvine – Immigrant, Bootmaker, Shopkeeper & Baptist elder.

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By Rod Irvine. Edited by Bobbie Edes Within our Killyleagh siblings, the eldest two brothers John (b 1841) and Francis (aka Frank, b 1844) were likely responsible for the Irvine family coming to Queensland; they were the ‘trend-setters’.[1]&[2] On Saturday 13 May 1865, just as the American Civil War was in its final convulsions, they departed Liverpool on the modern clipper Melmerby arriving at Brisbane in September of that year.[3] It is not unlikely that John and Francis heard directly … Continue reading

Adding to my family stories: Jane Ezzy

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  Jane Ezzy On 10 September 1813, my 4th great grandmother, Jane Ezzy registered her purchase of John Boulton’s share of a house and premises at 49 George Street Sydney for £10 sterling.[1] She had become a registered property holder in the centre of busy colonial Sydney town. This entry adds more to my understanding of my first female ancestor to arrive in New South Wales. It reinforces my opinion that she was a strong and entrepreneurial woman, prepared, at … Continue reading

Every picture tells a story

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They say that every picture tells a story. My picture, the only one I have of my grandfather and his sisters, and its associated story was one of those featured at the February Writing Group meeting. The simple caption ´Arthur Stirland, front centre, with sisters Edith and Emily, with their respective husbands Albert Hall and Joseph Evans – taken c. 1915-1919‘ does not do justice to the narrative that I wrote: My paternal grandfather, Arthur Stirland, sits front and centre … Continue reading

What I’ve Learnt as a Taphophile.

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A what, I hear you ask? Put simply, a taphophile is someone who takes a keen interest in visiting cemeteries, looking at gravestones, who spends time recording epitaphs and taking photos. As a relatively new family historian of just over 5 years I have definitely become an avid taphophile visiting close to 40 cemeteries so far here and overseas in an effort to trace family, husband in tow to take photos, hold back long grass so I could record details … Continue reading