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John Irvine – Bootmaker and preacher.

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The shot rang out in the quiet stillness of the farming community of Mt Thabor, just east of Warwick in South East Queensland.[1] The cows in the paddock opposite were mildly disturbed and the native birds squawked off in alarm. Mary knew the sound, as after all, her husband Clement Parkinson was a farmer and such is the necessity of country life. However, this shot on 5 June 1909 was different and more importantly she could smell the gunpowder. The … Continue reading

Tragedy at Fortitude Valley store.

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With bells clanging, the fire brigade raced down James Street in Fortitude Valley from their Brisbane Headquarters carrying the new Ajax ladder as a call had come through that premises on the corner of James and Arthur Street were on fire. By the time they arrived the building was well and truly ablaze but thankfully there was good water pressure and with the aid of the new ladder, the firemen brought the fire under control fairly quickly. This was the … Continue reading

The Irvines – from whence they came.

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  My Irvine ancestors set out from Killyleagh, a beautiful village in County Down, situated on the shores of Strangford Lough. This story aims to tell you a little about the history of the area and the senior members of the family. Although the village was settled in the 12th century, it was in 1602 that the Scots-Irish influence began. At this time the Gaelic chieftain Con O’Neill of Clandeboye owned much of North Down, including Killyleagh. O’Neill had sent … Continue reading

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2019

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Jill Ball has set a January challenge on GeniAus for a yearly blog to Accentuate the Positive, this is my 2019 effort. The challenge has 20 set points to cover (or amend etc). An elusive ancestor I found was – on the maternal side of my Webster ancestry. Finding Hugh aka Heugh (Elder) Frazer who married Jannet Baverage on 31 July 1702 in Wemyss Parish in Fife thus extending this line to my 7th great-grandfather.[1] A great newspaper article I … Continue reading

MyHeritage Live conference round-up

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Thursday 5 September saw me crossing the tarmac at Exeter to step into the DHC8-400 Series De Havilland plane with propellers and yes, it’s a rather small twin-engine job.  However, I did enjoy the flight with a youngish pilot who flew a course smack bang across the middle of London, just south of the River Thames. It was a perfectly clear day and I could make out lots of landmark buildings, then crossing the channel, see lots of wind farms … Continue reading