Author Archives: Sue Bell

Elizabeth Hardwicke’s letter to her daughter Maria

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I have written before that one of the unexpected rewards of contributing stories to GSQ Blogs is that it has helped me solve a number of genealogical mysteries.  For example, it helped me solve the mystery of the identity of my great-great uncle Francis Needham’s wife in India when a distant relative contacted me after seeing my post and, not only told me that she was an Assamese lady called Mary, but also provided me with a photo. However, I … Continue reading

Jane Gun’s Book.

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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

Great Aunt Lulie Ubania Medosa Bell.

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Lulie Ubania Medosa Bell was the exotic name given to a little baby born in Brisbane in the 1860s! Where did her name come from as her parents, Joshua and Margaret Bell, had Scottish and Irish heritage? Why did they choose these names when their other children had quite usual names for the time? After undertaking a very basic search of the derivation of her names, I found the following origins and meanings: Lulie is English and has mostly been … Continue reading

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

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Jane Maxwell: ‘methodical, trustworthy, and motherly.’ 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 … Continue reading

Flight from Brisbane to London, May 1939: Alice Walsh.

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Most Australians cannot travel overseas at the moment and even when we can travel, we often complain about the 24 hours it takes to get to Europe. How would we feel about taking nine days to travel from Brisbane to London? I have been sorting through some of my cousins’s old photos and letters after she moved to a nursing home and I came across an eleven page, hand written report entitled Flight from Brisbane to London, May 1939 written … Continue reading