My great-great-grandfather Thomas Muir married three times, and I am unclear what this says of his character. I have no image of him as he was born in Inverness, Scotland, in 1806.[1] Photography did not exist for most of his life, and he and his family were too poor for a portrait or sketch. I picture Thomas as of medium height, with grey hair and a beard. My long research of the Muir family helped me visualise Thomas from my … Continue reading
By Karyn Walker. My Valentine is a recent discovery. A name on the family tree. My great-great-grandfather, Valentine Karle. Confirmed to be born on 25 February 1826 in Schriesheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany on his marriage entry some twenty five years later. Another German connection, unknown until my mother’s side of the tree was uncovered. Valentine is an exotic name amongst the more prosaic Hermans and Johannes and Gottleibs and Williams of the Karle family in early 19th century Germany. A romantic … Continue reading
Weather? What Weather? Many Australians are still recovering from the latest floods, bushfires, and storms. Our unforgiving climate has battered settlers since their arrival. For tens of thousands of years, indigenous Australians have wrapped their lives around the seasons. History is alive with weather related sliding door moments. As the Spanish Armada in 1588 fled north from the English attack, their only route back to Spain was to sail around the north of Scotland, keeping well out to sea. However, … Continue reading
Over fifty years ago, when I was newly engaged to be married and eager to meet all the relatives, I was taken to 83 Dragon Street Warwick to meet brother and sister Jack and Mildred Watt who were first cousins to my fiancé’s father. I remember the experience quite vividly including the details of their house which was situated next door to Pringle Cottage, a beautiful sandstone building dating from the 1870s which was eventually acquired by the Warwick and … Continue reading
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
