Category Archives: Darling Downs

My Valentine.

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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

Out in the weather

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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

Willie Watt… “Our Father”

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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.’

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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

Ann Ferguson LAIRD – Does the Photo tell the Story?

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By Margaret Doherty. After researching my family history for about twenty years, I was given a photo of my great great grandmother, Ann Ferguson Laird. Seeing her image made me feel closer to the person, who, along with her first husband, James Porter, took the giant step to move their family to the colony of New South Wales in 1849. Ann’s photo shows a stern woman with thin lips. She is wearing a black bonnet with the image softened by … Continue reading