by Robyn Dean As I looked at the face on the computer screen, I felt goosebumps rising. It was if I was looking at a blend of my father’s two sisters, Jean and Betty. I’d been idly typing names into good old Google late one night… Mary Steven, Mary Ainslie, James Ainslie, Mrs James Ainslie… and up she popped “Mary, Mrs James Ainslie”. I was looking straight into the eyes of my 2x great grandmother, Mary Ainslie! I couldn’t believe … Continue reading
GSQ would like to wish all blog readers a wonderful Christmas and safe and happy new year. ON THIS DAY – 24 December 1818 – The Christmas carol Silent Night, composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, is first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria. 1859 -The Order of Council for the separation of Queensland from New South Wales was proclaimed, two weeks after the arrival of Governor Bowen. 1877 – Thomas Edison filed a patent for the phonograph. … Continue reading
For a long time I have thought of looking into the history of my house but it was always on my To Do List. At the GSQ annual seminar Top Genealogical Sources, which was held in October of this year, I heard Annabel Lloyd from the Brisbane City Archives speak about the resources available to carry out research on your house and this motivated me to start the search. The Brisbane City Council also has an excellent guide which provides … Continue reading
by Annalies Nutley It would often be better if children had no parents at all So begins a favourite book of mine about criminal children in Victorian England, aptly called Fagin’s Children, by Jeannie Duckworth. I remember reading this opening statement, made by Lord Shaftesbury in a speech he gave in the 1860’s, and thinking “that’s quite a statement to make, and I’m not so sure that I would agree”. Well – after reading the first few chapters I too … Continue reading
Most of us go through life hoping that, after our death, we will be remembered in some way, even if only by our children and grandchildren. Some of us may achieve celebrity status or notoriety and buildings, memorials, parks or streets may be named in our honour to acknowledge those achievements, in our lifetime or perhaps shortly after our death. For others, the recognition may take even longer and the form it takes may not be quite what you would … Continue reading
