Untold stories of female convicts
Have you ever noticed how female convicts don’t seem to get much airtime in the media? For those of us with convict roots, it’s worth taking a look at Cascades Female Factory in Tasmania, one of Australia’s most significant historic sites associated with female convicts. It’s important to note that …
Secrets of the cemeteries
When you take a deep dive into your family ancestry, you’ll inevitably find yourself strolling the grounds of a historic cemetery or two. These peaceful, often visually beautiful places are a treasure trove of fascinating stories told by the dates and inscriptions on worn headstones. Atmospheric graveyards give us a …
Tips for exploring your family history
August is Family History Month– the very best time of year to get started on piecing together your own family tree and the colourful stories that go along with the characters on every branch.
But where to start?
Unravelling the mysteries of your family history isn’t as daunting as …
4 reasons why digging up your family history is life changing
If you’ve ever wondered what life was like for your pioneering great-grand-parents, where your penchant for adopting stray cats comes from, or what the truth is behind an old family scandal, you’re not alone. With August marking the annual Family History Month in Australia and New Zealand, more people than …
Classroom tales from yesteryear
We love this photograph of children at a primary school in the Beaconsfield district south-east of Melbourne in 1895. Back then, school was only compulsory up until the age of 13, with many children heading into work as farm hands or domestic servants on local properties once they became teenagers. …
Most haunted homestead?
Does your family have a connection to the New South Wales Riverina? While this beautiful region is resplendent with picturesque townships, the thriving Murrumbidgee River and salt-of-the-earth, welcoming locals, it’s got its fair share of friendly ghosts and ghouls to go with it.
The infamous Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee …
Majestic memories
This is what a Family History Holiday is all about. While many of us have special buildings and destinations that hold historical significance for our families, few can lay claim to a lasting legacy like this one.
When 92-year-old John Macken visits the Hydro Majestic in the New South Wales …
Wagga Heritage Walk
For a fifth generation woman-from-Wagga this was a find! Curious about the boutique hotel in which I was staying, I got googling and came across this Wagga Heritage Walk, put together by the Wagga Wagga City Library. It's a really well curated way to check out local history and architecture …
Local history collections. Highlights for the hitlist as you get set for summer.
Earlier this winter, with restrictions looming in Sydney, my quick work trip to Wagga was unexpectedly extended. We planned for three days and nearly three months later we're still on the road in our have-wifi-can-work-from-anywhere world.
Daisy-the-dog and I have had fun working far from home. In fact, being based …
Set the scene. Solve a family history mystery in style
WOW. January is just about finished. And for those whose family trees have strong roots in country Australia, now is the time to make travel plans. Take the kids on a day trip and connect to the places and people who played an important role in your past. Even better, …