Join me on my Cemetery Searching expedition for the 2023 A to Z Blog Challenge. I’ll be re-visiting some cemeteries and preparing for a wish list of others. Some family members will be mentioned but I also have an interest in German family graves as well as those of people born in Co Clare Ireland. … More O is for Ouyen and the Pentlands
Join me on my Cemetery Searching expedition for the 2023 A to Z Blog Challenge. I’ll be re-visiting some cemeteries and preparing for a wish list of others. Some family members will be mentioned but I also have an interest in German family graves as well as those of people born in Co Clare Ireland. … More F is for Fleurbaix and Field of Mars
You may be wondering why I’ve misplaced my alphabet but there is method is my “mistake” as today Down Under we commemorate Anzac Day. It has become traditional over the years to write a commemorative blog post for both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. You can find mine by using the search box. While you … More War – Anzac Day
It has become a tradition for Australian and New Zealand bloggers to write a post each year to commemorate Anzac Day and honour all the men and women who served during our two countries’ wars. Over the years I’ve written about family members or other servicemen. This year I thought I’d continue my theme of … More Fill the Billy for the boys: Anzac Day 2021
Australia became an independent nation in 1901, albeit part of the British Empire. Although we were involved in the Boer War, it wasn’t until 1915 at Gallipoli that our forces en masse were tested in battle to such a scale. At the start of World War I, the Empire’s call to arms was answered swiftly … More The Pentland brothers from Western Victoria
One of the major influences in my life for which I’m very grateful has been the presence of many acquaintances and friends who’ve immigrated to Australia. As a child, my Catholic primary school saw an influx of Europeans in the years after World War II. This mix of Czechs, Yugoslavs, Poles, Maltese and others became … More Xenophobia and War
It may be that, on a daily basis, I take our country’s peace for granted rather than give thanks for it. Yes, it has things that could be done better or differently, but overall we are indeed the Lucky Country when it comes to peace. Yes, I am aware that our Indigenous Australians paid a … More The Price of Peace
For the astounding loss of human life and potential around the world. For those who served and gave their lives, ally or enemy For their country’s cause, safety and honour. For the ANZACs who travelled so far to fight in distant lands. For the families and communities left behind to wait and mourn, And the … More Lest We Forget 2019
It’s so long since I wrote my monthly post for the Worldwide Genealogy blog that I’m a day late…oops. This blog is a great international collaboration initiated by Julie Goucher from Anglers Rest and participated in by family historians from around the world. If you haven’t ever visited it, why not do so, as it’s got … More World War I and the Wellington Quarries
One hundred years ago Australians woke to the news that the Britain had declared war on Germany. In 2014 it’s difficult to appreciate how enmeshed Australia’s politics and life was with Britain’s, but the summary on the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald gives us a retrospective glimpse: “An unparalleled scene in the history … More 100 years ago: Declaration of War
Family history across the seas 