There you have it. Insights into my seven great grandparents. I am sure if you have read them you would have realized that the words are my interpretations of them. Detail of context was gathered from research plus my personal knowledge of the world and local events. Within my collections, I have original letters written by different individuals. I used the way these letters were written to write their story.
Decision.
Each great-grandparent is an individual.
What the majority of them have in common was their decision to leave what they knew and travel by ship to Queensland. As you would be aware, only two were born in Queensland.
However, their parents (my great-great-grandparents) made the decision to travel.
What Did I Find?
Only one great-grandparent, Annie Mildred Ray, was born in the Mackay area. She was also the only person not to die in Mackay.
Albert Edward and Jane Austin disembarked in Townsville, only to catch another ship within a day or so of arrival and headed for Mackay.
David Witherspoon and Jessie Nicol arrived in Townsville, married in Ingham, and eventually arrived in Mackay.
Henry Bluck arrived in Rockhampton, met his wife, Annie, on a pastoral station situated between Emerald and Springsure and then eventually settled at Farleigh near Mackay.
As you can see, my seven great-grandparents all made the Mackay area their home. The biggest question that I have often asked myself has been: “How many times did their paths cross?” I know I will never know the answer.
How I Built Their Stories.
Over the many years of my research, I obtained each great-grandparent’s birth, marriage and death certificates. These three vital pieces of information provided me with a starting point, a middle (so to speak) and an end.
During each journey in these lives, I also used census records, mostly from the UK. I used post office directories, almanacs, electoral rolls, TROVE, British newspapers, shipping records and of course, passenger lists.
Throughout my story research, I came across letters written by individuals which certainly provided a huge insight into their story. I used a number of websites to discover details about the weather throughout the various years.
I used a variety of books, maps, and parish records to assist in adding context. There are too many to name here. Of course, my own knowledge of events that impacted each and every one of my great-grandparents: both World Wars, the Spanish flu and the great depression being the main ones. I could have looked at political situations which I am aware affect lives – some dramatically and others not so.
The internment camps used within Australia during both World Wars and the impact these had on families. Then, there were the “infectious disease” camps or more so Islands that were used to segregate those “infected” from the populace causing stress for all those involved.
I used my own photographs where I could, of places I have visited in my desire to know where my ancestors once lived (walked), worked, prayed and died.
About me.
Memories flood into my mind as I write this. My determination to explore and discover has been extremely rewarding. I have learned so much more than I ever did when I was at school. Of course, schooling is an essential part of most of our lives – we learn to read and write. I have an extremely inquiring mind and want to know: “Why”, “How”, “When”, and “Where”. If I didn’t attend school, I would not know too much. Oh yes, and then there is the “What”. Doing research you use these five words the most.
If you read about my four grandparents, you would know I knew them all. Discovering stories of my great-grandparents, I realized I had met one of them. Spoiler alert! I would have met one of my great-great-grandmothers but I was too young to remember.
When I look back at my own life, I know it has been full of surprises, happiness, sadness and everything in between.
What To Do?
I believe we all have a journey in this life. I have told bits and pieces about my life through my writings and my memories. I have used my thoughts and my observations from within my life. I look back at my great-grandparents in wonder. They have travelled the world and I was created.
I continue the legacy of exploring, adventure and discovery. It has certainly been an amazing journey and it’s not yet over. I thank my great-grandparents for all that they have achieved. I feel that during my writings, I have joined them on their paths – and wow, what an experience.
Where To Next?
This year of 2023 is fast coming to an end. However, my writings haven’t ended yet. There is so much that happens behind the scenes and my thoughts run wild to “where to next?” So please join me on my journey by subscribing to find out what will be happening in 2024.
Go Explore & Discover
Ancestor Family 