I am going on an adventure. As I write this, it’s Friday 18 October 2024. By the time this is published and you are reading about my adventure, it will be over.
Small steps.
There is a process I am currently going through to create something different in my own family history. It will all become clearer as it develops. It’s small steps but necessary to achieve the final outcome. This part, I am about to explain, is only just a piece of the puzzle.
I am about to embark on a journey to my hometown, where I once lived, went to school, and worked for a while before other-worldly adventures occurred.
150 years.
In mid-November 2024, my old primary school celebrates its 150th year. I attended Walkerston State School from 1962 to 1968. I never realised the school had been opened some 80 years or so when I first entered grade one.
Road Trip.
So, this is the reason behind my adventure. Since I’d be traveling over 1000km (one way), I thought I could make use of the time to explore and discover. It will be a road trip. I put on my thinking cap on how I could make this adventure more memorable. I do have an overall vision (for the use of a better word) in creating something that gives an insight into and about my ancestors.
For those of you who have read my other writings here, you would know that all my ancestors who came to Australia ended up in the Mackay area. Yes, they all came to Queensland at different stages. Check out my writings about each ancestor’s ship journey. https://ancestorfamily.com/2023/08/11/the-arrivals/
Light bulb.
I made a list of places, within the Mackay district, where my ancestors had once lived, worked, and died. It was easy since I had all the information to hand. When doing this, I discovered I had details of each ancestor’s death, date, and where they were buried. But, I didn’t have the exact details of where each person was buried in the various cemeteries in the Mackay area. A light bulb goes off! Find-A-Grave website with surely have these details. Off I head to my computer and access the site. Oh yes, Find-A-Grave does have this information.
Locations.
I now have a list of all my direct ancestors plus more! The more is – aunts, uncles, and cousins who now reside in the various cemetery locations around the district. Most records have a photograph of the headstone. However, since I will be exploring these cemeteries, I will take my own photos. This will form a part of another project I have in mind.
Sorting.
There are a few things that I need to sort out before leaving on this adventure. This mostly relates to putting the information into a somewhat sort of order as the information from Find-A-Grave was in alphabetical order. I matched each person with those with the same grave/plot location. This process should make it easier to know who is where within the cemetery. I had obtained cemetery maps. Hopefully assisting with locating the plots that little bit easier and maybe quicker. We shall see what happens in reality.
The next adventure awaits.
Holiday Season.
At this time, another year is coming to an end. Take care this holiday season. Stay safe. Our adventures continue in 2025.
Explore & Discover.
Ancestor Family 
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