World War 1 Project

As you may know I am a member of the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society. My duties include maintaining the Society Blog and Facebook page and serving on the Society Committee. As a relatively new member I am still learning the ropes and finding ways in which I can help out. I have recently joined up with a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who are working to put together a publication commemorating the centenary of WWI.

Do you have a Ku-ring-gai WWI ancestor?

The focus at the moment is on researching soldiers whose names are listed on Ku-ring-gai memorials. We are interested in seeking families of Ku-ring-gai military and also in gathering any WWI photos or other Ku-ring-gai related memorabilia that may be available.

If you think you can assist us please contact Kathie Rieth from the WWI Project Group through KHS at 02 9499 4568 or via the Society email khs@khs.org.au.

William Cox Festival

Two of my convicts, James Westbrook and William Madgwick worked on the building of the road over the Blue Mountains by William Cox.

I was interested to read that the Nepean District Historical Society is hosting a mini William Cox Festival at the Arms of Australia Inn on Sunday 26th May.

The William Cox Festival will celebrate the building of a road across the Blue Mountains. Construction
started on July 7, 1814 at Emu Plains and finished on January 14,1815.  The road opened
up inland New South Wales to European settlement. As a result of their work on this road my two convicts received their Conditional Pardons.

Details of this event can be found in the Society newsletter that is published online at http://www.nepeanhistoricalsociety.org.au/imgedit/show_news1.php?id=1

At sea with Family Historian

I am taking advantage of a day at sea to set up my genealogy software, Family Historian, on my new
 travel laptop that I purchased a few weeks ago in New York at the tech toy lovers mecca, B&H Photographics (note to Aussies - you can order online from this company).

When I was in Salt Lake City and New York recently I learnt more about Mr Geniaus' Gowans ancestors and I am anxious to add the information to my database. I have been neglecting my genealogy lately as I have been immersing in my latest travel adventure but I must get on track and get organised before I take off for a few days research in London at the end of next month.

Another catalyst for downloading the software is that I have heard from sources in the UK and my Family Historian User group in Australia that Family Historian guru, Jane Taubman, will be speaking on the next Unlock the Past Genealogy Cruise around Australia. Poor Jane may have to hide for me as I will be first in the queue to enlist her help.

While I have been writing this post the software has downloaded and is ready to be installed so I must away.

Postscript 10 mins later - software successfully downloaded, data imported, synched with big computer at home via Dropbox.  How easy was that?

25th April Australia Remembers - ANZAC Day

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

I've had tears in my eyes today as I have read others' ANZAC Day posts on various social media. I am so pleased to see my children recognising the efforts of their ancestors in various Australian conflicts.

On this ANZAC Day I particularly remember my grandfather Frank Duncan, my grandmother's first husband John Bertram Chatfield, my father Allan John Curry and his brother Thomas William Curry.

I was thrilled to discover this morning that the light-hearted nature of my holiday will be interrupted by a solemn event on my cruise ship Regent's Seven Seas Navigator tomorrow, the 25th April. I congratulate this US organisation on recognising the importance of this day to the small number of Australian and New Zealand cruisers on board. Mr Geniaus and I will be up at 6:00am tomorrow morning for the ship's Dawn Service.