Okay here comes another one of my assignments. This one is from my 'Certificate in Genealogical Research'. We were asked to review a relevant lecture or presentation. I chose to review An Afternoon of Irish Research with Greg O'Connor, which was conducted on 21st August, 2010 at The Bowlers Club, York Street, Sydney. Yes, it was... Continue Reading →
Okay - so here is the first of my newly-discovered assignment/assessment tasks that I said I would revise and get out there. This one is the first assessment task from my 'Certificate in Genealogical Research' so it is aimed at genealogists. But some others of you might find it interesting. Exercise 1 - Book Review... Continue Reading →
As you know, my husband and I are now empty nesters. so we thought we would take the opportunity to go through the entire house: declutter, rearrange etc. Now bear in mind we have been in this house for over 17 years and the previous house over 10 years. And we both find it hard... Continue Reading →
I wasn't looking for anything on any sort of slavery. I was simply looking for a suitable Irish Catholic name from the 17th century that I could use for Padraig's friend in my tale on 'The Parting Glass" (now called Goodnight - and God be with you all). I came across a fascinating post written by a... Continue Reading →
The photograph above is of my parents in 1961. So many families sagas involve the merging of two families through marriage. And the marriage ceremony itself has so may different traditions and associations. Here are links to just a few: Why does the bride always stand on the left? Weddings at Christmas Wedding cakes Enjoy... Continue Reading →
The Parramatta Female Factory began the Australian story for so many people. It is an important part of our story. It needs to be preserved so that future generations of Australians can see where their ‘Stories of then’ began.
If Francis Greenway was alive today, he would be on the streets protesting about what the modern day State Architect is proposing to do to his work that has lasted for 200 years. Peter Poulet the current State Architect is not a designer of grand old buildings, instead he likes modern art, “A well travelled artist” as this story in the Daily Telegraph tells the Australian Public. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/home-mag/architect-peter-poulets-home-is–testament-to-a-welltravelled-life/news-story/53b760e488aeaa077a986c89a5d74399
The question therefore has to be asked why a fellow that has no experience in design becomes the State Architect in Charge of the “Architects Office” of course the answer is a very simple one. You have a NSW Government that does not believe in saving out heritage and wants to sell it at any price. And that the original State Officer “Francis Greenway” is relegated to the $10 Note. 
Francis Greenway (1777-1837), architect, was born at Mangotsfield, near Bristol, England, son…
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This is our beautiful dog, Bella. Unfortunately, Bella has terminal cancer and each day is a bonus. We had our third "Oh God, this is it" moment with her this morning. Luckily, for the third time, (and following a dose of big-time pain killers), she is much more comfortable and interested in the world again.... Continue Reading →
I belong to a wonderful Facebook group of authors who support and encourage each other. We had a writing challenge the other day to add to the phrase: "T'was the night before Christmas ....... " I had intended wring some prose - that's what I do. But everyone else was going with changing the original... Continue Reading →
Today, I put up our Christmas tree. I always put it up on or by the first weekend of December. Not before December. Always before the end of the first weekend though. Tradition is tradition - particularly for a genealogist and writer of historical fiction stories. Every year, for about two weeks before I put... Continue Reading →
