I have a confession to make. My interest in Australian history has never really extended to European male explorers. Yes, they performed amazing feats to understand the world in which we live but so did many others – Rose de Freycinet, for example – who are nowhere near as lorded. But I have always had Read More
The most genuine way we can tell our story is via yours. So we’d love to hear them. Has Ancestry® helped you find interesting facts about your family? Were you surprised by your DNA results? Have you connected with long lost relatives? Or been inspired to travel somewhere new? Tell us your most interesting Ancestry Read More
Now is a great time to set your family history goals for the new year. Cassie Mercer offers a few ideas to help you get back into your research after the silly season. Want 2019 to be the year you make further headway with your family tree? Here are 10 ways to make it happen. Read More
Cassie Mercer embarks on a quest to understand more about a famous cricketer in the family tree. The Aussie cricket season is here! Just like thongs and singlets, melting ice-cream and mossies, cricket represents an Australian summer. The game became all the more interesting to me when I discovered that an ancestor of mine was Read More
One hundred years ago, the Great War ended after four years of death and destruction. Cassie Mercer speaks with author Professor Peter Stanley to understand more about what Australian troops were doing in those last few years of the war. The Great War left an indelible mark on thousands of Australian families. Men and women Read More
When the First Fleet landed in 1788, the convicts were skilled in more than 80 different trades and occupations. Some of these trades were useful in starting a colony from the ground up, others not so much. Some occupations stayed in existence, but many are no longer in use. Here are 5 of the more Read More
Why is August to important in family history circles? It’s National Family History Month (NFHM) – an initiative by the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO)! AFFHO is organising and facilitating the initiative via the NFHM website. It is hoped that 2018 is the biggest year yet in terms of interest and number of Read More
With all the resources at our fingertips, there’s never been a better time to get your kids loving history, says Cassie Mercer. These hands-on activities will inspire them to learn more about their family – past and present. Winter holidays are here, and during this time, there are lots of fun things to do to Read More
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Parramatta Female Factory, a vital part of our convict heritage. Cassie Mercer looks at the work being done to save and promote the precinct. When Governor Macquarie laid the foundation stone for the Parramatta Female Factory in July 1818, little did he know how important its role Read More
Injustice, hard work and shock revelations are all part of John Jarratt’s family history. “If I found out there was a cold-blooded murderer – that would be very upsetting. But I think beyond that, everything should be fine … hopefully!” So says John Jarratt before embarking on his ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ journey Read More