About Me

My family history research started years ago with what seemed like mysteries that I may be able to research and resolve. 

 
Dad had a convict ancestor, but he wasn't really a convict because he was an Irish political prisoner.  What does any of that mean ?
Mum's great grandmother had arrived from "the Islands", with "Captain Spencer".  This was most perplexing - who was he, and where did they come from ?
Grandpa had changed his name to enlist in WW1 at he age of 15. How and why did he do that?
I knew my 4 grandparents, and that one set of great-grandparents came from England.  Why did they come to Australia, and where did the other families come from?

And then there was a family reunion, and talk of another convict ancestor. 
Family members knew nothing further, and all commented that older people just didn't talk about the past.
Curiosity was aroused, and my family history research journey began. 
My public school education in the 1970's had left me almost ignorant of the history of Australia, apart from the basics of settlement and early explorers.   I set out to fill in the gaps.

Answers have been found for those early questions, but many more have been raised.
Amazing characters and events have been revealed, and my family's history will be shared on this blog with a series of stories. 

The name "Beautiful Shores" is from the hymn "in the Sweet by and by." It's a favourite of my Mum's, as it was of her Mum's.  It brings special memories.

For ancestors past, who left foreign shores on a variety of ships, and who I imagine were most grateful to have eventually landed on the beautiful shores of Australia.

And for family.
Chris Cavanagh
Perth, Western Australia

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 14, 2023 at 11:16 PM

    Beautiful. I am so glad you are doing this research and publishing it too.

    ReplyDelete

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