One of the perks of CDFHS membership
I first caught the bug for Family History way back in 1986 during a trip to Glasgow. The bug went away for a while but has come back big time…
The pioneer who put her experiences into verse
You just never know what treasures you might find hidden in the bookshelves of historical collections. Whilst browsing in the Queensland section of the Cairns & District Family History Society's…
Munro Martin Parklands Transformation
After 134 years, the Cairns park known as Munro Martin Park has had a welcome ‘greening’. The new parklands were officially opened by the Cairns Regional Council and guests during…
Shadows of the Past 2016
Not sure what the neighbours who live near the McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery think, when suddenly one night there are eerie lights wandering through there, band music sounding from within…
Cairns DNA genies help FNQ man achieve lifelong wish
Visitors to Cairns & District Family History society usually know a little about their recent family history, and are keen to use CDFHS resources to learn more about earlier generations and start building a family tree.
Not Bob Taylor. When he joined CDFHS in late 2015, the only facts that he knew were his name, his date of birth, and from his birth certificate that his mother was named Sheila Taylor. (more…)
Martyn Street Cemetery 100 Years
Martyn Street Cemetery, or as it was originally known, Cairns General Cemetery, was gazetted and opened 100 years ago in 1916.
It was the third cemetery in the town of Cairns just 40 years after its settlement. It is the resting place of many of the early pioneers, battlers and gentry of the Cairns region. (more…)
Thirkill Family Brickwall
I have been researching my partner Neil’s paternal grandmother’s family – the Thirkills – for a couple of years now, and would really love some fresh eyes to look at it and see if they can find any new clues to help me break down my research brick walls.
Neil’s 3 x great grandmother, Mary Worby (nee Thirkill) and her husband George appear in the records for 1865 when they got married, however I can find no other record of their existence until they turn up again in the 1901 Census. (more…)
Mystery plaque found in Cairns
CDFHS has been informed of the existence of a marble plaque - broken in two - that was found in a building in Cairns which is set for demolition. There…
Unidentified photos from Pugh family of Queensland
The three photos below were part of a collection from the Pugh family of Ravenswood in North Queensland.
Several of the Pugh daughters worked as nurses at different places throughout Queensland.
Pam Cooper has shared these lovely photographs in the hope that someone may recognise the people involved. (more…)
My great grandmother, “Nurse Wilson”
Twins, Anna Petronella Gronlund and her brother, Wilhelm Fredrik Gronlund, were born on 29 April 1864 in Rebbelberga, Skane, Sweden; the eldest children of Sven Jonasson Gronlund and his second…
A remarkable life portrayed in MacLennan’s legacy
In February 2015, Cairns & District Family History Society (CDFHS) received a visit from a very distinguished elderly gentleman. He was 94 year-old Dr Stafford MacLennan. Dr MacLennan asked if CDFHS would accept his extensive photographic collection as he had no relatives1 and wanted it be kept in a safe place. (more…)
DNA test raffle encourages new testers
Far North Queensland must be one of the DNA testing hotspots of Australia, but here at Cairns & District Family History Society we still work hard at encouraging even more of our members (and their families and friends) and visitors to try DNA testing as a part of their family history research. (more…)
Cairns-born adoptee finds his birth mother
Email from David (Nov, 2015)
I was born in Cairns in 1947 and my mother kept me for a short time and then decided to adopt me out. I had always known my birth mother’s name but had never been successful in tracking down any information. (more…)
Found in the attic – Part 2
“Now my boy, since Nellie went what you need to help you look after that little granddaughter of mine is a house-keeper. And I’ve got just the person for you. My Lois has a niece, just back from London to be with her widowed mother and older sister. She’s not in work at the moment. Doing a bit of cooking in the village but living at home. She’s had plenty of experience as a domestic over the years so she’d make you a good house-keeper.” (more…)
Found in the Attic – Part 1
After my mother-in-law was admitted into residential care, my husband, Chris, and I had the less than pleasant task of going through her belongings. We had not been in the house, especially the attic, for many years because she lived in England and we in Australia. After all, you don’t tend to rummage about in the attic when visiting family you haven’t seen for a long time. This time, though, exploring the attic was a must. (more…)