Australian Genealogy Journeys: April 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

ANZAC Day - WWI Soldiers from my family tree who gave their lives - Lest we forget

This ANZAC Day, April 25th, I would like to create a blog post as a tribute to several of the World War I soldiers from my family tree who gave their lives.

George Brown FULLERTON, DCM (1890-1917)

George Brown FULLERTON was born on 18 March 1890 at Avonmore near Elmore, Victoria, Australia. He was the youngest son (and eighth child) of Peter and Dorothea (nee ATKINSON) FULLERTON. George is my Great Great Uncle.

George enlisted on the 17 February 1916 in the 38th Battalion of the Australian Infantry Forces (AIF). He embarked from Melbourne on the Runic on 20 June 1916. He spent time training at the Salisbury Plains in England, from where he sent letters home to his family.

George served on the Western Front. He died on 12 June 1917 from wounds received during the Battle of Messines. He was buried in the Trois-Abres Cemetery, Steenwerk, France.

My Grandma, George's niece (born in 1912) remembered the local Catholic Priest arriving at her house to inform her mother (George's sister) of George's death. She remembered sewing black on her hat for mourning.

George posthumously received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for 'Great gallantry, coolness and devotion to duty during operations south of Messines on 7 June 1917'.

A printed copy of a letter sent to George Brown FULLERTON's mother, 17 June 1917.

FULLERTON.- In loving memory of Corporal George Fullerton, D.C.M., who died of wounds in France on June 12, 1917. One of the unreturning brave. -(Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. P. Fullerton and family, Avonmore.) (Source: Family Notices. (1919, June 14). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 13. Retrieved April 25, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1478643)

More about George Brown FULLERTON:

George Brown Fullerton on the AIF database.

George Brown Fullerton on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.

George Brown Fullerton's file at the National Archives of Australia.

George Brown Fullerton on the Mapping Our ANZACs web site.

George Brown Fullerton on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.

George Brown Fullerton on the First World War Embarkation Roll.

George Brown Fullerton's Grave on the War Graves Photographic Project

George Brown Fullerton - recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal. See here, here and here.

George Brown Fullerton - posthumously awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. See here.

Harold Heathcote Hayes CHAMBERS (1895-1915)

H. CHAMBERS.
AUSTRALIANS WHO HAVE FALLEN. (1915, June 11).
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 6.
Retrieved April 24, 2011,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1523598

Harold Heathcote Hayes CHAMBERS was born in 1895 at Heathcote, Victoria, Australia, the second son of George and Annie (nee SIMS) CHAMBERS. Harold was a nephew of my Great Grandmother Millicent McCARTHY (nee CHAMBERS).

Harold worked as a draper and lived in Kyneton, Victoria with his family. He enlisted August 1914 in the 7th Battalion of the AIF. Harold died at Gallipoli of wounds received between 25 and 28 April 1915. He was buried at the Beach Cemetery, Gallipoli.

CORPORAL H. CHAMBERS.

Corporal Harold Chambers (killed) was a son of Mr. George Chambers, of Kyneton. He was a member of the Kyneton Lacrosse Club, taking part in all their matches during recent years. His 20th birthday was on December 24 last.

(Source: AUSTRALIAN LOSSES. (1915, June 9). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 11. Retrieved April 24, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1523022)

CHAMBERS— Harold H. H., aged 20, son of George Chambers, Kyneton, grandson of George Chambers, Avoca, killed in action at the Dardanelles, May 22. (Source: Family Notices. (1915, June 7). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 1. Retrieved April 24, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1522241)

More about Harold Heathcote Hayes CHAMBERS:

S. CHAMBERS.
AUSTRALIANS WHO HAVE FALLEN. (1915, November 1).
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 7.
Retrieved April 24, 2011,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1576692

Stanley CHAMBERS (1896-1915)

Stanley CHAMBERS was born in 1896 at Newlyn near Ballarat, Victoria, the eldest son of John and Elizabeth (nee JONES) CHAMBERS. Stanley was a nephew of my Great Grandmother Millicent McCARTHY (nee CHAMBERS) and a first cousin of Harold CHAMBERS mentioned above.

Stanley enlisted in September 1914 in the 8th Light Horse Regiment. Stanley died of wounds received at Gallipoli on 24 September 1915. He was buried at the Embarkation Pier Cemetery.

TROOPER S CHAMBERS (killed in action on September 23) was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Chambers, of Ligar street, Soldiers' Hill, Ballarat, and grandson of Mr. George Chambers, of Avoca. He joined the 8th Light Horse. Being injured in January, owing to a horse falling on him, he was not able to get away until June, when he went to the front with the 6th Reinforcements, 3rd Brigade. He was educated at the MacArthur street school, and was a scholar at St. John's Church of England Sunday-school. He was only 19 years of age. (Source: ROLL OF HONOUR. (1915, October 28). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 7. Retrieved April 24, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1575838)

CHAMBERS. - Killed in action, on September 23, at the Dardanelles, Trooper Stan Chambers, 8th Light Horse, eldest dearly loved son of John and Elizabeth Chambers, 606 Ligar street, Ballarat, and grandson of G. Chambers, of Avoca, aged 19. He rose, responsive to his country's call, And gave for her his best - his life, his all. (Source: Family Notices. (1915, October 21). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), p. 1. Retrieved April 24, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1573084)

More about Stanley CHAMBERS:

Stanley Chambers on the AIF database Regimental No. 931. He did not embark under this regimental number.
Stanley Chambers on the AIF database Regimental No. 958.
Stanley Chambers on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.
Stanley Chambers' file at the National Archives of Australia.
Stanley Chambers on the Spirits of Gallipoli web site.
Stanley Chambers on the Mapping Our ANZACs web site.
Stanley Chambers on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.
Stanley Chambers - First World War Embarkation Roll.
Stanley Chambers' Grave on the War Graves Photographic Project.

These are just three World War I soldiers from my family tree who gave their lives. I know there are others on more distant branches of my tree too, as well as young men who returned from WWI and veterans of other wars too. This ANZAC day post is in remembrance of them as well.

Lest we forget.

This blog post has been created as part of the Trans-Tasman ANZAC Day Blog Challenge. You can learn more about ANZAC Day here.

Useful Links:

(Sources available on request).

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter from Australian Genealogy Journeys

Wishing all a safe and happy Easter.

Image from The Graphics Fairy.

From the Australian Genealogy Journeys blog.

Someone's Ancestor Sunday - Susan Ellis (nee Hehir) Photo Album - Part 11

Continuing from last week's Someone's Ancestor Sunday - Part 10, here is another unidentified photograph attributed to Carrington Galleries, Haymarket, Sydney. Like the previous photographs, this was found in my Great Great Grandmother's (Susan Ellis nee Hehir) album.

Photograph of an unknown man from Susan Ellis (nee Hehir) Photo Album.
This photograph is a Carte de visite, c1880s-1890s. There are no identifying marks on the front or back of the photograph. The photographic studio's name and address are written at the bottom on the front of the card: 'Carrington./ Galleries:/ 635 George Street, / Haymarket.'

Friday, April 22, 2011

Good Friday - Stations of the Cross - My Ancestor's Gift

The Eleventh Station - XI
Jesus is nailed to the cross.
We adore You, O Christ,
and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross
You have redeemed the world.

As today is Good Friday I have decided to feature a photograph of one of the Stations of the Cross at the main Catholic Church in my Parish.

"The object of the Stations is to help the faithful to make in spirit, as it were, a pilgrimage to the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death, and this has become one of the most popular of Catholic devotions. It is carried out by passing from Station to Station, with certain prayers at each and devout meditation on the various incidents in turn." (Source: New Advent Catholic Enyclopedia).

The particular Station featured in the photograph is the eleventh (XI) Station: 'Jesus is nailed to the cross'.

This Station was donated to the Church by my Great Great Grandfather, Michael O'BRIEN (c1833-1925) who was a very devout Catholic. There is a small plaque at the bottom of the Station which states that it was the 'Gift of Mr. M. O'Brien'. Such plaques feature in many Churches to acknowledge donations, and often act as a special reminder to remember the donor in prayer. Sometimes items are donated in memory of departed loved loves. All the other Stations in this particular Church, as well as many of the stained glassed windows, featured the 'gift of ....' acknowledgement. It is a great idea to visit the Church where your ancestor worshiped to see if he or she donated any items.

Michael O'BRIEN was born c1833 in County Armagh, Ireland, the son of Owen BREEN and Bridget FINEGAN. It is believed Michael came to Australia in the 1850s. With a name as common as 'Michael O'BRIEN' it is a bit hard to determine which Michael O'BRIEN is he from the many listed on passenger lists of the time. There is also the likelihood he came out here under the name 'Michael BREEN'. Two of Michael's brothers (Thomas and John Joseph) and one of his sisters (Margaret Bridget) also immigrated to Australia. His sister Mary and brother Hugh remained in Ireland.

Michael O'Brien (c1833-1925) and
his wife Eliza (nee Carew) (c1846-1924).

Michael married Eliza CAREW on the 29th of January, 1865, at St Francis' Catholic Church, Melbourne. They had a least eight children: Helena, Owen, Thomas, Mary, Michael, John, Elizabeth and Donald. Michael was blind for much of his later life. The story is that he was blinded in an accident while blasting rock in the early 1870s. I hope someday to locate newspaper reports of this accident if they exist. You can read more about my O'BRIEN ancestors here.

I hope that everyone has a safe and peaceful Easter. God bless.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

First Blogiversary - Observations and Reflections

Today marks one year since I first posted on this blog.
Here are a few observations and reflections after dipping my feet into the world of genealogy blogging for one year.

What have I liked?

The ability to share my thoughts about my genealogy research with other like-minded people.
Feeling motivated to contribute through blogging prompts and blogging theme days such as those for Australia Day, Waitangi Day and St Patrick's Day.
Feeling part of a community, through the comments left on my blog and the blog awards other bloggers have kindly given me.

What have I disliked and what will I do differently?

I dislike the fact that I have not posted on my blog as much as I would like, particularly the fact that I haven't posted much about the stories of my ancestors. I would like to post a lot more and share a lot more of the interesting stories from my family history. I think my main hurdle has been the fact I have felt so disorganised. I dealt with some of these issues in my post back in February - Sorting Saturday - Revisiting my organisation goals. I feel like I am slowly getting on top of this though.

I look forward to another year of genealogy blogging.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Someone's Ancestor Sunday - Susan Ellis (nee Hehir) Photo Album - Part 10

Continuing from last week's Someone's Ancestor Sunday post, here is another unidentified photograph attributed to Carrington Galleries, Haymarket, Sydney. Like the previous photographs, this was found in my Great Great Grandmother's (Susan Ellis nee Hehir) album.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Someone's Ancestor Sunday - Susan Ellis (nee Hehir) Photo Album - Part 9

Continuing from last week's Someone's Ancestor Sunday post, here is another unidentified photograph taken in Sydney which was found in my Great Great Grandmother's album. Again, this photograph is attributed to Carrington Galleries, Haymarket, Sydney.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

One Lovely Blog Award 2 - Thanks

Thanks to Judy at UK / Australia Genealogy for awarding my blog the One Lovely Blog award. It is really wonderful to know that people enjoy reading my blog. Judy also awarded my other blog Australian Genealogy News. Thanks again Judy! :-)

I have previously nominated 15 blogs, but I will nominate a couple more at a post over at Australian Genealogy News in the not to distant future.

Thanks again Judy and everyone who reads my blog.

Sorting Saturday - Google Reader - Folders

Michelle at The Turning of Generations blog and Marian at Roots and Rambles blog have recently been posting about how they organise their blog reading in Google Reader into various folders. This reminded me of how I have been intending to organise my Google Reader blog reading. I have previously set up several folders, but have since begun to follow several more blogs which I have neglected to categorise into folders.
The folder arrangement I already have is as follows:

Genealogy AUS - Australian Genealogy and History related blogs and RSS feeds
Genealogy US - United States Genealogy and History related blogs and RSS feeds
Genealogy UK - United Kingdom Genealogy and History related blogs and RSS feeds
Genealogy IRISH - Irish Genealogy and History related blogs and RSS feeds

I am going to create new folders including:

Genealogy NZ - New Zealand Genealogy and History related blogs and RSS feeds
Genealogy CANADA - Canadian Genealogy and History related blogs and RSS feeds
Alerts - Google Alerts and Trove Alerts
Photography - for blogs related to family history photos
Technology - for technology related blogs

I follow quite a few blogs/RSS feeds (431 according to Google Reader) and categorising them into folders with Google Reader is proving a bit headache. There appear to be at least two ways of categorising blog reading into folders. Both ways are a bit 'clunky'. This may be because I am following quite a few blogs and I have assigned quite a few tag keywords (252 tags so far apparently, which Google Reader uses to suggest Folder names), thus making Google Reader's drop down menus a bit overwhelming. Perhaps I should have been a little more economical in my use of tags? :-| Perhaps that is a future Sorting Saturday challenge? Yes, I think I will have another Google Reader Sorting Saturday next week to sort out all my tags, perhaps consolidate a few or delete some that are no longer relevant/interesting.

But back to using folders.

When you read a blog/rss feed in Google Reader you can assign tag keywords to each post using the little 'Add Tags' feature underneath each post.

For example, here (see above right) I am tagging a post from a New Zealand Genealogy blog I follow with the name of the new folder I want to create 'Genealogy NZ'.

I have done the same with posts from other blogs with the names of the other folders I wish to create 'Genealogy CANADA', 'Alerts', 'Photography' and 'Technology'.

Now I can add any blogs I want to these Folders in any of the following ways.

(1) In the panel at the left-hand side of the screen select the drop down menu next to 'Subscriptions' and then select 'Manage Subscriptions' (see left) (there is also a 'Manage Subscriptions' link at the bottom of the left-hand side panel). A list of all the blogs/rss feeds you are subscribed to appears. Next to each single subscription is a drop down menu 'Add to a folder...'. Clicking on this drop down menu provides you with a suggested list of folders (see right). The suggested list of folders is composed of all the different tag keywords I have ever added to any blog posts I have read in Google reader! Perhaps a better option would be a type box similar that which appears under each blog post when you click 'Add tags'. Then I would be able to type in the name of the folder I wanted to add that blog to and, as I type, suggested folders would appear underneath. This would make things so much easier. Drop down menus are only really useful where the number of options is limited. Where the number of options is many drop down menus become very awkward to use.

You can select multiple subscriptions using the check boxes on the left of each subscription of the list and then selecting the chosen folder from the drop down menu under the 'More actions...' at the top of the screen (see right).

(2) You can also add your subscriptions to folders by clicking on (or simply hovering your mouse over) a subscription from the list in the left hand panel under the headline 'Subscriptions'. A drop down menu (yes, one of those again!) will appear to the right hand side of the blog/subscription name. This drop down menu will bring up several options (sorting features, options to rename subscriptions or unsubscribe, as well as the 'add to a folder' feature with the list of suggested 'folders' - ie. your list of tag keywords). You can select one of these tags to add that subscription to that folder e.g. 'Genealogy NZ' (see below).

(3) Within the left-hand side panel you can also add a subscription to a folder using drag and drop. Simply select the subscription from the list and drag it to the folder you want to add it to.

And can I add a subscription to more than one folder? It doesn't look like I can. Does anyone know how or if this can be done?

Update (October 2011): Now it is quite easy to add a Google Reader subscription to more than one folder. Simply select the menu to the right of the name of your subscription in the left hand panel. From the menu you can easily add the subscription to multiple existing folders and/or create a new folder and add the subscription to that folder.

Choose the menu to the right of the subscription name in Google Reader.

You can add a subscription to multiple folders by selecting each folder name from the list. A little blue tick will appear to show you which folders you have added that subscription to already.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tech Tuesday...or a very delayed Sorting Saturday?

I have missed my Sorting Saturday posts for the last two weeks! Not very organised at all!
I am still working on organising my bookmarks. On March 19 I wrote that I was trying out Delicious, Diigo and Springpad. I was having some technical difficulties with Yahoo!/Delicious at the time, but I have since resolved these by starting fresh with a new account.
I have recently read Carole Riley's short book published through Unlock the Past - Social Media for Family Historians. I have been trying out many of the web sites Carole mentions in the book. Some of them I have heard of for a long time but have never actually tried to use.
I am now on Flickr. I have added a few relevant contacts but have not added any of my photographs...yet! Watch this space! On Flickr I am ausgenjourneys.
I am now using LibraryThing to catalogue my genealogy and history books. I have added a few other genealogists to my connections list on LibraryThing - please add me if you would like. On LibraryThing I am ausgenjourneys.

I am still trying out Diigo and Delicious for bookmarks. I have imported all my Google bookmarks into Delicious but I still have them set as private while I sort through them. I will be progressively creating public bookmark lists. I have added a few other genealogists to my Network on Delicious, please add me to your if you would like. On Delicious I am australiangenealogyjourneys.
On Diigo I am ausgenjourneys.

I have created a new YouTube account specifically for my genealogy interest. On YouTube I am ausgenjourneys.

Now for something a bit odd.
Yesterday I noticed that the number of visitors to my blog had increased quite dramatically. I checked my blogger statistics page and discovered that a 1:00 pm yesterday afternoon there were 274 visits to the main URL of my blog (http://ausgenjourneys.blogspot.com) all from one particular country.

I realise that this would have been some automated software visiting my blog and not 274 people. Has this happened to anyone else before?

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Someone's Ancestor Sunday - Susan Ellis (nee Hehir) Photo Album - Part 8

Continuing from last week's Someone's Ancestor Sunday post, here is another unidentified photograph taken in Sydney which was found in my Great Great Grandmother's album. Similar to last week's photograph, this photograph is also attributed to Carrington Galleries, Haymarket. Could this man be a brother of the man in last week's photograph?

Next week I will post another photograph taken by Carrington Galleries. I still have three more Carrington Galleries photographs and two other photographs which appear to feature the same group of young men who are possibly brothers.