Cairns Inlet Tragedy
A tragedy occurred in the Cairns Inlet on 13th April 1945, when the Adelaide Steamship Company’s tug “Uta” overturned and sank while assisting a U.S. ship away from No. 10 wharf and two men lost their lives.
The tug had towed the vessel into the channel and, when about to let go the rope, the tug floundered and two of the crew were drowned.
From Beeston to Park Avenue and the opportunity for a better life
My Paternal grandparents, Eli and Elizabeth Ann “Lizzie” Wood
Eli, my paternal grandfather, was the 9th of 10 children born to William & Mary (nee Marwood) Wood, born on 1 May 1868.
Eli’s father died on 4 April 1872, when he was not quite 4 years old. The cause of death, shown on his death certificate is “Phthisis”, a 19th Century term for Tuberculosis. Continue reading
Ancestry in British Ceylon – Vital Records Research
Over the last 12 months, researchers and visitors at the Cairns and District Family History Centre would have seen a sprightly, bespectacled, grey haired gentleman, peering intently into the microfilm reader screen.
He is busily transcribing films that have nothing to do with his own Anglo-Scandinavian Heritage. Continue reading
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 during the last 3 years I have been living in Cairns.
As a member of CDFHS, it never ceases to amaze me the knowledge our members have and the willingness to share same.
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 library, I came across this article and poem written by my husband’s paternal great grandmother, in a Queensland Pioneer Book. Continue reading
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 August, and included the unveiling of a specially-commissioned sculpture, and guided walks for the public through all the features of the new park. Continue reading
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 and the Curlews objecting loudly to the intrusion on their space.
Two people were walking by when one was heard to say, ‘are there ghosts in there?’ with the other replying ‘there’s no such thing as ghosts, just keep walking!!’
But luckily it was just our Shadows of the Past dramatised walks. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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