Introduction

Featured

Welcome to some historical and interesting stories about the Blackmores and related families. Short stories are here on the "Posts" page. On another Page, under the Menu, "Story Links to PDF's", there are Links to, more detailed family histories with a short introduction. To read the latest "Post" just scroll down.  If you "Follow" and … Continue reading Introduction

The Strangers in The Box

Families sometimes wonder how to pass the history of previous generations down to the next generations. If you are lucky and have already been on the receiving end of some work done by past generations you have something to work with especially if you have photos as well as stories, after all a Family Tree … Continue reading The Strangers in The Box

Ten Million Acres

John Gordon and the Florida Land Claims The miniature shown in this picture is of John Gordon of South Carolina. Jean Verbeek's grandfather inherited it in the Williams of NZ bequest in 1942. It is now in her sister's possession (Eleanora Mary Courtnage). Spain held Florida from around 1512 (first settlement 1565) and from 1763 … Continue reading Ten Million Acres

Gregory Downs Station – Old Photographs

In October 1876 three Watson brothers left from “Walwa” on the Upper Murray in Victoria, following a survey trip by Greg, one of the brothers, in 1875, to settle on the Gregory River at “Gregory Downs” some 120 kilometres south of Burketown, arriving in August 1877. Two of the brothers, Harry Frederick and Philip Sidney … Continue reading Gregory Downs Station – Old Photographs

Julia Farr Centre, Adelaide.

The End of an Era : Julia Farr Centre Guest Post by North Road Cemetery, Adelaide This week, as International Women’s Day is celebrated (2023) the North Road Cemetery in Adelaide pays tribute to Julia Warren Farr (nee Ord). Julia Warren Farr (nee Ord) It is interesting to note that it was announced this week … Continue reading Julia Farr Centre, Adelaide.

Watson Bros to Gregory Downs

In 1876 three Watson brothers came from “Walwa” on the Upper Murray in Victoria following a survey trip the previous year, to settle on the Gregory River at “Gregory Downs” some 120 kms south of Burketown.Two of the brothers, Harry Frederick and Philip Sydney were twins aged only 19 at the time and the youngest … Continue reading Watson Bros to Gregory Downs

The RFDS and Foxtrot Delta Romeo

The Royal Flying Doctor Service from the Mt Isa base and Dr Ian Robinson were regular visitors to Gregory Downs for the clinics conducted there and at other locations around the Gulf country and Mt Isa district. Dr Ian Robinson treating a patient with VH-FDR in the background. The RFDS aircraft was a Beechcraft Queen … Continue reading The RFDS and Foxtrot Delta Romeo

The Cungelella Cattle Mystery

Salvador Rosa National Park Crystal clear springs add more than ten million litres of water a day to peaceful Louisa Creek and the Nogoa River as they meander beneath a backdrop of rocky sandstone crags and spires. Salvator Rosa National Park is at the western edge of the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt and roughly midway … Continue reading The Cungelella Cattle Mystery

The Fosters at Riversleigh and Gregory Downs

Harry Foster at “Riversleigh” in the 1950’s (Photo courtesy Ken Foster) Mrs “Aunty” Barrett, at the Gregory Hotel, had taken in and reared the child Harry Foster and his sister, Jessie. Harry and Jessie Foster's young mother died in childbirth at Westmoreland Station and their father left the two children with Emily Barrett at the … Continue reading The Fosters at Riversleigh and Gregory Downs

Going Bush – a Jackeroo

By Greg Blackmore I can remember always wanting to be a Jackeroo and had my leather saddle bag and quart pot for a few years before I had even left school. Raised on a small mixed grazing property near Rylstone and Mudgee in NSW, I rode a bike the 3 miles to Clandulla Public School, … Continue reading Going Bush – a Jackeroo

Dud Suttor – Soldier and Wallaby #129

Dudley Colin Suttor Dudley Colin Suttor, was born at Koorawatha in 1892, whilst his parents, Walter and Louisa (Nee Monro), were living at the property “Warrangong”. Walter and Louisa had 9 children, 5 boys (2 of those died young) and 4 girls. Dud Suttor was their seventh child and their other children were:-Stella Louise 1881- … Continue reading Dud Suttor – Soldier and Wallaby #129