Family History Mysteries

Flora Butters was known by several names – it was a bit of aminefield, but with the assistance of Flora’s great granddaughter Tracie Brown, I am able to tell the story of Flora!

In 1893 Martha Needle was charged with murdering her husband, her three young girls and her new fiancé’s brother with poison… a cup of tea would seal her fate.

In October 1882, a family tragedy was reported that occurred near Deniliquin NSW. 'A poor man named Ludlow came in from Morago Station to the Deniliquin Hospital. A large branch of a gum tree landed on their camp, killing their oldest child and his wife and another child being seriously injured'. Who was Ludlow? *Warning there are events that listeners may find distressing*

Thomas and Andrew Chirnside were prolific pastoralists in Australia. They were born in Scotland, the youngest sons of eight children. Thomas and Andrew were the only children to emigrate to Australia.

William Weatherly owned 'Billilla' station in NSW as well as other properties. When he died in 1914 his estate came in at nearly 170,000 pounds.

James Cochran died in London in 1906. He was described as a wealthy Australian who left an estate worth nearly 100,000 pounds.

Arthur Weiler came out to Australia in 1881 and was in and out of prison until the 1920s. He had a string of aliases - over 20 in fact, some of which he added the title of Count!

Arthur Weiler came out to Australia in 1881 and was in and out of prison until the 1920s. He had a string of aliases - over 20 in fact!

Arthur Weiler came out to Australia in 1881 and was in and out of prison until the 1920s. He had a string of aliases - over 20 in fact!

Doris Haggar misrepresented herself in Sydney as an American military doctor, more than once.

*Warning – graphic information is contained in this episode* Katherine Starr was murdered in her home at Tarrawingee Vic in 1933. You will be shocked to know who her killer was!

John Peter was an influential pastoralist in NSW who wasvital in the development of the early Wagga Wagga village and district.

Hilton James Farlow had a number of aliases and had a string of charges for false pretences and imposition in Australia and New Zealand spanning over 30 years.

Hilton James Farlow had a number of aliases and had a string of charges for false pretences and imposition in Australia and New Zealand spanning over 30 years.

When William Holden Watt passed away in May 1908 he left an estate worth over 67,000 pounds. He held a position in his family's shipbuilding firm and owned land at Howlong Sation near Hay NSW.

When William Holden Watt passed away in May 1908 he left an estate worth over 67,000 pounds. He held a position in his family's shipbuilding firm and owned land at Howlong Sation near Hay NSW.

Ernest Hilton Stanislaus Benporath started a range of misdemeanors in WA from the age of 21. He was born in Perth W.A in 1906.

Thomas Whittle, usually known as Clyde, was the youngest of seven Whittle boys and was born on 25 AUG 1897. Clyde was court martialled in the army and proceeded to have a range of misdemeanors, using several aliases, after he returned home to Australia.

Barbara Baynton had different versions of her background throughout her life. Barbara was a writer who married three times. Her third husband was Rowland George Alanson-Winn, fifth baron Headley aka Sheikh Rahmatullah Al-Farooq, making her Lady Headley.

Thomas Millear was a rich squatter who owned 'Edgarley' at Willaura, Victoria and Wanganella Estate in the southern Riverina. When he died in May 1896, his estate totalled 766,000 pounds.

Hugo Brassey was engaged to a Hollywood movie star, married a German Baroness and owned property on Dunk Island Queensland. He was born rich and lucky, but died young at 53 years of age. Sources https://mbhs.com.au/images/tourism/H002-Our_Own_Gatsby/H002.pdf

This is the story of Woodlands Estate at Crowlands Victoria. The homestead is an outstanding example of a substantial and elaborate 19th century homestead complex. It was originally selected in late 1841 as a sheep station by W.J.T. "Big" Clarke, one of the colony's wealthiest landowners. It was originally 184,000 acres in size was overseen by John Cayle Francis until his servant murdered him in 1...

In 1938 it was announced that Thomas George Anstruther Molloy, one of the wealthiest men in Western Australia and a past Mayor of Perth had died aged 86. This is his story.

Thomas Broban died in 1886 aged only 47 from a supposeddrowning at Tarranbandra NSW. He was a wealthy horse and cattle dealer who owned a station, 'Wagra' on the Tumut River in New South Wales.

In 1938 it was announced that Thomas George Anstruther Molloy, one of the wealthiest men in Western Australia and a past Mayor of Perth had died aged 86. This is his story.