Family History Mysteries

Nellie Stewart was the most popular performer Australia hasever produced. Nellie was born Eleanor Stewart Towzey in November 1858 atWoolloomooloo NSW. She was coined "Our Nell" and "Sweet Nell".

A listener got in touch with me to present the story of JohnCoates, one of her ancestors. John Thomas Coates came to Australia as a convict forstealing a handkerchief when pickpocketing.

Amy Sherwin was known as the 'Tasmanian Nightingale’. Before Nellie Melba Amy captivated international audiences Amy was one of the greatest sopranos of her era. It isbelieved one reason Melba’s fame lasted and Sherwin’s, didn’t may be that Amy’s heyday came before the era of records and radio. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-07/amy-sherwin,-the-tasmania-nightingale/104697766 https://www.d...

In 1911, George Michaelis was committed for trial for bigamy. It was uncovered that he had married two other women when his first wife was still alive!

James Perrin featured in the Deniliquin Pastoral Times in 1958 and 1959, celebrating his 96th and 97th birthdays, respectively. Check out https://bryanhalbertmcmillanperrin.com/2020/04/17/the-perrins-arrive/ It is written by: Pamela Bryant (nee Bryan), daughter of GeorgeEna Perrin, Granddaughter of George Henry Perrin.

Frederick Woodland had a number of marriages, two divorces and at least one child out of wedlock, in Australia and England. Frederick's son Val, was a radio broadcaster. Val's son, Cecil Albert Woodland, himself a radio broadcaster in Qld– he recorded reminiscences in 1996 https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE5398730

Frederick Woodland had a number of marriages, two divorces and at least one child out of wedlock, in Australia and England. Frederick's son Val, was a radio broadcaster. Val's son, Cecil Albert Woodland, himself a radio broadcaster in Qld– recorded reminiscences in 1996 https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE5398730

Frederick Edward Finlay featured in a 1928 Sydney newspaperunder the title ‘Too Many Wives’. Frederick Finlay was born in North Balmain NSW in 1889 toRobert Douglas Finlay and Louisa Bingham.

Alexander Westland Lionel Robertson was born in 1897 at Long Gully near Bendigo. He was only 12 when his father Norman died aged 40 in 1910. Alexander was the second born of 5 children. It seems his siblings lived lawful lives, however Alexander enlisted in WW1 under three names and came home saying he was appointed King's Sergeant - he was court martialled for this. He deserted his wife and c...

In 1942, Wallace Arnott a squadron leader in the RAAF was caught up in a divorce case where he claimed his wife tried to blackmail his family. Wallace was the grandson of the founder of Arnott’s biscuits and his mother was the daughter of John Hardy of Hardy Bros jewellers.

Hyman Levy was a very interesting fellow – he was known by at least four names (Roger Henry Patrick Farnham Moag in Australia, Maxwell Farnham in England and Australia, Roger Henry Moag Levy in NZ and Maxwell Reginald Moag in Victoria Australia!

John White passed away in May 1926 with a probate worth a total of 100,000 pounds. His granddaughter challenged the will as he left a large amount to his grandson WilliamJohn Ewart White who was also a trustee of his grandfathers estate.  William John Ewart White received 30,000 pounds plus 700 pounds to purchase a house. 

Captain Thomas James McGrath was a successful whaler butalso a slave trader, known as a blackbirder. He was born in Concord NSW on the 23rd Oct 1815, the son of an Irish convict.

In August 1868, James Kemmis was brought before the Melbourne court for bigamy with articles stating: 'A heartless case of bigamy, or rather polygamy... police having in their hands, proof of at least three marriages in all'. James came from a respectable family. His father Arthur (pictured) was the managing director of the Melbourne Steam Navigation Company.

In May 1934, Professor Henry Chapman died suddenly at work. He was the director of cancer research at the University of Sydney. His death unlocked his hidden secrets.

In May 1934, Professor Henry Chapman died suddenly at work. He was the director of cancer research at the University of Sydney. His death unlocked his hidden secrets.

Frederick Augustus Thomas was jailed for 3 years hard labour in 1895 for embezzling his employers of 13,000 poundsover nearly 20 years. He was 50 years old at the time of his conviction with a wife and six children.

In Jan 1892 Henry Geary was charged with embezzling funds from his employer, a solicitors firm in Melbourne. He was 23 years old, respectfully connected, with a wife and family. It was revealed that gambling was the cause of his ruin.

In January 1892, Henry Geary was charged with embezzling funds from his employer, a solicitors firm in Melbourne. He was 23 years old, respectfully connected, with a wife andfamily.  It was revealed that gamblingwas the cause of his ruin.

Ben McIntyre got in touch with a request to find more aboutThomas Rose of Wilberforce NSW. I was thrilled to research Ben’s ancestor and create anepisode for him!

James Perkins was also known as ‘Monsieur Daziane’, ‘Arthur Elton’ or ‘Arthur Elton James Perkins’. He was a wire walker, performer, actor, photographer and agent/manager. He was born on 24th August 1853 at St Albans, on the Macdonald River, in the Hawkesbury region of New South Wales.

A listener got in touch to share her story on one of her convict ancestors, Jonathan Harris. He married three times and had a total of 17 children! His children also had large families!

A listener got in touch to share her story on one of her convict ancestors, Jonathan Harris. He married three times and had a total of 17 children! His children also had large families!

The name Pablo Fanque popped up when doing the Burton’sCircus episode – Episode 263. William Darby Banham was born in 1828. It is likely that Pablo Fanque, a renowned circus owner in Britain, born William Darby, was the father of William. William Jr. , and his brothers, worked andperformed in their father's circus. Astley’s Amphitheatre opened in Melbourne late in 1854 by the entrepreneur GBW...

The name Pablo Fanque popped up when doing the Burton’sCircus episode – Episode 263 William Darby Banham was born in 1828. It is likely that Pablo Fanque, a renowned circus owner in Britain, born William Darby, was the father of William. William Jr. , and his brothers, worked andperformed in their father's circus. Astley’s Amphitheatre opened in Melbourne late in 1854 by the entrepreneur GBW L...