Family History Mysteries

In a 1909 newspaper article, it stated that Samuel Horden was an Australian multi-millionaire and it was reputed in one Sydney suburb alone, he owned 500 homes and was quite possibly NSW's biggest landlord. When I delved into his family, I was amazed at the wealth and success that many of his family members had!

In a 1909 newspaper article, it stated that Samuel Horden was an Australian multi-millionaire and it was reputed in one Sydney suburb alone, he owned 500 homes and was quite possibly NSW's biggest landlord. When I delved into his family, I was amazed at the wealth and success that many of his family members had!

In a 1909 newspaper article, it stated that Samuel Horden was an Australian multi-millionaire and it was reputed in one Sydney suburb alone, he owned 500 homes and was quite possibly NSW's biggest landlord. When I delved into his family, I was amazed at the wealth and success that many of his family members had!

May Robson was an America-based actress whose career spanned 58 years, starting in 1883 when she was 25. She appeared in dozens of films in the 1930s, when she was in her 70s. Robson was the first Australian to be nominated for an Academy Award for her leading role in 'Lady for A Day' in 1933. May was born Mary Jeanette Robison in Moama,New South Wales, Australia, on the 19th of April 1858.

Major Harold De Vahl Rubin was a grazier, art-collector and philanthropist who married five times. He was described as an 'eccentric grazier'.

The Golden Eagle Nugget was discovered by 17-year-old Jim Larcombe at Larkinsville Western Australia in January 1931. It was named due to its resemblance to the majestic bird. The find was a headline-grabbing national sensation.

Franc Falkiner arrived in Australia from Ireland in 1853 with little money. By the time of his death in 1909, he left an estate of over 200,000 hectares of land carrying 500,000 sheep.

Franc Falkiner arrived in Australia from Ireland in 1853 with little money. By the time of his death in 1909, he left an estate of over 200,000 hectares of land carrying 500,000 sheep.

The Viscount Canterbury Nugget, weighing 34.6 kg was unearthed at Berlin (now known as Rheola) in what was known as John’s paddock in central Victoria on the 31 May 1870. It was named after the then Governor of Victoria.

Herbert Charles Bazin appeared in a Bendigo newspaper article in 1890 under the title ‘An Imposter’. I was intrigued to know more about this man and he and his family proved interesting!

John Connell had an article written about him in a Melbourne newspaper in April 1899 – the title was ‘An Australian Millionaire’ – this got be intrigued to know more about this man and how he made his fortune.

James Tyson started off by providing a butchery service to prospectors on the Victorian goldfields of the 1850/60s. He went on to establish pastoral runs from Queensland to Victoria becoming a very wealthy man. In 1898 he died without leaving a will with an estate totalling about two million pounds. Banjo Patterson even wrote a poem about him!

James Tyson started off by providing a butchery service to prospectors on the Victorian goldfields of the 1850/60s. He went on to establish pastoral runs from Queensland to Victoria becoming a very wealthy man. In 1898 he died without leaving a will with an estate totalling about two million pounds. Banjo Patterson even wrote a poem about him!

This is the first part of a three part episode on James Tyson. James Tyson started off by providing a butchery service to prospectors on the Victorian goldfields of the 1850/60s. He went on to establish pastoral runs from Queensland to Victoria becoming a very wealthy man. In 1898 he died without leaving a will with an estate totalling about two million pounds. Banjo Patterson even wrote a poem ab...

William Henry Arrowsmith and his wife Mary are featured in Henry Merlin's photos of Gulgong NSW in the 1870s that were part of the discovered Holtermann Collection. This is his story and the story of his descendants. Research Links Trove newspapers - wherever an article is referred to. https://holtermann.museum/photos/arrowsmith-william-henry-18441-39056/ NSW State Archives Some photos and som...

Thomas John Augustus Griffin was a senior Queensland police officer who was executed in June 1868, after being found guilty of the double murder of two police officers, troopers John Power and Patrick Cahill, who were on duty and under Griffin's protection and authority.

Thomas John Augustus Griffin was a senior Queensland police officer who was executed in June 1868, after being found guilty of the double murder of two police officers, troopers John Power and Patrick Cahill, who were on duty and under Griffin's protection and authority.

After Walter Russell Hall died on Oct 1911, his gift to charity was outlined in the Victorian papers – a staggering 1 million pounds! I was intrigued to find out how he made his fortune and why he bequeathed so much to charity and if any family members also benefited.

This episode continues the sotry of Henry Louis Bertrand, known as the 'Mad Dentist of Wynyard Square'. He was convicted of the murder of Henry Kinder, who died on 2 October 1865, in one of Sydney's most notorious homicide cases of the time.

Henry Louis Bertrand, was known as the 'Mad Dentist of Wynyard Square'. He was convicted of the murder of Henry Kinder, who died on 2 October 1865, in one of Sydney's most notorious homicide cases of the time.

Thomas Griffiths Wainewright was an English artist, author and suspected serial killer. He gained a reputation as reckless and extravagant both in his manner and dress. In 1837 he was transported to Van Diemen's Land for defrauding the Bank of England.

Known as the 'Welcome Stranger' it is considered to be the biggest gold nugget ever found. It was found at Moliagul Victoria in 1869 by John Deason and Richard Oates lodged in the roots of a tree. It was found only 3 cm below the surface, at Bulldog Gully, it had a gross weight of 109.59 kg, trimmed weight 78 kg and net weight 72kg.

In researching Bernardt Holtermann and Henry Merlin, a came across a fantastic photo of Mr Henry Rapp, gold miner and his wife Mary, taken by Merlin’s American & Australasian Photographic Company. I was immediately intrigued to know the story behind the young couple!

I remember my grandmother telling me very proudly that my grandfather was related to Frank Costigan QC, and after delving into this branch of my family tree, there is indeed a link! Frank Costigan’s  great grandparents and my grandfathers great great grandparents were James Costigan and Mary Bergin. Here is the story of the Costigan’s in Australia.

In 1878, an ex-schoolmaster attempted to kill his wife and commit suicide. This man was Jonathon Richard Saxby. What led to such an extreme act? *Warning this episode contains graphic information*