Family Footprints

11/11/2025

Nearing the end of chasing information about Phoebe Dunbar fine felon # 2603 Patrick HANEY (aka HEAGNEY, HAINY, HEANEY, HEANY) - see the problem here folks? He was only 15 when he was charged with larceny at County Monaghan in 1849. But it is not of him who I want to speak. It his son, also named Patrick who was born on 29 July 1884. His father died in 1891 and it would appear at least some of the family still had some connection with his mother's family, the Dix's from Moora. Not so young Patrick or his mother Annie. There are numerous TROVE articles that suggest the HAINEY family moved to the Goldfields. Young Patrick found himself before the Courts multiple times before finally receiving a 2 month jail sentence for being an idle and disorderly person, with no lawful means of support in 1902 - 18 years of age or there abouts. Having been sent to Fremantle for his incarceration and subsequent release, in 1905 he was charged with "being a person of evil fame", his Goldfields antics following him. His brother (which brother I am yet to ascertain) saved his bacon and apparently took him under his wing. Sadly, there are no rainbows or happy endings here folks, at the tender age of 21, young Patrick, while attending a horse race meeting at Vasse, Busselton, became unwell and died on Sunday 18 February 1906. Better known as 'Paddy the Tipster', it would indeed be an eye opener and go back to see the world from his point of view. 👣

The National Library of Australia's Copies Direct service lets you purchase higher quality, larger sized photocopies or electronic copies of newspapers pages.

06/11/2025

FREE access to Ancestry wartime records until 12th November.

Free Access to global wartime records

20/10/2025

Sooo, I am at number 6 of a reverse deep dive earch into 'Phoebe Dunbar' convicts. Introducing fine felon # 2604 James CAREY who was convicted of cow stealing at County Tipperary in January 1849 aged 22. The 'Phoebe Dunbar' arrived in WA in 1853 - James is now 26. This unfortunate spent the majority of his time in WA at the Convict Establishment Hospital. He met his maker on 13 February 1854, still a patient at the Convict Hospital. One of my primary aims in my research of 'Phoebe Dunbar' convicts is to ascertain birth, marriage and death. James never married and his birth record has eluded me. BUT, having the details of his death, I went in search for his burial location. This is the ultimate reason for my post. James was most certainly buried at the Skinner Street Cemetery which replaced the original WA cemetery, Alma Street (1831-1855) as per the comment in the attached image "interred at the New Cemetery". And how did I confirm this? A wonderful lady by the name of Kate Caldwell transcribed all of the records for the Alma and Skinner Street cemeteries in 1936. These have since been re-transcribed and are in digital format. This confirmed that a "Jacobus" CAREY was interred at the Skinner Street cemetery on 13 February 1854 - I would contend it was the 14 February 1854.

10/10/2025

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of a neighbor, I am now the proud as punch owner of my own personal research library. Feeling lucky and very privileged. ❤️❤️❤️👣

06/10/2025

There are LOADS of online family and local history resources out there. Sharing one of my favorites that I have been following for years: 'Western Australia Now and Then' hosted and posted by Marc Glasby.

This site is free MEGA user friendly and has both independent search and 'Quick Link' functionality. Check it out, I can gurantee you will not be disappointed.

Western Australia's history, folklore, beautiful places, people and much more.

28/09/2025

Had an even better day today! Won $278 at the Toodyay Picnic Races. Still looking for 2x research requests. Come on people! 👣

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27/09/2025

Have had a fantastic day! First 2 family history questions will be followed up and hopefully answered. 👣

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27/09/2025

Pass it on!

TGIF!!!

21/09/2025

In my search for information about fine felon 2605, William McDonald, I have come across an article that mentions at least 3 other fine felon folk. William was a witness at Supreme Court - in the hot spot were 'Scindian' 54 Esau WEATHERALL (Not Guilty) and 'Sea Park' 2899 Joseph aka Job RIDOUT (Guilty) - Another witness was 'William Jardine' 1369 Benjamin HUTCHIN. Enjoy reading about the trial of the awkward-horned bull named 'Lofty'. 👣

Esau Wetherall, expiree, and Job Ridout, were charged with stealing a bullock, the property of J. Everett at Toodyay; two other counts charged them with killing and receiving ...

20/09/2025

Narrowing down some sessions for the symposium and will post a poll at a later date. What would interest you?
- Blood of my blood - exploring DNA;
- At my fingertips - online resources;
- Births, weddings and funerals - BDM related;
- Location, location, location! – Family history societies, online forums and one-name-studies;
- Read all about it! – Books, newspapers and research repositories;
- Deep dive – Archives and state records; and
- Connecting with kin – How to best approach potential family members.
Most of all, we hope to give folk the space and time to practice what they have learnt in each session, giving ample opportunity to have a play and enhance their skills. 👣

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18/09/2025

For me, it is both! Post if you agree. 👣