Blog

Jim's Genie Blog

These blogs are designed to spread the word about the outcomes from my family history research. Each one is a short account of recent activity and discoveries, often with a link to a more detailed article on the matter. The blog also provides an opportunity to share interesting work published by other people, including the availability of new resources. So, watch this space for regular updates about my ongoing research, new stories, new research reports and other useful genealogical information.

10/7/2023 - Discovered! Mary Lahy's fate - About Mary Scott nee Lahy

19/10/2022 - Frances Reed, pioneer of Bourke - About Frances Reed nee Heazle

28/7/2022 - New research has solved the mystery of William Baker's arrival in Australia

10/7/2022 - Trooper Alfred Ernest Whye was one of the first Aboriginal Australian; and a nephew of Prudence Reed

8/7/2022 - James Murphy's Demise – Proof that he did not die in 1914 and is not buried in Bourke

18/6/2022 - Convicts – About our 14 convict ancestors and their 15 convict relatives

23/09/2021 - Where the Coolabahs Grow - About my GG-grandfather, William Isaac Kemp

22/09/2021 - Wrangear found! - Solves the mystery of the elusive "Wrangear", where Frances Kemp was born in 1859

24/08/2021 - Our Carlisle Origins – Debunks the old theory of William Carlisle's origins.

6/10/2020 - Showdown at the Blue Bell Inn – About the elusive Elizabeth Clarkson.

23/06/2020 - Descent article - Debunks the old theory of Thomas Kessey's origins.

• 21/06/2020 - New Poulton biographies – New material on the Poulton family.
• 20/06/2020 - Circumventing the Poulton Clarkson Roadblock – An ancestor roadblock circumvented by researching a fellow-traveller.
• 16/06/2020 - 200th ancestor identified – Three hefty research projects have now identified ancestor number 200!
• 28/03/2020 - Fleming ancestry DNA analysis – The use of DNA to search for a common ancestor with other Flemings
• 15/03/2020 - Updated Fleming biographies – Publication of new biographies of four Fleming ancestors
• 15/03/2020 - Angus Fleming's origins – His ancestry is now traced back several generations
• 12/09/2019 - A Noble Harvest – This skillfully woven story about the life of Elizabeth Taylor was recognised with a Highly Commended award.
• 29/07/2019 - Lahy family origins – Idfentifies Mary Lahy's parents as Martin Lahy and Bridget Kain of Johnswell, Kilkenny, Ireland.
• 14/07/2019 - New Ballantyne pages – Publication of significant new material on the Ballantyne families.
• 29/06/2019 - Feeling chuffed – "Townsville or Hell!" book used for a story-telling workshop
• 14/06/2019 - My tangled Ballantynes – Untangling the confusion caused when one Ballantyne marries another.
• 05/06/2019 - The Ballantyne Roadblock – A DNA hint plus good old-fashioned genealogical investigation led to a breakthrough.
• 15/04/2019 - The Waples Roadblock – A chance discovery, classic genealogical strategy and innovative research techniques led to a breakthrough.