Canberra History Web

Bertram Edward Porter-1st Murder Committal in Canberra

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:20:00 +0000

This is a sad story from Canberra's Depression years-of unemployment, loneliness, marital rejection, desolation and tragic circumstances. It's the story of an unemployed man, left with his baby son, after his wife, Vera Jofferette Jacobs, deserted him for another man...Rejected by its mother, the baby was adored by its father who, despite his unhappy marriage, wanted reconciliation...She refused, so Bert decided to end it all...with tragic circumstances...READ ON

Obituaries for the Canberra District

Mon, 30 May 2011 07:09:00 +0000

I am finally getting the Obituaries webpage up. It was formerly 'Canberra People'. It will contain not just obituaries, but also inquests, murders, and anything else that seems to suit. Click on OBITUARIES to see what is there - so far!

Vandals at St John's Churchyard, Reid

Tue, 24 May 2011 23:11:00 +0000

At some time on 23 May 2011, vandals entered the historic churchyard of St. John's, Reid, and thoughtlessly destroyed 14 headstones. READ ON.

TIMELINE-Stirling Park, Yarralumla ACT

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:03:00 +0000

Have you walked in Stirling Park and wondered what was there? Have you found any remnants of European crockery, nails, tin, etc.? The Park is an historical area, where the Ngunawal people camped. It was farmed by early settlers, and again camped upon by hundreds of Canberra's European construction workers. For a European timeline, some walking maps, images and sketch maps Go to... Walking Maps are HERE.

Captain Edmund Harrison Cliffe of Craven Estate, Weston Creek ACT

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:35:00 +0000

Did you know that Captain Edmund Harrison Cliffe was granted land in Canberra? His land included Coppins Crossing, and continued west along the southern side of the Molonglo River, concluding almost at the Murrumbidgee River, at Uriarra. Who was he and where did he come from? He was as influential as Robert Campbell of Duntroon, but what happened to him? and why don't we know much about him? READ MORE...

Bellona - Canberra's 1st statue

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:21:00 +0000

Read about the Mystery of Bellona, the Goddess of War - and Canberra's first statue, who was promptly dubbed 'Boudicea' by the locals and occasionally found wearing 'women's apparel'! More... Link also from 'Articles-Essays etc.' page.

Family History Research

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:28:00 +0000

Please note that we do not undertake family history research as we (as do many institutions) prefer people to do their own.

We do recommend the following institutions & Societies - Links are available from our Links page:

National Library of Australia: http://www.nla.gov.au/

The Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra: http://www.hagsoc.org.au/main/index.php

- this library is a storehouse for both Australian and Overseas material, including monumental inscriptions, journals exchanged with overseas & Australian societies, directories, local histories etc etc - and heaps of books written on particular families. Thoroughly recommended.

Email: hagsoc@hagsoc.org.au for research service.

Canberra & District Historical Society: http://www.canberrahistory.org.au/

NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages: http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/search.htm

State Records of New South Wales - Online Indexes: http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/indexes-online/

Archives Office of Tasmania: http://www.archives.tas.gov.au/

Public Record Office of Victoria: http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/