Jan 13

Winter Holiday 2017

It all began, as so many modern misadventures do, with an unsolicited email. This one, from MSC Cruises, offered an implausibly inexpensive 17-night repositioning cruise from Genoa to Dubai. I briefly considered the prudent response—deleting it—but predictably opted for the impulsive one instead. Reader, I booked it. Given the December departure, we tacked on a few days in Switzerland first—a civilised prelude to floating buffets and dubious cabaret. The plan: snow, scenic views, and Read more [...]

Mar 24

Emigrants from Kreis Züllichau (Brandenburg)

For family historians with an interest in the Prussian district of Züllichau, Frankfurt (Oder), compiled below is a list of about 2,000 emigrants, sorted alphabetically by surname. I believe the source of the data was the book The Old Lutheran Emigration at the Middle of the 19th Century, by Wilhelm Iwan, published in 1943. My Henschke ancestors are about half-way down. The list may be downloaded here:  Download Emigrants List First Name Surname Age Occupation Place of Origin Destination Year Heinrich Abraham 34 Haeusler Niedewitz Sued-Australien 1857 Anna Read more [...]

Nov 19

Summer Holiday 2016

A Visit to Australia and Tanzania via the Scenic Route This year, Zawadi decided she and the children—Amani and Malaika—would decamp to Tanzania for the summer. I, too, was long overdue for a trip to East Africa. At the same time, I felt the gravitational pull of Australia and a growing sense of familial obligation. With Zawadi and the kids setting off a week ahead of me, and no particular urgency to my own movements, I opted for the path less travelled—otherwise known as the “scenic Read more [...]

Jun 04

Searcy Baptisms in Nottinghamshire

For anyone who's also researching SEARCY/SEARCEY ancestors from Nottinghamshire, below is a consolidated list of all the baptisms from 1682 onwards: Christian Father's Fathers' Mother's Mother's Date Parish Abode Profession Name Christian Surname Christian Surname Baptism / Name Name Born yyyy mm dd Mary James SEARCY Mary 1682 Read more [...]

Nov 01

A Visit to the Old Kakoschke Farm

A Visit to the Old Kakoschke Farm (or what's left of it anyway) 2015 marked the centenary of the death of the original Aussie Kakoschke - Johann Friedrich Wilhelm, better known as Jack. In September, my brother Lex and I had the opportunity to visit the ruins of the old Kakoschke family home, out on the plains in the Hundred of Lindley, near Morgan in South Australia. It's such desolate countryside. The only things that thrive are crows, saltbush and shingleback lizards. It's hard to imagine Read more [...]

Oct 23

European Vacation 2015

European Escapades Without the Wings We had an exceedingly agreeable sojourn through Europe this past summer—our own Grand Tour, minus the powdered wigs and rampant consumption. The journey commenced with Swiss Airways to Milan and concluded in Berlin, with Swiss again doing the honours. These were, you’ll be relieved to know, the only airborne episodes of the entire affair. The rest was accomplished via train and cruise ship—far more civilised modes of travel, if you ask me. After all, there’s Read more [...]