Traces

This magazine is for people passionate about Australia and New Zealand's genealogy, history and heritage. Whether you want to explore convict history, find your Anzac, identify photographs or trace your family tree, our trusted expert advice will help you discover your past.

Welcome to the fifth edition of Traces!

Letters to the editor • What you thought of Traces Volume 4

Heritage news

What’s new online? • The newest updates and additions to historical collections available online.

MERCYCARE WEMBLEY • In this edition, we bring you a 125-year-old Perth schoolhouse that sat unused for decades before an award-winning heritage restoration.

The mythos of Ned Kelly • Ned Kelly has divided Australian opinion for over 100 years. Regardless of one’s views on Ned, the Kelly story highlights the complexity of history, and the way that our contemporary culture and perceptions can influence the retelling of our past. Was he nothing more than a violent thug and criminal, or were his motives more altruistic? In this edition of Traces, we feature two conflicting opinions of Ned Kelly and let you decide.

Ned Kelly, villain

The endless appeal of Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly

Young Irelanders in Tasmania • In the centre of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, is a statue of Thomas Francis Meagher (1823–1867) astride a prancing steed. Waterford’s most famous son went on to have a fascinating, albeit short, life, part of which was spent as a convict in Van Diemen’s Land.

RECONCILIATION IN TRUSTED HANDS • Situated on an ancient Darug pathway, old sandstone buildings that once symbolised imperialism are now vehicles for reconciliation.

The Spanish flu in Australia • The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic infected 500 million people worldwide. Anthony Hele explores the event and how we can discover those who were involved.

Tracing the flu

The maddest place on Earth • A new book illuminating the world of Melbourne’s early lunatic asylums recently won the Victorian Premier’s History Award. Jill Giese, clinical psychologist and author of The Maddest Place on Earth, spoke with Traces about this intriguing slice of colonial history.

Fremantle Prison: the convict establishment

A journey back in time to Norfolk Island • Two centuries ago, Norfolk Island was known as ‘Hell in Paradise’, but a weekend visit revealed that Hell has well and truly departed. Norfolk is a history-lover’s heaven.

More than its heritage

A respectable profession – nursing in Australia • The Australian nursing profession has changed dramatically throughout history, thanks to advances in medicine and technology. Author Deborah Burrows, who has just published Nurses of Australia, reveals how the experience of nursing has changed over centuries.

Researching nurses

Street Photography • A new exhibition at the Museum of Sydney explores the heyday of this once popular but now forgotten genre of photography.

The women of Old Ararat Gaol • Victoria’s J Ward was a temporary facility for the incarceration of the criminally insane. Jacqui Sanders sheds light on the women and children who were incarcerated here.

Finding your J Ward ancestors

Study your family history • Do you often feel that you could achieve more with your family history research? Traces spoke with Dr Kristyn Harman, Course Co-ordinator of the Diploma of Family History at the University of Tasmania (UTAS), about studying in this field.

A treasure lost and found • In the course of researching his family tree, Ian Wright has found journals, ancestral homes, old photographs and plenty of other treasures, but the discovery of a family bible earlier this year has been the best treasure by far.

Joseph Tuso: child convict • At the age of 14, Janette Baker’s...