Bluestone Genealogy

The subject for week 8 of the 2019 #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, organised by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow, is 'Family Photo.' Of all of the family photos in my possession, the one I am about to share means the most to me - not only in terms of sentimentality, but in terms of historical significance. It is the oldest family heirloom in my possession, and the only image that I have of my great-great grandmother, and her children.  Original photograph of Maguire family, c. 1906 This photo was originally in my Nan's possession, but since I am the (self-appointed) Family Historian, she passed it on to me for safe keeping. This photo was taken in mid to late 1906 which was a period of great hardship for this little family but, before we continue I strongly suggest reading my previous post 'Invite to Dinner' to give you some important contextual information. You can find the post  here. Restoration of photograph of Maguire family, c.1906 Sta...

First work locomotive reaching Hurstbridge during the extension of the railway line from Eltham to Hurstbridge. Source: Picture Victoria. Copyright Nillumbik Historical Society Last week, I told the story of John and Goymer Shorten and their illegal exploits in several counties in England, discussing their luck in narrowly avoiding a Capitol sentence after they were apprehended for horse stealing. Week 12 of #52ancestors gives us the prompt of "misfortune." Misfortune is defined as bad luck; an unfortunate condition or event. For John Maguire, that unfortunate event occurred on Thursday, 2nd October 1913. John Michael Maguire (sometimes Maguire, sometimes McGuire) was the first born of Patrick Maguire and Elizabeth Monaghan, and was my 2nd great-granduncle. He was born around 1857 in County Meath, Ireland and traveled with his parents and his younger brother Patrick Michael (my x2 great grandfather) from Liverpool, England to Melbourne, Australia aboard the Phoenix ...

This week's prompt caused me to stop and think for a moment - Valentine. February 14. The day where the universal language of love is celebrated world wide. Today's post will be told by my grandmother, who was married to my Pop for 53 years before he passed away in 2008. She wrote down the story of how they met a few years ago, and added to it again earlier this week, so I thought I would combine the two, to paint a complete picture.  Nan on her push bike in front of her house on Glance Street, c. 1950-1951 I just met Calcidon Cauchi (Charlie) when he came to live with the Maltese people next door to where I lived with my parents and my brother Jimmy. I never had much to say to them as I was only 17 years old and 'wogs' (as they were called then), people were a bit weary of them. Charlie used to live next door with the family and his brother Damien. We used to speak to Damien more than Dad as he was very shy, though he used to speak to my mum alot. Pop l...

Larpent Diamond Jubliee Dinner 1909 / W. H. Watts. Source: State Library of Victoria Week 4 of Amy's #52ancestors in 52 weeks challenge is 'invite to dinner'. This is a difficult one for me as, if I had the option of inviting any of my ancestors for dinner, I would invite them all! I would invite my Poppy,  Calcidonio 'Charlie', who passed away ten years ago - I would listen to his stories with great interest instead of youthful arrogance; I would invite my maternal grandmother Mary, who passed away a month before I was born. I would love to speak to my 3x great grandfather Goymer, a convict and career criminal until a stint at Norfolk Island seemed to set him straight. I'd love to have my great-grandfather James over for dinner, who served in France in World War 1 and who, like hundreds of thousands of veterans, witnessed such atrocities that scarred them for life, both mentally and physically. I would like to have any and all of my female ancestor...