I think it might be interesting to learn a
bit more about each other on this forum.
All of us have our own stories -
that reflect the diverse character of this country.

I recently read a post from Is Mise - about what
life was like for the people of Dorset in the past.
I found it very moving. It gave me the idea for
this discussion. I enjoy learning about the
experiences of other people.

Sharing our stories might help us to understand each
other better.

I look forward to your input.

Foxy,
This should be interesting.
I can trace my line back to BC times, if the genealogies can trusted, unfortunately some prominent ancestors had a propensity for ‘gilding the lily’ and making themselves appear more important or to else to back up claims to estates or to titles.
The proverbial grain(s) of salt should be kept at hand!!

The thing to always remember is that family trees are like peanut bushes, the best bits are under the ground

Is Mise,

Thanks for that. I was hoping to hear more detail
about where you were born and your English/Irish
ancestry. Where your genes came from. Any stories to
tell. What part of England was your home - and so on.

cont'd ...

My ancestry is predominantly Lithuanian - on my
father's side. Russian on my mum's. Grandad -
a Lithuanian was in the Tsar's army. He met my
gran - and they married in St. Petersburg and
moved to Lithuania. Mum was born in Lithuania
where she grew up and lived until World War II.

Of course World War II changed their lives.
My parents along with my mum's parents managed
to flee the Stalinist terror and eventually they
found themselves in the International Refugee
Organisation's camps in Germany.

They joined the first wave of displaced Baltic
(Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian) people who were
invited by then Labor Prime Minister Arthur
Calwell to come and settle in Australia to help
solve the acute labour shortage at the time.

My parents like so many refugees at the time had to
sign 2 year contracts with the government and had to go
wherever they were sent. These were difficult times
for everybody. But at least they were in a country where
they were able to build a life for themselves.

I was born in Bathurst NSW.

tbc.

I grew up in Sydney but I have roots in the
country. From Bathurst, to Windsor, the
Hawkesbury, the Hunter, Wagga Wagga, Albury,
Wodonga.

I loved the early days growing up. The early
days in Wentworthville/Parramatta.. I am
proud of Macarthur Girls'High School and the
University of NSW. I loved supporting the
theatre and the Arts. To me it was as vital
as breathing. I firmly believe that the
present is linked to the past.

That's why it is important that we pass on our
histories to our children - and grand-children.

Mum was an orphan, raised by a grand mother on her mothers side. Mum's sister, my maiden aunt, traced their linage back to a Lord Aldred, reputedly King Arthur's sea lord. As it appears King Arthur may be a myth, I don't place too much store in that. I never met any of them, other than the aunt.

Dads father came out from England as aide de camp for a Governor General in early 1900s, I have no idea which one. The grand father lost his money during the depression, & raised 7 kids as a bike painter.

Mum chased dad all round Oz during the war, & I reckon she would have chased him to PNG & the Solomons if she could have. I actually have memories of us sailing from Sydney to Townsville in a war time convoy, protected by war ships, probably a couple of little corvettes & air patrols.

I went to school in Ipswitch, Amberley, Brisbane, Townsville [twice & 3 schools], Sydney, Bathurst & Young. Young was 4 years, the only place longer that 15 months. I became a pretty good fighter, as the new kid was always picked by the bully, & a pretty good cricketer, & footballer as the easiest way to break into a new school is to play in the school teams.

Unlike you Foxy, I have no contact with any relatives or school friends. My friends come from my motor racing, sailing, & show jumping days, & all too many of them are falling off the perch these days