Books on the History of the Western Australian Goldfields

Hundreds of books have been written on the Western Australian Goldfields. From reference books to fiction and most of all the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the quest for gold and the search for adventure. There are also many biographies and history books some on the broader subject of the history of the region and others on a specific subject or town. Outback Family History would like to review some of these that you may not have heard of and to tell you where they can be purchased if you would like your own copy. We also have a monthly book giveaway!

Typhoid : digging for ended in digging a grave

‘Typhoid Fever’ Many lives on the waterless goldfields of Western Australia were lost, not only from thirst but also from Typhoid Fever. In the 1890s, Typhoid was endemic throughout Australia. It struck at Perth, Western Australia’s capital itself, then in established outlying centres such as Northam and at temporary townships on the road to the […]

Kundana – The town that never was!

Kundana is situated 25kms west-northwest of Kalgoorlie and 27 km nor-northeast of Coolgardie. In the 1890s the area was known informally as the ’21 Mile’ because it was 21 miles from Coolgardie on the Black Flag Road. Other unofficial names used were ‘Barkers Find’ after the first prospector in the area and also ‘White Flag’ […]

Distressing Complications at the Yerilla Cemetery

150kms north of Kalgoorlie, in fairly lush pastoral country, lies Yerilla Station. A few kilometers from the homestead are the remains of the old Yerilla townsite and its early gold workings. It is relatively unheard of in regards to gold production but is renowned worldwide for its ‘Green Gold’ Chrysoprase, one of the most valuable […]

Kunanalling or the 25 Mile – ghost towns

Kunanalling or the 25 Mile Latitude 30 141’ S Longitude 121 04’ E In December of 1892, James Speakman and the party found gold 25 miles from Coolgardie and 17 miles north of Mt Burgess. Speakman pegged a lease but did not apply for an exemption when he left it on account of lack of […]

Thomas RYAN – The King of Meekatharra

Some time ago I was contacted by Sue Hartley who is the Great Granddaughter of Thomas Ryan and his wife, Henrietta Ryan nee Kane. Their third child, Mary Daisy Ryan, known as Dais, was her grandmother. Meekatharra Ryan” or the King of Meekatharra as Tom was known, did much to build the town amenities as […]