Outback Family History
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Ripping Yarns & Tragic Tales
  • Grave Tales

James Shaw – First Mayor of Coolgardie

03/08/2024 By Moya Sharp Leave a Comment

James Shaw was born in 1846 in Belfast Ireland, his father was Hugh Shaw, an engineer and his mother was Margaret, they married in Victoria. In 1864, at age 18yrs, James Shaw sailed to Auckland New Zealand where he started a contracting business which was most successful. He also won a service medal for fighting […]

Share this:

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: People, Places Tagged With: Australian History, Coolgardie, Goldfields History, Western Australia

With Murderous Intent –

03/08/2024 By Moya Sharp Leave a Comment

In the early Goldfields days, life was harsh and death came often to families. Not just to the old and very young, but often those in the prime of life would be taken suddenly. The main causes of death were diseases such as typhoid and accidents both at work and in the home. The child […]

Share this:

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: People, Places, Ripping Yarns & Tragic Tales Tagged With: Australian History, Coolgardie, Goldfields History, murder, Western Australia

Herbert Thomas – his constabulary duties

03/08/2024 By Moya Sharp 1 Comment

Herbert Henry Herle Thomas was born on the 9th of January 1865 in Plympton St Mary, Devon in England. he arrived in Western Australia in 1892 and soon after his arrival he joined the West Australia Police Force. The following year he married Emma Eliza Goodwyn nee Burchell, (from Norwood South Australia), in Perth on […]

Share this:

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: People, Places Tagged With: Australian History, Broome, Goldfields History, police history, Western Australia

Paddington Cemetery – in the lonely old graves the departed souls sleep

27/07/2024 By Moya Sharp 3 Comments

PADDINGTON CEMETERY AKA GUDARRA Coordinates: -30.48531, 121.36204 With lonely old graves where departed souls sleep, Where a merciful god a vigil must keep Till the trumpet is heard on that final last day Let us never disturb them, just leave them that way. BIDWELL Mary Edith Kathleen – d 30 Oct 1899, at Paddington, 5mths, Cause: Diarrhoea […]

Share this:

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Grave Tales, People, Places Tagged With: Australian History, Cemeteries, Goldfields History, Paddington, Western Australia

First Gold – from an impoverished colony to a wealthy state

27/07/2024 By Moya Sharp 1 Comment

The first commercial find of gold in Western Australia was made on 14 July 1885 at Hall’s Creek in the Kimberley District, and the Kimberley Goldfield was proclaimed in the following year, on 19 May 1886. This discovery, and the dramatic rush that followed, marked the beginning of our gold-mining industry, which was to transform […]

Share this:

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: People, Places Tagged With: Australian History, Goldfields History, Halls Creek, Kimberley, Western Australia

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • …
  • 426
  • Next Page »

Donate Jar

Leave a Tip!

If you would like to support my work sharing stories of the Western Australian Goldfields, a small tip – starting at just $2 – would mean a great deal. You’re welcome to give more if you feel inclined.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps me continue researching and preserving these important stories for future generations. Your generosity supports the ongoing costs of running the website. Thank you so much.






🏦 Direct Deposit

Free Subscription to the Latest Stories

* indicates required

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2026 ·

%d