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Tales from the Grave
Uncovering family history from down under
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His business was gambling and he died a wealthy man
George Adams was a labourer's son, but knew how to network and make money. He became Tasmania's highest ratepayer.

Samantha Elley
Mar 2, 20203 min read


Mother Patrick was there for refugees from the Nazis
It's a brave woman who, at the age of 20 years old, steps on a ship to travel to the other side of the world, knowing she is leaving behind

Samantha Elley
Feb 24, 20202 min read


Ragtime queen chose her final resting place in Australia
If the pharmacy industry had claimed her first, the world would have missed out on the incredible musical talent of Una Winifred Atwell.

Samantha Elley
Feb 17, 20203 min read


Unknown corpse becomes Australia's most profound mystery
Usually when someone goes missing, they're reported to police. What happens when someone is found but no one has reported them gone?

Samantha Elley
Feb 10, 20203 min read


Fatal attempt at mutiny on Norfolk Island
In early September 1842, news had leaked of a daring attempt of mutiny on Norfolk Island.

Samantha Elley
Feb 3, 20203 min read


Politician had them 'quaking' for the workers
He was a teetotaller and believed in free trade, going against the beliefs of his own father. He was a Quaker in politics.

Samantha Elley
Jan 27, 20203 min read


Edward gives himself up to police and faces the ultimate punishment - Part 2
Constable Jones was not aware of how his day would go, when he saw a man of medium build walk into the Newcastle police station where he...

Samantha Elley
Jan 20, 20204 min read


Father murders his three little girls while they sleep - Part 1
It was an event that horrified the Australian population in the 1920s. A father slashes the throats of his three little girls and goes...

Samantha Elley
Jan 13, 20203 min read


Convict had many strings to his bow
Thomas Wells could almost write his own success story. How a convict, charged with embezzlement made it into the good graces of the...

Samantha Elley
Jan 6, 20204 min read


Fatal Pulpit Hill convict breakout
The two men gripped hands as if their lives depended on it. For one of them, that was true.

Samantha Elley
Dec 29, 20194 min read


Prime Minister's grandmother met two dukes
The shattered headstone of Edwin Cox in Grafton cemetery. Photo: austcemindex At 22 years of age Mary Ainslie arrived in Tasmania with...

Samantha Elley
Dec 22, 20192 min read


Artificial grasses and international thoroughbreds raised in Lismore
What happened to Mary Wilson, daughter of the 'father' of Lismore?

Samantha Elley
Dec 13, 20192 min read


Bad health couldn't stop him advancing the local community
He had a pallid face and weak limbs and suffering visibly while at the Conference.

Samantha Elley
Nov 30, 20192 min read
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