May 26, 2012

First World War Tribute

James Gorey

The Shepparton News published a Remembrance Day tribute this month using material I had researched for the Gorey family history. Journalist Darren Linton did a great job compiling the information with photographs and putting it all into historical context. The Gorey family at war, part 1 Get your own at Scribd or explore others: The [...]

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The Groote Beer

The Groote Beer

This picture shows my mother (second from right), her siblings and my grandparents about to leave Rotterdam in the Netherlands on the Wassenberg family’s voyage of emigration to Australia aboard the Groote Beer in 1955. I stumbled onto this topic because I found Maggie walking around with a copy of this picture: The Groote Beer [...]

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In memory of James Daniel Gorey

James Gorey

Monday (October 13) was the 90th anniversary of the death of my great-uncle James Daniel Gorey. Jim was my grandfather Michael’s youngest brother. I’m disappointed with myself for missing the anniversary before now. With commemorations looming for the 90th anniversary of some famous battles on the Somme, and of course the Armistice, my mind is [...]

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More Dutch than Irish

Irish clover

St Patrick’s Day came and went. Because of the early Easter, St Pat’s Day was actually moved to March 15 in many places. I don’t think many Aussies heard the official edict, because we still drank Guinness and green beer on March 17. Anyhow, it begs the question: how Irish am I? Gorey is an [...]

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Dutch heritage

Helden flag

I’ve been browsing tonight for information about my grandmother’s family. She was a Zelen from Helden, Limburg, in the Netherlands. I haven’t been able to find much so far, I’m afraid. Please contact me if you can help. I did learn however, that this is the flag of the municipality of Helden. The municipality includes [...]

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