Born in Minnesota, my Dad, Frank Osborn, joined the US Army in 1941, hoping to be discharged after a year. Instead he found himself - and his future - on the other side of the world. Dad met my mother, Rhona, at an officer's graduation party in Brisbane. With the offer of chewing gum in exchange for her number, their love was sealed on a PK wrapper.
While war duty kept Mum and Dad apart, they were hastily married in 1945 when Dad's supply ship was briefly docked in Sydney. It was 18 months before they would see each other again. On his discharge, Dad set about creating their new life in Minnesota, arranging for Mum to join him on the Brides' Boat. But destiny had different plans. Mum fell gravely ill with appendicitis and couldn't travel. On hearing the news, Dad set sail for a new life in Australia.
Last year when we went to Minnesota I could only imagine ‘what if?'. Dad only ever went back once but walking in his footsteps, we've uncovered extraordinary things. With Ancestry.com.au's easy online tools we've traced the Osborns right back to the 15th Century. We now have 3000 names in our family tree and I've even unearthed convict forebears that were never spoken of in my family.
I'm sure every family has a fascinating story, and when people ask me how I got started, I tell them my journey began at Ancestry.com.au.