Family lore had long celebrated my Irish great grandfather’s arrival in Sydney in 1857 – 14 years old and 14 pennies in his pocket, which in time he turned into a fortune. But he’s just one of so many interesting characters and fascinating stories I’ve discovered in my family with the help of Ancestry.com.au.
My research led me to discover that in 1834, my great, great, great grandfather, the Reverend Henry Dowling, arrived in Hobart with his wife and two of their sons. He was the first Baptist minister in Van Diemen’s Land. His eldest son was to become a member of the Legislative Council of Victoria, while a tragic fate awaited his daughter, Hannah. Along with her husband and six children, Hannah drowned in the infamous wreck of The Dunbar at Sydney Heads on 20 August 1857.
Years ago when I studied at art school, I vaguely knew of an artist in the family. It was exciting to confirm that Henry’s youngest son, Robert Hawker Dowling, was a successful artist. His paintings of colonial life and portraits of the Tasmanian Aborigines, in particular, are highly valued and hang in the collections of four National galleries and the National Library. We’re lucky to have one of his works in the family.
I find the stories from my family’s past so inspiring. Especially when you think about the challenges they faced and the risks they took. They connect you to the past, but they shape your view of the future too and your own place in your family’s history. Ancestry.com.au is a great place to start discovering the colourful stories in your family.