Guest blog: Maryborough Family Heritage Institute Inc
There are many reasons for hosting family reunions and the volunteers at Maryborough’s Family Heritage Institute Inc. enjoy arranging events for the families and descendants of those who bravely left their countries of origin to an unknown land across the sea. It began in Maryborough in 1992 when descendants were invited to celebrate 130 years since the arrival of the first immigrant ship to Maryborough, the Ariadne, in 1862.
L-R Volunteers Diane Doak, Bonnie Stacey and Mrs Winter re-enact the arrival of immigrants and their families to the port of Mar yborough. Photo by Maryborough Family Heritage Institute Inc., 2012.
Each year since 2012, the Institute has arranged family reunions for various ships that came into the port of Maryborough. Tracing the descendants is a long hard job but the effort is rewarding when families meet new relatives and get the opportunity to share personal stories and learn new ones.
This July, descendants of those who arrived on the ships SARACA Passenger List 1877, LAMMERSHAGEN 1876 to 1877 and CITY OF AGRA Passenger List 1877 are celebrating 140 years since the arrival of their ancestors in 1877.
City of Agra. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 129595
The ‘Lammershagen’ was shipwrecked on rocks near Swansea, Wales, in 1882. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 78845
Contact Maryborough Family Heritage Institute for more information or stay in touch if you are a descendant interested in taking part.
Paula Hill, Maryborough Family Heritage Institute Inc. March 2017.