About Me

We both step and do not step in the same river. We are and are not.” Heracleitus 6 Cent. BC

About Me.

I provide look ups and searches of a series of electronic indexes and databases which have been compiled from primary and secondary source material.

My family - Christmas 2008

My family – Christmas 2008

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My aim is to provide inexpensive research assistance for family and local historians. Searches of the electronic indexes are in the most cases free of charge. I do provide research services for those requiring a ‘manual’ search of the holdings and other resources which have not yet been transcribed or requiring a number of ‘look ups’ . Monies received for these services are used to develop further research aids. For those wishing to utilize these resources I suggest that you follow the ‘resource’ tab.

Xmas 2016

Xmas 2016

I have a background in Engineering and Metallurgy having served an apprenticeship as a Fitter & Turner at Commonwealth Steel Company, Waratah concurrently gaining a certificate in Mechanical Engineering. I also later graduated with Certificates in Metallurgy and Management. My employment was in the steel making and coal mining industries. In the latter, in management of coal preparation and processing plants at Hexham, Aberdare, Liddell and Hunter Valley and Kalimantan , Indonesia. During my employment I worked in steel making at Manchester and Sheffield and during my employment with Coal & Allied undertook a number of study tours of processing plants and equipment in U.S.A., Canada, South Africa, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom. I have also been fortunate to travel extensively visiting Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium , Switzerland, Austria, Turkey,  Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Washington, Denmark,  Mexico and Hungary.

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My Family Xmas 2019

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and also a Graduate Diploma in Local and Applied History. My own area of research is pre 1900 social Australian history in particular the alienation of land, the inter reaction between the squatters and other land users, toponymy – the study of place names and Victorian England. I also have a interest in houses , fences and gates and building materials used in their constructions  . Some of my work is focused on providing background material such as address, occupation and where available salary. An example of this work you will find in my CD entitled ‘Residents of NSW’. My CD’s have been purchased by family historians and Family History Societies, Local Historical Groups and Public Libraries. See here for listing.

I hope that my records are of use to those family historians who wish to add some foliage to the family tree and move on from the ‘womb to tomb’ aka known as ‘cradle to grave’ approach of the mere recording of date of birth, marriage and death approach.

The following is an extract from the introduction to my own family history :- 

Patrrick Callaghan & family copy

Patrick and Dinah Callaghan. l.to r. James, Jack and William

This work attempts to provide a frame of reference for those who wish to research the history of the Callaghan, Smith or Schmidt, McCraven, Fullick, Marshall, Doring, Schaefer, Claydon, Grungleman, Kony or Counts families.   I have endeavored to write the history of my forebears from a social perspective and to determine albeit with mixed success to identify their reasons for leaving homes, family and friends and traveling some 13000 sea miles to an unknown land. Equally I have tried to trace their mobility on arrival either on an individualistic or family basis. It would seem, however, that their mobility was more of a geographical nature rather than economic or social. This is not to conclude that they were not worse or better off, but rather one of relativity. For those who might seek to find men and women of mark as measured by some socio economic determinants I am afraid that to date this has not been the case. Rather it would seem that our ancestors typified those who left their homeland in the 19th century, either of their own volition or otherwise, to seek a new life in a new world…..more

If you are researching for Callaghan you may find this link to an extract from my database ‘Residents of NSW Vol 3.” of use. It contains the names and details for 263 Callaghans.   link

Also if your name is Callaghan  you might like this:-

© 2006.Reproduction without permission is not appreciated. Whilst most of the data has been sourced from material in the public domain, these formats of the data have not and along with my historical notes are protected by copyright.

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12 thoughts on “About Me

  1. Hi Terry,
    Am visiting my nephew and family, recent residents of Greta, next week.
    Being an enthusiastic local historian decided to surprise him with a written history and photos of his new town. Came across your web site and was immediately curious about your qualifications as mine are exactly the same -BA with double
    major in history and Grad Dip in Local and App. History, both qualifications as
    a correspondence student with New England Uni.Obtained latter 1991.
    You are providing terrific lists for researchers. Congratulations.

  2. Hello
    I am looking for information on how to get hold of the coronial report on Norman Brown whom was shot in the riot at Rothbury . I am wanting this information to use as a primary source for a history assignment I am undertaking on the subject. Hope you can help with some advice.

  3. Hi Terry

    Many thanks for all the information
    My late mother was Bertha (nee Callaghan) and her father was John Callaghan (b 1867?), a school teacher who died around 1923.

    I was sorting through some papers and found a letter (1961) from the Public Trustee to the late Cora Anderson (nee Callaghan), my mother’s sister,
    wanting details of nieces and nephews regarding the estate of Francis Callaghan of Capertee. Francis must have been a brother of John.

    I remember Mum (Bertha) telling me that John was from Denis Swamp?

    I have a copy of a small photograph somewhere of John with wife Annie Eliza May (nee Pearce) holding Cora as a newborn (1901) also with her two
    other children Violet and Sydney. They are standing together with about 25 schoolchildren outside a wooden schoolhouse. I thought that the school was
    Cobbora, though I’m not certain. I believe Ida Callaghan was born at Cobbora in 1905.

    If you have the time Terry, I’m keen to hear your thoughts, and if are you related to this line of Callaghan’s? They pronounced it ‘callergun’.

    A little more trivia, John Callaghan’s wife Annie (my Grandmother) was the daughter of John Pearce, manager of Pearce & Hillier’s store that was robbed by Ben Hall in 1863.

    Thank you for the resources you have published on line, I can see that a John Callaghan taught at Goolma in 1900.

    Mum told me her father taught at a number of places including Cobbora, South Wolumla, Coolongolook, Bowen Park, Barringun (must have been the end of the earth) and Edith.

    Kind Regards
    Adrian Revell
    Petersham NSW

  4. Excuse me. I stumbled on your site looking for information on my Uncle, Rev. James J Salway. Sorry for the intrusion.

    Judith Salway Dipietro

  5. Hi Terry, think we had contact some years ago.
    Still chasing my husbands CALLAGHAN family.
    Some proving quite elusive.
    Helen Callaghan

  6. Hi Terry, There is a comment on my request item about Ralph Turner from an Ivan Turner who I have worked out is my third cousin. I would like to contact him and wonder if it is possible for you to pass on my email address to him. If he does not wish to communicate with me then that’s okay – his choice. I’m not sure if this is appropriate, but I have no other way of contacting him. Thanking you, regards, Sandra Finn

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